Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery
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Astroblastoma is an unusual brain tumor in childhood. Tumor usually arises from cerebral hemispheres. This large tumor is well-demarcated, lobulated, solid or cystic, and therefore, may resemble glioblastoma. Histopathologically, there are two types of astroblastoma: well-differentiated (low-grade) or anaplastic (high-grade). In low-grade astroblastoma, treatment of choice is complete excision. This type of tumor usually does not recur. However, anaplastic tumors can recur despite surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy and may be problematic for clinician. ⋯ High-grade astroblastomas behave like glioblastoma, as emphasized in this case report. Local control of this type of tumor seems difficult despite surgery, radiation therapy, and cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
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Review Case Reports
Unusual penetrating head injury in children: personal experience and review of the literature.
A penetrating head injury belongs to the most severe traumatic brain injuries, in which communication can arise between the intracranial cavity and surrounding environment. ⋯ The prognosis of such severe trauma could be influenced very positively by a good medical care organization; obviously, the extent of brain tissue laceration is the limiting factor.
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Intra-ventricular haemorrhage (IVH) can occur spontaneously or during the surgical revision of ventricular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts. ⋯ Patients with IVH complicating ventricular catheter replacement and patients with spontaneous bleeding who harbour a VP shunt can be treated by intra-ventricular urokinase to avoid the removal of the initial shunt. The technique has proven to be safe and utilises the ventricular drain placed for the acute management of the IVH. Shunt replacement will always be possible in case of failure of the technique we are reporting.