Pediatric neurosurgery
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Pediatric neurosurgery · Jan 2012
Towards development of a survival prediction tool for pediatric head injury.
The ability to provide an accurate prognosis for children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) would be useful for the children's families and the caregivers. In this study we examined whether an appropriate mathematical model can predict survival in this patient population. ⋯ An outcome predictive model for pediatric TBI can be devised using an appropriate mathematical model. It may help to estimate expected outcomes in pediatric TBI more objectively.
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Pediatric neurosurgery · Jan 2012
Review Case ReportsSpontaneous elevation of a ping-pong fracture: case report and review of the literature.
Depressed skull fractures compromise 7-10% of the children admitted to hospital with a head injury. Depressed skull fractures that occur in children younger than 1 year are different from those found in older children. In neonates and infants, a depressed fracture forms an inward buckling of the bones forming a 'cup shape', termed a 'ping-pong fracture'. ⋯ However, in infants, spontaneous elevation of a ping-pong fracture following head injury is extremely rare. Here, we present the case of an 11-month-old child, in whom a ping-pong fracture was spontaneously elevated within 2 h. In addition, the relevant literature is reviewed and discussed.
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To describe the neuroendoscopic treatment of interhemispheric arachnoid cysts. ⋯ The neuroendoscopic approach to interhemispheric arachnoid cysts was effective with few complications.
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Pediatric neurosurgery · Jan 2012
Indications for pediatric external ventricular drain placement and risk factors for conversion to a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
The external ventricular drain (EVD) is commonly used for the treatment of hydrocephalus and intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed indications for EVD placement over the last 20 years in pediatric patients at our institution. Additionally, we evaluated the rate that an EVD needed to be converted to a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) and ascertained how hydrocephalus etiology impacted long-term drainage requirements. ⋯ Traumatic brain injuries and neoplasms represent the most common indications for EVD placement in the pediatric population. While patients with neoplasm were much more likely to need conversion to a VPS for long-term cerebrospinal fluid diversion, the majority of EVDs in patients with head injuries were successfully weaned.