title: Symptomatic Cerebral Vasospasm and Delayed Cerebral Ischemia Following Transsphenoidal Resection of a Craniopharyngioma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vasospasm has been rarely described as a complication associated with craniopharyngioma surgery. Herein we describe a patient who developed symptomatic vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia after transsphenoidal surgery for a craniopharyngioma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 67-year-old woman became drowsy 2 weeks after a transsphenoidal resection of a craniopharyngioma. A head computed tomography (CT) was unremarkable except for postoperative findings. Electroencephalogram and laboratory studies were within the normal limits. A repeated CT scan 48 hours after the initial symptoms showed bilateral infarcts in the territory of the anterior cerebral arteries (ACA). Transcranial Doppler (TCD) showed increased blood flow velocities in both anterior cerebral arteries (169 cm/second in the left ACA and 145 cm/second in the right ACA) and right middle cerebral artery (164 cm/second) compatible with vasospasm. A CT angiography confirmed the findings. She was treated with induced hypertension and her level of consciousness improved. TCD velocities normalized after 2 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cerebral vasospasm should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with altered neurologic status in the postoperative period following a craniopharyngioma resection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital São Paulo, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: irapuaferreir@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Irapuá Ferreira
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Ricarte
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital São Paulo, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bruno F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Funchal
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital São Paulo, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maramélia A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Miranda Alves
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital São Paulo, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniela L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital São Paulo, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Raul A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Valiente
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital São Paulo, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Flávio A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital São Paulo, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Neurology Program and Stroke Center, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gisele S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000209:etiology*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D020301:Vasospasm, Intracranial / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Vasospasm; craniopharyngioma; delayed cerebral ischemia; pituitary tumors; transcranial Doppler