Successful repair of a gunshot wound to the head with retained bullet in the torcular herophili

Advanced Surgical Techniques for Dural Venous Sinus Repair: A Comprehensive Literature Review

The dural venous sinus (DVS) is a thin-walled blood channel composed of dura mater that is susceptible to injury during common neurosurgical approaches. DVS injuries are highly underreported, which is reflected by a lack of literature on the topic. Neurosurgeons should be familiar with appropriate techniques to successfully repair an injured DVS and prevent associated complications. This study presents a literature review on the surgical techniques for DVS repair after DVS injury during common neurosurgical approaches. The databases PubMed and Scopus were queried using the terms "cranial sinuses," "superior sagittal sinus," "transverse sinuses," "injury," and "surgery." A total of 117 articles underwent full-text review and were analyzed for surgical approach, craniotomy, lesion location, lesion characteristics, and surgical repair techniques. A literature review was performed, and a comprehensive summary is presented. Data from publications describing DVS lacerations related to pathological conditions (eg, meningioma) were excluded. A total of 9 techniques aiding with bleeding control, hemostasis, and sinus repair and reconstruction were identified, including compression, hemostatic agents, bipolar cautery, dural tenting and tack-up suturing, dural flap, direct suturing, autologous patch, venous bypass, and ligation. The advantages and drawbacks of each technique are described. Multiple options to treat DVS injuries are available to the neurosurgeon. Treatment type is based on anatomic location, complexity of the laceration, cardiovascular status, the presence of air embolism, and the dexterity and experience of the surgeon.

Surgical reconstruction of a traumatic superior sagittal sinus injury using synthetic graft in a resource-limited civilian field hospital during the Syrian Civil War

Traumatic dural sinus injuries following penetrating brain injury are rare but are often associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The management of significant defects is operative and can be challenging. In modern civilian practice, patients with these injuries typically receive extensive preoperative investigation and advanced perioperative monitoring. We report the case of successful operative management in a frontline civilian field hospital of a 33-year-old man who sustained a shrapnel injury to the superior sagittal sinus during the Syrian Civil War. The injury was to the junction of the middle and posterior thirds of the superior sagittal sinus and was repaired successfully with a polytetrafluoroethylene graft. The postoperative course was uncomplicated. Anticoagulation was commenced 2 days post-operatively. The patient was discharged 5 days postoperatively with a GCS of 15 and mild weakness of the limbs bilaterally. We conclude that immediate repair of dural sinus injuries is feasible in the context of a low-resource wartime environment and should be attempted without delay. Furthermore, to our knowledge, this is the first case of successful use of a synthetic vascular graft for repair of a dural venous sinus injury in a ill-equipped hospital reported in the literature.

Airgun Wound with Superior Sagittal Sinus Involvement in a Child: Case Report and Review of the Literature

INTRODUCTION

Although still considered quite harmless, nonpowder guns (NPG) may cause severe head injuries in children. We present the case of a depressed skull fracture with superior sagittal sinus involvement following NPG injury. Decision-making and surgical management are discussed, and the current literature concerning NPG-related pediatric head injuries is reviewed.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 4-year-old boy hit by a compressed-air rifle came to our center. CT scan showed a depressed skull fracture of the occipital bone on the midline and intracranial penetration of some fragments of the pellet. CT angiography documented a compression of the superior sagittal sinus without thrombosis. Soon after hospital admission, the patient showed deterioration of the neurological status suggesting intracranial hypertension. Surgery was performed with fracture elevation, removal of metal fragments, and wound debridement. The patient had a full recovery without subsequent neurological deficits.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

Modern airguns may produce severe penetrating head injuries in children. Parents and physicians should be aware of the danger of NPG. Depressed skull fracture and dural venous sinus involvement can occur, and even a stable neurological condition may worsen. In such instances, a thorough preoperative assessment including vascular imaging is mandatory. The surgical risk is not negligible due to the possible injury of the sinus wall and subsequent intraoperative bleeding. This has to be weighted against potential complications of the penetrating injury, such as infection, sinus thrombosis, and intracranial hypertension. Our case suggests that prompt surgical treatment can be a safe and effective option.

Use of a contoured bioresorbable plate with a hemostatic plug to control life-threatening bleeding from the superior sagittal sinus during hemispherotomy: technical note

Profuse bleeding originating from an injured cerebral sinus can be a harrowing experience for any surgeon, particularly during an operation on a young child. Common surgical remedies include sinus ligation, primary repair, placement of a hemostatic plug, and patch or venous grafting that may require temporary stenting. In this paper the authors describe the use of a contoured bioresorbable plate to hold a hemostatic plug in place along a tear in the inferomedial portion of a relatively inaccessible part of the posterior segment of the superior sagittal sinus in an 11-kg infant undergoing hemispherotomy for epilepsy. This variation on previously described hemostatic techniques proved to be easy, effective, and ultimately lifesaving. Surgeons may find this technique useful in similar dire circumstances when previously described techniques are ineffective or impractical.

Penetrating intracranial gunshot wound transecting the right transverse sinus

A 23-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to the posterior head. Imaging demonstrated a transection of the right transverse sinus, a retained bullet fragment and significant cerebellar oedema. The patient emergently underwent suboccipital decompression associated with brisk bleeding from the transverse sinus. Reported examples of surgical management of cerebral venous sinuses include: packing, grafting, patching and ligation. Our patient had a codominant transverse sinus and underwent successful unilateral ligation. His postoperative course was uneventful, however, he did require a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. He was subsequently discharged to rehab with a favourable outcome.