Contexte et problématique :À l’ère de la médecine basée sur les preuves, les critères d’évaluation utilisés par les médecins tendent à s’écarter des attentes des patients atteints de pathologies chroniques dont la douleur est difficile à estimer. La relation médecin-malade s’en trouve altérée du fait d’un manque de formation dans la gestion de situations complexes par les médecins mais également du fait de l’utilisation de critères d’évaluation parfois inadaptés. Ces situations, comme celle que représente l’annonce d’un diagnostic ou de la prise en charge de la douleur, sont difficiles à appréhender sans formation préalable adaptée.Objectif :Rapporter l’expérience du service de rhumatologie du Centre hospitalier universitaire (CHU) de Rouen relative à l’implantation d’ateliers de formation à la relation médecin-patient pour les stagiaires du second cycle des études médicales. Exposer notamment les démarches didactique et pédagogique suivies par les promoteurs et en documenter certains impacts.Méthodes :Les ateliers sont organisés en petits groupes, animés par une psychologue clinicienne et un professeur de communication, encadrés par un médecin. Lors de cette séance qui dure deux heures, les deux animateurs, qui jouent le rôle de médiateur, offrent un espace de parole permettant aux étudiants de s’exprimer autour de leur relation au patient et éclairent les problématiques soulevées par l’apport d’éléments théoriques dans les champs de la psychologie et de la communication. Ces ateliers comprennent deux temps : l’un basé sur l’apprentissage en situation (en lien direct avec les patients pris en charge), l’autre consistant en la mise en application par des jeux de rôle.Résultats :L’enquête d’évaluation menée auprès des stagiaires a permis de documenter des résultats très encourageants pour cette nouvelle forme d’apprentissage qui s’inscrit en complément de l’enseignement académique.Conclusion :Les ateliers apportent aux étudiants une expérience d’apprentissage complémentaire par rapport aux autres activités organisées sous l’égide des soignants lors du stage, en mettant l’accent sur les différentes dimensions de la relation médecin-patient, en lien avec les champs de la psychologie et de la communication.

OBJECT:The objective of this study was to evaluate the ophthalmological outcome, nonvisual morbidity, and surgical complications after tuberculum sellae meningioma (TSM) removal using a superior interhemispheric approach. METHODS:In the last decade, 20 consecutive patients with TSM underwent operations using the superior interhemispheric approach. Visual acuity, visual field, and ocular fundus examination were assessed both preoperatively and 6-months postoperatively. Nonvisual morbidity was determined at an early postoperative period and at 6 months based on assessment of the Karnofsky Performance Scale score, leakage of CSF, endocrinological status, and olfactory function, which was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS). The potential brain injury related to the approach was assessed by MRI at 6 months. Magnetic resonance imaging was then performed yearly to detect a recurrence. The mean follow up was 56.3 ± 34 months. RESULTS:The primary presenting symptom for diagnosis of TSM in 20 patients (female:male ratio of 6.6:1, mean age 59.1 ± 11.1 years) was visual disturbance in 12 patients (60%), headache in 4 (20%), cognitive alteration in 1 (5%), epilepsy in 2 (10%), and accidental in 1 (5%). In a total of 40 eyes, 17 eyes in 11 patients presented with preoperative deterioration of visual acuity. Postoperatively, the visual acuity improved in 13 eyes in 8 patients (72.8%), remained unchanged in 3 eyes in 2 patients (18.2%) and deteriorated in 1 patient (9%). The nonvisual morbidity included olfactory deterioration in 7 patients (35%), and panhypopituitarism in 1 patient (5%). No patients experienced a CSF leak. The impact of olfactory deterioration on the quality of life, as estimated by a VAS score (range 0-10), was a mean of 5.7 ± 2.2 (95% CI 4.1-7.3). On the follow-up MRI, no additional lesions or recurrences were observed on the medial aspect of the frontal lobe along the surgical corridor. CONCLUSIONS:The superior interhemispheric approach appears to be effective in resolving the problem of visual deterioration due to a TSM, without inducing surgical injury on the brain surface along the surgical corridor. Olfactory deterioration remained the challenging predominant nonvisual morbidity using this approach.

Intracranial bleeding following stereoelectroencephalography (sEEG) is rare and commonly occurs early after electrode implantation. The authors report the case of a delayed intracranial hematoma following sEEG. This 10-year-old boy was referred to the authors' department to undergo an sEEG study for intractable epilepsy, with the hypothesis of a single localized epileptic zone in the left precentral region. To perform the exploration, 14 depth electrodes were implanted under stereotactic conditions. The results of a postoperative CT scan performed routinely at the end of the surgical procedure were normal. Eight days later, following an epileptic seizure, the child's condition worsened. The neurological examination revealed a left hemiparesis, agitation, and coma due to a right subdural hematoma with intraparenchymal bleeding. Despite a surgical evacuation followed by a decompressive craniectomy, the curative treatments were stopped 1 week later due to severe diffuse ischemic lesions found on MRI studies. This is the first observation of a delayed hematoma following an sEEG procedure. The mechanism underlying this complication remains unclear, but the rupture of a growing pseudoaneurysm caused by the electrode's implantation or the tearing of a neighboring vessel by an electrode were suspected. In consequence, physicians must remain vigilant during the entire sEEG recording period and probably also several days after electrode removal.

In France, “article critique” became a particular teaching method in the second part of the medical curriculum. It approaches a reading exercise of scientific medical papers similar to that of journal club. It could be compared to reviewing a paper as performed by reviewers of a scientific journal. We studied the relevancy of that teaching method for the youngest medical students. Our questions were about the understanding and the analyzing ability of a scientific paper while students have just learned basic medical sciences as anatomy. We have included 54 “article critique” written by voluntary students in second and third years of medical cursus. All of the IMRaD structure items (introduction, materials and methods, results and discussion) were analyzed using a qualitative scale for understanding as for analyzing ability. For understanding, 89–96% was good or fair and for the analyzing ability, 93–100% was good or fair. The anatomical papers were better understood than therapeutic or paraclinical studies, but without statistical difference, except for the introduction chapter. Results for analyzing ability were various according to the subject of the papers. This teaching method could be compared to a self-learning method, but also to a problem-based learning method. For the youngest students, the lack of medical knowledge aroused the curiosity. Their enthusiasm to learn new medical subjects remained full. The authors would insist on the requirement of rigorous lessons about evidence-based medicine and IMRaD structure and on a necessary companionship of the students by the teachers.

The accuracy of leads implantation in deep brain stimulation (DBS) is governed by several factors including imaging distortion, error registration and mechanical inaccuracy of the frame. An additional factor is ‘brain shift’ which may be the consequence of intracranial air invasion and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) outflow. Recently, several studies have studied the impact of brain shift during stereotactic procedure [ 1 Halpern C.H. Danish S.F. Baltuch G.H. Jaggi J.L. Brain shift during deep brain stimulation surgery for Parkinson’s disease. Stereotact Funct Neurosurg. 2008; 86: 37-43 Crossref PubMed Scopus (97) Google Scholar , 2 Miyagi Y. Shima F. Sasaki T. Brain shift: an error factor during implantation of deep brain stimulation electrodes. J Neurosurg. 2007 Nov; 107: 989-997 Crossref PubMed Scopus (135) Google Scholar , 3 van den Munckhof P. Contarino M.F. Bour L.J. Speelman J.D. de Bie R.M. Schuurman P.R. Postoperative curving and upward displacement of deep brain stimulation electrodes caused by brain shift. Neurosurgery. 2010 Jul; 67 (discussion 53–4): 49-53 Crossref PubMed Scopus (3) Google Scholar ]. The authors reported a case of a patient who had bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) implantation for Parkinson’s disease (PD) with the unsuccessful placement of the second definitive electrode due to an air invasion.

Object For anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms, endovascular coil embolization constitutes a safe alternative therapeutic procedure to microsurgical clip occlusion. The authors' aim in this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QOL), cognitive function, and brain structure damage after the treatment of ruptured ACoA aneurysms in a group of patients who underwent microsurgical clipping (36 patients) compared with a reference group who underwent endovascular coiling (14 patients). Methods At 14 months posttreatment all patients underwent evaluations by independent observers. These observers evaluated global efficacy, executive functions using a frontal assessment battery of tests (Trail making test, Stroop tasks, dual task of Baddeley, verbal fluency, and Wisconsin Card Sorting test), behavior dysexecutive syndrome (the Inventaire du Syndrome Dysexécutif Comportemental questionnaire [ISDC]), and QOL by using the Reintegration To Normal Living Index. Brain damage was analyzed using MR imaging. Results In the microsurgical clipping and endovascular coiling groups, the distribution on the modified Rankin Scale (p = 0.19) and mean QOL score (85.4 vs 83.4, respectively) were similar. Moreover, the proportion of executive dysfunctions (19.4 vs 28.6%, respectively) and the mean score on the ISDC questionnaire (8.9 vs 8.5, respectively) were not significant, but verbal memory was more altered in the microsurgical clipping group (p = 0.055). Magnetic resonance imaging revealed that the incidence of local encephalomalacia and the median number of lesions per patient increased significantly in the microsurgical clipping group (p = 0.003). Conclusions In the 2 groups, no significant difference was observed regarding QOL, executive functions, and behavior. Despite the significant decrease in verbal memory after microsurgical clipping, the interdisciplinary approach remains a safe and useful strategy.

OBJECT:The aim of the study was to assess postprocedural neurological deterioration and outcome in patients older than 70 years of age in whom treatment was managed in an interdisciplinary context. METHODS:This prospective longitudinal study included all patients 70 years of age or older treated for ruptured cerebral aneurysm over 10 years (June 1997-June 2007). The population was composed of 64 patients. The neurovascular interdisciplinary team jointly discussed the early obliteration procedure for each aneurysm. Neurological deterioration during the postprocedural 2 months and outcome at 6 months were assessed during consultation according to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) as follows: favorable (mRS score < or = 2) and unfavorable (mRS score > 2). RESULTS:Aneurysm sac obliteration was performed by microvascular clipping in 34 patients (53.1%) and by endovascular coiling in 30 (46.9%). Postprocedural neurological deterioration occurred in 30 patients (46.9%), related to ischemia in 19 (29.7%), rebleeding in 1 (1.6%), and hydrocephalus in 10 (15.6%). At 6 months, the outcome was favorable in 39 patients (60.9%). By multivariate regression logistic analysis, the independent factors associated with unfavorable outcome were age exceeding 75 years (p = 0.005), poor initial grade (p < 0.0001), and the occurrence of ischemia (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS:The baseline characteristics of SAH in the elderly were only slightly different from those in younger patients. In the elderly, the interdisciplinary approach may be considered useful to decrease the ischemic consequences.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of multislice computed tomographic angiography (MSCTA) regarding exclusion quality after aneurysm clipping.

A microsubthalamotomy (mSTN) effect is commonly described after implantation that improves Parkinson's motor disability and is considered to be an obvious sign of good placement of the definitive electrode within the subthalamic nucleus (STN). There has been no formal study, however, demonstrating whether this mSTN effect can predict the long‐term efficacy of STN stimulation in Parkinson Disease. The mSTN effect was defined by the percentage improvement of unified parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS III) baseline score assessed the third day morning following STN implantation, after at least a 12 hour withdrawal of dopaminergic treatment and before the programmable pulse generator was switched on. It was assessed in 30 consecutive patients with PD submitted for STN stimulation. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that mSTN effect (P = 0.005) and global mean intensity of stimulation (P = 0.004) were accurate independent predictors of the 6‐month postoperative UPDRS III motor score improvement in the off‐drug/on‐stimulation condition. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society

The middle third of the clavicle is commonly involved in any injury and account for 5–10% of all fractures in adults. Although non-unions are rare, their treatment has not been well defined yet. This report describes the arterial supply of the clavicle to clarify the pathological mechanism and the surgical procedure of non-unions. This study was based on delineation of the thoraco-acromial and suprascapular arteries with colored latex on 17 specimens (ten cadavers). Observations were made after macroscopic dissection and maceration. The main blood supply to the middle third of the clavicle was the periosteal. This supply came from the two branches of the thoraco-acromial trunk that penetrated the pectoralis major muscle and the deltoid muscle. In 13 cases, these two periosteal branches were anastomosed between these two muscle attachments. Periosteal vascularization was always seen on the superior surface and the anterior border of the bone, but never on the inferior surface or the posterior border. The suprascapular artery contributed to supply the middle third of the clavicle by several periosteal branches and also by an independent branch. This branch was born proximally near the internal, middle thirds union and passed along the posterior face of the subclavius muscle and pierced the bone through the nutria foramina located near the external, middle thirds union. Nevertheless, intraosseous arteries were noted only in four cases. In these cases, they were never more than 2cm long. Our results showed that the periosteal blood supply located between the muscles insertions and the arterial supply from the suprascapular artery could be twice compromised in case of important displacement or severe fracture. If treatments of clavicular fractures or non-unions cannot preserve the periosteal blood supply, bone grafting should be indicated.

BACKGROUND:In our stereotactic procedure, intraoperative radiological documentation of electrode localization is performed using the Stereoplan. The aim of the study was to evaluate its accuracy.PATIENTS AND METHODS:Data of 20 consecutive patients, treated for Parkinson's disease by implantation of deep brain stimulators into the subthalamic nucleus, were collected prospectively. During surgery, Stereoplan coordinates of the tip of the central macroelectrodes were compared with intended coordinates along the central trajectory at 4 levels: (1) 10 mm above the anatomical target, (2) in the target, (3) in the substantia nigra pars reticulata, and (4) at the depth of contact 1. Before the frame's removal, Stereoplan coordinates of the contacts of the definitive electrode were compared with postoperative MRI coordinates. The mean of the differences was calculated in the x-, y-, and z-axis. Clinical results at 6 months were recorded.RESULTS:The mean of the differences between Stereoplan coordinates and intended coordinates for the macroelectrodes was lower than 1 mm. A submillimeter difference was also found for the definitive contacts. At 6 months, the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale III score improved by 70.6% compared with the baseline score. Dyskinesia and motor fluctuations decreased by 85.7 and 87%, respectively (p < 0.0001).CONCLUSION:Stereoplan could be considered an accurate intraoperative radiological system which assures the correct position of the electrode in the anatomical target.

The supraclavicular (intermediate) and supra-acromial (lateral) branches of supraclavicular nerves contribute to the innervation of the thorax, shoulder, and neck. Despite their clinical and surgical interest, they are not often considered for descriptive anatomy. The goal of this work was to clarify the morphometric knowledge of these two branches and to discuss the clinical relevance of the anatomical features.

BACKGROUND:Primary diffuse leptomeningeal gliomatosis is an exceptional neoplasm, and only 30 cases have been reported in the literature. We report a recent case and compare data with previously published observations. METHODS:A 50-year-old man was admitted to the neurosurgery department for a previous 4-month history of headache, associated with nonspecific neurological signs. Biologic data and cerebrospinal fluid examination suggested an inflammatory process. The patient was given an antituberculous therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a multinodular enhancement of spinal nerve roots. A biopsy of sacral rootlets was performed. Histological examination revealed an anaplastic astrocytoma. Patient's status worsened, and death occurred 7 months later. RESULTS:Complete neuraxis postmortem examination revealed no intraparenchymatous glioma and was conclusive for the diagnosis of primary leptomeningeal gliomatosis (astrocytic, World Health Organization grade III), with a multinodular pattern in the spinal cord, the brainstem, and the brain base with diffuse extension into the cerebellar subarachnoid spaces. CONCLUSIONS:Our case illustrates the diagnostic difficulties in making the premortem diagnosis. The review of the literature indicates that there are no specific clinical or biologic signs. Magnetic resonance imaging using T1-weighted images with gadolinium enhancement and biopsy material may be useful diagnostic tools. In most cases, autopsy evaluation alone permits definitive primary diffuse leptomeningeal gliomatosis diagnosis. Whatever the histological characteristics of proliferating cells are, the prognosis remains poor. No prognostic factors have been shown to be correlated with survival time. Unfortunately, no routine treatment has been yet proposed.

Objectives: To assess the possibilities of reinnervation in a paralyzed hemidiaphragm via an anastomosis between phrenic nerve and inferior laryngeal nerve in rabbits. Reinnervation of a paralyzed diaphragm could be an alternative to treat patients with ventilatory insufficiency due to upper cervical spine injuries.Material and method: Rabbits were divided into five groups of seven rabbits each. Groups I and II were respectively the healthy and the denervated control groups. The 3 other groups were all reinnervated using three different surgical procedures. In groups III and IV, phrenic nerve was respectively anastomosed with the abductor branch of the inferior laryngeal nerve and with the trunk of the inferior laryngeal nerve. In group V, the fifth and fourth cervical roots were respectively anastomosed with the abductor branch of the inferior laryngeal nerve and with the nerve of the sternothyroid muscle (originating from the hypoglossal nerve). Animals were evaluated 4 months later using electromyography, transdiaphragmatic pressure measurements, sonomicrometry and histological examination.Results: A poor inspiratory activity was found in quiet breathing in the reinnervated groups, with an increasing pattern of activity during effort. In the reinnervated groups, transdiaphragmatic pressure measurements and sonomicrometry were higher in group III with no significant difference with groups IV and V.Conclusion: Inspiratory contractility of an hemidiaphragm could be restored with immediate anastomosis after phrenic nerve section between phrenic nerve and inferior laryngeal nerve.

Cerebral aneurysmal complications rarely occur during pregnancy. Telling the difference between eclampsia and cerebral hemorrhage due to aneurysmal rupture can prove to be difficult. Aneurysmal management should be performed in an emergency but fetal prognosis should be considered. We report a series of eight pregnant women presenting aneurysmal complications and we have assessed their management and outcome. Both maternal and perinatal mortality rates were correlated with the maternal clinical score. We stress the role of combined care by both neurosurgeons and obstetricians. An emergency cesarean section followed by aneurysmal treatment appears to be a widely accepted strategy in pregnant women with cerebral aneurysmal complications.