Practical techniques for safely removing long-term implanted ventricular catheters to minimize bleeding.

INTRODUCTION: Removing ventricular catheters, particularly those implanted for extended periods, poses significant challenges for neurosurgeons due to potential complications such as bleeding from adhesions to the ependyma or choroid plexus. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to review various techniques for safely removing ventricular catheters, emphasizing methods that minimize the risk of hemorrhagic complications. METHODS: A comprehensive narrative review focused on techniques developed and documented in the literature for safely detaching ventricular catheters adhered to brain structures. RESULTS: Various techniques have been identified that enhance the safety of catheter removal. Notably, the use of monopolar diathermy to coagulate and release adhesions has proven effective. Innovations such as insulated suction devices and the strategic use of flexible endoscopes have also contributed to safer removal procedures, minimizing the risk of damaging surrounding cerebral tissue and preventing catastrophic hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: The removal of ventricular catheters, especially those with long-term implantation, requires precise and cautious techniques to avoid severe complications. The study underscores the importance of adopting advanced surgical techniques and the continuous evolution of safer practices in neurosurgery. These methods not only ensure patient safety but also facilitate the handling of potentially complex and life-threatening situations during catheter removal.

Microcephaly and Zika virus: neonatal neuroradiological aspects.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to describe some radiological features in the newborns with microcephaly caused by Zika virus infection during pregnancy. METHODS: We radiologically analyzed 13 cases of newborns with microcephaly born to mothers who were infected by the Zika virus in the early stage of pregnancy. RESULTS: The most frequently observed radiological findings were microcephaly and decreased brain parenchymal volume associated with lissencephaly, ventriculomegaly secondary to the lack of brain tissue (not hypertensive), and coarse and anarchic calcifications mainly involving the subcortical cortical transition, and the basal ganglia. CONCLUSIONS: Although it cannot be concluded that there is a definitive pathognomonic radiographic pattern of microcephaly caused by Zika virus, gross calcifications and anarchic distribution involving the subcortical cortical transition and the basal ganglia, in association with lissencephaly and in the absence of hypertensive ventriculomegaly, are characteristic of this type of infection.

Fratura evolutiva de crânio na infância ? Relato de cinco casos e revisão de literatura / Growing skull fracture of childhood ? Report of five cases and literature review

A fratura evolutiva é uma rara complicação que se observa geralmente na infância. Caracteriza-se por afastamento progressivo das bordas das fraturas, às vezes associado à formação de um cisto leptomeníngeo, também conhecido como cisto leptomeníngeo pós-traumático. De acordo com a literatura internacional, sua prevalência varia entre 0,03% e 1,6%. Analisamos a casuística de pacientes internados com traumatismo cranioencefálico no Hospital da Restauração de Recife (Brasil), um centro de referência em neurocirurgia pediátrica, no período de 1° de dezembro de 2000 a 30 de abril de 2008. O grupo de estudo compreendeu crianças de 0 a 14 anos. Durante essa investigação foram realizadas 19.758 admissões na emergência pediátrica por traumatismo cranioencefálico, e 74% foram admitidos da área metropolitana e 26% do interior do estado de Pernambuco. Foi observada fratura craniana em 6,3% dos casos, dos quais cinco crianças (menores de 3 anos) desenvolveram fratura evolutiva, representando 0,4% das fraturas de crânio e 0,02% dos traumatismos cranioencefálicos admitidos. Foi achada em todos os casos uma massa pulsátil, que apareceu em média no quarto mês após o trauma. As cinco crianças foram submetidas a tratamento cirúrgico, que compreendeu a ressecção do cisto leptomeníngeo e do tecido cerebral herniado, reparo do defeito dural e cranioplastia. A nossa experiência e a revisão bibliográfica mostram que crianças menores de 3 anos com história de traumatismo cranioencefálico e fratura de crânio apresentam risco de desenvolver fratura evolutiva. No entanto, sendo uma condição rara crianças com fratura de crânio menores de 3 anos, é obrigatório o acompanhamento clínico. Quando diagnosticado, o tratamento cirúrgico imediato é indicado para prevenir déficit neurológico.

Growing fracture is a rare complication that usually is observed in childhood. It is characterized by a progressive opening from the edges of fractures, sometimes associated with the formation of leptomeningeal cyst, also known as post-traumatic leptomeningeal cyst. According to the literature, its prevalence ranges from 0.03% to 1.6%. We analyzed a casuistic of patients hospitalized with head trauma at the Hospital da Restauração of Recife (Brazil), a referral center for pediatric neurosurgery, in the period from December 1st 2000 to April 30th, 2008. The study group consisted of children aged 0 to 14 years. During this research, were analyzed 19,758 emergency admissions for pediatric traumatic brain injury, which 74% were admitted to the metropolitan area and 26% were from the countryside, in the state of Pernambuco. Skull fracture was observed in 6.3% of cases, including 5 children under 3 years old, who developed growing fracture, constituting 0.4% of skull fractures and 0.02% of traumatic brain injury admitted. In all cases, it was found a pulsating mass that appeared in an average time in the 4th month after the trauma. The five children were submitted to surgical resection of the leptomeningeal cyst and of the herniated brain tissue, repair of dural defect and cranioplasty. Our experience and review of the literature show that children under 3 years old, with a history of traumatic brain injury and skull fracture, present at risk of developing a growing fracture. Even though, it is a rare condition, a clinical follow-up is mandatory for these children. When the growing fracture is diagnosed, an immediate surgical treatment is indicated to prevent neurologic deficit.

Disseminated glioneuronal tumor with neuropil-like islands of the spinal cord: a distinctive entity.

BACKGROUND: Glioneuronal tumor with neuropil-like islands (GTNI) was recently added as a novel lesion in the most recent update of the World Health Organization classification of tumors of the central nervous system in 2007. Since this tumor's initial description, approximately 28 cases of GTNI have been published. In this report, we describe the ninth case of a spinal GTNI in the world literature. METHODS: We report a case arising in a 2-year-old female patient who presented with headaches associated with intermittent vomiting due to a tetraventricular hydrocephalus. RESULTS: After ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement, the patient presented with lower extremity motor weakness and sensory disturbance. A dorsolumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed an intramedullary spinal neoplasm involving T12 through L2 in association with the thick linear enhancement of the spinal cord surfaces. A brain magnetic resonance imaging scan demonstrated focal leptomeningeal enhancement in the Sylvian fissures, the basal cistern, tentorium, and multiple small cystic-like lesions extending on the cerebellar surface, brainstem, and temporal lobes. The patient underwent a T11-L2 laminectomy for a gross total tumor resection. Histology revealed a World Health Organization grade II GTNI. CONCLUSIONS: GTNI is a rare type of glioneuronal tumor that has recently been described in the literature. The outcome of this case seems to have an unfavorable clinical course despite their low-grade morphology. However, the combination of gross total resection and adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy can enhance chances for longer survival among children with spinal GTNI associated with meningeal dissemination, and a clinical follow-up of a large series will be necessary to evaluate the long-term prognosis.

Transorbital penetrating wound to contralateral hemisphere: case report / Ferimento penetrante transorbital com lesão no hemisfério contralateral: relato de caso

There are few reports in the literature of transorbital penetration brain damage. We reported a transorbital craniocerebral injury caused by a barbecue skewer in a child in the context of domestic-accident. A 7-year-old male child accidentally fell and a barbecue skewer penetrated his right orbit. The object was pulled out immediately by the boy?s father. On admission, he demonstrated disproportioned right hemiparesis and Axial CT images showed no evidence of fracture of orbital wall on the right side and a small hematoma and traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage on the left hemisphere. Surgery was not indicated, antibiotics were administered for 14 days, his neurological impairment recovered completely on seven days. On the 12th post-admission day, a CT was done which showed no hematoma. At the time of discharge, the boy was alert without any physical sequelae or complication. Children are frequently harmed during play and are mainly jeopardized by accidents at home, and it is necessary more governmental investment to objectively lowering penetrating wounds to the head in children and divulgated for general population that foreign body penetrating the intracranial cavity must be removed only during surgery.

Existem na literatura poucos relatos de traumatismo cranioencefálico causados por penetração transorbital. Será descrito o caso de uma criança do sexo masculino, de 7 anos de idade, que caiu acidentalmente em casa e um espeto de churrasco penetrou na sua órbita direita. O objeto foi imediatamente retirado pelo pai. Na admissão ao Hospital, a criança apresentava-se com hemiparesia direita desproporcionada e na tomografia de crânio evidenciavam-se contusão cerebral e hemorragia subaracnoide traumática no hemisfério esquerdo, entretanto não havia sinais de fraturas. Não foi necessário procedimento cirúrgico, e o menor permaneceu internado para administração de antibióticos por 14 dias, obtendo melhora do déficit após sete dias do internamento. Com 12 dias de hospitalização, foi realizada nova tomografia, sem evidências de hematomas. Na alta, ele encontrava-se ativo, alerta e sem déficits motores. Crianças são frequentemente feridas durante jogos e brincadeiras, e esses acidentes acontecem principalmente no ambiente doméstico. Torna-se necessário maior investimento governamental para diminuir ferimentos penetrantes em crianças e divulgação, para a população em geral, sobre acidentes com penetração craniana, que devem ser encaminhados imediatamente ao hospital, devendo os objetos ser removidos somente durante o procedimento cirúrgico.