Neuroendoscopic colloid cyst resection: a case cohort with follow-up and patient satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the safety and efficacy of neuroendoscopic colloid cyst resection and to assess patient satisfaction. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a single surgeon's experience with neuroendoscopic resection of colloid cysts was performed. Surgeries performed in 56 patients were reviewed. Surgeries involved an anterolateral neuroendoscopic technique. Patients were followed postoperatively for an average of 14.9 months. Patients were also interviewed regarding their preoperative symptoms, resolution of symptoms postoperatively, and their degree of satisfaction. RESULTS: The median operative time was 82 minutes, and the median duration of hospital stay was 5 days. During surgery, the ventricles were explored for residual cyst wall or cyst content, and none were encountered. On immediate postoperative imaging, cyst recurrence was not noted for any patient, and only 1 patient has had evidence of recurrence on long-term follow-up. Various preoperative symptoms were described by patients; depending on the specific symptoms, 70%-100% resolution of symptoms was shown after surgery. Along with clinical follow-up, patients were interviewed regarding their perception of surgery and recovery. Of the patients contacted, 100% reported satisfaction with the surgery, and 91% noted satisfaction with their recovery. Reported complications included memory loss, infection, deep vein thrombosis, and postoperative hematoma. There were 2 perioperative deaths (3.5%) related to surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Neuroendoscopic colloid cyst resection can reliably achieve complete lesion removal with short operative times. In addition, there is a high level of reported patient satisfaction. To our knowledge, this is the largest case series of neuroendoscopic colloid cyst resections from a single surgeon.

The use of inside-outside screws for occipitocervical fusion in pediatric patients.

OBJECT: The authors describe the use of inside-outside occipital screws in 21 children with occipitocervical instability requiring occipitocervical fusion. METHODS: The ages of the patients were from 2 to 15 years, and patients presented with a variety of causes of occipitocervical instability, including congenital disorders, posttraumatic instability, idiopathic degeneration, and postoperative instability. Surgeries frequently included foramen magnum decompression, duraplasty, and laminectomy, but all patients required occipitocervical instrumentation and arthrodesis. Postoperative orthosis included the use of either a cervical collar or halo device. In all but one case, patients were followed postoperatively for at least 12 months. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 9.93 years. Inside-outside screws were used in all reported cases. Rib autograft was used in all patients. In addition, demineralized bone matrix was used in 2 cases, and bone morphogenetic protein was used in 2 patients. Two patients required halo placement, and the other 19 were placed in cervical collars. The average time postoperative orthotics were used was 2.82 months. Arthrodesis was determined radiographically and was noted in all patients. No operative complications were noted; however, postoperative complications included 1 wound infection, 2 cases of hardware loosening, and the need for tracheostomy in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Inside-outside screws were found to be a useful component of occipitocervical instrumentation in pediatric patients ranging from 2 to 15 years of age. Arthrodesis was demonstrated in all cases.