Surgical considerations in a paediatric case of a large skull-base epithelioid haemangioendothelioma.

Intracranial epithelioid haemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare intermediate grade vascular tumour with heterogeneous clinical and histopathological behaviour. We present the surgical considerations of an exceptionally large skull-based EHE in an 11-year old female who presented to our institution with headaches and a protuberance over the left parietal area. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a left sided 10.5 × 6.6 × 11.1 cm extra-axial tumour arising from the parieto-temporaloccipital region which was continuous with the calvarium. An initial biopsy confirmed EHE. Staged treatment involved preoperative angiography and embolization. The patient underwent an extensive tumour excision and acrylic cranioplasty. Residual tumour persists in the petrous temporal bone. No neurological deficit was sustained. Postoperatively, we proceeded to tumour surveillance rather than adjuvant therapies, and follow-up imaging up to 36 months postoperatively has shown no tumour progression. We illustrate our surgical management of this large EHE and review the literature of this rare pathological entity with variable tumour behaviour and potential role for adjuvant therapy.

Long-term follow-up for keystone design perforator island flap for closure of myelomeningocele.

PURPOSE: We have previously reported a small series on the closure of large myelomeningocele (MMC) defects with a keystone design perforator island flap (KDPIF) in a paediatric neurosurgical centre in Australia. We are now presenting an updated longer term follow-up of an expanded series demonstrating longer term durability of this vascularized flap for large myelomeningocele defects. METHODS: The prospective data from the Monash Neurosurgical Database were used to select all cases of MMC between December 2008 and September 2016. Retrospective analysis of the neurosurgical database revealed an additional three patients who underwent KDPIF closure at the Monash Medical Centre for MMC repair at birth. RESULTS: Wound healing was satisfactory in all six cases. With delayed follow-up, there was no associated skin flap separation, skin flap dehiscence, skin flap necrosis, cerebro-spinal fluid leak, however two infections were encountered, both resolved with conservative management including antibiotics and simple washout. CONCLUSION: In this expanded case series with increased longevity of follow-up, the keystone design perforator island flap remains a robust alternative for closure of large myelomeningocele defects.

Keystone design perforator island flap for closure of myelomeningocele.

OBJECT: We present a series of three infants who underwent keystone design perforator island flap (KDPIF) closure for myelomeningocele in a paediatric neurosurgical centre in Australia. This is the first recorded utilization of this flap for primary closure of myelomeningocele (MMC). METHODS: The prospective data from the Monash Neurosurgical Database were used to select all cases of MMC between December 2008 and September 2010. Retrospective analysis of these cases revealed three patients who underwent KDPIF at Monash Medical Centre for MMC repair at birth. RESULTS: Wound healing was prompt and satisfactory in all three cases. No minor or major complications were noted. In particular, there was no associated skin flap separation, skin flap dehiscence, skin flap necrosis, infection, cerebrospinal fluid leak, or need for return to theatre for further intervention to the wound. This keystone design perforator island flap is based on random perforating musculo/fasciocutaneous perforators. In our experience, this robust flap provides better tissue bulk, more reliable vascularity and a wider geometrical versatility than traditional random 1:1 cutaneous flaps. CONCLUSION: Whilst primary closure remains an option for myelomeningocele closure, primary repair of larger defects can lead to closure site tension, stretching of inelastic scar tissue and inadequate soft tissue cover. In this small series, we have demonstrated the use of keystone design perforator island flap closure as an alternative for larger and more complex lesions.

Glioblastoma Presenting as Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Technical Case Note of Combined Endovascular and Microsurgical Vision-Sparing Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Clinical utility of endovascular adjunct for tumor resection is well established, but its role in acute subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to neoplastic pseudoaneurysm rupture has not been reported. CASE DESCRIPTION: We discuss a 46-year-old patient presenting with a World Federation of Neurological Surgeons grade 1 subarachnoid hemorrhage from a ruptured posterior cerebral artery pseudoaneurysm due to glioblastoma tumor invasion. CONCLUSIONS: A combined targeted endovascular embolization with microsurgical resection to spare the calcarine artery was used to avoid disruption to the optic radiation fiber pathway.

Interobserver Reliability of Spinal Adverse Events Severity System - Neuro (SAVES-N): A Prospective Adverse Event Reporting System for Neurosurgical Cases.

BACKGROUND: The reporting of adverse events (AEs) in neurosurgery uses inconsistent definitions and subjective grading systems. A standardized system for recording and describing AEs would allow valid comparisons to be drawn between different institutions, using different technologies, at different times. The Spinal Adverse Events Severity System - Neuro (SAVES-N) system is a modification of the well-validated SAVES-V2 system that encompasses complications from both cranial and spinal surgery. The objective of this study was to assess the interobserver reliability of SAVES-N in spinal and cranial neurosurgery. METHODS: Ten vignettes, including cranial and spinal neurosurgical cases, were assessed by groups of consultant neurosurgeons (n = 5) and neurosurgical registrars (n = 5) using the SAVES-N system. Interobserver reliability for the presence of AEs, the type of AE, and the SAVES severity grade of the AE were calculated using Gwet's AC2 and Fleiss' kappa and were interpreted using the thresholds described by Landis and Koch. RESULTS: Neurosurgeons had almost-perfect agreement (Gwet AC2 = 0.93), whereas registrars had substantial agreement (Gwet's AC2 = 0.74) in determining the presence or absence of AEs. Both neurosurgeons (Fleiss' kappa = 0.78) and registrars (Fleiss' kappa = 0.70) demonstrated substantial agreement within their groups as to the type of AE. Similarly, neurosurgeons (Gwet's AC2 = 0.94) and registrars (Gwet's AC2 = 0.81) both graded the severity of the AE with almost perfect agreement. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that the scope of the well-validated SAVES-V2 system may be broadened to cranial neurosurgical cases by SAVES-N with substantial to almost-perfect interobserver reliability.

Reduction in shunt infection using antibiotic impregnated CSF shunt catheters: an Australian prospective study.

Antibiotic impregnated shunt catheters have emerged as a promising tool against the continuing challenge of shunt infection. We present our prospective evaluation of the efficacy of antibiotic (rifampicin and clindamycin) impregnated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt catheters (AIC) in a mixed paediatric and adult Australian population. We have prospectively evaluated all the cerebrospinal fluid shunt procedures carried out in our institution over a 3-year period since July 2002, after the introduction of AIC in our practice. Patient demographics, indication for shunt procedure, risk factors for infection, shunt infections and other relevant factors were documented. The data has been compared with similar data collected over the previous 7 years of our experience with non-antibiotic impregnated catheters for CSF shunt procedures. Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact tests are used for statistical evaluation. From July 2002 to June 2005, 243 shunt procedures were carried out using AICs in 178 patients. There were three shunt infections (1.2%). Rigorous retrospective evaluation of shunt procedures over the preceding 7 years revealed 36 infections in 551 shunt procedures (6.5%). This reduction in the infection rate was statistically significant (p=0.0015 on Pearson's chi-square test and p=0.000529 on Fisher's exact test). We also report that the introduction of ceftriaxone prophylaxis during this period was associated with a reduction in Gram-negative shunt infection, but no effect on overall infection rate. We report rifampicin and clindamycin impregnated CSF shunt catheters significantly reduce the rate of shunt infection in Australian clinical practice. This data and the literature support the routine usage of AIC for all CSF shunt procedures.

Glioblastoma with primitive neuronal pattern in a girl aged 3 months: a rare diagnosis at an unusual age.

A girl aged 3 months presented with multiple seizures within 12 hours and was noted to have a palpable swelling over the right temporal region. MRI of the brain revealed a large right frontotemporal tumour, suggestive of supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumour. She underwent a stealth-guided craniotomy and debulking of the tumour. Histopathology and immunochemistry of the specimen, however, indicated a high-grade tumour with glioblastoma and neuroblastic components. She underwent adjuvant chemotherapy following the surgery and is well at 7-month follow-up. This case underscores the importance of considering the rare entity of glioblastoma with primitive neuronal pattern as a differential diagnosis in a young child.

Ventricular volume change in childhood.

OBJECT: The aim of this study was to construct a model of age-related changes in ventricular volume in a group of normal children ages 1 month to 15 years, which could be used for comparative studies of cerebrospinal fluid circulation disorders and cerebral atrophy developmental syndromes. METHODS: A magnetic resonance imaging-based segmentation technique was used to measure ventricular volumes in normal children; each volume was then plotted against the child's age. In addition, intracranial volumes were measured and the ratio of ventricular to intracranial volume was calculated and plotted against age. The study group included 71 normal children, 39 boys and 32 girls, whose ages ranged from 1 month to 15.3 years (mean 84.9 months, median 79 months). The mean ventricular volume was 21.3 cm3 for the whole group, 22.7 cm3 in boys and 19.6 cm3 in girls (p = 0.062, according to t-tests). The mean ventricular volume at 12 months for the whole group was 17 cm3 (20 cm3 in boys and 15 cm3 in girls), representing 65% of the volume achieved by 15 years of age (87% in boys and 53% in girls). The volume increased by a factor of 1.53, to 26 cm3 (23 cm3 in males and 28 cm3 in females, increase factors of 1.15 and 1.86, respectively) at 15 years of age. The change in ventricular volume with age is not linear, but follows a segmental pattern. These age periods were defined as: 0 to 3, 4 to 6, 7 to 10, and 11 to 16 years. A statistical difference based on sex was only demonstrated in the first 6 years of life. The mean ventricular volume for the first 6-year period was 22.4 cm3 in boys and 15.7 cm3 in girls, and the difference was significant for the two sexes (linear regression analysis for age and sex, significant according to analysis of variance regression at 0.007, p = 0.108 for age, p = 0.012 for sex). Thereafter, there was no significant difference in ventricular volume between boys and girls with further growth. The ratio of ventricular volume to intracranial volume was 0.0175 for the whole group, 0.017 in boys and 0.018 in girls (p = 0.272, according to t-tests). At 12 months of age the ratio was 0.019; it stabilized to 0.015 at 8 years of age, and increased to 0.018 at 15 years of age. No statistical difference based on sex was demonstrated with growth. CONCLUSIONS: The ventricular volume in normal children increases with age by a factor of 1.5; the increase is in a nonlinear segmental pattern. Boys have significantly higher ventricular volumes only in the first 6 years of life. The ventricular/intracranial volume ratio remains stable throughout childhood.

Influence of shunt type on ventricular volume changes in children with hydrocephalus.

OBJECT: The goal of this study was twofold: to investigate the change in ventricular volume in children with hydrocephalus in response to shunt placement and to assess the effects of two different valve types (Medium Pressure [MP] cylindrical valve and Delta [model 1.5] valve). METHODS: Ventricular volume was measured using segmentation techniques on computerized tomography scans and magnetic resonance images obtained in 40 children with hydrocephalus who ranged in age from 4 days to 16 years. Imaging was performed preoperatively and at 5 days and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The results were compared with measurements obtained in 71 healthy children ranging in age from 1 month to 15 years. Each ventricular volume that was measured was divided by the corresponding sex and age-related mean normal volume to calculate the "x normal" ventricular volume, indicating how many times larger than normal the ventricle was. The mean preoperative ventricular volume was 232 cm3 (range 50-992 cm3). The mean postoperative volumes were 147, 102, 68, and 61 cm3 at 5 days and at 3, 6, and 12 months posttreatment, respectively. The mean preoperative x normal ventricular volume was 14.5 (range 2.2-141.7), and the mean postoperative x normal volumes were 7.9, 5.6, 3.5, and 2.9 at 5 days and 3, 6, and 12 months postimplantation, respectively. The rate of volume reduction was consistently higher in patients who received the MP valve in comparison with those who received the Delta valve, both for new shunt insertions and for shunt revisions. The difference between the two valve groups did not reach statistical significance. Two patients in whom ventricular volumes increased during the study period experienced shunt obstruction at a later time. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative ventricular volume in children with hydrocephalus can be up to 14 times greater than normal. In response to shunt placement, the ventricular volume continues to fall during the first 6 months after operation. The effect is more profound in children who receive the MP valve than in those who receive the Delta valve, although in this study the authors did not demonstrate statistical significance in the difference between the two valves. Nevertheless, this may indicate that the MP valve produces overdrainage in comparison with the Delta valve, even within the first few months after insertion. There is some indication that sequential ventricular volume measurement may be used to identify impending shunt failure.

Delayed post-traumatic capillary haemangioma of the spine.

Capillary haemangiomas are well-circumscribed aggregates of closely packed, thin-walled capillaries separated by connective tissue stroma. In subcutaneous tissue they are termed pyogenic granuloma and commonly follow trauma. They rarely occur in the spine. We present a 43-year-old woman with a 6-week history of thoracic myelopathy and back pain on a background of T7 and T8 vertebral compression fractures from a motor vehicle accident 10 years previously. MRI demonstrated a posteriorly based extradural homogeneously enhancing mass at this level. The lesion was resected and diagnosed histopathologically as a capillary haemangioma. The patient's symptoms resolved and she made an uneventful recovery. The literature is reviewed and the possible pathogenesis is discussed.

Duration of in vivo antimicrobial activity of antibiotic-impregnated cerebrospinal fluid catheters.

OBJECTIVE: Shunt infection is a major neurosurgical concern even after 50 years of experience with shunt surgery. Staphylococcus species are responsible for the majority of cerebrospinal fluid shunt infections. In vitro, antibiotic-impregnated cerebrospinal fluid shunt catheters (AIC) have demonstrated protection against multiple staphylococcus species and strains for reasonable periods. We aim to study the longevity of antimicrobial activity of AIC in vivo by using explanted catheters. METHODS: Twenty-five AICs (rifampicin [0.054%] and clindamycin [0.15%]) were explanted from 18 patients for noninfectious reasons, from 11 to 700 days postimplantation. The catheters were set up on standardized Staphylococcus aureus culture plates to detect antimicrobial activity. Unused fresh AIC segments were used as control in each culture plates. RESULTS: Fourteen explanted AICs demonstrated persistent antimicrobial activity against staphylococcal species. Antimicrobial activity was detected for a period of implantation up to 127 days. This is longer than that predicted by in vitro models. CONCLUSION: The persistent antimicrobial activity is likely to translate to ongoing in vivo antimicrobial protection. This period of protection exceeds that during which most shunt infections occur.