Advantages of using ultrasound diagnostic methods in the practice of an anesthesiologist on the example of neurosurgical interventions in the sitting position in pediatric patients with brain tumors
Authors: Voronchuk K.V. , Shkolnyi S.Yu. , Vysotskyi A.D. , Plavskyi P.M. , Skliarenko K.A. 
Published: July 2024

The purpose of the publication is to improve the results of treatment of children with brain tumors with the help of high-quality monitoring during neurosurgical operations with the localization of pathological formations that require the patient to be in a sitting position; encourage anesthesiologists to acquire the necessary additional skills in ultrasound diagnostics.For the description of the clinical case, the authors obtained the written informed consent of patients No. 1 and No. 2 to use the materials of his medical history in the article, in accordance with the Ethical Standards of Legal Regulation of Relations.Two clinical cases of anesthesiological management of patients with neurooncopathology (neoplasm of the left cerebellar peduncle with prolapse in the IV ventricle area and volume formation of the pineal area) operated on in the sitting position with standard monitoring (pulse oximetry, electrocardiography, non-invasive measurement of arterial blood pressure, thermometry, capnography, other gas analyzer), supplemented by invasive measurement of central venous pressure, bispectral index (BIS) monitoring, neurophysiological parameters, transesophageal echocardiography (the sensor is selected according to the patient's age). Clinical, laboratory, biochemical, ultrasound, endoscopic, x-ray methods, computer and magnetic resonance imaging were used to establish a diagnosis, determine the nature of complications, choose access and methods of surgical intervention, evaluate the effectiveness of treatment and diagnostics.The sitting position during surgery is the neurosurgeon’s choice because this position improves access to the tumor, reduces the volume of blood loss and intracranial pressure, but increases the risk of intraoperative complications, in particular, air embolism, which was diagnosed by echocardiography. The National Children’s Specialized Hospital «Okhmatdyt» has the necessary equipment (in particular, a neurosurgical chair) for performing neurosurgical interventions in a sitting position. During the surgical intervention, in one clinical case, an air embolism of the 2nd degree according to the Tubingen scale was recorded, without other changes according to the measurement of arterial and central venous pressure, BIS and neurophysiological monitoring. In the second case, an air embolism of the 1st degree was recorded. Both patients were extubated on the operating table at the end of the operation and were observed during the day in the intensive care unit. The early postoperative period was uneventful. According to the control magnetic resonance imaging, postoperative moderate pneumocephalus developed, which did not require repeated surgical intervention. During the operation, monitoring was carried out using pulse oximetry and electrocardiography.This article does not aim to review the specific indications for transesophageal echocardiography or a comprehensive description of all complications that can be visualized using this method during operative neurosurgical interventions. This article presents two cases that demonstrate the success of using this method by an anesthesiologist. According to the authors, it is advisable to introduce the use of ultrasound methods into the daily practice of an anesthesiologist.High-quality monitoring is important for early detection and prevention of complications. Thanks to the professionalism and expanded arsenal of practical skills of the team of doctors of the NCSH «Okhmatdit», in particular, anesthesiologists, in both cases, high-tech medical care was provided with a good prognosis for the future life of these patients.