Sub-aponeurotic fluid collections: a delayed-onset self-limiting cerebrospinal fluid fistula in young infants.

BACKGROUND: Transient sub-aponeurotic fluid collections are rarely recognized lesions that may be frequently related to traumatic labor and occur within weeks after birth. Their etiology has remained uncertain. METHODS AND RESULTS: Here we report on five new cases with typical clinical findings and normal neuroimaging. A detailed analysis of the lesion aspirates was performed in three patients, always revealing beta(2)-transferrin and high concentrations of beta-trace protein. CONCLUSIONS: This indicates that cerebrospinal fluid leakage contributes to this rare condition. All lesions disappeared spontaneously within 2-5 months so that conservative treatment seems appropriate.

Vertebral artery loop causing cervical radiculopathy.

We report on a 68-year-old woman with an abnormal loop of the extracranial VA enlarging the intervertebral foramen at C4-5 and compressing the C5 root causing radiculopathy. The diagnosis was confirmed on contrast enhanced CT and MR angiography after initial conservative treatment was unsuccessful. Microvascular decompression using an anterior approach was curative.

Jefferson fracture in a child--illustrative case report.

In adults, atlas burst fractures (Jefferson fractures) are not uncommon. In the pediatric population, they are extremely rare, and only few cases have been reported so far. They all showed a highly consistent clinical presentation with rare neurological deficits as well as recovery with full function without any surgical intervention. We describe a case of a Jefferson fracture in a 7.5-year-old-boy after falling onto the top of his head, presenting solely with slight neck pain. The initial radiological characteristics are presented on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer tomography (CT); the bony bridging and fusion of the fracture sites are demonstrated on CT during the course of the healing. The patient was placed in a rigid cervical collar, and his physical examination results remained normal according to age. Complete fusion of both fracture sites was seen on the third follow-up 6.5 months after presentation. In this rare case of a Jefferson fracture in a child monitored by radiological imaging techniques, important aspects of conservatively treated atlas burst fractures are illustrated. It underlines their benign character and favorable outcome with full functional recovery without any surgical intervention.

Pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of pneumorrhachis.

Pneumorrhachis (PR), the presence of intraspinal air, is an exceptional but eminent radiographic finding, accompanied by different aetiologies and possible pathways of air entry into the spinal canal. By reviewing the literature and analysing a personal case of traumatic cervical PR after head injury, we present current data regarding the pathoanatomy, clinical and radiological presentation, diagnosis and differential diagnosis and treatment modalities of patients with PR and associated pathologies to highlight this uncommon phenomenon and outline aetiology-based guidelines for the practical management of PR. Air within the spinal canal can be divided into primary and secondary PR, descriptively classified into extra- or intradural PR and aetiologically subsumed into iatrogenic, traumatic and nontraumatic PR. Intraspinal air is usually found isolated not only in the cervical, thoracic and, less frequently, the lumbosacral regions but can also be located in the entire spinal canal. PR is almost exceptional associated with further air distributions in the body. The pathogenesis and aetiologies of PR are multifold and can be a diagnostic challenge. The diagnostic procedure should include spinal CT, the imaging tool of choice. PR has to be differentiated from free intraspinal gas collections and the coexistence of air and gas within the spinal canal has to be considered differential diagnostically. PR usually represents an asymptomatic epiphenomenon but can also be symptomatic by itself as well as by its underlying pathology. The latter, although often severe, might be concealed and has to be examined carefully to enable adequate patient treatment. The management of PR has to be individualized and frequently requires a multidisciplinary regime.

Short-term elevation of intracranial pressure does neither influence duodenal motility nor frequency of bolus transport events: a porcine model.

BACKGROUND: Patients with traumatic brain injuries and raised intracranial pressure (ICP) display biphasic response with faster gastric emptying during the early stage followed by a prolonged gastric transit time later. While duodenal contractile activity plays a pivotal role in transpyloric transit we investigated the effects of raised intracranial pressure on duodenal motility during the early phase. In order to exclude significant deterioration of mucosal blood supply which might also influence duodenal motility, luminal microdialysis was used in conjunction. METHODS: During general anaesthesia, 11 pigs (32-37 kg, German Landrace) were instrumented with both a luminal catheter for impedancometry and a luminal catheter for microdialysis into the proximal duodenum. Additionally, a catheter was inserted into the left ventricle to increase the intracranial pressure from baseline up to 50 mmHg in steps of 10 mmHg each hour by injection of artificial cerebrospinal fluid. At the same time, duodenal motility was recorded continuously. Duodenal luminal lactate, pyruvate, and glucose concentrations were measured during physiological state and during elevated intracranial pressure of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mmHg in six pigs. Five pigs served as controls. RESULTS: Although there was a trend towards shortened migrating motor cycle (MMC) length in pigs with raised ICP, the interdigestive phase I-III and the MMC cycle length were comparable in the groups. Spontaneous MMC cycles were not disrupted during intracranial hypertension. The mean concentration of lactate and glucose was comparable in the groups, while the concentration of pyruvate was partially higher in the study group than in the controls (p < 0.05). This was associated with a decrease in lactate to pyruvate ratio (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that a stepwise and hourly increase of the intracranial pressure of up to 50 mmHg, does not influence duodenal motility activity in a significant manner. A considerable deterioration of the duodenal mucosal blood flow was excluded by determining the lactate to pyruvate ratio.

Experience with a gravitational valve in the management of symptomatic overdrainage in children with shunts.

OBJECT: Symptomatic overdrainage in children with shunt-treated hydrocephalus represents one of the more difficult shunt-related diseases and may require repeated surgery. Gravity-assisted valve design has become a standard device to avoid overdrainage in many European pediatric hydrocephalus centers. However, the use of a gravitational valve for relieving symptoms associated with overdrainage has not yet been addressed. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a gravitational valve in the treatment of symptomatic overdrainage in children with shunts. METHODS: Seventeen children with an adjustable shunt system and symptomatic overdrainage were treated by insertion of a gravitational valve. Clinical and radiological outcome were monitored for a minimum of 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Implantation of a gravitational valve resulted in either resolution (n = 12) or improvement (n = 5) of the symptoms. In 1 patient, symptoms remained almost unchanged and the gravitational valve had to be upgraded, resulting in resolution of the symptoms. During follow-up, the pressure setting of the adjustable differential pressure valve had to be changed in 7 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The gravitational valve was effective in improving symptomatic overdrainage in the majority of patients in the present study. Because the ideal pressure setting for a given patient is hard to determine a priori, adjustable valve systems appear to be beneficial.

Primary intraventricular schwannomas.

Schwann cell tumors arising within the neuraxis and in an intraventricular location are an exceedingly rare tumor entity of the brain. The authors present the first case of a cellular intraventricular schwannoma occurring in the fourth ventricle. The pertinent literature is reviewed. A 71-year-old female was admitted to the hospital with an incidental finding of a ventricular tumor. Computed tomography scanning and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a solitary contrast enhancing exophytic mass lesion within the fourth ventricle. Microsurgical excision via a midline suboccipital craniotomy and tonsillo-nodular approach led to complete tumor removal. Subsequent histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of an unsuspected primary intraventricular cellular schwannoma. A unique case of an initially unexpected benign schwannoma arising from the fourth ventricle that could be successfully treated by microsurgery and finally confirmed by histopathological analysis with excellent patient outcome is presented. Although highly uncommon, Schwann cell tumors of both benign and malignant nature may present as ventricular lesions and should be included as a differential diagnosis in patients with either solely intraventricular masses or intra- and extraaxial tumors with extension to the ventricles.

Management of hydrocephalus in infants by using shunts with adjustable valves.

OBJECT: Previous reports suggest that the use of adjustable differential-pressure valves may improve shunt performance. The absence of a flow- or siphon-controlled mechanism, however, is a concern. The goal of this prospective study was to assess the efficacy of valve adjustments in preventing slitlike ventricles in children < 6 months old after the first shunt insertion. METHODS: A total of 15 infants < 6 months of age who were undergoing initial shunt placement were included. Imaging was performed preoperatively, at 14 days postoperatively, and every 4 weeks thereafter. Ventricle size was assessed using ultrasonography and MR imaging or cerebral CT scanning at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. Clinical follow-up duration was 24 months for all patients. Valve settings were changed by 50 mm H(2)O if ventricle size decreased by 30% compared to preoperative size. RESULTS: The valve pressure setting was increased to 200 mm H(2)O in 11 children within the follow-up time, whereas ventricle size decreased from 0.6 +/- 0.08 to 0.39 +/- 0.09 (frontal/occipital horn ratio, mean +/- standard deviation). There was neither clinical nor radiological evidence of underdrainage. CONCLUSIONS: The adjustable differential-pressure valve used in this study was not effective in preventing slitlike ventricles in the majority of patients. Despite the small number of patients, this study provides a rationale for examining whether new shunt designs (gravitational shunt valves) are superior to conventional shunt systems in managing challenging hydrocephalus problems.

Low-dose aspirin before spinal surgery: results of a survey among neurosurgeons in Germany.

The main problem faced by the increasing numbers of patients presenting for spinal surgery are receiving concurrent medication with low-dose aspirin, leading to dysfunctional circulating platelets. The contribution of low-dose aspirin to increased peri-operative risk of bleeding and blood loss is a contentious issue with conflicting published results from different surgical groups. Data from neurosurgical spine patients is sparse, but aspirin has been identified as an important risk factor in the development of post-operative hematoma following intracranial surgery. We surveyed the opinions and working practices of the neurosurgical facilities performing spinal operations in Germany regarding patients who present for elective spinal surgery. Identical questionnaires were sent to 210 neurosurgical facilities and proffered five main questions: (1) the adherence of any policy of stopping aspirin pre-operatively, (2) the personal risk assessment for patients with spinal surgery under low-dose aspirin medication, (3) the preferred method of treatment for excessive bleeding in this context, (4) personal knowledge of hemorrhagic complications in this group of patients, and (5) the characteristics of the neurosurgical units concerned. There were 145 (69.1%) responses of which 142 (67.6%) were valid. Of the respondents, 114 (80.3%) had a (written) departmental policy for the discontinuation of pre-operative aspirin treatment, 28 (19.7%) were unaware of such a policy. The mean time suggested for discontinuation of aspirin pre-operatively was 6.9 days (range: 0-21 days), with seven respondents who perform the operations despite the ongoing aspirin medication. Ninety-four respondents (66.2%) considered that patients taking low-dose aspirin were at increased risk for excessive peri-operative hemorrhage or were indetermined (8.6%), and 73 (51.4%) reported having personal experience of such problems. Ninety-two respondents (65.5%) would use special medical therapy, preferably Desmopressin alone or in combination with other blood products or prohemostatic agents (46.1%), if hemorrhagic complications developed intra- or post-operatively. The average number of spinal operations per year in each service was 607.9 (range: 40-1,500). Despite the existence of distinct departmental policies concerning the discontinuation of low-dose aspirin pre-operatively in the majority of neurosurgical facilities performing spinal operations, there is a wide range of the moment of this interruption with an average of 7 days. Two-thirds of the respondents felt that aspirin was a risk factor for hemorrhagic complications associated with spinal procedures, and more than half of the interviewees reported having personal experience of such problems. Finally, various medicamentous methods of counteracting aspirin-induced platelet dysfunction and excessive bleeding in this context are elicited, discussed and evaluated.

Long-term results of microsurgical treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis by unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression.

OBJECTIVE: Laminectomy and bilateral laminotomy are the standard procedures for decompression of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). With the aim of less invasiveness and better preservation of spinal stability, the technique of unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression (ULBD) was developed. However, limited follow-up data exist to determine the efficiency and outcome of ULBD. Therefore, the authors present their 10-year experience with ULBD and postoperative long-term results. METHODS: One hundred thirty-three consecutive patients (73 men and 60 women; mean age, 63 yr) meeting clinical and radiographic criteria for LSS who underwent first-time ULBD between 1994 and 1999 entered the study. The study parameters were set to ensure a follow-up period of at least 4 years. All patients were available for short-term follow-up re-evaluation within 3 months, and 102 (77%) of the 133 patients were available for long-term examination after a mean duration of 5.6 years. The scale of Finneson and Cooper was used for evaluation of the clinical results. RESULTS: One hundred thirty patients (97.7%) improved immediately after surgery. Ninety-four (92.2%) of the 102 patients available for long-term follow-up examination remained improved, and 85.3% had an excellent-to-fair operative result. The incidence of complications was 9.8%. Resurgery for complication was necessary in three patients, for restenosis in seven patients, and for spinal instability in two patients, accounting for a reoperation rate of 11.8%. CONCLUSION: ULBD allows achievement of good and long-lasting operative results in patients with LSS. Postoperative deterioration, recurrences, and spinal instability are infrequent. For the authors, ULBD is the preferred technique to treat symptomatic LSS.

Posterior foraminotomy or anterior discectomy with polymethyl methacrylate interbody stabilization for cervical soft disc disease: results in 292 patients with monoradiculopathy.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of patients who underwent either ventral microdiscectomy and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) interbody stabilization or posterior foraminotomy for the treatment of cervical monoradiculopathy caused by soft disc disease. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term outcome after 2 different surgical procedures in the treatment of cervical radiculopathy, compare them with each other and with previous data from other surgical techniques, and outline the indications, advantages, and disadvantages of each procedure. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Cervical disc disease can lead to morphologic different disc lesions, which again may differ in clinical presentation, operative treatment, and outcome. This study provides a clinical long-term follow-up of ventral and dorsal approaches. METHODS: Follow-up evaluation (mean 72.1 +/- 25.9 months) after surgery of monoradicular symptoms was performed in 292 patients. Patients with hard disc disease, myelopathy, neoplasms, or traumatic or recurrent cervical disc disease were excluded. A total of 124 patients (42.5%) underwent ventral microdiscectomy and PMMA stabilization (group A), and in 168 patients (57.5%), a posterior foraminotomy was performed (group B). The outcome was determined according to Odom criteria based on a questionnaire or a telephone interview and was related to the following variables: morphologic findings, neurologic findings, duration of symptoms, operation technique applied, age, sex, and cervical level involved. RESULTS: The success rate (Odom I + II) without consideration of morphologic findings was higher after anterior microdiscectomy with PMMA stabilization (93.6%) than after posterior foraminotomy (85.1%) (P < 0.05). The success rate was higher in cases with pure soft discs in both groups (A: 96.6%; B: 85.8%) than in cases with a mixture of soft and hard discs (A: 90.6%; B: 80%), without gaining statistical significance. Complications related to surgery occurred in 6.5% (group A) and 1.8% (group B) of patients (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings show that apparently a higher success rate results after anterior microdiscectomy with PMMA interbody stabilization for treatment of degenerative cervical monoradiculopathy than after posterior foraminotomy. Considering the type of morphology of the pathology that causes the radiculopathy, pure soft discs have a better outcome than mixtures of soft and hard discs, independent of the chosen approach. Although statistically significant differences in clinical data were found in both groups, both approaches seem to have equivalent value in individual indications.

Endoscopic transtentorial ventriculocystostomy and cystoventriculoperitoneal shunt in a neonate with Dandy-Walker malformation and associated aqueductal obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: Shunting of the lateral ventricle and the posterior fossa cyst is the advocated surgical therapy for children with Dandy-Walker malformation (DWM) and associated aqueductal obstruction. The high rate of complications of combined shunting stimulated the authors to search for an alternative surgical solution. CLINICAL PRESENTATION/INTERVENTION: After transtentorial endoscopic ventriculocystostomy, a cystoventricular catheter, connected to a peritoneal shunt, was placed in a neonate with DWM and associated aqueductal obstruction. Immediately prior to ventriculocystostomy, the presence of a blocked third ventricular outflow was reconfirmed by contrast medium injection. Neuronavigation was required to define the surgical path from the lateral ventricle through the tentorium and the overlying small rim of brain parenchyma into the posterior fossa cyst. The postoperative clinical course was uneventful with radiologically proven reduction of the size of the ventricular system and the cyst. CONCLUSION: Cystoventriculoperitoneal shunt placement after transtentorial endoscopic ventriculostomy is a surgical alternative in very young children with DWM and associated aqueductal obstruction.

What is the ideal initial valve pressure setting in neonates with ventriculoperitoneal shunts?

In order to determine the optimal valve pressure setting during the first weeks in neonates after implantation of programmable Hakim valves and to analyze the benefits and possible side effects of a new treatment protocol in this age group, we performed this prospective study. In 20 consecutive newborns less than 5 weeks of age with hydrocephalus due to various etiologies, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt with a programmable Hakim valve at an extremely low initial valve pressure setting of 30-40 mm H(2)O was implanted. This "overdrainage" was maintained, monitored by regular clinical examination and transcranial ultrasonographic imaging, until the wound healing was uneventfully completed and the permanent valve pressure setting of 100-120 mm H(2)O was chosen. In this age group, which is prone to specific noninfectious shunt complications like wound breakdown, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula and subcutaneous CSF collections, none of these complications were seen, nor were there any persisting overdrainage phenomena on transcranial ultrasonography. Initial, temporary "overdrainage" represents a simple, useful and risk-free therapy in neonates with programmable shunts which might lower the incidence of typical noninfectious complications in this age group.

Pterional orbital decompression in diseases with acute increase of intraorbital pressure.

BACKGROUND: Orbital cellulitis as well as traumatic or spontaneous intraorbital hemorrhages can lead to an acute rise of intraorbital pressure, threatening the function of orbital vascular, muscular and neural structures. The treatment of this rare entity with extended pterional orbital decompression is described in comparison with other methods of orbital decompression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1991 and 2000 the authors treated 16 patients with sight-threatening acute elevations of intraorbital pressure due to orbital cellulitis (3 patients) and spontaneous (3 patients), postoperative (1 patient) or traumatic diffuse or localized intraorbital hemorrhage (9 patients) with extended pterional orbital decompression. Pre- and postoperative parameters, like visual acuity, exophthalmos, restrictions of extraocular motility and pupillary disturbances, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: In all patients, a distinct improvement of preoperative symptoms, like complete reduction of proptosis in all cases, improvement of visual acuity in 12 patients, improvement of eye motility disturbances in 14 patients and of afferent pupillary disturbances in 6 patients, was achieved by decompressing the orbital contents within a mean of 30.5 hours after onset of symptoms. Severe, operation-related complications were not seen. CONCLUSION: Extended pterional orbital decompression represents an effective treatment alternative and supplement in cases of severe, ocular function-threatening cases of acute elevated orbital pressure, due, for example, to orbital cellulitis or diffuse or localized spontaneous and traumatic intraorbital hemorrhage, where immediate reduction of pressure on orbital neural, muscular and vascular structures is intended.

Pterional orbita decompression in orbital hemorrhage and trauma.

BACKGROUND: This article presents a series of patients with traumatic retrobulbar hematoma and orbital trauma, treated with extended pterional orbital decompression. METHODS: Fifteen patients, showing symptomatic retrobulbar hematoma or symptoms of orbital injury after various trauma mechanisms, were treated with deep lateral orbital decompression and removal of orbital blood/bone fragments via this approach. Preoperative and postoperative course, neuroradiologic findings, additional brain or facial injuries, and outcome of eye function are analyzed in detail. RESULTS: Mean delay between trauma and decompression was 70 hours (3 days), with a range from 2 hours to 15 days. Proptosis decreased in all patients and visual acuity improved or remained normal in nine patients and stayed defective in four. Impaired extraocular movements and pupillary changes recovered in 10 patients. Apart from one case of permanent deficit of the frontal branch of the facial nerve, no severe complications were seen. CONCLUSION: The presented pterional orbital decompression represents an effective alternative approach for patients with sight-threatening retrobulbar hematoma or orbital trauma, especially in cases that require direct access to damaged structures and maximal decompression of the orbit. Immediate detection and treatment of orbital hematomas is mandatory for acceptable outcome of eye function.

Follow-up of extended pterional orbital decompression in severe Graves' ophthalmopathy.

BACKGROUND: Compressive optic neuropathy (CON) with visual loss is, apart from corneal exposure and disfigurating proptosis, the most serious clinical sign encountered in Graves' ophthalmopathy. However, numerous different approaches and operative techniques have been proposed for orbital decompression, with varying results and side effects. The purpose of the present study was to analyze peri-operative data and long-term results in patients with severe thyroid-related orbitopathy, treated by extended pterional orbital decompression, comparing its effectiveness to other procedures. METHOD: An extended pterional orbital decompression was performed in 42 consecutive patients (59 orbits) with severe thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy after failure of medical and radiation therapy during an 11-year period. Pre- and postoperative examination included visual acuity, Hertel exophthalmometry, ocular motility, visual fields (Goldmann perimetry) and notification of complications. Long-term evaluation was carried out on average at 11 months postoperatively (range 5-26 months). FINDINGS: Visual acuity improved rapidly from a preoperative average of 0.53 +/- 0.33 (range, 0-1) to 0.77 +/- 0.31 (range, 0-1) postoperatively (p<0.001). Worsening was not seen. An average reduction of proptosis of 3.79 +/- 2.32 mm (range, 0.5-8 mm) was achieved with a mean preoperative Hertel measurement of 24.7 +/- 3.93 mm (range, 15-33 mm) (p<0.001). Double vision and restriction of eye motility was present in 76.3% of patients preoperatively and improved in 63% of patients (p<0.001). No new onsets of not already pre-existing double vision was seen. Complications included two cases of permanent palsy of the frontal branch of the facial nerve. INTERPRETATION: The extended pterional orbital decompression improved vision and decreased proptosis and restriction of extra-ocular movements in patients with severe sight-threatening and disfiguring cases of Graves' orbitopathy and is still an effective and low-risk alternative to other non-neurosurgical operative techniques. Especially new developing postdecompression strabismus can be successfully avoided.