Molecular mechanisms of bacterial infections of the central nervous system.

Central nervous system (CNS) infections may involve the meninges, brain and/or spinal cord. The most common etiologic agents are Streptococcus pneumoniae, group B Streptococci, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, and Listeria monocytogenes. CNS is characterized by specific structure and function.

The use of sugammadex for the reversal of vecuronium-induced neuromuscular block following intracranial surgery.

Background: Total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol and remifentanil is widely used in neuroanaesthesiology and enables the quick recovery and early neurological assessment of patients. The administration of muscle relaxants carries a risk of residual relaxation following surgery. The administration of a suitable dose of sugammadex reverses the neuromuscular block irrespective of its depth and has none of the side effects associated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

The effect of bispectral index monitoring on anaesthetic requirements in target-controlled infusion for lumbar microdiscectomy.

Background: Target-controlled infusion (TCI) is used to maintain the desired concentration of a hypnotic drug in the plasma and brain. However, pharmacodynamic variability can cause problems with maintaining the adequate level of anaesthesia. The bispectral index (BIS) is one of only a few parameters that allow an assessment of the depth of anaesthesia.

Comparison of target controlled infusion and total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol and remifentanil for lumbar microdiscectomy.

Background: Propofol is often combined with remifentanil for induction and maintenance of total intravenous anaesthesia. Target-controlled infusion (TCI) permits adapting infusion to pharmacokinetic models. In this study we compared depth of anaesthesia, haemodynamic variables and times to recovery in patients scheduled for lumbar microdiscectomy and receiving either manually controlled (group I) or target- controlled (group II) infusion of propofol and remifentanil for anaesthesia.