Pediatric intracranial hypertension. Experience from 2 Tertiary Centers.

OBJECTIVE: To review the experience of 2 tertiary centers in Saudi Arabia with intracranial hypertension (IH) in the pediatric population. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed pediatric patients diagnosed with IH from June 2002 to May 2017 in 2 institutes. RESULTS: We identified 53 patients (30 females and 23 males) with a mean age of 7 years at the time of presentation. Among them, 41 patients were younger than 12 years, and 12 were older. Obese and overweight patients constituted 27.00% (n = 14) of all cases, 8 (66.7%) of whom were older than 12 years. The most common presenting feature was papilledema followed by headache. Vitamin D deficiency, which constituted the most common associated condition, was identified in 12 (22.6%) patients. Acetazolamide was the treatment option in 98.11% of patients, and only 5.7% underwent surgical interventions. The length of follow-up ranged from 6 months to 8 years. CONCLUSION: Intracranial hypertension is rare in children and commonly seen in overweight females older than 12 years similar to adults. Patients younger than 12 years tend to develop secondary IH. More studies are needed to characterize the clinical presentation and guide the management plan.

Development of Calvarial Bone Osteomyelitis in a Noonan Syndrome Patient Following Fronto-Orbital Advancement of Craniosynostosis: A Novel Technique of Treatment Using Povidone and Hydrogen Peroxide Solutions.

This is a case of a pediatric patient with Noonan syndrome (NS) and craniosynostosis who developed calvarial bone osteomyelitis following corrective surgery. Despite complications, such as postoperative bleeding and infections, including osteomyelitis, multidisciplinary management strategies were employed, including antibiotics, debridement, and novel use of hydrogen peroxide and povidone solutions due to bone thinning. The discussion highlights challenges in managing syndromic craniosynostosis, emphasizing the importance of tailored approaches and prophylactic antibiotics. The innovative treatment approach using hydrogen peroxide and povidone presents a potential alternative for bone infections and osteomyelitis post-cranial reconstruction, offering insights for future management strategies. Lessons learned regarding infection rates and novel treatment modalities contribute to evolving approaches in managing complications in syndromic craniosynostosis.