Cranial and Spinal Oligodendrogliomatosis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Secondary leptomeningeal gliomatosis is a condition known as a result of invasion of the subarachnoid space or the ventricular system of primary intraparenchymal glioma. In this article, we present a 7-year-old boy presented with neck and back deformity and deterioration of gait. Cranial and spinal magnetic resonance imaging revealed lesions in the supratentorial and infratentorial areas, in the brainstem downward the spinal cord. Disseminated oligodendrogliomatosis is extremely rare and our case we present is the 24th in the literature.

Suturing of the Arachnoid Membrane for Reconstruction of the Cisterna Magna: Technical Considerations.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula following cranial or spinal surgery is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. To prevent CSF fistulas, various techniques have been described. Here, we describe the arachnoid membrane continuous-running suture technique in cisterna magna reconstruction for preventing postoperative CSF leakage. METHODS: After craniotomy and dural opening, the incision of the arachnoid of the cisterna magna was performed using a diamond blade. To prevent the arachnoid from drying out and shrinking during surgery, it was periodically irrigated with warm saline solution. Posterior fossa surgery was performed. When closing the membranes, the arachnoid membrane was closed with the running-suture technique. After the first surgical knot was made in the cranial end of the arachnoid opening, continuous suturing with a 2-mm distance between the stitches was performed without stretching them. After every 3 stitches, the free end of the thread was pulled gently along the suturing axis, and the edges of the arachnoid were closed. After the arachnoid edges were approximated, the surgical knot was tied. Watertight closure was checked by performing the Valsalva maneuver at the end of the surgery. RESULTS: No CSF leakages were observed after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Arachnoid membrane suturing seems to be safe and effective in preventing postoperative CSF leakage and CSF-related complications. Using continuous running suturing alone, without any sealant, might be effective in cases with untraumatized arachnoid membrane.

Is Placing Prophylactic Dural Tenting Sutures a Dogma?

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated if and when dural tenting sutures are necessary during craniotomy. METHODS: Results from 437 patients 18-91 years of age (average, 43.5 years) who underwent supratentorial craniotomy between 2014 and 2019 were evaluated. The patients were categorized into 1 of 3 groups: patients who had at least 3 prophylactic dural tenting sutures placed before opening of the dura (group 1); patients who had at least 3 dural tenting sutures placed after surgery was completed, during closure (group 2); or patients who had no dural tenting sutures (group 3 [control]). All such sutures in groups 1 and 2 were placed in the circumference of the craniotomy and dural junction. No central dural tenting sutures were placed in any of the patients. RESULTS: Among the 437 patients, 344 underwent surgery for the first time and 93 were undergoing a second surgery. Cranial computed tomography imaging was performed for each patient 1 hour, 3 days, and 1 month after surgery. In group 1, 3 patients had a cerebral cortex contusion and 2 patients had acute subdural hematoma after the sutures were placed. In groups 2 and 3, none of the patients had a cerebral cortex contusion or acute subdural hematoma. Fewer complications were observed when dural tenting sutures were placed during postsurgical closure. CONCLUSIONS: Placing dural tenting sutures is an important technique for ensuring hemostasis. However, when not needed, they seem to cause inadvertent complications. As our results suggest, knowing when and where to use them is equally important.

Timing of Shunt Insertion in Children with Neural Tube Defects and Hydrocephalus: A Clinical Study.

AIM: To define the optimal time of shunt insertion in patients with neural tube defects and hydrocephalus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In total, 71 patients who underwent operation for neural tube defects and hydrocephalus were retrospectively evaluated between 2012 and 2018. The first group comprised 43 patients who underwent operation at different times (in 10 days after the repair of defect), and the second group comprised 28 patients who underwent operation at the same time. Ruptured and unruptured sacs were immediately considered and operated within 72 hours. RESULTS: In the first group, 43 patients underwent operation for neural tube defect after birth. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion was performed 10 days after wound healing. Five (11.6%) patients were diagnosed with meningitis on follow-up. Shunt infection or meningitis was not observed on follow-up in the second group, which comprised patients who underwent operation at the same time. CONCLUSION: The lowest complication rate existed in hydrocephalus management when shunt insertion and myelomeningocele repair procedures were performed at the same time.

Calvarial Reconstruction of Small-Size Skull Defects Performing "8 Cranioplasty" in Children: Surgical Experience, Clinical Results and Treatment Algorithm.

AIM: To report our clinical experience, surgical treatment algorithm and technique in the reconstruction of uncomplicated and small-size calvarial defects by performing autologous split-bone grafting technique on anatomical findings and patients" outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We covered the defective calvarial zone without bone (area, 3.8 to 7.5 centimetersquare; median area 4.2 centimetersquare) following the resection of pathological skull region with an inner table of horizontally split adjacent skull site in thirty-six patients (aged between 28 and 125 months; median age, 68.75 months, minimum follow-up 14 months). The donor site, the characteristics of skin incision such as length, shape, location and bone splitting technique were determined based on our treatment algorithm for "8 cranioplasty". Pre- and postoperative clinical outcomes and courses as well as radiological results are documented. RESULTS: Mean follow-up period for all children was 25 months. There was no mortality and 5.55% morbidity (n=2: 1 sterile wound dehiscence and 1 sterile wound discharge). No infected flap was seen and none of the patients required a second surgery. No graft failure, tumor recurrence or residue occurred. CONCLUSION: Almost all of our patients reported good surgical and clinical outcomes with this presented management and surgical algorithm. Autologous split bone grafting technique in small-size skull defects, with its proposed name "8 cranioplasty" is a safe and effective reconstructive procedure due to its short-term surgery, small-size surgical zone, low complication rate, good cosmetic results and cost effectiveness. In addition, our algorithm specified for this procedure is purposive and also saves the surgeon time in the surgical planning stage.

Improvement in remission rates of the first operation in acromegalic patients.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the remission rates of the first operation with respect to the number of surgeons and the parameters important for the prediction of the success. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study cohort consisted of 180 acromegalic patients who presented over a 29 year. All the patients had undergone transnasal transsphenoidal adenomectomy and then octreotide treatment and/or radiotherapy were applied to the patients who were not cured. Remission criteria was accepted as nadir GH < 1 µg/L with oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and normal IGF-1 with respect to age and gender. RESULTS: The postoperative median follow up period was 84 months (range 6-372 months). The remission rate of the first operation before 2003 was 20%, but this rate increased to 51% after 2003 (p=0.018). The most impressive improvement was due to the single experienced surgeon (49% vs. 5.3%) (p < 0.001). The success of the first operation was determined by the tumor size, microadenomas were more successfully treated than macroadenomas (p=0.014). The prevalence of discordance between GH and IGF-1 was 24% in patients cured after first surgery. CONCLUSION: The clinical recognition of acromegaly and outcomes of single experienced surgeons in specialized centers have significantly improved over the last years.