An online calculator using machine learning for predicting survival in pediatric patients with medulloblastoma.

OBJECTIVE: Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant intracranial tumor affecting the pediatric population. Despite advancements in multimodal treatment over the past 2 decades yielding a 5-year survival rate > 75%, children who survive often have substantial neurological and cognitive sequelae. The authors aimed to identify risk factors and develop a clinically friendly online calculator for prognostic estimation in pediatric patients with medulloblastoma. METHODS: Pediatric patients with a histopathologically confirmed medulloblastoma were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2000-2018) and split into training and validation cohorts in an 80:20 ratio. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify the univariate and multivariate survival predictors. Subsequently, a calculator with those factors was developed to predict 2-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival as well as median survival months for pediatric patients with medulloblastoma. The performance of the calculator was determined by discrimination and calibration. RESULTS: One thousand seven hundred fifty-nine pediatric patients with medulloblastoma met the prespecified inclusion criteria. Age, sex, race, ethnicity, median household income, county attribute, laterality, anatomical location, tumor grade, tumor size, surgery status, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were variables included in the calculator (https://spine.shinyapps.io/Peds_medullo/). The concordance index was 0.769 in the training cohort and 0.755 in the validation cohort, denoting clinically useful predictive accuracy. Good agreement between the predicted and observed outcomes was demonstrated by the calibration plots. CONCLUSIONS: An easy-to-use prognostic calculator for a large cohort of pediatric patients with medulloblastoma was established. Future efforts should focus on improving granularity of population-based registries and externally validating the proposed calculator.

Social Determinants of Health and Associations With Outcomes in Pediatric Patients With Brain Tumors.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Social determinants of health (SDOH) are nonmedical factors that affect health outcomes. Limited investigation has been completed on the potential association of these factors to adverse outcomes in pediatric populations. In this study, the authors aimed to analyze the effects of SDOH disparities and their relationship with outcomes after brain tumor resection or biopsy in children. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of their center's pediatric patients with brain tumor. Black race, public insurance, median household income, and distance to hospital were the investigated SDOH factors. Univariate analysis was completed between number of SDOH factors and patient demographics. Multivariate linear regression models were created to identify coassociated determinants and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 272 patients were identified and included in the final analysis. Among these patients, 81 (29.8%) had no SDOH disparities, 103 (37.9%) had 1, 71 (26.1%) had 2, and 17 (6.2%) had 3. An increased number of SDOH disparities was associated with increased percentage of missed appointments ( P = .002) and emergency room visits ( P = .004). Univariate analysis demonstrated increased missed appointments ( P = .01), number of postoperative imaging ( P = .005), and number of emergency room visits ( P = .003). In multivariate analysis, decreased median household income was independently associated with increased length of hospital stay ( P = .02). CONCLUSION: The SDOH disparities are prevalent and impactful in this vulnerable population. This study demonstrates the need for a shift in research focus toward identifying the full extent of the impact of these factors on postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients with brain tumor.

Association of area deprivation index (ADI) with demographics and postoperative outcomes in pediatric brain tumor patients.

PURPOSE: Although social determinants of health (SDOH) have been associated with adverse surgical outcomes, cumulative effects of multiple SDOH have never been studied. The area deprivation index (ADI) assesses cumulative impact of SDOH factors on outcomes. We analyzed the relationship between ADI percentile and postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients diagnosed with brain tumors. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study was conducted on our consecutive series of pediatric brain tumor patients presenting between January 1, 1999, and May 31, 2022. Demographics and outcomes were collected, identifying SDOH factors influencing outcomes found in the literature. ADI percentiles were identified based on patient addresses, and patients were stratified into more (ADI 0-72%) and less (ADI 73-100%) disadvantaged cohorts. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were completed for demographics and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 272 patients were included. Demographics occurring frequently in the more disadvantaged group were Black race (13.1% vs. 2.8%; P = .003), public insurance (51.5% vs. 27.5%; P < .001), lower median household income ($64,689 ± $19,254 vs. $46,976 ± $13,751; P < .001), and higher WHO grade lesions (15[11.5%] grade III and 8[6.2%] grade IV vs. 8[5.6%] grade III and 5[3.5%] grade IV; P = .11). The more disadvantaged group required adjunctive chemotherapy (25.4% vs. 12.05%; P = .007) or radiation therapy (23.9% vs. 12.7%; P = .03) more frequently and had significantly greater odds of needing adjunctive chemotherapy (odds ratio [OR], 1.11; confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.22; P = .03) in a multivariate model, which also identified higher WHO tumor grades at presentation (OR, 1.20; CI, 1.14-1.27; P < .001). CONCLUSION: These findings are promising for use of ADI to represent potential SDOH disadvantages that pediatric patients may face throughout treatment. Future studies should pursue large multicenter collaborations to validate these findings.

Accuracy of Surgical Outcome Using Computer-Aided Surgical Simulation in Fronto-Orbital Advancement for Craniosynostosis: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Computer-aided surgical simulation (CASS) can be used to virtually plan ideal outcomes of craniosynostosis surgery. Our purpose was to create a workflow analyzing the accuracy of surgical outcomes relative to virtually planned fronto-orbital advancement (FOA). METHODS: Patients who underwent FOA using CASS between October 1, 2017, and February 28, 2022, at our center and had postoperative computed tomography within 6 months of surgery were included. Virtual 3-dimensional (3D) models were created and coregistered using each patient's preoperative and postoperative computed tomography data. Three points on each bony segment were used to define the object in 3D space. Each planned bony segment was manipulated to match the actual postoperative outcome. The change in position of the 3D object was measured in translational (X, Y, Z) and rotational (roll, pitch, yaw) aspects to represent differences between planned and actual postoperative positions. The difference in the translational position of several bony landmarks was also recorded. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were performed to measure significance of these differences from the ideal value of 0, which would indicate no difference between preoperative plan and postoperative outcome. RESULTS: Data for 63 bony segments were analyzed from 8 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Median differences between planned and actual outcomes of the segment groups ranged from -0.3 to -1.3 mm in the X plane; 1.4 to 5.6 mm in the Y plane; 0.9 to 2.7 mm in the Z plane; -1.2° to -4.5° in pitch; -0.1° to 1.0° in roll; and -2.8° to 1.0° in yaw. No significant difference from 0 was found in 21 of 24 segment region/side combinations. Translational differences of bony landmarks ranged from -2.7 to 3.6 mm. CONCLUSION: A high degree of accuracy was observed relative to the CASS plan. Virtual analysis of surgical accuracy in FOA using CASS was feasible.

Rigid Fixation of the Pediatric Facial Skeleton.

Pediatric facial fractures are uncommon, and fortunately, the majority can be managed with conservative measures. Rigid fixation of the pediatric facial skeleton can potentially be associated with delayed hardware issues and growth inhibition. When appropriate, resorbable fixation is most commonly used for this purpose. Titanium plates and screws are advantageous when rigid fixation is a priority because properly placed hardware that respects natural suture lines is not thought to significantly inhibit growth. Furthermore, titanium fixation may be removed following healing.

The Most Dangerous Game: A Review of Head and Neck Injuries in American Football and Rugby.

Study Design: The investigators designed and implemented a 20-year cross-sectional study using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database. Objective: The purpose of this study is to estimate and compare hospital admission (danger) rates between rugby and football of those who presented to the emergency department with head and neck injuries after playing these sports. Methods: The primary predictor variable was sport played. The primary outcome variable was danger, measured by hospital admission rates. Results: Over the past 20 years, there has been a trend of decreasing incidence of injuries presenting to the emergency department in both sports. There was no difference in the rate of hospital admission when comparing football and rugby (OR, 1.2; P = .1). Male gender was associated with an increased risk of admission. Other variables associated with hospital admission included white racial group, injury taking place in the fall, being either young (15-24 years old) or senior (65 years of age and over), and being injured at school or at a sport/recreational facility. Conclusions: There is no difference in danger as measured by admission rates between American football and rugby. There exists, however, several variables that are associated with admission when sustaining injury to the head and neck, when playing these two sports.

Head and neck angiography in the pediatric population: single-center experience with indications, safety, feasibility, and technical differences among infants, childhood, and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: Pediatric patients are candidates for head and neck endovascular procedures less frequently than adults. Data on utilization, feasibility, safety, and technical details of head and neck angiography in the pediatric population are scarce. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective review of their center's endovascular database to identify all patients ≤ 18 years of age who underwent diagnostic or interventional catheter-based angiography of the head and neck. Procedure-related variables for identified patients were compared across infancy (birth to 2 years), childhood (> 2-11 years), and adolescence (> 11-18 years). RESULTS: One hundred twenty-one pediatric patients who underwent 274 angiogram procedures were included in this study. Of these angiograms, 197 were diagnostic and 118 were interventional (including 41 of the diagnostic angiogram procedures that were performed concurrently with the intervention). The most common indications for diagnostic angiograms were suspected vascular malformations in 52 cases (26.4%) and aneurysms in 23 (11.7%). The rate of positive findings on diagnostic angiograms ranged from 27.3% to 80% according to the indication. Access site-related complications were observed after 2 punctures (0.7%). Procedure-related complications occurred in 3 patients (1.1%). In adolescents, the rates of general anesthesia use and sheathless access were significantly lower (each p < 0.001), and the rates of radial artery access (p < 0.001); 5-French (5F) (p = 0.01), 6F (p < 0.001), and 8F (p = 0.03) access; and closure device usage (p < 0.001) were significantly higher. In infants, the rates of ultrasound guidance, 4F access, and failure of the primary puncture site were significantly higher (each p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Head and neck angiograms in the pediatric population were feasible and safe in the authors' overall experience. Technical differences were observed across the infant, childhood, and adolescent groups, but safe outcomes were similar throughout these age ranges.

Impaired wound healing following cranial vault reconstruction in a patient with an atypical phenotype of Marfan syndrome: A case report.

Background: Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant disorder of the connective tissues caused by mutations in the FBN1 gene which can result in widespread systemic involvement. Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a related autosomal dominant disorder of connective tissue with widespread systemic involvement which has phenotypic overlap with MFS. LDS is caused by heterozygous pathogenic variants in six different genes, the most common of which involve transforming growth factor beta-receptor 1 or 2. While LDS is commonly associated with craniofacial manifestations, MFS is not typically characterized by craniosynostosis. Case Description: We present a 7-month-old female patient with MFS and metopic craniosynostosis with an unusual clinical presentation who underwent cranial vault reconstruction with fronto-orbital advancement and anterior cranial vault remodeling. Her course was complicated by impaired wound healing after surgery, requiring return to the operating room. Conclusion: Phenotypic overlap between genetic disorders can confound clinical diagnosis as illustrated in this case. Genetic testing can be highly valuable in the diagnosis of clinically variable disorders. Patients with MFS who undergo cranial surgery may be at increased risk for wound healing complications.

Incidence trends and survival analysis of atypical meningiomas: a population-based study from 2004 to 2018.

PURPOSE: Atypical meningiomas have histologic and clinical features that fall between those for benign and malignant meningiomas. The incidence of atypical meningiomas has not been well studied with respect to changes in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification scheme over time. METHODS: The National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was queried to obtain data from 2004 to 2018 for patients with all meningiomas, including atypical. Age-adjusted incidence rates were generated and annual percent change (APC) in the incidence rates was calculated with joinpoint regression. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: A total of 4476 patients diagnosed with meningioma were identified from the SEER 18 registries. The incidence of atypical meningioma increased at an APC of 5.6% [95% confidence interval [CI], 3.4-7.8]; significantly faster than all meningiomas, which rose at an APC of 2.5% (95%CI 1.8-3.1;p = 0.008). For atypical meningiomas, the 1, 3, 5, and 10-year survival rates were 91.9%, 81.3%, 68.8%, and 34.3%, respectively. Male sex, older age (≥ 60 years), and large tumor size (> 5 cm) were independent risk factors for an unfavorable prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of atypical meningioma was observed to be increasing relative to all meningiomas. It is important to diligently monitor atypical meningioma incidence and mortality rates over time to see whether observed uptrends persist. Continued effort toward improving outcomes in patients with atypical meningiomas is warranted, especially in light of an apparent rise in incidence.

Management of Sagittal and Lambdoid Craniosynostosis: Open Cranial Vault Expansion and Remodeling.

The prevalence of sagittal and lambdoid suture craniosynostosis differs considerably, as they are notably the most and least prevalent sutures involved in isolated suture craniosynostosis, respectively. The goals of reconstructing the cranial vault in both entities is the same: to release the fused suture, expand cranial volume, restore normal head shape and morphology, and allow for normal growth of the cranial vault. With regards to sagittal suture synostosis, opinions vary on whether reconstruction should focus on either the anterior or poster cranial vault. In contrast, the poster cranial vault is always targeted in lambdoid suture craniosynostosis.

Which Sport Is More Dangerous: Ice Hockey or Field Hockey? A Review of the Head and Neck Injuries Associated With the Two Sports.

PURPOSE: Ice hockey and field hockey are contact sports with the potential for injury, especially to the head and neck regions. The purpose of this study is to estimate and compare hospital admission (injury severity) between ice hockey and field hockey of those who presented to the emergency department with head and neck injuries. METHODS: The investigators designed and implemented a 20-year retrospective cohort study using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database. We included data related to ice hockey and field hockey injuries from January 2000 to December 2019 in this study. The primary predictor variable was sport played (ice hockey vs field hockey). Secondary predictor variables and covariates were derived from patient and injury characteristics. The primary outcome variable was hospital admission. Logistic regression was used to determine independent risk factors for the outcome variable. RESULTS: Our final sample was composed of 5,472 patients: 4,472 patients suffered head and neck injuries from ice hockey while the remaining 1,000 patients suffered head and neck injuries from field hockey. Players less than 18 years old were associated with 2.07-fold odds of admission (P < .01). Injury to the head (odds ratio [OR] = 14.339; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0 to 105.1; P < .01) and neck (OR = 89.260; 95% CI, 11.2 to 712.6; P < .01) were independently associated with an increased odds of admission. Relative to contusions/abrasions, players who suffered a concussion (OR = 141.637; 95% CI, 11.5 to 1,741.5; P < .01), fracture (OR = 155.434; 95% CI, 17.0 to 1,419.2; P < .01), internal organ injury (OR = 186.450; 95% CI, 15.5 to 2,236.8; P < .01), or hematoma (OR = 23.046; 95% CI, 1.2 to 442.5; P < .05) were all independently associated with an increased odds of admission. Ice hockey was not an independent risk factor for admission relative to field hockey. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that ice hockey was more associated with injuries to the head and neck as well as with concussions and internal organ injury compared to field hockey. However, ice hockey was not associated with increased risk of hospitalization relative to field hockey.

Morbidity Associated With Anterior Versus Posterior Cranial Vault Expansion for Early Treatment of Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate and compare rates of unplanned reoperation and complications after undergoing either fronto-orbital advancement (anterior cranial vault expansion) or posterior cranial vault expansion as an early surgery in the management of syndromic craniosynostosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Relevant articles were identified in 2 electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE) from the time of electronic publication to November 2020. Quality assessment and risk of bias were appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. A meta-analysis was performed comparing rates of reoperation and complications between participants who underwent anterior or posterior cranial vault expansion as an early surgery. RESULTS: Of 1,373 screened records, 7 met inclusion criteria. Six were included in the meta-analysis. The studies that met inclusion criteria reported on 103 patients treated with anterior techniques and 72 patients treated with a posterior approach. Anterior cranial vault expansion was associated with significantly higher rates of reoperation (Peto odds ratio = 2.83; 95% confidence interval = 1.19, 6.74, P = .02) and complications (Peto odds ratio = 2.61; 95% confidence interval = 1.12, 6.12, P = .03) than posterior cranial vault expansion. CONCLUSIONS: Both anterior and posterior approaches are suitable options in the treatment of syndromic craniosynostosis depending on patient-specific factors. Anterior cranial vault expansion was associated with higher rates of unplanned reoperation and complications than posterior techniques in this analysis. Because of the paucity of literature which met inclusion criteria, this study was not able to assess critical outcome variables such as distance distracted/volumetric expansion, estimated blood loss, and cost. Larger studies evaluating both techniques under multiple institutions with long-term follow-up are indicated.

Indolent nonendemic central nervous system histoplasmosis presenting as an isolated intramedullary enhancing spinal cord lesion.

BACKGROUND: Histoplasma capsulatum infection is largely seen in endemic regions; it results in symptomatic disease in <5% of those infected and is most often a self-limiting respiratory disease. Disseminated histoplasmosis is considered rare in the immunocompetent host. Central nervous system (CNS) dissemination can result in meningitis, encephalitis, and focal lesions in the brain and spinal cord, stroke, and hydrocephalus. An intramedullary spinal cord lesion as the only manifestation of CNS histoplasmosis has been rarely described. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present an atypical case of a 44-year-old man from a nonendemic region, on adalimumab therapy for ulcerative colitis who developed an isolated intramedullary spinal cord lesion in the setting of disseminated histoplasmosis. His course was initially indolent with vague systemic symptoms that led to consideration of several other diagnoses including sarcoidosis and lymphoma. Biopsies of several positron emission tomography positive lymph nodes revealed granulomatous inflammation, but no firm diagnosis was achieved. He was ultimately diagnosed with histoplasmosis after an acute respiratory infection in the setting of anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy. With appropriate antifungal therapy, the spinal cord lesion regressed. The previous systemic biopsies were re-reviewed, and rare fungal elements consistent with H. capsulatum were identified. A presumptive diagnosis of CNS histoplasmosis was made in the absence of direct laboratory confirmation in the setting of rapid and complete resolution on antifungal therapy. CONCLUSION: Disseminated histoplasmosis should be considered in granulomatous disease, even if the patient resides in a nonendemic region. Furthermore, clinicians should be mindful that CNS histoplasmosis may present in an atypical fashion.

Spinal cord glioblastoma multiforme in a patient with Noonan syndrome: A clinical report.

INTRODUCTION: Currently, there are only 3 reported cases of central nervous system malignancies in patients with Noonan syndrome in the literature, all of which are intracranial pathologies. To our knowledge, there are no cases of spinal cord glioblastoma multiforme reported in the literature. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe the case of a 12-year-old girl with Noonan syndrome who presented with back pain and new onset neurological deficits and was found to have a spinal cord lesion. T10-L1 laminoplasty with safe maximal resection was done. Postoperative pathological analysis identified this lesion as a high-grade astrocytoma consistent with glioblastoma multiforme. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal cord glioblastoma multiforme is a rare occurrence in the general population, particularly in a patient with an underlying diagnosis of Noonan syndrome. Patients with spinal cord tumors can present with a multitude of clinical signs and symptoms and treatment should not be delayed.

Infundibular hemangioblastoma resection: Video case report.

Background: Hemangioblastomas are benign (World Health Organization Grade I), highly vascular neoplasms commonly associated with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease.[2] The VHL tumor-suppressor gene, located on chromosome 3, is implicated in sporadic cases and cases associated with VHL disease. Hemangioblastomas most commonly arise in the posterior fossa; however, they may also be found supratentorially or within the spinal cord.[3] Surgical intervention is indicated for symptomatic lesions with a goal of complete resection of the enhancing nodule.[1]. Case Description: We demonstrate the case of a 69-year-old man with a history of multiple hemangioblastomas who had undergone two previous craniotomies and Gamma-Knife radiosurgery (Video https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lUwsb80NLmIW2Enp-DVdtM9_Oqbid3Ih/view?usp=sharing). He presented with progressive imbalance and diplopia and was found to have a new lesion within the suprasellar cistern. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics were typical of hemangioblastoma. Surgery was determined to be indicated, with a goal of vision preservation. Preoperative embolization was not possible because preoperative DSA demonstrated vascular supply by only small perforators directly from the internal carotid artery. Hypopituitarism was identified preoperatively, although diabetes insipidus was not present. The patient underwent a right orbitozygomatic craniotomy and extradural anterior clinoidectomy for access. The tumor was noted to encapsulate the infundibulum, which necessitated its sacrifice. Postoperatively, the patient remained at his neurologic baseline. He had a positive triphasic diabetes insipidus response and was discharged home on maintenance desmopressin. Postoperative MRI demonstrated complete lesion resection.The patient gave informed consent for treatment and video recording. Institutional review board approval was deemed unnecessary. Conclusion: This video highlights a safe and effective surgical technique for suprasellar lesions as well as the complex anatomy observed through an orbitozygomatic approach.

Treatment of Carotid Ophthalmic Aneurysm With Woven EndoBridge (WEB SL): 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Wide-necked cerebral aneurysms often require complex treatment strategies for optimal treatment. As the surgeon's arsenal continues to expand, consideration of all potential applications of available devices is important. The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device (MicroVention-Terumo, Aliso Viejo, California) capitalizes on flow disruption to promote thrombosis and is Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for saccular wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms located at the middle cerebral artery bifurcation, internal carotid artery (ICA) terminus, anterior communicating artery complex, and basilar apex. In this video, we demonstrate an off-label use of the WEB to treat a wide-necked type II1 ophthalmic artery aneurysm, highlighting the importance of correct device sizing. The patient is a 74-yr-old woman with a family history of aneurysms. Her aneurysm was found incidentally after a minor trauma. Observation and various treatment options were considered. The patient preferred to avoid open surgical intervention and dual antiplatelet therapy. Endoluminal flow diversion for types II and III ophthalmic artery aneurysms has relatively low occlusion rates and a higher incidence of visual field deficits.1 A WEB device can be an excellent alternative to treat these aneurysms. A biaxial system was used to selectively catheterize the supraclinoid internal carotid artery and then the aneurysm, and optimal flow diversion was achieved. The patient did well and was discharged home the next day on aspirin alone. Six-month angiography showed near-occlusion of the aneurysm and ophthalmic artery patency. The neck remnant will be followed up with repeat angiography in 6 mo. The patient gave informed consent for the procedure and video recording. Institutional review board approval was deemed unnecessary. Video ©University at Buffalo Neurosurgery, 2019. With permission.

Management of Intracranial Hemorrhage and Skull Fracture After Blunt Intrauterine Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Fetal trauma during pregnancy can have a significant impact on the developing brain. Fetal trauma can lead to several intracranial pathologies including hypoxic-ischemic injury, skull fractures, and intracranial hemorrhages. Blunt trauma to a fetus resulting in the need for neurosurgical intervention is a rare occurrence and seldom described in the literature. CASE DESCRIPTION: Here we present the case of a 28-year-old, 36-week pregnant woman who was brought to the hospital by ambulance following a high-speed motor vehicle collision as the restrained driver. On computed tomography of the abdomen, the fetus was found to have a left-sided skull fracture with intracranial hemorrhage. The fetus was emergently delivered by way of caesarean section for lack of fetal movement and indeterminate heart tracings. Postnatally, the neonate had a Glasgow Coma Scale of 7. A postnatal head computed tomography better defined the skull fractures and multiple areas of intracranial hemorrhage. The baby was taken to the operating room for evacuation of the hematomas. At 16 months of age, the baby was well with only mild developmental delay, although a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was needed in a delayed fashion at 3 months of age. CONCLUSIONS: We present a rare situation where emergent caesarean section delivery followed by neonatal craniotomy was necessary. Our case illustrates that good outcomes can be achieved with rapid identification of fetal intracranial injury and intervention.

Factors associated with hemispheric hypodensity after subdural hematoma following abusive head trauma in children.

Abusive head trauma (AHT) is a unique form of pediatric TBI with increased mortality and neurologic sequelae. Hemispheric hypodensity (HH) in association with subdural blood after AHT has been described. Though risk factors for HH are not understood, we hypothesized that risk factors could be identified. We retrospectively enrolled children under 5 years with TBI secondary to AHT (child advocacy diagnosis) who had undergone initial and interval brain imaging. Records were interrogated for prearrival and in-hospital physiologic and radiographic findings. HH was determined by a blinded observer. Twenty-four children were enrolled and 13 developed HH. HH was not significantly associated with age, initial Glascow Coma Scale, or mortality. Pediatric Intensity Level of Therapy (PILOT) scores (p=0.01) and daily maximal intracranial pressure (ICPmax; p=0.037) were higher in HH. Hypoxia, hypotension, cardiopulmonary arrest, need for blood transfusion, and daily blood glucoses tended to be greater in HH. Whereas all children with HH had acute subdural hematoma (SBH), many children without HH also had subdural blood; the presence of skull fracture was more likely in the children who did not develop HH (p=0.04), but no other intracranial radiographic pattern of injury was associated with HH. Surgical intervention did not appear to protect against development of HH. A variety of insults associated with ischemia, including intracranial hypertension, ICP-directed therapies, hypoxia, hypotension, and cardiac arrest, occurred in the children who developed HH. Given the morbidity and mortality of this condition, larger studies to identify mechanisms leading to the development of HH and mitigating clinical approaches are warranted.