Do prophylactic steroids prevent chemical meningitis in surgery for epidermoid cysts? Case report and literature review.
Chemical meningitis
Dexamethasone
Epidermoid cyst
Hydrocortisone
Level of evidence
Journal
Surgical neurology international
ISSN: 2229-5097
Titre abrégé: Surg Neurol Int
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101535836
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
2020
2020
Historique:
received:
07
11
2020
accepted:
10
12
2020
entrez:
27
1
2021
pubmed:
28
1
2021
medline:
28
1
2021
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Cranial and spinal epidermoid cysts (ECs) are rare and surgical resection can be complicated by chemical meningitis. Here, we treated a patient undergoing surgical resection of an intramedullary spinal EC with prophylactic steroids to help prevent postoperative chemical meningitis. Notably, we found a paucity of evidence regarding the efficacy of steroids used for this purpose. A 44-year-old male presented with a rare intramedullary thoracic EC. He was given oral dexamethasone postoperatively and did not subsequently develop chemical meningitis. Here, we reviewed the current literature regarding the efficacy of steroid use for this purpose, utilizing multiple electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, and Scopus). We found only three studies (one case report, one case series, and a randomized controlled trial), that involved patients who received steroids. Of the 24 patients given prophylactic steroids, none developed fever or meningismus. One patient received 8 days of oral dexamethasone. Eleven patients received intraoperative hydrocortisone irrigation alone, while final 12 patients received intraoperative hydrocortisone irrigation plus a 3 week postoperative tapering course of oral steroids. Notably, all of the nine patients who did not receive any steroids developed postoperative fever, with 78% demonstrating meningismus. Here is level II evidence that establishes the efficacy of prophylactic steroids utilized in patients undergoing surgery for ECs to prevent postoperative chemical meningitis. Nevertheless, there is still no current consensus regarding either the type of steroid utilized, or the route of administration.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Cranial and spinal epidermoid cysts (ECs) are rare and surgical resection can be complicated by chemical meningitis. Here, we treated a patient undergoing surgical resection of an intramedullary spinal EC with prophylactic steroids to help prevent postoperative chemical meningitis. Notably, we found a paucity of evidence regarding the efficacy of steroids used for this purpose.
CASE DESCRIPTION
METHODS
A 44-year-old male presented with a rare intramedullary thoracic EC. He was given oral dexamethasone postoperatively and did not subsequently develop chemical meningitis. Here, we reviewed the current literature regarding the efficacy of steroid use for this purpose, utilizing multiple electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, and Scopus). We found only three studies (one case report, one case series, and a randomized controlled trial), that involved patients who received steroids. Of the 24 patients given prophylactic steroids, none developed fever or meningismus. One patient received 8 days of oral dexamethasone. Eleven patients received intraoperative hydrocortisone irrigation alone, while final 12 patients received intraoperative hydrocortisone irrigation plus a 3 week postoperative tapering course of oral steroids. Notably, all of the nine patients who did not receive any steroids developed postoperative fever, with 78% demonstrating meningismus.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Here is level II evidence that establishes the efficacy of prophylactic steroids utilized in patients undergoing surgery for ECs to prevent postoperative chemical meningitis. Nevertheless, there is still no current consensus regarding either the type of steroid utilized, or the route of administration.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33500810
doi: 10.25259/SNI_797_2020
pii: SNI-11-472
pmc: PMC7827574
doi:
Types de publication
Case Reports
Langues
eng
Pagination
472Informations de copyright
Copyright: © 2020 Surgical Neurology International.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
There are no conflicts of interest.
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