Ventriculoperitoneal shunt as a treatment of visual loss in idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to evaluate visual function outcomes in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) patients who underwent ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt for visual loss and to determine a VP shunt survival curve over time. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review was performed of all new IIH patients first evaluated at our institution who underwent VP shunt placement over a 7-year period (2004-2010). There were 2 primary outcome measures: the first being visual acuity (VA) and the second being shunt survival. Patients who received VP shunt for visual loss were included in the visual outcome analysis, and all patients who received VP shunt for any reason were included in the shunt survival analysis. RESULTS: Of the 338 new patients with IIH, 19 patients (6%) met the inclusion criteria and 17 underwent VP shunt for visual loss and 2 for headaches. Average follow-up was 21.2 months (range, 5-1,342 days). Of the 17 patients who had VP shunt for visual loss, 5 patients had optic nerve sheath fenestration (ONSF) surgery before VP shunt, and 1 patient had bilateral ONSF surgery after VP shunt. Median VA before shunt was 20/200 in the worse eye (range, 20/20 to NLP) and 20/40 in the better eye (20/20 to HM). Median VA after shunt was 20/60 in the worse eye (20/20 to lumboperitoneal) and 20/30 in the better eye (20/20 to 20/800). The improvement in VA was statistically significant in both worse eyes (P = 0.002, Wilcoxon signed-rank test) and better eyes (P = 0.028). The mean automated visual field (AVF) mean deviation (MD) of available AVFs before shunt was 223.36 dB (range, 233.38 to 27.01 dB) for the worse eye (n = 11) and 219.66 dB (230.11 to 25.91 dB) for the better eye (n = 11). Mean AVF MD deviation of available AVFs after shunt was 220.68 dB (232.13 to 23.97 dB) for the worse eye (n = 11) and 216.35 dB (232.13 to 21.00 dB) for the better eye (n = 11): this improvement was not significant (P = 0.27, P = 0.26, respectively). Independent masked record reviews by 3 neuro-ophthalmologists showed that 9 (53%) patients improved, 5 (29%) unchanged, 1 (6%) worsened, and 2 (12%) were indeterminate. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a persistent steady decrease of functioning VP shunts over the entire period of 36 months with 80%, 65%, and 48% of VP shunts functioning without replacement, removal, or revision at 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: VP shunts improve or stabilize most IIH patients presenting with severe progressive visual loss or those with visual loss refractive to medical treatment and ONSF. Survival analysis shows persistent decrease of functioning shunts over time.

Delayed Rupture of a Cortical Traumatic Intracranial Aneurysm.

Traumatic intracranial aneurysms are rare lesions that occur after blunt or primarily penetrating mechanisms. These are extremely fragile vessel injuries associated with significant morbidity and mortality, especially after rupture. Disease natural history, surveillance strategies, and management are based on small case series. Here we present a case of a 29-year-old male with a large epidural hematoma after blunt trauma, who underwent emergent surgical intervention. Three months postoperatively, he presented with unusual cerebral bleeding. Clinical suspicion prompted a conventional angiogram, which diagnosed a ruptured cortical traumatic intracranial aneurysm. The patient was urgently treated by surgical clipping with a good outcome.

Anterior thigh compartment syndrome and local myonecrosis after posterior spine surgery on a Jackson table.

BACKGROUND: Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) after posterior spinal surgery is very uncommon. Most of the reported cases have ACS in the legs related to positioning in the knee-chest position; postoperative ACS in the thighs is exceedingly rare, with only one reported case (17). CASE DESCRIPTION: This study reports two patients who had local muscle necrosis/ACS after spine surgery in the prone position and discusses preventive measures. Both of our complications were probably related to reversing the position of the iliac crest and hip pads on a Jackson operating table, which was done to achieve better lumbar lordosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our cases indicate the need for a high index of suspicion of ACS in patients who have persistent unresolved pain and local swelling. Tissue pressure monitoring is an option in suspected cases. Iliac crest and thigh pads should not be reversed during positioning on a Jackson table.

High-flow orbital arteriovenous malformation in a child: current management and options.

Vascular malformations of the orbit cause significant morbidity such as chronic pain, diplopia, amblyopia, and cosmetic disfigurement. They are rare lesions which require multidisciplinary care, and in the modern era results of treatment have been greatly improved with the assistance of endovascular therapy. Other treatment options include laser therapy, percutaneous embolization, open surgery, or a combination of these modalities. Nevertheless some patients suffer poor results despite modern medical advances. A case of an orbital arteriovenous malformation (AVM) initially treated independently by a dermatologist, a plastic surgeon, and a neuroendovascular interventionalist is presented. When treating patients with these rare but disabling lesions it is of the highest importance to coordinate efforts between all pertinent specialists in order to promote the best possible result.