Neurosurgical Anesthesia Flashcards
What is the mean CSF volume?
150 mL
Where does the CSF pool?
- Cisterns
- Area where arachnoid membrane and pia mater are further apart
The region where CSF is produced
- Choroid Plexus
- Highly organize tissue that lines all the ventricles
What cells excrete CSF?
Ependymal Cells
Mostly dependent on transport of sodium ions
What structures absorb CSF?
Arachnoid Villi
Have one-way valves to prevent backflow
Describe the Pathway of CSF
- Formation of CSF in choroid plexus of lateral ventricles, excreted by ependymal cells.
- CSF will travel into the third ventricle through the Foramen of Monro (Intraventricular Foramen)
- CSF will travel along the Aqueduct of Sylvius into the fourth ventricle
- CSF will travel through foramen of Luschka and Foramen Magendie
- CSF will enter the Cisterna Magna (Cerebellomedullary Cistern)
- CSF will go through the subarachnoid space surrounding the cerebrum and be absorbed into the arachnoid villi
Where does the absorption of the CSF into the bloodstream take place?
In the Superior Sagittal Sinus through the structures called Arachnoid Villi.
What is the Monro-Kellie Doctrine
- The total volume of the brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and blood in the cranium is constant.
- If one of these components increases in volume, the other two must decrease by the same amount
A term that can be used to refer to CSF build up/obstruction
Idiopathic Intracranial HTN (Pseudotumor Cerebri)
Idiopathic Intracranial HTN (Pseudotumor Cerebri) is most common in which patient population?
Common in obese women of reproductive age
The range for normal ICP
- 7-15 mmHg
- 10 mmHg when supine
What is considered pathological/ critical ICP?
- > 20 mmHg
- Brain herniation is possible when ICP is elevated
What is the gold standard for measuring ICP?
Intraventricular Monitor
What is normal Cranial Perfusion Pressure (CPP)?
60-80 mmHg
What is the critical ischemia CPP threshold?
30-40 mmHg
When will the autoregulation of CPP be disrupted?
Pathological states
Management of CPP during intracranial pathology
ICP management
Sx of Increase ICP
- Headache
- N/V
- Blurred vision
- Somnolence
- Papilledema
- Midline shift on CT
- Hydrocephaly
- Edema
- Cushing’s Triad
Management of CPP during Hemodynamic instability/shock
MAP management
Causes of increase in ICP
- Increase Cerebral Blood Flow
- Tumor
- Intracranial hematoma
- Blood in CSF (SAH)
- Infection (meningitis/ encephalitis)
- Aquaductal stenosis
- Idiopathic
Components of Cushing’s Triad
- Bradycardia
- Widen Pulse Pressure
- Irregular Respirations
What type of position will decrease ICP?
- Elevate head of bed
- Improves venous drainage
PaCO2 of ________ mmHg quickly reduces ICP
30-35 mmHg
Achieved through hyperventilation, effects can last between 6-12 hours
What are ways to physically drain CSF?
- Ventriculostomy
- Lumbar drain
- VP shunt
Drugs used to decrease ICP
- Hyperosmotic Drug (Mannitol) 0.5-1 g/kg
- Anticonvulsants (seizures increase CMRO2, give Keppra)
- Loop Diuretic
- Corticosteroids (best given 48 hours before surgery)
- Anesthetics
What can be the negative effect of giving corticosteroids during a craniotomy?
- Corticosteroids may increase blood glucose
- Hyperglycemia can decrease elasticity of blood vessels → cerebral ischemia
Mild hyperventilation has a parallel reduction in __________
Cerebral Blood Volume
What are some concerns with hyperventilation to decrease ICP?
- Potential ischemia in some areas
- CBF and ICP lowering effect won’t be sustained long term (6-12 hours)
Management of Arterial BP for Neurosurgery
- Maintain CPP between normal-high normal
- Suggest MAP within 10-20% of average awake BP
Mannitol is usually given in incremental doses (12.5 gm) to limit ____________.
Rapid Hyperosmolarity
Neurons and glia rapidly swell d/t increase osmolarity (rebound effect). What drug can be given to inhibit the chloride channel and slow down the rebound effect?
Furosemide
What is the MOA of Keppra?
- Binds to a synaptic vesicle protein 2A
- SV2A mediates calcium-dependent neurotransmitter release
- Binding of Keppra to SV2A inhibits rate of vesicle release
Dose: 500 mg over 15 minutes
Surgical Positioning & Associated Complications with neuro surgery
- High risk of nerve damage and embolic complications!
- Sequential compression stockings
- Promote venous drainage; avoid contralateral jugular vein compression
- Prevent brachial plexus injury
- Avoid ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) in prone position
- Low BP, low Hct, long surgery, large volume admin
- Avoid vena cava compression
- Airway: be aware that tongue will swell in prone position; secure tube WELL
- Venous air embolism risk (when open head is above heart)
What is the IVF of choice for Neurosurgery?
Normal Saline (308 mOsm/L)
Effects of Hypothermia on the brain
- Reduces electrophysical activity in the brain
- May provide brain protection
- Not advocated in neurosurgery (increase dysrhythmias and coagulopathy)
Glucose management during Neurosurgery
- Increased plasma glucose aggravates cerebral ischemia in TBI
- Low glucose can cause seizures/ brain dysfunction
- Recommendations: 150-200 mg/dL
What is a Subdural Bolt?
A pressure transducer placed in subdural space or brain parenchyma
What is a Ventriculostomy?
- Catheter placed into the ventricle which allows for monitoring and CSF drainage
- Best way to measure ICP and control CSF drainage
What is a Lumbar Subarachnoid Catheter?
Catheter that allows CSF drainage by gravity but may be inaccurate for central CSF pressure if blockage occurs
What does a Cerebral Oximetry measure?
- Measures regional blood hemoglobin oxygenation saturation (rScO2)
- Measures balance between flow and metabolism
How does a Cerebral Oximetry work?
- Uses near-infrared spectroscopy; similar to pulse ox
- Sensor emits 2 alternating lights which pass through skin, skull, dura, and CSF to blood of cerebral cortex
Patient population that Cerebral Oximetry may be useful
- Pt at risk of stroke
- Cardiac surgery
- Vascular surgery
- Procedure that put a single hemisphere at risk
Normal Cerebral Oximetry range
70% +/- 20-30%
What is used to measure spontaneous brain activity?
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
What measures signals that result from specific stimuli?
Evoked Potentials
What is Somatosensory Evoked Potential?
- Signal generated in response to applied sensory input
- Cutaneous electrical stimulation of a peripheral sensory nerve
- Signals are received in the cerebral sensory cortex and requires an intact pathway (dorsal column of spinal cord)
What is Motor Evoked Potential (MEP)?
- Provides info about descending motor pathway
- Cortex to the neuromuscular junction
- Stimulus applied transcranial over motor cortex
Anesthesia Considerations for MEP’s
- Very sensitive to anesthetics (more so than SSEP)
- May cause patient movement/monitor derangement
- May cause patient injury (bite tongue!)
- Soft bite blocks required & documented
- Latency unreliable; 50% decrease in amplitude = significant
- No NMBD
If a patient is running SSEP/MEP what should the MAC be on the volatile anesthetic?
- 1/2 Mac of Gas with a propofol/narcotic drip
- Or just go full TIVA
- SSEP/MEP are unaffected by opioids
Classification of Cerebrovascular Accident/Stroke
- 20% are hemorrhagic (SAH, ICH)
- 80% are embolic/ ischemic
Hemorrhagic strokes are how many more times likely to cause death than embolic stories?
4x
How are strokes diagnosed?
- Clinical symptoms
- CT Scan
Common stroke symptoms
- “Worst headache of my life”/Thunderclap headache (SAH)
- Visual disturbances
- Nuchal rigidity
- Change in LOC
- Can also see ST-segment depression/T wave inversion related to catecholamine release
How does an embolic stroke occur?
- Usually caused by embolism that develops elsewhere and travels to brain
- Blocks blood flow
- Ischemia results
What is the most common comorbidity for embolic stroke
Cardiovascular Disease (Afib, Cardiomyopathy, Recent MI, Cardiac Sx, Valvular disease)
How does an embolic stroke occur from Cardiomyopathy?
Dilated LV (floppy heart) is typically capable making an emboli → Blocking large cerebral vessels or carotid arteries