Posterior fossa craniotomy for trapped fourth ventricle in shunt-treated hydrocephalic children: long-term outcome

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suhas Udayakumaran ◽  
Naresh Biyani ◽  
David P. Rosenbaum ◽  
Liat Ben-Sira ◽  
Shlomi Constantini ◽  
...  

Object Trapped fourth ventricle (TFV) is a rare late complication of postinfectious or posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus. This entity is distinct from a large fourth ventricle because TFV entails pressure in the fourth ventricle and posterior fossa due to abnormal inflow and outflow of CSF, causing significant symptoms and signs. As TFV is mostly found in children who were born prematurely and have cerebral palsy, diagnosis and treatment options are a true challenge. Methods Between February 1998 and February 2007, 12 children were treated for TFV in Dana Children's Hospital by posterior fossa craniotomy/craniectomy and opening of the TFV into the spinal subarachnoid space. The authors performed a retrospective analysis of relevant data, including pre- and postoperative clinical characteristics, surgical management, and outcome. Results Thirteen fenestrations of trapped fourth ventricles (FTFVs) were performed in 12 patients. In 6 patients with prominent arachnoid thickening, a stent was left from the opened fourth ventricle into the spinal subarachnoid space. One patient underwent a second FTFV 21 months after the initial procedure. No perioperative complications were encountered. All 12 patients (100%) showed clinical improvement after FTFV. Radiological improvement was seen in only 9 (75%) of the 12 cases. The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 9.5 years (mean 6.11 ± 2.3 years) after FTFV. Conclusions Fenestration of a TFV via craniotomy is a safe and effective option with a very good long-term outcome and low rate of morbidity.

2010 ◽  
Vol 53 (7) ◽  
pp. 493-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Bink ◽  
Joachim Berkefeld ◽  
Lubov Kraus ◽  
Christian Senft ◽  
Ulf Ziemann ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 113 (5) ◽  
pp. 1079-1084 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atul Goel ◽  
Abhidha Shah ◽  
Dattatraya Muzumdar ◽  
Trimurti Nadkarni ◽  
Aadil Chagla

Object The object of this paper was to review the authors' experience with 28 cases of trigeminal neurinomas having an extracranial extension. Methods The authors analyzed 28 cases of trigeminal neurinoma in which there was an extracranial extension of the tumor. All patients were treated in their department between the years 1989 and 2009. Results There was tumor extension along the ophthalmic division of the nerve in 4 cases, along the maxillary division in 5, and along the mandibular division in 13. In 6 tumors there was diffuse extracranial extension and the exact extracranial division of nerve involvement could not be ascertained. In 10 cases, the tumor had a multicompartmental location—in the posterior fossa, the middle fossa, and the extracranial compartment. Tingling paraesthesiae, numbness, and diffuse pain in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve were common symptoms and were present in 90% of patients. The extracranial component had a well-defined perineural/meningeal membrane cover that was continuous with the middle fossa dura mater and isolated the tumor tissue from the adjoining critical structures. In 7 out of 10 cases, even the posterior fossa component of the tumor was entirely “interdural” (within the confines of the dura). The maximum dimension of the tumor was > 4 cm in 22 cases. A limited “transcranial” approach with (12 cases) or without (16 cases) zygomatic osteotomy was found suitable for resection of these tumors. In 4 cases a lateral orbitotomy was performed. Total tumor resection was performed in 20 cases and partial resection in 8. The duration of follow-up ranged from 6 months to 19 years. Two patients required additional surgery for symptomatic recurrence. Conclusions Extracranial extensions of trigeminal neurinomas have a well-defined meningeal covering. In most cases resection was performed via a minimally invasive cranial avenue (a “reverse skull base approach”). Radical resection was associated with an excellent long-term outcome.


1995 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spiros Sgouros ◽  
Bernard Williams

✓ The use of drains in the treatment of syringomyelia has a simple and immediate appeal and has been practiced widely since the report of Abbe and Coley over 100 years ago. Good short-term results have been claimed in the past, but long-term outcome is largely unknown. An experience in Birmingham, England is reviewed in which 73 patients who had had some form of syrinx drainage procedure performed were subsequently followed up. In these cases, a total of 56 syringopleural and 14 syringosubarachnoid shunts had been inserted. Ten years after the operations, only 53.5% and 50% of the patients, respectively, continued to remain clinically stable. A 15.7% complication rate was recorded, including fatal hemorrhage, infection, and displacement of the drain from the pleural and syrinx cavities. At second operation or necropsy, at least 5% of shunts were discovered to be blocked. The effect of other drainage procedures that do not use artificial tubing, such as syringotomy and terminal ventriculostomy, was analyzed but found not to offer any substantial benefit. These results indicate that drainage procedures are not an effective solution to remedying the progressive, destructive nature of syringomyelia. It is suggested that, rather than attempting to drain the syrinx cavity, disabling the filling mechanism of the syrinx is more appropriate. Most forms of syringomyelia have a blockage at the level of the foramen magnum or in the subarachnoid space of the spine. Surgical measures that aim to reconstruct the continuity of the subarachnoid space at the site of the block are strongly recommended. Lowering the overall pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid is advocated when reestablishment of the pathways proves impossible. Syrinx drainage as an adjuvant to more physiological surgery may have a place in the treatment of syringomyelia. If two procedures are done at the same time, however, it is difficult to ascribe with certainty a success or failure, and it is suggested that the drainage procedure be reserved for a later attempt if the elective first operation fails.


2000 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joji Inamasu ◽  
Sadao Suga ◽  
Shuzo Sato ◽  
Satoshi Onozuka ◽  
Takeshi Kawase

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Radek Frič ◽  
Bernt Johan Due-Tønnessen ◽  
Tryggve Lundar ◽  
Arild Egge ◽  
Bård Kronen Krossnes ◽  
...  

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 997-997
Author(s):  
Bunchoo Pongtanakul ◽  
Prabodh K. Das ◽  
Yigal Dror

Abstract Background: Immunosuppressive therapy (IST) is the alternative first line treatment in children with aplastic anemia (AA) who have no HLA match siblings available. The long-term outcome of patients with AA who survive after IST is unknown. We evaluated outcomes of children with AA treated with IST at long-term follow up. Methods: we retrospectively reviewed the hospital records of children with AA from 1984 to 2004, treated at our institution with horse-derived antithymocyte globulin (hATG) 160 mg/Kg over 4 days, short course of prednisone and cyclosporine (CS). Results: Forty two patients were treated with IST (25 boys, 18 girls). The median age at diagnosis was 8.5 years. Twenty nine (69%), eight (19%) and five (12%) patients were diagnosed with severe, very severe, and moderate AA, respectively. Nine patients (21%) had hepatitis associated AA. Twenty seven patients (64%) received one course of ATG and fifteen (36%) received 2 courses (8 received 2 courses of hATG and 7 received 1 course hATG and 1 course rabbit derived ATG). Eleven patients (26%) required G-CSF. Median follow up time was 53.3 months (range 3–244 months). Twenty six patients (62%) had a complete response (CR), eight (19%) had a partial response (PR) and eight (19%) had no response (NR). Two patients relapsed after one course of IST and needed a second course of IST and both of them had a partial response. Median time to discontinuation of CS was 13 months. Nine patients (21%) died (7 with NR and 2 with PR) and 33 patients (79%) are alive. Two patients developed myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) 21 and 19 months post IST; both received long-term G-CSF (18 and 14 months) and had PR after 2 courses of IST. Five of 33 patients (15%) who survived had significant hypertension after CS was discontinued and one required continuous antihypertensive medication. Conclusion: The results of this study shows promising response in children with AA treated with IST. Hypertension and MDS are late complication. Longer follow up in these patients is warranted to definite the accurate rates of the late complications and risk factors.


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