Depressed skull fracture by a three-pin head holder: a case illustration

The Incidence of Depressed Skull Fractures Due to the Use of Pin-Type Head Frame Systems in the Adult Population: 10-year Experience of a Single Neurosurgical Center

OBJECTIVE

Pin-type head frame systems have become a worldwide standard procedure, but they can cause some complications on rare occasions. This study aimed to examine the incidence and associated risk factors of depressed skull fracture and related intracranial hematoma (DSFH) due to the use of head frames in our institute over the past 10 years.

METHODS

This study included 1749 patients who underwent neurosurgical surgeries using pin-type head frames, including the Mayfield (Integra NeuroSciences, Plainsboro, NJ) skull clamp (721 cases) and the Sugita (Mizuho Ikakogyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) head frame (1028 cases). We retrospectively reviewed hospital records of our institute to identify cases of DSFH, and documented the type of head frame used, as well as patient characteristics.

RESULTS

The incidence of DSFH was 0.29% (5 of 1749 cases). All 5 cases had an associated epidural hematoma, with a single case having an additional dural laceration (without subdural damage). All perforation sites, located at the parietal bone near the pterion, occurred by the unilateral horizontal screw of the Sugita head frame. None of the patients experienced postoperative neurological decline.

CONCLUSIONS

Even in the adult population, the DSFH by the pin-type head frame can occur infrequently. Based on our results, we recommend that the following factors should be considered when the pin-type head frame is used for neurosurgical procedures: location of pin application, thickness and fragility of the skull, and adequate control of compressive forces exerted by the head frame.

The Mayfield Skull Clamp: A Literature Review of Its Complications and Technical Nuances for Application

BACKGROUND

The Mayfield skull clamp is the most commonly used 3-pin head immobilization device. It is routinely used in cranial neurosurgical procedures and selected cervical procedures. Despite its role in some serious complications, guidelines and nuances on the correct application of the Mayfield clamp are lacking. The goal of this article was to present an overview of the complications associated with the Mayfield skull clamp. We also present a conceptual framework of the correct use-in our opinion-of the Mayfield clamp in several standard approaches to avoid the most common complications.

METHODS

PubMed was searched for original articles published between 1980 and 2020 with the search terms "Mayfield skull clamp" and "Mayfield head clamp." Eligibility criteria were availability of English abstract and complications clearly attributed to the Mayfield skull clamp. Both authors assessed all search results for eligibility. Additional articles were found with cross-references.

RESULTS

The most common complications associated with Mayfield clamp application were due to vascular injury inflicted by the pins or skull fractures. Complications related to use of the Mayfield clamp were rare but often serious and avoidable. A conceptual framework was presented on how to avoid these complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Attention to detail, anatomy, and the primum non nocere principle are imperative in every step of the neurosurgical pathway, including placement of the Mayfield skull clamp. Thoughtful application, taking into consideration several nuances, is recommended to avoid inadvertent patient harm.

Rigid Cranial Fixation for Robot-Assisted Stereoelectroencephalography in Toddlers: Technical Considerations

BACKGROUND

Stereoelectroencephalography (sEEG) using depth electrodes has become a mainstay of pediatric epilepsy surgery. This technique relies on rigid cranial fixation using skull pins, which forms the basis for accurate stereotactic navigation. The use of cranial fixation pins poses the threat of traumatic skull injuries in young children because of inadequate cranial bone thickness.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a rigid cranial fixation technique involving the integrated Gel Head Ring from the DORO QR3 multipurpose skull clamp set (Pro Med Instruments) with superimposed pin fixation in children below the age of 36 mo undergoing sEEG.

METHODS

Patients were placed in the supine position and the head was fixed using a DORO skull clamp with 3 pediatric cranial pins. The head was supported on the integrated Gel Head Ring, and a pin pressure of 20 pounds was applied. The DORO skull clamp set was then attached to the ROSA neurosurgical robot support telescopic arm for stereotactic navigation.

RESULTS

We present an illustrative series of 2 patients below the age of 3 yr with medically refractory epilepsy who underwent sEEG using our modified cranial fixation technique. Head position and reference registration were stable throughout the surgeries. Postoperative volumetric computed tomography scans of the head showed accurate placement of sEEG depth electrodes and did not reveal any fractures or epidural hematoma. No other complications related to cranial fixation were noted.

CONCLUSION

Concurrent use of rigid and nonrigid cranial fixation using the DORO skull clamp set provides safe and effective cranial fixation in infants and toddlers undergoing sEEG.

Bilateral skull fracture with massive epidural hematoma secondary to pin-type head fixation in a pediatric patient: Case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

A head fixation device containing pins is common equipment used in neurosurgical procedures. Previous reports analysed some of the complications associated with the application of this device for adults and children, even the indications for the use in pediatric are not well defined.

CASE PRESENTATION

An 11-year-old girl diagnosed with non-communicating hydrocephalus, caused by posterior fossa tumor. During the surgery, complications were found in the form of acute epidural hematoma due to head fixation pins. So, the operation was stopped. Emergent CT scan was carried out and showed a bilateral skull fracture and a massive right-sided epidural hematoma. An emergency craniotomy for clot removal was performed and five days later, a second surgery was carried out uneventfully for the residual tumor. The patient fully recovered after the second surgery.

DISCUSSION

Complications due to the use of a pin head fixation are easier to occur in pediatric patients, because the bones are thinner and need more carefull strategy when pinning. With promp identification of any complications and earlier treatment, the good outcome will be achieved. We compared our case report with published literature in order to suggest the way to prevent this complication.

CONCLUSION

Skull fractures and associated epidural hematomas in pediatric patients need to be considered as possible complications of the pin-type head fixation application. The head fixation devices in pediatric need to be used with great caution and knowing the risk factors, safe technique for application and management of complications will prevent worse outcome.

The impact of intraoperative magnetic resonance in routine pediatric neurosurgical practice-a 6-year appraisal

BACKGROUND

The intraoperative magnetic resonance scanner (ioMR) was introduced in our unit in 2009, and has been used routinely since then.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to describe indications, radiological features, and clinical outcomes of the patients operated on with ioMRI and analyze our experience.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of a prospective surgical database has been performed, including surgical procedure, intent, radiological reports, need for second-look surgery, and complications, supplemented by further review of the clinical notes and the scans.

RESULTS

From 2009 to 2015, 255 surgical procedures with ioMR were performed: 175 were craniotomies for tumor excision, 65 were epilepsy related, and 15 were biopsies or cyst drainages. The mean age was 9.4 years. One ioMR was performed in 79.5% patients; the mean duration of the MR was 41 min. In 172 cases (67.4%), no actions followed the ioMR. When the aim of the surgery was debulking of the tumor, the percentage of patients in which the ioMR was followed by resection was higher than when complete resection was the aim (56 vs 27.5%). The complication rate was not increased when compared with our previous results (infection 1%, neurological deficits 12%).

CONCLUSION

This is the largest published series of ioMRI-aided pediatric neurosurgery to date. We have demonstrated that it can be used safely and routinely in pediatric neurosurgical procedures at any age, assisting the surgeon in achieving the best extent of resection and aiding in intra-operative decision-making for tumor- and non-tumor-related intracranial pathology.

Complications of Head Immobilization Devices in Children: Contact Mechanics, and Analysis of a Single Institutional Experience

BACKGROUND

Head immobilization devices (HIDs) are a staple of neurosurgical procedures, including in the intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) operating rooms (ORs) where material modifications were necessary for compatibility with the magnets utilized.

OBJECTIVE

To present the experience in this OR environment and discuss the multifactorial nature of the observed adverse events.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed, utilizing the Department of Neurosurgery and iMRI OR databases to identify patients who suffered complications related to HIDs between November 2007 and March 2016. A literature review was also done to identify the magnitude of the problem and the availability of safety guidelines.

RESULTS

Nine hundred and forty patients underwent surgery in the iMRI OR requiring head immobilization. Seven (0.7%) suffered complications related to the HID—depressed skull fractures (n = 7) and epidural hematomas (n = 6). Age at surgery ranged from 1.6 to 10.3 yr. All patients had posterior fossa neoplasms and associated obstructive hydrocephalus. Four patients (57%) suffered permanent neurological deficits. Six patients (86%) underwent a surgical procedure to evacuate the epidural hematomas and repair the depressed skull fracture. In contrast, 1 out of 445 patient (0.2%) suffered HID-related adverse events in the conventional ORs, aged 10.2 yr.

CONCLUSION

HIDs are important to provide stability and support during neurosurgical procedures. Modifications in the material or the shape of the pins can significantly change the pressure exerted. Most of these complications are preventable if certain precautionary measures are taken especially in certain high-risk patients, and the overall benefits of HIDs continue to outweigh the risks. There is a need for consensus on guidelines for the safe use of these devices.

Headholders' - complications in neurosurgery: A review of the literature and recommendations for its use

Several types of headholders are routinely used in neurosurgical practice to secure the head in a precise position, providing better security during surgical dissection as well as an absence of eye compression during prone positions. Nevertheless, potentially lethal complications might occur. We performed a review of the literature via PubMed and Google Scholar using the terms "Mayfield skull clamp", "Sugita headholders", "headholder complications" and "skull clamp complications". Twenty-six complications directly related to the use of headholders were identified through 19 papers published from 1981 to 2014: mainly skull fractures with or without a dural laceration (50%), epidural hematomas (23.8%), skull fractures with or without a dural laceration (50%), and air embolism (9.5%). The authors propose recommendations for the safe use of headholders.

[Depressed skull fracture following the use of Mayfield headrest in adult patients: about a case and review of the literature]

Un grand nombre d'interventions neurochirurgicales nécessitent l'utilisation d'une têtière à broches pour immobiliser la tête du patient. Nous rapportons le cas d'une embarrure chez un adulte secondaire à l'utilisation de la têtière de Mayfeild. Le diagnostic a été posé en postopératoire d'une résection chirurgicale d'un médulloblastome par une tomodensitométrie cérébrale. Plusieurs facteurs semblent contribuer à augmenter le risque de complications dues à l'utilisation de la têtière de Mayfield. Les mesures de prévention sont discutées à travers une revue de littérature.

Unexpected ruptured aneurysm during posterior fossa surgery

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE

Surgery is the recommended treatment for unique significant cerebellar metastasis, particularly in cases of hydrocephalus. Complications of posterior fossa surgery are associated with high risk of morbidity and mortality. We present a unique case of unexpected peroperative rupture of a cerebellar superior artery aneurysm during posterior fossa surgery.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

During posterior cranial fossa surgery, severe arterial bleeding occurred in front of the medulla oblongata. Immediate postoperative computed tomographic (CT) angiography revealed a fusiform aneurysm from a distal branch of the left superior cerebellar artery.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first reported operative case of unexpected infratentorial ruptured aneurysm during posterior fossa surgery.

Modified prone position using lateral brace attachments for cervico-dorsal spine surgeries

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study was to propose a method of prone positioning for posterior cervico-dorsal spine surgeries that is easy to achieve without additional equipment and may reduce complications associated with prone positioning in patients.

METHODS

41 patients underwent posterior spine surgeries using our method of prone positioning on a fluoroscopy compatible conventional operation table, and the technical difficulties and complications associated were noted. After induction under general anaesthesia in supine position, cervical tongs were applied. An assembly of two adequately padded cylindrical bolsters and two lateral brace attachments was set on a conventional operating table. The patient was then positioned prone so that the tongs as well as insertion pins of the tongs rest on the lateral brace attachments, with the face and head suspended freely in between. A neutralisation weight was then applied suspended from the tongs to stabilize the head.

RESULTS

The time required for patient positioning was noted and was found to be nearly the same as that required for traditional prone positioning. No problems were noted during patient positioning and with anaesthesia tubing management. All surgeries went well without position related complications except for one patient who developed post-operative macroglossia. All cervical tong pin sites healed without any complications. The fluoroscope easily gained access to the operative areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Our modification appears simple, versatile and reproducible for posterior approach procedures of the cervical and upper dorsal spine in prone position. Also, the method can be easily implemented in most conventional operating room facilities with minimal surgeon effort and without the need for any additional inventory.