Cranial decompression and expansion surgery for the treatment of refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension: case report and systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to systematically review the literature on the clinical outcomes following different surgical techniques in patients with refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). BACKGROUND: IIH is a condition characterised by increased cranial pressure (ICP) in the absence of an intracranial lesion that does not adequately respond to different medical and surgical therapies. Cranial decompression or expansion surgeries are a last resort therapy for patients with refractory IIH. METHODS: A systematic literature search of the databases of PubMed, Embase and Medline from inception to 2019 was performed. Searches were limited to the English language and to clinical studies. Studies were included if clinical outcomes following different cranial decompression or expansion techniques were reported. We also add one case of our own experience with performing a bilateral frontoparietal expansion craniotomy and subtemporal craniectomy. RESULTS: Five manuscripts, describing 38 procedures, met the inclusion criteria. Thirty-one patients were female (82%). The mean age was 26.2 years. The techniques studied included subtemporal craniectomy (27/38, 71%), internal cranial expansion (10/38, 26%), and cranial morcellation decompression (1/38, 3%). Thirty-five patients presented with headaches of which 17 noted postoperative improvement or resolution (49%). Visual deficits were documented in 30 patients and 25 reported postoperative improvement (83%). Papilledema disappeared in 23 of 32 patients with this sign at presentation (72%). In our patient, symptoms completely resolved postoperatively and a 6% increase in intracranial volume was measured. CONCLUSIONS: Cranial vault decompression or expansion surgeries may be an effective last resort therapy for patients with refractory IIH. These surgeries expand the intracranial volume, and thus may normalise ICP, leading to clinical improvement.

Cranioplasty after craniectomy in pediatric patients-a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Complications following cranioplasty with either autografts or cranial implants are commonly reported in pediatric patients. However, data regarding cranioplasty strategies, complications and long-term outcomes are not well described. This study systematically reviews the literature for an overview of current cranioplasty practice in children. METHODS: A systematic review of articles published from inception to July 2018 was performed. Studies were included if they reported the specific use of cranioplasty materials following craniectomy in patients younger than 18 years of age, and had a minimum follow-up of at least 1 year. RESULTS: Twenty-four manuscripts, describing a total of 864 cranioplasty procedures, met the inclusion criteria. The age of patients in this aggregate ranged from 1 month to 20 years and the weighted average was 8.0 years. The follow-up ranged from 0.4 months to 18 years and had a weighted average of 40.4 months. Autologous bone grafts were used in 484 cases (56.0%). Resorption, infection and/or hydrocephalus were the most frequently mentioned complications. In this aggregate group, 61 patients needed a revision cranioplasty. However, in 6/13 (46%) papers studying autologous cranioplasties, no data was provided on resorption, infection and revision cranioplasty rates. Cranial implants were used in 380 cases (44.0%), with custom-made porous hydroxyapatite being the most commonly used material (100/380, 26.3%). Infection and migration/fracturing/loosening were the most frequently documented complications. Eleven revision cranioplasties were reported. Again, no data was reported on infection and revision cranioplasty rates, in 7/16 (44%) and 9/16 (56%) of papers, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our systematic review illuminates that whether autografts or cranial implants are used, postcranioplasty complications are quite common. Beyond this, the existing literature does not contain well documented and comparable outcome parameters, suggesting that prospective, long-term multicenter cohort studies are needed to be able to optimize cranioplasty strategies in children who will undergo cranioplasty following craniectomy.

Cranioplasties following craniectomies in children-a multicenter, retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Complications following pediatric cranioplasty after craniectomy with either autologous bone flaps or cranial implants are reported to be common, particularly bone flap resorption. However, only sparse data are available regarding cranioplasty strategies, complications, and outcomes. This manuscript describes a Canadian-Dutch multicenter pediatric cohort study with autografts and cranial implant cranioplasties following craniectomies for a variety of indications. METHODS: The study included all children (< 18 years) who underwent craniectomy and subsequent cranioplasty surgeries from 2008 to 2014 (with a minimum of 1-year follow-up) at four academic hospitals with a dedicated pediatric neurosurgical service. Data were collected regarding initial diagnosis, age, time interval between craniectomy and cranioplasty, bone flap storage method, type of cranioplasty for initial procedure (and redo if applicable), and the postoperative outcome including surgical site infection, wound breakdowns, bone flap resorption, and inadequate fit/disfigurement. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients (46 males, average age 9.7 ± 5.5 years) were eligible for inclusion, with mean follow-up of 82.3 ± 31.2 months after craniectomy. Forty cranioplasties (62.5%) used autologous bone re-implant, 23 (57.5%) of which showed resorption. On average, resorption was documented at 434 days (range 62-2796 days) after reimplantation. In 20 cases, a revision cranioplasty was needed. In 24 of the post-craniectomy cases (37.5%), a cranial implant was used with one of ten different implant types. Implant loosening prompted a complete revision cranioplasty in 2 cases (8.3%). Cranial implants were associated with low morbidity and lower reoperation dates compared to the autologous cranioplasties. CONCLUSION: The most prominent finding in this multicenter cohort study was that bone flap resorption in children remains a common and widespread problem following craniectomy. Cranioplasty strategies varied between centers and evolved over time within centers. Cranial implants were associated with low morbidity and low reoperation rates. Still, longer term and prospective multicenter cohort studies are needed to optimize cranioplasty strategies in children after craniectomies.

Functional and educational outcomes after treatment for intracranial arteriovenous malformations in children.

BACKGROUND: Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in the pediatric population are rare, yet they form the most frequent cause of hemorrhagic stroke in children. Compared to adults, children have been suggested to have beneficial neurological outcomes. However, few studies have focused on other variables than neurological outcomes. This study aims to assess the long-term functional and educational outcomes of children after multimodality approach of treatment for intracranial AVMs. METHODS: All children treated in our center between 1998 and 2016 for intracranial AVMs were reviewed. Patient characteristics, as well as AVM specifics, were collected. Functional outcomes were compared using the modified Rankin scale (mRs). Educational levels, using the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED), were compared to the age-matched general population of the Netherlands. RESULTS: In total, 25 children were included at mean age of 10 years (range 2-16 years). Nineteen patients (76%) presented with intracranial bleeding. Mean follow-up was 11.5 ± 5.3 years (range 4.1-24.4). Four (16%) of patients were treated with embolization, three (12%) with microsurgery, and 18 patients (72%) received a combination of different treatment modalities. Altogether, 21 (84%) were embolized, 14 (56%) were treated with microsurgery, and eight (32%) received stereotactic radiosurgery. One child had a worse mRs at discharge compared to admission; all others improved (n = 11) or were stable (n = 13). At follow-up, all patients scored a stable or improved mRs compared to discharge, with 23 children (92%) scoring mRs 0 or 1. These 23 children followed regular education during follow-up without specialized or adapted schooling. No significant differences in educational level with the age-matched general population were found. CONCLUSION: This retrospective review shows positive long-term results of both functional and educational outcomes after multidisciplinary treatment of pediatric brain AVMs.

Minimally Invasive Strip Craniectomy Simplifies Anesthesia Practice in Patients With Isolated Sagittal Synostosis.

BACKGROUND: Traditional open corrective surgery for isolated sagittal synostosis entails significant blood loss, transfusion rates, morbidity, and a lengthy hospitalization. Minimally invasive strip craniectomy (MISC) was introduced to avoid the disadvantages of open techniques. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was, first, to compare the anesthesia practice in MISC and open extended strip craniectomy (OESC), and, second, to evaluate the incidence of perioperative complications in both surgical procedures. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted for all consecutive patients receiving either OESC or MISC for nonsyndromic isolated sagittal synostosis between January 2006 and February 2014. The primary endpoints were the volume of blood loss, the volume of infused blood products, the duration of surgery, the anesthesia time, the intubation time, and the length of admission to high care units and the hospital. RESULTS: In MISC, the median duration of surgery (90 versus 178 min.), anesthesia time (178 versus 291 min), and intubation time (153 versus 294 min) were all significantly (P < 0.001) shorter than in OESC. Intraoperative blood loss was less in MISC than in OESC (3.8 versus 29.7 mL/kg, P < 0.001), requiring less crystalloids (33.3 versus 76.9 mL/kg, P < 0.001) as well as less erythrocyte transfusions (0.0 versus 19.7 mL/kg, P < 0.001) in a smaller number of patients (2/20 versus 13/15). The improved hemodynamic stability in MISC allowed for placement of less arterial and central venous catheters. After OESC all 15 patients were admitted to high care units, compared with 9 of 20 in MISC. The overall median hospital stay was shorter in MISC than in OESC (4 versus 6 d, P < 0.001). Although the incidence of technical complications was similar in both techniques, patients in MISC were less affected by perioperative electrolyte and acid-base disturbances and postoperative pyrexia. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive strip craniectomy simplifies anesthesia practice relative to OESC with shorter operative times, decreased needs for replacement fluids and blood products, lessened requirements for invasive monitoring, and reduced demands for postoperative high care beds.

Imaging the course of a hypoplastic cerebellum in a spina bifida newborn.

INTRODUCTION: We report about a spina bifida patient with myelomeningocele at the lumbar level L5, extensive Chiari malformation type II with vermal herniation reaching to C6 with downward pontine shift, and a severe hypoplastic cerebellum. Chromosomal diagnostic tests showed no abnormalities. CASE REPORT: The infant experienced severe central apneas successfully treated with oxygen therapy and caffeine medication; functional motor level was established at L5 with sparse anal sphincter function. DISCUSSION: After surgical intervention (myelomeningocele repair and ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement), these abnormalities significantly improved on radiological imaging; the preoperative hypoplastic, almost undetectable, cerebellum developed to a fair sized cerebellum. Apneas disappeared over time and the patient showed further developmental improvement. Herein, we illustrate and discuss the changes of the cerebellar volume before and after neurosurgical intervention.

Microvascular Decompression of the VII/VIII Cranial Nerve Complex for the Treatment of Intermediate Nerve Neuralgia: A Retrospective Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Intermediate nerve neuralgia (INN) is a rare and often overlooked form of primary otalgia. The pathophysiological mechanism is unknown, although one of the possible contributing factors is a neurovascular conflict at the root entry zone of the intermediate nerve. The pain can be severely debilitating, and the palette of treatment options is small. OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of microvascular decompression (MVD) of the VII/VIII cranial nerve complex for treating INN. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of a group of 8 consecutive patients with INN who underwent MVD of the VII/VIII cranial nerve complex in the period 1994 to 2015. RESULTS: In total, 7 of the 8 patients experienced almost immediate and complete relief of pain, which remained at long-term follow-up (mean 35 mo ± 24 mo, range 8-84 mo). Postoperatively, 1 patient had a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, 3 patients experienced permanent ipsilateral hearing loss, and 3 patients had temporary complaints associated with excessive drainage of CSF. CONCLUSION: This study suggests MVD as a valid treatment for medically refractory INN. MVD carries surgical risk, but given the severity of complaints of these patients, we believe the treatment benefits outweigh the associated complications.

Surgery for a giant arteriovenous malformation without motor deterioration: preoperative transcranial magnetic stimulation in a non-cooperative patient.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive activation method that is increasingly used for motor mapping. Preoperative functional mapping in vascular surgery is not routinely performed; however, in cases of high-grade arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), it could play a role in preoperative decision making. A 16-year-old male was suffering from a giant, right-sided insular, Spetzler-Martin Grade V AVM. This patient's history included 3 hemorrhagic strokes in the past 3 years, resulting in Medical Research Council Grade 2-3 (proximal) and 2-4 (distal) paresis of the left side of the body and hydrocephalus requiring a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Preoperative TMS showed absent contralateral innervation of the remaining left-sided motor functions. Subsequently, the AVM was completely resected without any postoperative increase of the left-sided paresis. This case shows that TMS can support decision making in AVM treatment by mapping motor functions.