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Common neurosurgical conditions seen in primary care Brian Jochim MSN, APRN, FNP
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Financial Disclosures None
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Objectives: Identify early potential problems with the hydrocephalus patient. Identify signs of a tethered cord and work-up needed. Identify signs of chiari malformation and work-up needed. Identify and manage head bonks/trauma.
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What’s the one thing you must know about Neurosurgery
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Our Number (502) 583-1697
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Normal Cerebral Flow
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Hydrocephalus
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Shunt Parts
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Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt
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Ventriculopleural Shunt
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Ventriculoatrial Shunt
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Things to know about your shunted hydrocephalus patient What kind of shunt do they have? Location? Programmable? When was their last revision? What were their symptoms during the last malfunction? What is their bowel history?
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Signs of a shunt malfunction
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Subtle signs of shunt malfunction Behavior changes Decline in PT/OT Change in grades at school
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Tethered Cord
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A mechanical diagnosis: any symptoms arising from downward traction on the spinal cord Heterogeneous etiologies, clinical and radiographic presentations Fatty filum and/or low conus: probably from secondary neurulation Congenital (myelomeningocele/lipomyelomeningocele) or acquired (intradural spinal tumor) structural pathologies, or associated postoperative scar tissue Split cord malformation: tethering bony spur or fibrous band Idiopathic: can have a structurally normal spinal cord on imaging
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Signs and symptoms Younger children Delay in motor milestones Increased muscle tone in legs Chronic constipation Neurocutaneous stigmata Asymmetric gluteal fold Hairy patch or hemangioma on back Sacral dimple, especially if high and/or off midline
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Signs and Symptoms Older children Abnormal urinary function Incontinence Retention VU reflux Frequent UTIs Leg cramping Axial back pain Gait disturbance Scoliosis
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Tethered cord work-up MRI lumbar without contrast Physical Exam Refer to urology for urodynamic studies Refer to GI for constipation treatment
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Surgery
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Radiographic evidence
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Dural Exposure
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Fatty/Thickened Filum
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Dural Closure
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Post-op considerations Incision care Meningitis Pseudomeningocele Re-tethering
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Chiari Malformation
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Definition Downward herniation of the cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum Can be idiopathic or acquired Actual distance of herniation to constitute radiographic definition of Chiari is controversial Can have large herniation with no symptoms Can have small herniation with bad symptoms The diagnosis is made based on a combination of clinical and radiographic findings
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Chiari? YesNOMaybe
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Etiology Precise cause has not been clearly elucidated May be related to pressure differentials in choroid plexus pulsations above and below the tentorium during development Some familiar clustering but no known genetic factors Associated with other conditions such as achondroplasia, Albright’s hereditary osteodystrophy, William’s syndrome Essentially a volume discrepancy between the posterior fossa cranium and its contents
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Pathophysiology
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Signs and symptoms Upper extremity weakness Decreased / absent gag Posterior headache
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Work-up
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Surgery: Bone removal
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Duraplasty
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Post-op considerations PAIN Incision care Meningitis Pseudomeningocele
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Skull Fractures & Head Trauma
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Skull fractures/Head Trauma
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Skull Fractures/Head Trauma Most likely accompanied by soft tissue swelling but not always. The mechanism is important ER for CT to R/O intracranial abnormalities such as bleeding.
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Skull Fractures/Head Trauma Soft tissue swelling Birth related NAT concern Glasgow coma scale
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Take home points Don’t panic Knowledge is power Neurosurgery is open 24/7
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Our Team Thomas Moriarty, MD, PhD Division Chief William Gump, MD Ian Mutchnick, MD, MS
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Questions
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Its Just Brain Surgery I won’t pretend I know the answer to everything, but I’ll get the answer to anything (neurosurgical). Email your question to me: brian.jochim@nortonhealthcare.org
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