Child's Nervous System

Pseudo-spontaneous third ventriculostomy

Twenty-three years follow-up after low-dose Gamma Knife surgery of a brainstem juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma: a case report and review of the literature Abstract Juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA) is a World Health Organization (WHO) grade I tumor that is the commonest to occur in the 0–19 age group, with an excellent prognosis of 96% 10-year survival in pediatric patients. Complete resection is the treatment of choice for JPAs. However, this is not always feasible due to the location of certain tumors, and the management following subtotal resection is controversial. Fractionated radiotherapy, chemotherapy, radiosurgery, and observation have all been used to treat tumor remnants. We report a young patient with good tumor control 23 years following low-dose Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) of a subtotally resected brainstem JPA and recommend that GKS may be a feasible treatment option to achieve long-term tumor control when subtotal resection cannot be achieved, even if the GKS prescription dose must be significantly reduced due to large tumor volume or proximity to critical structures sensitive to radiation.

Topical instillation of vancomycin lowers the rate of CSF shunt infections in children Abstract Introduction Shunt surgery in pediatric patients still bears a significant risk of infection, in addition to mechanical complications of the shunt system. Antibiotic-impregnated systems and perioperative antibiotics have been extensively studied for their potential to reduce shunt infections. We examined the effectiveness of intrawound application of vancomycin powder during shunt surgery. Patients and methods Patient records of 78 primary shunt implantations at a mean age of 40 months were reviewed. In total, 52 patients (mean age 50 months) had been treated according to standard surgical and perioperative procedures (Std), whereas 26 patients (mean age 20 months) additionally had received topical application of vancomycin powder before wound closure (Vmc). Overall infection rate was 3.8%, in Std patients 5.8%, and in Vmc patients 0%. The rates of CSF fistula and revision surgery were similar in both groups (5.8% vs 8% and 23.1% vs. 30%, respectively). Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on topical vancomycin instillation, indicating its efficacy for the prevention of shunt infection in pediatric patients. Further studies with a higher number of patients are needed to verify this finding.

Letter to the editor regarding the cover editorial: "Şânîzâde Mehmed Atâullah Efendi (1771?–1826), who is the author of the first modern anatomy book Mir'âtü'l-Ebdân fî Teşrîhi Âzâü'l-İnsân in the Ottoman Empire"

Drug refractory epilepsy in children: many concerns!

A reply to the letter to the editor by Ortug with regard to the paper "Şânîzâde Mehmed Atâullah Efendi (1771?–1826), who is the author of the first modern anatomy book Mir ' âtü ' l - Ebdân fî Teşrîhi Âzâü ' l - İnsân in the Ottoman Empire"

Microvascular decompression with partial occipital condylectomy in a case of pediatric spasmodic torticollis Abstract Spasmodic torticollis is a rare, neurologic disorder that is caused by abnormal nerve compression of the 11th cranial nerve by blood vessels or bony protrusions. It is typically treated pharmacologically and, if necessary, with surgical intervention. We report a unique case of spasmodic torticollis in a 15-year-old female that involved abnormal compression of the left 11th cranial nerve (CN) by the left vertebral artery, displaced by a hypertrophic left occipital condyle. After treatment with Botox was unsuccessful, the patient was treated with microvascular decompression and occipital condylectomy that adequately relieved the abnormal compression of CN XI. Mild symptoms persisted, and the patient underwent a partial section of the sternocleidomastoid muscle 1 year later, after which torticollis symptoms resolved.

A child with a stroke, drug-refractory epilepsy and congenital heart disease: can a hemispherectomy be safely performed between staged cardiac procedures? Abstract Background The safety of hemispherectomy between staged cardiac procedures is unknown and not previously reported. Method Retrospective review of a case with drug-resistant epilepsy due to stroke following bidirectional cavopulmonary connection (BDCPC). Results This report describes the first case of a successful pediatric peri-insular functional hemispherectomy in the setting of a BDCPC. A discussion of the complex preoperative planning from both a cardiac and neurological perspective is presented. Considerations regarding hemispherectomy and its effects on the cardiac physiology, and perioperative considerations are emphasized in clinical decision making. Conclusions A multidisciplinary approach was critical in this child which led to a successful outcome.

A case of central nervous system vasculitis presenting as a mass-like lesion Abstract Vasculitis of the central nervous system presenting as a mass lesion is a relatively uncommon occurrence. Even more uncommon is a vasculitis mimicking a demyelinating lesion. We present here an interesting case of a 15-year-old boy who was found to have a mass-like lesion on neuroimaging involving the left subcortical white matter and deep gray matter. The differential diagnosis for this lesion was primary demyelination versus a glial tumor, the former being more favored over the latter. Biopsy of this lesion however revealed findings compatible with a vasculitis, which was unexpected given the neuroimaging findings. To the authors' knowledge, case reports in the English literature of a vasculitic lesion mimicking demyelination are scarce. This case also serves as a reminder of the diagnostic difficulty that arises in a pediatric patient with an initial presentation of mass-like lesion.

Enhancing nodular lesions in Chiari II malformations in the setting of persistent hindbrain herniation: case report and literature review Abstract Background Chiari II malformation includes concomitant cerebellar tonsillar herniation, hydrocephalus, and myelomeningocele. Rarely, pediatric patients with persistent hindbrain herniation develop a new enhancing nodule at the cervicomedullary junction as adults. These new lesions may be suspicious for neoplastic growth, but it remains unclear if neurosurgical intervention is necessary. Case Report A 27-year-old female patient with history of Chiari II malformation and persistent hindbrain herniation presented with a 3-month history of headache and upper extremity weakness and numbness. Neuroimaging revealed a new enhancing nodule near the cervicomedullary junction suspicious for neoplasm. Following posterior fossa decompression and excision of the enhancing lesion, pathological analysis demonstrated only benign glioneural heterotopia. Results New enhancing nodules at the cervicomedullary junction in Chiari II malformation are exceedingly rare and are likely benign, reactive changes rather than a neoplastic process. Biopsy or surgical excision of these lesions is likely unnecessary for asymptomatic patients.

Alexandros Sfakianakis
Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182

6948891480

alsfakia@gmail.com