scholarly journals Fourth ventricle tumors in children: complications and influence of surgical approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian M. Toescu ◽  
Gargi Samarth ◽  
Hugo Layard Horsfall ◽  
Richard Issitt ◽  
Ben Margetts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Surgical Management ◽  
Surgical Approach ◽  
Fourth Ventricle ◽  
External Ventricular Drain ◽  
Preoperative Imaging ◽  
Posterior Fossa Tumors ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Telovelar Approach

OBJECTIVESThe goal of this study was to characterize the complications and morbidity related to the surgical management of pediatric fourth ventricle tumors.METHODSAll patients referred to the authors’ institution with posterior fossa tumors from 2002 to 2018 inclusive were screened to include only true fourth ventricle tumors. Preoperative imaging and clinical notes were reviewed to extract data on presenting symptoms; surgical episodes, techniques, and adjuncts; tumor histology; and postoperative complications.RESULTSThree hundred fifty-four children with posterior fossa tumors were treated during the study period; of these, 185 tumors were in the fourth ventricle, and 167 fourth ventricle tumors with full data sets were included in this analysis. One hundred patients were male (mean age ± SD, 5.98 ± 4.12 years). The most common presenting symptom was vomiting (63.5%). The most common tumor types, in order, were medulloblastoma (94 cases) > pilocytic astrocytoma (30 cases) > ependymoma (30 cases) > choroid plexus neoplasms (5 cases) > atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (4 cases), with 4 miscellaneous lesions. Of the 67.1% of patients who presented with hydrocephalus, 45.5% had an external ventricular drain inserted (66.7% of these prior to tumor surgery, 56.9% frontal); these patients were more likely to undergo ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement at a later date (p = 0.00673). Twenty-two had an endoscopic third ventriculostomy, of whom 8 later underwent VPS placement. Overall, 19.7% of patients had a VPS sited during treatment.Across the whole series, the transvermian approach was more frequent than the telovelar approach (64.1% vs 33.0%); however, the telovelar approach was significantly more common in the latter half of the series (p < 0.001). Gross-total resection was achieved in 70.7%. The most common postoperative deficit was cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS; 28.7%), followed by new weakness (24.0%), cranial neuropathy (18.0%), and new gait abnormality/ataxia (12.6%). Use of intraoperative ultrasonography significantly reduced the incidence of CMS (p = 0.0365). There was no significant difference in the rate of CMS between telovelar or transvermian approaches (p = 0.745), and multivariate logistic regression modeling did not reveal any statistically significant relationships between CMS and surgical approach.CONCLUSIONSSurgical management of pediatric fourth ventricle tumors continues to evolve, and resection is increasingly performed through the telovelar route. CMS is enduringly the major postoperative complication in this patient population.

Permanent Cerebrospinal Fluid Diversion in Adults With Posterior Fossa Tumors: Incidence and Predictors

Neurosurgery ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan Saad ◽  
David P Bray ◽  
J Tanner McMahon ◽  
Brandon D Philbrick ◽  
Reem A Dawoud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Surgical Complications ◽  
External Ventricular Drain ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Extent Of Resection ◽  
Subtotal Resection ◽  
Central Nervous System Tumor ◽  
Posterior Fossa Tumors ◽  
Csf Diversion

Abstract BACKGROUND Posterior fossa tumors (PFTs) can cause hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus can persist despite resection of PFTs in a subset of patients requiring permanent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion. Characteristics of this patient subset are not well defined. OBJECTIVE To define preoperative and postoperative variables that predict the need for postoperative CSF diversion in adult patients with PFTs. METHODS We surveyed the CNS (Central Nervous System) Tumor Outcomes Registry at Emory (CTORE) for patients who underwent PFT resection at 3 tertiary-care centers between 2006 and 2019. Demographic, radiographic, perioperative, and dispositional data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate models. RESULTS We included 617 patients undergoing PFT resection for intra-axial (57%) or extra-axial (43%) lesions. Gross total resection was achieved in 62% of resections. Approximately 13% of patients required permanent CSF diversion/shunting. Only 31.5% of patients who required pre- or intraop external ventricular drain (EVD) placement needed permanent CSF diversion. On logistic regression, size, transependymal flow, use of perioperative EVD, postoperative intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and surgical complications were predictors of permanent CSF diversion. Preoperative tumor size was only independent predictor of postoperative shunting in patients with subtotal resection. In patients with intra-axial tumors, transependymal flow (P = .014), postoperative IVH (P = .001), surgical complications (P = .013), and extent of resection (P = .03) predicted need for shunting. In extra-axial tumors, surgical complications were the major predictor (P = .022). CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that presence of preoperative hydrocephalus in patients with PFT does not necessarily entail the need for permanent CSF diversion. We report the major predictive factors for needing permanent CSF diversion.

Syringobulbia in a Pediatric Population

Neurosurgery ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 1147-1153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy D.W. Greenlee ◽  
Arnold H. Menezes ◽  
Bryan A. Bertoglio ◽  
Kathleen A. Donovan
Keyword(s):  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Cranial Nerve ◽  
Fourth Ventricle ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Posterior Fossa Decompression ◽  
Radiographic Findings ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Cranial Nerve Dysfunction ◽  
Cranial Nerve Palsies

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To better understand the presentation, management, and outcome of syringobulbia in the pediatric age group. METHODS: The University of Iowa pediatric neurosurgery database was searched for patients under the age of 18 with a diagnosis of syringobulbia. The patients' records were retrospectively reviewed for demographic data, chief complaint and presenting symptoms, neurological and radiographic findings, treatment, outcome, and complications. Children with open neural tube defects and Chiari II malformations were excluded. RESULTS: Six pediatric patients were identified as meeting inclusion criteria. The average age at time of surgery was 14.8 years. The chief complaints were vision impairment in three children and numbness, gait instability, and headache worsened with Valsalva in one patient each. Other prominent symptoms included sleep apnea and weakness. All patients showed at least one cranial nerve dysfunction. Radiographs revealed hindbrain herniation and associated syringomyelia in all cases. Two patients had scoliosis. Treatment was posterior fossa decompression with cerebellar tonsillar shrinkage, opening of foramen of Magendie, and duraplasty. Two patients also required concomitant ventral decompression. The cavity of syringobulbia communicated with syringomyelia and the fourth ventricle in most children but was distinct from the fourth ventricle. Two patients received fourth ventricle to subarachnoid shunts. Follow-up averaged 3.2 years, and all patients clinically improved after surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging documented resolution of syringobulbia in all cases, with syringomyelia improving in all cases. There was no permanent morbidity or mortality in the series. CONCLUSION: Syringobulbia is strongly associated with Chiari malformation and syringomyelia, and patients often present because of cranial nerve palsies. Posterior fossa decompression is a safe and effective treatment.

Presurgical neuropsychological and behavioral evaluation of children with posterior fossa tumors

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 548-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Varela ◽  
Magda Liakopoulou ◽  
George A. Alexiou ◽  
Dimitra Pitsouni ◽  
Giorgos A. Alevizopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Child Behavior Checklist ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Tumor Location ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Posterior Fossa Tumors ◽  
Behavioral Impairment ◽  
Visuomotor Integration ◽  
Significant Difference

Object Brain tumors are associated with behavioral and neuropsychological effects. Most available data are focused on the posttreatment neurological and cognitive deficits of these patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pretreatment neuropsychological and behavioral impairment in children with posterior fossa tumors. Methods The authors studied 24 children with posterior fossa tumors who were between 4 and 15 years of age, and who were surgically treated at the authors' institute. During the period prior to the tumor excision, neuropsychological and behavioral assessments were performed. A control group of age-matched children was also studied. The children's executive functions were assessed using the short form of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC). For the assessment of visuospatial functions, spatial memory, and visuomotor integration skills, the Bender-Gestalt Test (BGT) was used. For assessment of the visual perception and visual memory, the authors used the Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT). Furthermore, parents or caregivers completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Results The WISC revealed no significant difference between patients and the control group. The CBCL revealed significant somatic concerns compared with the measure's norms. Furthermore, the patients differed in aggressiveness, somatic concerns, anxiety symptoms, internalizing of problems, and total problems. In the BGT and the BVRT results, no significant difference was observed between patients and the control group. Furthermore, no significant correlation was found between neuropsychological scores and sex, age at diagnosis, histological diagnosis, presence of hydrocephalus, degree of hydrocephalus, tumor size, and tumor location. Conclusions Children with posterior fossa tumors suffer more frequently from somatic concerns, aggressiveness, anxiety, and internalizing disorders compared with controls. No difference was found with respect to intelligence scores.

Pontine encephalocele and abnormalities of the posterior fossa following transclival endoscopic endonasal surgery

2014 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Koutourousiou ◽  
Francisco Vaz Guimaraes Filho ◽  
Tina Costacou ◽  
Juan C. Fernandez-Miranda ◽  
Eric W. Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Fourth Ventricle ◽  
Fat Graft ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Reconstruction Technique ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery ◽  
Posterior Fossa Tumors ◽  
Endonasal Surgery ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal ◽  
Dural Opening

Object Transclival endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) has recently been used for the treatment of posterior fossa tumors. The optimal method of reconstruction of large clival defects following EES has not been established. Methods A morphometric analysis of the posterior fossa was performed in patients who underwent transclival EES to compare those with observed postoperative anatomical changes (study group) to 50 normal individuals (anatomical control group) and 41 matched transclival cases with preserved posterior fossa anatomy (case-control group) using the same parameters. Given the absence of clival bone following transclival EES, the authors used the line between the anterior commissure and the basion as an equivalent to the clival plane to evaluate the location of the pons. Four parameters were studied and compared in the two populations: the pontine location/displacement, the maximum anteroposterior (AP) diameter of the pons, the maximum AP diameter of the fourth ventricle, and the cervicomedullary angle (CMA). All measurements were performed on midsagittal 3-month postoperative MR images in the study group. Results Among 103 posterior fossa tumors treated with transclival EES, 14 cases (13.6%) with postoperative posterior fossa anatomy changes were identified. The most significant change was anterior displacement of the pons (transclival pontine encephalocele) compared with the normal location in the anatomical control group (p < 0.0001). Other significant deformities were expansion of the AP diameter of the pons (p = 0.005), enlargement of the fourth ventricle (p = 0.001), and decrease in the CMA (p < 0.0001). All patients who developed these changes had undergone extensive resection of the clival bone (> 50% of the clivus) and dura. Nine (64.3%) of the 14 patients were overweight (body mass index [BMI] > 25 kg/m2). An association between BMI and the degree of pontine encephalocele was observed, but did not reach statistical significance. The use of a fat graft as part of the reconstruction technique following transclival EES with dural opening was the single significant factor that prevented pontine displacement (p = 0.02), associated with 91% lower odds of pontine encephalocele (OR = 0.09, 95% CI 0.01–0.77). The effect of fat graft reconstruction was more pronounced in overweight/obese individuals (p = 0.04) than in normal-weight patients (p = 0.52). Besides reconstruction technique, other noticeable findings were the tendency of younger adults to develop pontine encephalocele (p = 0.05) and the association of postoperative meningitis with the development of posterior fossa deformities (p = 0.05). One patient developed a transient, recurrent subjective diplopia; all others remained asymptomatic. Conclusions Significant changes in posterior fossa anatomy that have potential clinical implications have been observed following transclival transdural EES. These changes are more common in younger patients or those with meningitis and may be associated with BMI. The use of a fat graft combined with the vascularized nasoseptal flap appears to minimize the risk of pontine herniation following transclival EES with dural opening.

Sitting Prone Position for the Posterior Surgical Approach to the Spine and Posterior Fossa

Neurosurgery ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert W. Cook ◽  
Tariq S. Siddiqi ◽  
Florence Nidzgorski ◽  
Hadley A. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Central Venous Pressure ◽  
Prone Position ◽  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Surgical Approach ◽  
Airway Pressure ◽  
Venous Pressure ◽  
Posterior Fossa Surgery ◽  
Comparative Efficacy ◽  
Central Venous ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract The sitting prone position is compared with the standard laminectomy prone position and the sitting up position for posterior fossa surgery. We measured central venous pressure and airway pressure with the patient in different positions to determine the comparative efficacy of the sitting prone position. On a linear average, the central venous pressure increased by 6.83 cm H2O and the airway pressure increased by 3.16 cm H2O when the patient was changed from the supine to the standard prone position under general anesthesia; with a change from the standard prone position to the sitting prone position, the central venous pressure decreased by 10.45 cm H2O and the airway pressure decreased by 3.66 cm H2O. However, comparing the sitting prone position for posterior fossa surgery with the sitting up position, there was no statistically significant difference in central venous or airway pressure.

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