Pin-site epidural hematoma in an adult case of chronic hydrocephalus with associated thinning of the cranium

Epidural Hematoma, a Rare Complication After the Use of Mayfield Clamp: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Herein, we describe a case of epidural hematoma associated with the use of a Mayfield head clamp. An 18-year old patient with an upper brainstem tumour causing obstructive hydrocephalus underwent a routine third ventriculostomy, which unexpectedly revealed an intracranial hemorrhage. We outline potential risk factors, propose an algorithm for preventing complications associated with the use of pin-type fixation, and conducted a structured review of the literature to identify similar clinical scenarios.

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.

Skull fracture and epidural hematoma caused by use of a Mayfield skull clamp in an adult patient with chronic hemodialysis: a case report

BACKGROUND

Mayfield skull clamps are widely used and indispensable in current neurosurgery. Complications such as skull fractures or intracranial hematoma from using a Mayfield skull clamp have largely been reported in the pediatric population, are likely related to the relative thinness of the skull, such as in patients with hydrocephalus, and are extremely rare in adults. Here, we report a case of skull fracture and epidural hematoma caused by a Mayfield skull clamp used for posterior decompression surgery in an adult patient with chronic hemodialysis.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 67-year-old Asian male patient with a history of dialysis-dependent chronic renal failure over 36 years suffered from severe cervical myelopathy. Neurological examination and radiographic images revealed cervical spondylotic myelopathy due to dialysis-related spondyloarthropathy. Laminoplasty was planned on patient consent. A Mayfield skull clamp was applied with the patient supine. Torque was applied to the screws with gentle care, but there was no resistance and it was not easy to reach the standard 60 lb (267 N) to 80 lb (356 N). Because a skull fracture was suspected, we canceled the surgery. Emergency head computed tomography showed depressed skull fractures underlying the single-pin sites with an associated epidural hematoma. The fractures and epidural hematoma were treated conservatively, and spontaneous resolution of the hematoma was confirmed. Cervical laminoplasty was performed successfully using a mask-type head holder on the subsequent day.

CONCLUSIONS

As a precaution for fractures and epidural hematoma in neurosurgical patients with bone fragility or a thin skull, use of a mask-type fixing device or halo ring is recommended.

Acute cerebral venous outflow obstruction during convexity meningioma resection

BACKGROUND

Cerebral venous outflow obstruction involves idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and the most common related condition is dural venous sinus stenosis or, in other words, an obstruction of the dural venous sinuses. In these cases, the pathological process is often chronic, displays only mild symptoms, and rarely requires urgent surgical intervention. In this study, we present a unique case involving an acute cerebral venous outflow obstruction that occurred during meningioma resection that ultimately had catastrophic consequences.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The patient's preoperative imaging only revealed an unremarkable frontal convexity meningioma with an average diameter exceeding 8 cm. She was admitted for a scheduled right frontoparietal craniotomy for lesion resection.

RESULTS

The patient's unique congenital dural venous sinus structure along with a non-surgical epidural hematoma both contributed to a catastrophic outcome, causing a progressive hemispheric encephalocele, significant blood loss, and wound closure difficulties.

CONCLUSION

Neurosurgeons should place an additional focus on cerebral venous outflow patency during tumor resection, even if the tumor does not involve the transverse or sigmoid sinuses. It is well known that the tacking sutures play an essential role in preventing an epidural hematoma, but the procedure to mitigate hematomas occurring outside the surgical field of view is not fully recognized by neurosurgeons. If dural tacking sutures are placed after complete tumor resection, the prophylactic effect for preventing EDH in the non-surgical areas may not be guaranteed. Therefore, we strongly advocate for the tacking sutures to be accurately placed before dural incisions are made.

[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.

Pin-site epidural hematoma: A catastrophic complication of cranial fixation in a child

Cranial fixation with pins is a routine adjunct in neurosurgery and is usually considered safe. A rarely reported complication is skull fracture at the pin site and consequent epidural hematoma. Usually, these are picked up only postoperatively and rarely, intraoperatively if there is unexplained "brain bulge" in which case the operation should be terminated and urgent imaging has to be done. We describe such a complication that occurred while operating on a 12-year-old child with a posterior fossa tumor and review the available literature dealing with such events.