Complications in Neuroanesthesia

Anaphylaxis

Definition The term “anaphylaxis” infuses a sense of dread irrespective of place or person but with proper information in place, it can be treated in time. The European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology defines anaphylaxis as “a severe, life-threatening,…

Postcraniotomy Pain

Definition Acute postoperative pain is defined as the pain occurring within first 24–48 h after a craniotomy. In a pilot study, De Benedittis et al. found that 60% of postcraniotomy patients suffered from moderate to severe postoperative pain. In two-thirds of…

Pain Following Spinal Surgery

After a spinal surgery, acute pain is mainly generated from the skin, muscle, vertebrae, intervertebral discs, and facet joints. Following a spine surgery, most of the patients may have moderate to severe pain for the initial 3–4 days. The intensity…

Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH)

Definition Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is caused by excessive or inappropriate secretion or action of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), resulting in: Dilutional hyponatremia without clinically apparent hypervolemia (also known as euvolemic) Reduced plasma osmolality Impaired water excretion with…

Diabetes Insipidus

Definition Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a heterogeneous condition characterized by polyuria and polydipsia caused either due to a lack of secretion of vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) from posterior pituitary, its physiological suppression following excessive water intake, kidney resistance to its action,…

Cerebral Salt Wasting

Definition Cerebral salt wasting (CSW) is a condition characterized by renal loss of sodium leading to hyponatremia and concomitant decrease in extracellular fluid volume due to an intracranial disease. CSW was first described in 1950 by Peters et al. They reported…

Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome

Osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) refers to demyelination of white matter tracts traversing the pons (central pontine myelinolysis (CPM)) or in the extrapontine regions (extrapontine myelinolysis (EPM)). CPM is a noninflammatory, symmetric, demyelinating condition involving the central pons. EPM refers to…

Stridor

Introduction The term stridor is derived from the Latin word stridere , meaning a harsh creaking or grating sound. It is a manifestation of a disordered airway due to air flow changes within the larynx, trachea, and bronchus. The frequency…

The Difficult Pediatric Airway

Pediatric Airway Anatomy and Implications The pediatric airway is both anatomically and physiologically different from the adult airway in many ways. These differences are most important in children under two years of age and decrease as the child matures. Understanding…

Difficult Airway in the Neurosurgery Patient

Definition Airway management is a core competency in anesthesiology, and a number of philosophies, algorithms, and tools have been established. Furthermore, airway management is influenced by the interaction between the clinical setting, patient factors, and practitioners’ skills. A common definition…