Nontumoral aqueductal stenosis in children affected by von Recklinghausen's disease

The authors report three cases of primary nontumoral aqueductal stenosis associated with von Recklinghausen's disease in children. Moreover, 16 similar cases collected from the literature are presented. The clinical features are evaluated in light of data from the literature. Among all 19 cases, the median age was 19 years (range 6-46 years), and nine patients were under the age of 13 years. Our own patients underwent ventriculoatrial shunt procedures, followed by clinical recovery (follow-up 2-5 years). In one patient, computed tomography scanning performed 20 months after the operation showed a chronic calcified subdural hematoma in the right frontoparietal area. In conclusion, it is felt that, among all the pathological events usually described in patients affected by neurofibromatosis, primary aqueductal stenosis seems to be part of the natural history of this neurological syndrome.     

Spinal subdural hematoma formation following ventriculoperitoneal shunting for hydrocephalus

Summary A case of a 14-year-old girl who developed a spinal subdural hematoma after placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt is presented. Such a complication has not been previously reported. We believe that this represented an extension of intracranial subdural hematoma fluid into the spinal subdural space.     

Association of von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis and aqueduct stenosis

We present 6 patients with a definite diagnosis of von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis. All of them had aqueductal stenosis and hydrocephalus requiring surgical intervention because of clinical signs of increased intracranial pressure confirmed by pressure measurements.     

Giant unusual shaped chronic subdural hematoma in a patient with untreated congenital hydrocephalus

Subdural hematoma is a well known complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion for hydrocephalus and usually spreads out over the cerebral convexity, and appears as a crescent shaped lesion on imaging. Chronic subdural hematoma in a case of untreated compensated congenital hydrocephalus has not been reported in English literature. We report the rare case of an adult with congenital hydrocephalus with a huge unusual shaped hemispheric subdural hematoma.     

Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea as a presenting symptom of aqueductal stenosis--case report

A 30-year-old male patient presented with chronic spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea. He had sustained a mild head injury in childhood. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed aqueductal stenosis associated with moderate supratentorial hydrocephalus, and erosion of the cribriform plate. Following insertion of ventriculoperitoneal shunt, the CSF rhinorrhea completely ceased and no direct repair of the CSF fistula was necessary. Long-standing spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea indicates the possibility of concurrent intracranial pathology, such as aqueductal stenosis.     

Efficacy and some complications of programmable pressure valve

Twenty-five patients with hydrocephalus were treated using Sophy programmable pressure valve. The valve pressure is adjustable percutaneously with a magnet. This valve was very useful for management cases presenting overdrainage and high-risk cases of shunt dysfunction such as aqueductal stenosis and idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. It was also useful for hydrocephalus after subarachnoid hemorrhage because it was difficult to know the most adequate pressure before the shunt operation. Two patients developed acute subdural hematoma of arterial origin after the shunt operation. The causative factor appeared to be low intracranial pressure and rupture of small arterial branches. This complication may be more frequent in cases using this system than in cases using other systems. We must pay attention to this complication and it is necessary to improve the shunt system. One bed-ridden patient developed necrosis of the skin because of this valve, and it had to be removed. We should place this valve so that it is at the anterior of the chest.     

A case presenting with hydrocephalus and posterior fossa subdural effusion

We report a case of hydrocephalus due to posterior cranial fossa subdural effusion. The patient was a 4-year-old boy, presenting headache and nausea, with a medical history of viral meningitis 2 months before. Cerebrospinal fluid provided no evidence of infection, and symptoms caused by increased intracranial pressure gradually deteriorated, although glycerol infusion was effective temporarily. Computed tomography revealed marked ventriculomegaly with subdural effusion in the right posterior cranial fossa. The subarachnoid space in the posterior fossa was very tight, and the cerebellum and brain stem were compressed anteriorly. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated stenosis of the aqueduct and foramens of Luschka and Magendie. The cerebeller tonsil was dislocated inferiorly, indicating impending herniation, so an emergency operation was performed. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt was undertaken after implantation of an Ommaya reservoir for the posterior fossa subdural effusion. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and the symptoms were improved. Although hydrocephalus and subdural effusion following viral meningitis is rare, neuroimaging studies such as CT and MRI should be examined when a young child suffers from symptoms of increased intracranial pressure.     

Chronic subdural hematoma as a complication of endoscopic third ventriculostomy

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic third ventriculostomy has become a popular alternative to ventricular shunts for noncommunicating hydrocephalus. Although endoscopic third ventriculostomy is a safe procedure, several complications related to this procedure have been reported in the literature. The authors present a rare case of symptomatic bilateral subdural hematomas after an uneventful endoscopic third ventriculostomy. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 51-year-old male patient presented with symptoms of obstructive hydrocephalus, headaches and memory disturbance. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated hydrocephalus secondary to aqueductal stenosis. An endoscopic third ventriculostomy was performed. The patient was discharged home in several days without complication. He then presented with headaches 3 weeks following surgery. A computed tomography study demonstrated bilateral subdural hematomas. These were treated with burr hole evacuation and drainage. Postoperatively, his headaches improved. At last follow-up he remains symptom-free and has radiographic evidence of a patent ventriculostomy. CONCLUSION: This case confirms chronic subdural hematoma formation is a possible complication following third ventriculostomy. Patients should be followed closely for possible subdural hematoma formation.     

Akinetic mutism responsive to bromocriptine following subdural hematoma evacuation in a patient with hydrocephalus

An 11-year-old girl with obstructive hydrocephalus developed akinetic mutism after treatment for hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis by ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting. Bilateral chronic subdural hematomas developed about 2 months after insertion of the VP shunt and were evacuated. Postoperatively, the patient developed akinetic mutism, but her condition improved after administration of bromocriptine. Absence of abnormalities on dopamine transporter single photon emission computed tomography, lack of clinical response to levodopa treatment, and normal homovanillic acid concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid all indicated normal dopamine production. Pressure on the periventricular monoamine projections in the thalamus and hypothalamus without major dopamine deprivation in the striatum may have been the most important factors in the development of akinetic mutism in this patient.     

Bilateral calcified chronic subdural hematoma. Further pathogenetic and clinical consideration on the so-called "armored brain"

Calcified chronic subdural hematomas after shunting procedures for treatment of hydrocephalus have been rarely described. When the calcified wall is so large to extensively cover the surface of the cerebral hemispheres, this instance has been defined "Armored Brain". The Authors report the case of an eleven-year-old patient affected by triventricular hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis, that was treated by a ventriculoatrial shunt. The post-operative course was uneventful and the patient recovered completely from the preexisting neurological deficits. Nevertheless, a CT scan performed 2 and 1/2 years later, revealed the development of a bilateral calcified chronic subdural hematoma, to such extent to configure a so-called "Armored Brain". Clinical course, pathogenesis and treatment of such kind of pathology are discussed in light of the data reported from the literature.     

Suprapineal recess: an alternate site for third ventriculostomy? Case report

This 30-year-old woman presented with clinical symptoms and signs of intracranial hypertension and Parinaud syndrome secondary to ventriculoperitoneal shunt dysfunction. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed gross triventricular hydrocephalus with a large suprapineal recess due to aqueductal stenosis. Using an endoscopic approach, a ventriculostomy was performed within the floor of the dilated suprapineal recess. Following this procedure the patient experienced alleviation of all her neurological symptoms and signs. Postoperative MR imaging and cerebrospinal fluid flow studies demonstrated a functioning ventriculostomy. The anatomy of the suprapineal recess and its suitability for endoscopic ventriculostomy are discussed.     

Subdural hematoma after cerebrospinal fluid shunt for hydrocephalus following subarachnoid hemorrhage-report of two cases (author's transl)

Post-shunt subdural hematoma was found in two patients with hydrocephalus due to subarachnoid hemorrhage. The first case was a 46-year-old man with two episodes of subarachnoid hemorrhage from anterior communicating aneurysm. Two weeks after neck-clipping for the aneurysm, a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt with Pudenz's system was performed since hydrocephalus with moderately increased pressure had been found. He did well for one month, then soon after mild head injury, disorientation and right hemiparesis developed. Cerebral angiogram revealed avascular space in the left parietotemporal region. After the ligation of the shunt tube, subdural hematoma was removed. The symptoms improved in two weeks. The second case was a 62-year-old man with an aneurysm at the trifurcation of the right middle cerebral artery. One month after successful clipping of the aneurysm, he received a ventriculoperitoneal shunt with Pudenz's system for normal pressur hydrocephalus. One and a half years after the operations he hit his head against the ground during his convulsive seizure. Since then, disorientation, urinary incontinence and gait disturbance appeared. After cerebral angiogram, the subdural hematoma was removed and the shunt tube was ligated. He became free of these symptoms in two weeks. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt is recommended for hydrocephalus induced by subarachnoid hemorrhage, but careful follow-up is necessary since these patients might develop post-shunt subdural hematoma, especially after head trauma as shown in our cases.     

Subdural hygroma as a complication of endoscopic neurosurgery--two case reports

Two cases of subdural hygroma occurred in a series of 77 neuroendoscopic procedures. An 8-year-old boy underwent neuroendoscopic cysto-cisternostomy of a left temporal arachnoid cyst. Routine postoperative magnetic resonance imaging 7 days later showed a large left-sided subdural hygroma without clinical symptoms. During the following 3 months, the subdural hygroma did not resolve spontaneously, so it was drained through a burr hole. A 3-month-old boy with aqueductal stenosis developed bilateral subdural hygromas after third ventriculostomy. Several punctures through the open anterior fontanelle relieved the hygromas but increasing head circumference required ventriculoperitoneal shunting 12 months later. Complications of neuroendoscopic procedures are increasingly reported, including various kinds of bleeding, infections, or damage of neuronal tissue. Only three previous cases of subdural hygroma or hematoma after neuroendoscopic interventions have been reported. The possible etiologies and clinical consequences of this rare complication have to be considered before selecting neuroendoscopy treatment.     

脑室腹腔分流术治疗脑积水83例临床分析

目的探讨脑室腹腔分流术治疗脑积水的手术技巧和并发症的防治,以提高手术疗效。方法回顾性分析83例脑积水患者的临床资料,均行脑室腹腔分流术治疗。结果 83例均获随访,平均18月(9月~6年)。术后症状明显改善57例,好转21例,症状无明显改善5例。11例发生术后并发症,其中分流管阻塞4例,术后感染3例,硬膜下血肿1例,硬膜下积液1例,裂隙脑室1例,癫痫1例。结论正确选择分流装置的置放路径,采用规范的手术操作和严格的无菌技术可有效降低脑室腹腔分流术后并发症的发生,提高临床疗效。     

Obstetrical anesthesia for a parturient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt and third ventriculostomy

PURPOSE: To describe the anesthetic considerations for a primiparous woman whose history included four neurosurgeries: ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt insertion, evacuation of a subdural hematoma, shunt revision, and third ventriculostomy for hydrocephalus secondary to aqueductal stenosis. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 37-yr-old GI, P0 woman with a VP shunt and third ventriculostomy was assessed in the Obstetrical Anesthesia Clinic at 36 wk. gestation to consider analgesic options for labour and delivery and review anesthetic management in the event that an operative delivery was required. A third ventriculostomy had been performed when increased intracranial pressure and neurological symptoms reappeared despite the previous VP shunt. Pregnancy was uneventful and vaginal delivery was anticipated. She presented in spontaneous labour at 40 wk. gestation. She declined analgesia throughout her four and a half hour labour A mediolateral episiotomy was performed to facilitate spontaneous delivery of a 4,182 g female infant. Mother and baby were discharged home without incident after two days. She denied any problems, including headaches, on follow up at two and four weeks. CONCLUSION: A review of the literature concerning pregnant patients with shunts found that both regional and general anesthesia has been used with no reports of complications directly related to anesthesia. No published cases describing labour analgesia for patients with third ventriculostomy were found. Two neurosurgeons advised that regional anesthesia was not contraindicated in such patients and that analgesia should be based on obstetrical considerations and the neurological status of the patient.     

Spinal subdural tuberculous abscess

OBJECTIVES: Spinal subdural abscess is rare and only 48 cases have been described to date. In this report, we present an additional spinal subdural tuberculous abscess. METHOD: Tuberculous meningitis was diagnosed with clinical and laboratory findings in a 45-year-old man. A spinal subdural abscess was demonstrated using MRI. Presence of the abscess was revealed by surgical intervention. The diagnosis was confirmed by pathological examination. RESULTS: The patient had been treated for tuberculous meningitis 2 years previously. The disease recurred when anti-tuberculous therapy was prematurely discontinued. During the second treatment, the patient also underwent a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt operation for hydrocephalus. Dizziness and weakness of both legs developed after the postoperative period. Spinal MRI showed a spinal subdural abscess as a iso-intense mass with spinal cord in the T1 and T2 weighted images, ring like enhancement and compression on the spinal cord at T3-T4 level. The patient underwent surgery and the abscess was drained. CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis may cause a spinal subdural abscess and although it is a rare disorder, when encountered MRI is very useful in the diagnosis.     

A case with postoperative calcified epidural hematoma

In the literature, postoperative calcified epidural hematoma is not common. The authors report a case of calcified epidural hematoma after ventriculoperitoneal shunt, and radiotherapy for pinealoma. A 14-year-old boy was admitted to author's department on December 9, 1983, complaining of headache. He underwent a ventriculoperitoneal shunt on August 28, 1980 under the diagnosis of hydrocephalus caused by pinealoma. After the operation hydrocephalus improved. The patient had radiotherapy of 5090 rad. CT scan taken after the irradiation revealed reduction of the size of the tumor. On August 30, 1983, a ring calcification of epidural hematoma in the right parietal region was noticed on CT and plain skull X-rays. He was readmitted because of headache. There was no history of head injury. The calcified epidural hematoma was totally removed on December 12, 1983. The extirpated calcified epidural hematoma was 7.0 X 7.5 cm and 2.5 cm in thickness. Capsule formation was observed and ossification was also seen at dural side. No inflammatory finding was seen on histological examination. The postoperative course was uneventful. Etiology of calcified intracranial hematoma was discussed in relation to the present report, the relevant literature reviewed.     

Post-shunt subdural hematoma in infants and children--analysis of eleven cases (author's transl)

Out of 122 hydrocephalic infants and children treated by cerebrospinal fluid shunt, post-shunt subdural hematoma was found in 11 patients in total, 8 cases with non-tumorous hydrocephalus and 3 cases with brain tumors obstructing the cerebrospinal fluid pathway. In most cases the diagnosis of subdural hematoma was delayed since signs of increased intracranial pressure were absent initially. The signs of increased intracranial pressure appeared later, when the shunted venricle collapsed and could not give any more space to the growing subdural hematoma. At this stage those cases were easily misdiagnosed as shunt dysfunction. Post-shunt subdural hematoma was apparently induced by the tear of the bridging vein or leakage of the cerebrospinal fluid into the subdural space through the torn arachnoid membrane due to over-drainage of the cerebrospinal fluid, especially when the patients took the erect position. Since such a complication is not rare and difficult to be diagnosed, intensive follow-up is necessary in the post-shunt period. The precautionary measures as well as the treatment for these subdural hematoma were also discussed.     

Spinal subdural hematoma following craniotomy: case report

BACKGROUND: Spinal subdural hematomas (SSH) are a rare cause of spinal cord compression. SSH following clipping of an aneurysm has only been reported once. We now report such a case and discuss the mechanism of SSH development after aneurysmal neck clipping. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 32-year-old man complained of lumbago 7 days after craniotomy for the clipping of an aneurysm. Neurologic examination revealed no abnormality, but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a lumbosacral spinal subdural hematoma. He received conservative management and his lumbago showed improvement. An MRI taken 19 days after surgery revealed a residual hematoma. CONCLUSION: The downward movement of blood from the cranial subdural compartment under the influence of gravity is the most appropriate explanation for SSH following craniotomy.