Management of hypertensive emergencies in acute brain disease: evaluation of the treatment effects of intravenous nicardipine on cerebral oxygenation.

Object: Inappropriate sudden blood pressure (BP) reductions may adversely affect cerebral perfusion. This study explores the effect of nicardipine on regional brain tissue O(2) (PbtO(2)) during treatment of acute hypertensive emergencies.

Methods: A prospective case-control study was performed in 30 patients with neurological conditions and clinically elevated BP.

Cerebral oxygenation in major pediatric trauma: its relevance to trauma severity and outcome.

Introduction: Trauma is the commonest cause of death in the pediatric population, which is prone to diffuse primary brain injury aggravated by secondary insults (eg, hypoxia, hypotension). Standard monitoring involves intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure, which do not reflect true cerebral oxygenation (oxygen delivery [Do(2)]). We explore the merits of a brain tissue oxygen-directed critical care guide.

Collagen matrix (DuraGen) in dural repair: analysis of a new modified technique.

Study Design: Retrospective review of 110 patients undergoing spinal dural repair and regeneration using an onlay, suture-free, 3-dimensional-collagen matrix graft (DuraGen) over an 8-year period (1995-2003).

Objectives: Technique appraisal of collagen matrix to repair spinal dura following incidental durotomy, spinal tumor surgery, and trauma.

Summary Of Background Data: Traditional methods of spinal dural repair following incidental durotomy involve tedious attempts at primary watertight suture with a 5% to 10% failure rate.