Value of procalcitonin as a marker of surgical site infection following spinal surgery.

Aim: To compare the value of Procalcitonin (PCT) as a marker of surgical site infection to other inflammatory markers, including C-Reactive Protein (CRP), White Cell Count (WCC) and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) in patients undergoing a number of spinal procedures. This study also aims to describe the biokinetic profile of the above-named markers in patients developing surgical site infection and those remaining infection-free post-operatively.

Methods: 200 patients undergoing four routine elective spinal procedures were included for analysis.

Early monitoring of ventriculostomy-related infections with procalcitonin in patients with ventricular drains.

Several factors are implicated in the increased vulnerability of multiple trauma victims to infection, especially in intensive care units. The incidence of EVD related infections ranges from 5 to 20%. To assess the accuracy of serum procalcitonin (PCT) in predicting central nervous system (CNS) infection in patients with EVDs.

Effect of epidural methylprednisolone on post-operative pain and length of hospital stay in patients undergoing lumbar microdiscectomy.

Background & Aim: Intraoperative epidural corticosteroids have been used to decrease post-operative pain post-discectomy. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of epidural corticosteroids on post-operative pain and length of post-operative hospital stay in patients undergoing unilateral lumbar microdiscectomy.

Methods: 150 consecutively treated, comparable patients with unilateral lumbar disc herniation were prospectively allocated randomly to receive either a sponge soaked in epidural corticosteroids or saline at the end of the operative procedure.

Value of C-reactive protein after neurosurgery: a prospective study.

Aim: The aim of this manuscript is to review the current state of knowledge regarding C-reactive protein (CRP) kinetics after standard neurosurgical procedures, and to determine the value of CRP as a screening test for early post-operative infectious complications as opposed to other more commonly used tests, and as a marker of peri-operative surgical insult.

Methods: Over 18 months period, CRP levels, alongside with ESR and WCC were assessed pre-operatively (at day 0) and post-operatively (at days 1,2,3,4 and 5) in 50 consecutive female patients and 50 consecutive male patients undergoing seven neurosurgical procedures. Each of the seven procedures involved a different level of intra-operative trauma.

Posterior cranial fossa gangliogliomas.

Ganglioglioma (GG) is an uncommon primary lesion of the central nervous system that is typically located supratentorially. There are only a few reports of GG arising from the cerebellum. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case of a cerebellar GG with supratentorial extension and a longstanding history before its recognition.