Posterior fossa hemorrhage in term newborns

Posterior fossa hemorrhage detected by computed tomography (CT) in seven term newborns was managed by nonsurgical means. All infants were developmentally normal two to four years later with the exception of one infant who died with a massive posterior fossa hemorrhage. Two infants with extensive hemorrhages developed hydrocephalus. Spinal fluid drainage and diuretic therapy resulted in the resolution of hydrocephalus in one infant and delayed the placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt in the other. This series documents normal outcome in nonsurgically managed neonatal posterior fossa hemorrhages of varying degrees of severity.     

Massive intratumoral hemorrhage of ependymoma of the fourth ventricle

Introduction Ependymomas of the fourth ventricle usually show slowly progressive neurological deterioration and acute onset resulting from major intratumoral bleeding is very rare.Case report A 16-month-old girl, previously in good health, showed gradual gait disturbance and appetite loss. She was transferred to our hospital because of a large enhanced tumor of the fourth ventricle with mild hydrocephalus. She suddenly lost consciousness on the next day. A computed tomography showed massive intratumoral hemorrhage and acute hydrocephalus. Emergency tumor removal was performed. Histopathological diagnosis was ependymoma.Discussion We speculated the mechanism of intratumoral hemorrhage in posterior fossa ependymomas.     

Solitary metastasis of renal cell carcinoma to the third ventricular choroid plexus with rapid clinical manifestation by intratumoral hemorrhage

A 72-year-old man who had undergone nephrectomy for left renal cell carcinoma (RCC) presented with worsening of cognitive function and frequent loss of consciousness. Computed tomography (CT) revealed tumor mass in the third ventricle and hydrocephalus. A ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt was placed to treat the hydrocephalus. The postoperative course was uneventful, and he was followed closely without aggressive therapy. Four months after surgery, the tumor expanded rapidly due to intratumoral hemorrhage and he died due to sepsis. The autopsy findings revealed a solitary metastatic RCC in the third ventricle, with massive intratumoral hemorrhage. Solitary metastasis of RCC to the third ventricle is quite rare and difficult to treat. The case report highlights that early diagnosis and treatment are critical, even in slowly progressive RCC patients, because of the possibility of intratumoral hemorrhage.     

Traumatic intratumoral hemorrhage secondary to a ventriculoperitoneal shunt

We report a case of a 14-month-old boy with a primary intraventricular oligodendroglioma and obstructive hydrocephalus. The child underwent a bilateral ventriculoperitoneal shunt and developed a massive and fatal intratumoral hemorrhage initiated by a mild trauma when introducing the left ventricular catheter. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature of such a complication during a shunting procedure for obstructive hydrocephalus of tumoral origin.     

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy versus ventriculoperitoneal shunt in the treatment of obstructive hydrocephalus due to posterior fossa tumors in children

Object  

This study compares endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) in the treatment of pediatric patients with marked obstructive hydrocephalus due to midline posterior fossa tumors.     

神经内镜治疗后颅窝囊肿合并脑积水31例分析

目的 探讨神经内镜治疗后颅窝囊肿合并脑积水的诊治方法。 方法 回顾性分析南方医院神经外科自2004年4月至2010年8月收治的31例后颅窝扩大囊室合并脑积水患者资料,所有患者均经头颅CT和MRI证实。其中后颅窝真性蛛网膜囊肿19例,Dandy walker畸形5例,布莱克囊肿2例,肿瘤术后囊肿5例。依据不同手术方式分成内镜手术组(14例)、开颅显微镜手术组（9例）和分流手术组（8例）,根据术后患者临床症状改善情况、影像学表现和相关并发症发生情况判定疗效。 结果 3组患者术后早期临床症状均有所改善。术后随访6个月～6年,复查头颅MRI显示28例患者后颅窝囊肿及脑室系统较术前有不同程度的缩小,其中内镜组有效率和并发症发生率分别为92.9％和14.3％,显微镜组分别为88.9％和33.3％,分流手术组分别为75.0％和50.0％。 结论 神经内镜是治疗后颅窝囊肿合并脑积水的一种安全、有效术式,相对显微镜下开颅手术和分流手术而言,操作灵活,并发症少,预后好,值得临床进一步推广。     

Acute cerebellar hemorrhage and CT evidence of tight posterior fossa

We studied 14 patients with cerebellar hemorrhage and a tight posterior fossa, defined by the following CT criteria: effacement of the basal cisterns and ventricular enlargement consistent with obstructive hydrocephalus. In 10 patients, the fourth ventricle was not seen; in 4, it was enlarged and filled with blood. Six patients died before surgery, and eight were treated surgically. Six patients with cerebellar hemorrhage but no CT evidence of a tight posterior fossa survived without surgery.     

Membranous occlusion of the foramen of Monro following ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion: a role for endoscopic foraminoplasty

We report two cases of lateral ventricle dilatation due to membranous occlusion of the foramen of Monro following ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion. Both cases were treated successfully by endoscopic foraminoplasty of the obstructed foramen of Monro and III ventriculostomy. One child had meningomyelocele and hydrocephalus. She had CSF infection after repair of the back lesion. Isolated left lateral ventricle occurred after insertion of a right ventriculoperitoneal shunt for hydrocephalus when the girl was 2 months old. A right ventriculoperitoneal shunt was then inserted. Chronic shunt infection with abdominal pseudocyst was found 8 years later. The shunts were exteriorized. Membranous obstruction of the foramen of Monro was found endoscopically. Fenestration of the membranous obstruction along with a III ventriculostomy was performed. After the endoscopic procedure, the exteriorized ventriculoperitoneal shunt was removed 2 weeks later. The patient was still symptom free without shunting 14 months after the operation. The other child had hydrocephalus after a premature birth and hemorrhage. Repeated ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections contributed to membranous obstruction of bilateral foramen of Monro. After the shunt infection was treated this patient’s shunting procedure was simplified by endoscopic foraminoplasty of the left and right foramen of Monro along with a III ventriculostomy. He was symptom free with a new ventriculoperitoneal shunt 9 months after the operation. Received: 14 November 1999     

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy in the treatment of hydrocephalus in posterior fossa tumors in children

OBJECT: The purpose of the present study is to assess the effectiveness of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in children with hydrocephalus related to posterior fossa tumors. METHODS: Between September 1999 and December 2002, 63 children with posterior fossa tumors were treated at Santobono Hospital in Naples, Italy. Twenty-six patients had severe hydrocephalus. In order to relieve intracranial hypertension before tumor removal, 20 were treated with ETV, and 6 with ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunts. Twenty patients with mild hydrocephalus were treated with diuretics, corticosteroid agents, and early posterior fossa surgery, and 17 patients who did not have hydrocephalus were treated by elective posterior fossa surgery. Another 4 ETV were performed in the management of postoperative hydrocephalus. RESULTS: Preoperative ETV procedures were technically successful. One was complicated by intraventricular bleeding. The successful 19 preoperative ETV resolved intracranial hypertension before posterior fossa surgery in all cases. Three of these 19 patients developed postoperative hydrocephalus and were treated by VP shunt insertion after posterior fossa surgery. Out of the 4 ETV performed after posterior fossa surgery, only 2 were successful, both when the shunt malfunctioned. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic third ventriculostomy should be considered as an alternative procedure to ventriculo-peritoneal shunting and external ventricular draining for the emergency control of severe hydrocephalus caused by posterior fossa tumors, since it can quickly eliminate symptoms, and hence, can delay surgery scheduling if required. Even though ETV does not prevent postoperative hydrocephalus in all cases, it does protect against acute postoperative hydrocephalus due to cerebellar swelling. In addition, it eliminates the risks of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) infection related to external drainage and minimizes the risk of overdrainage because it provides more physiological CSF drainage than the other procedures. Since postoperative hydrocephalus is very often physically obstructive, ETV should always be considered a possible treatment procedure.     

Anaplastic evolution of childhood optico-hypothalamic pilocytic astrocytoma: report of an autopsy case

A 19-month-old boy was found to have an optico-hypothalamic tumor with obstructive hydrocephalus, and received a ventriculoperitoneal (V-P) shunt followed by irradiation to the hypothalamic area. Although his visual disturbances continued, general conditions improved subsequently and he enjoyed normal life with only a visual disturbance. Four years later, however, he developed vomiting, left hemiparesis and dysuria, and died at the age of 6.5 years. Autopsy revealed a huge tumor occupying the hypothalamus, thalamus, basal ganglia and the right temporal lobe. Histologically, the tumor was composed of pilocytic astrocytes with Rosenthal fiber in the hypothalamus, where the tumor is considered to have developed initially, and poorly differentiated cells with some astrocytic and neuronal differentiation in other areas. Dissemination of the tumor was extensive in the whole CSF spaces, and in the peritoneum through the V-P shunt. We consider this a rare case of a childhood hypothalamic pilocytic astrocytoma undergoing delayed malignant evolution.     

第四脑室肿瘤的显微外科治疗

目的总结第四脑室肿瘤的显微外科治疗效果及手术策略。方法第四脑室肿瘤患者36例,均在显微镜下或神经内镜辅助下切除肿瘤。肿瘤全切除24例,次全切除12例。结果术后恢复良好13例,死亡3例,缄默症4例,脑积水16例,其中12例行侧脑室．腹腔分流术,4例行脑室心房分流术。术后随访：29例生活、学习良好,3例死亡,1例失访。结论正确及时的诊断、熟悉四脑室的显微解剖、选择合适的手术入路、熟练的显微手术技巧、适当应用神经内镜、积极处理术后脑积水是提高第四脑室肿瘤疗效的关键。     

儿童幕下毛细胞星形细胞瘤的显微手术治疗

目的 探讨儿童幕下毛细胞星形细胞瘤（PA）显微手术治疗效果及手术要点。方法 回顾性分析2018年3月~2019年11月显微手术治疗8例儿童幕下PA的临床资料。3例未合并梗阻性脑积水,直接行显微手术切除肿瘤;5例并发梗阻性脑积水,先行Ommaya储液囊外引流术,3~5 d后行肿瘤切除术。结果 8例肿瘤均全切除,术后病理检查为PA。术后症状明显好转,未发生并发症状。5例合并梗阻性脑积水Ommaya储液囊外引流术后随访半年脑室系统逐步缩小,避免了脑室-腹腔分流术。结论 儿童幕下PA的手术效果良好;对于合并梗阻性脑积水病人先行Ommaya储液囊外引流是非常必要的,操作简单,可提高肿瘤切除的安全性,避免脑室-腹腔分流术。     

松果体区肿瘤的手术治疗分析

目的 探讨松果体区肿瘤的临床特征及手术效果。方法 回顾性分析2016年1月至2021年1月手术治疗的17例松果体区肿瘤的临床资料。结果 采用Krause入路9例,Poppen入路8例。1例行脑室-腹腔分流术及放疗无效后行手术切除肿瘤;6例行脑室外穿刺引流术+肿瘤切除术,5例行脑室镜下第三脑室造瘘术+肿瘤切除术,1例行脑室穿刺引流+第三脑室造瘘术+肿瘤切除术。肿瘤全切除8例,次全切除6例,部分切除3例。术后1例因迟发性颅内出血死亡,1例梗阻性脑积水加重,2例眼球活动障碍。术后病理结果显示,生殖源性肿瘤6例,胶质瘤4例,表皮样囊肿1例,黑色素细胞瘤1例,脑膜瘤1例,松果体乳头状瘤1例,血管瘤1例,毛细血管性血管母细胞瘤1例,血管周细胞瘤1例。16例存活者术后随访4～58个月,平均（29.8±20.7）个月;术后8例行放疗,3例化疗,2例行放疗+化疗;12例无症状生存,3例胶质母细胞瘤术后半年内死亡,1例死于其他疾病。结论 松果体区肿瘤病理类型复杂,预后差异较大,治疗方法各异,但手术切除肿瘤仍然是治疗松果体区肿瘤的重要手段,脑室-腹腔分流术是解决继发性脑积水的可靠方式。     

External drainage with an Ommaya reservoir for perioperative hydrocephalus in children with posterior fossa tumors

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate an external drainage using an Ommaya reservoir for relieving perioperative hydrocephalus and reducing postoperative complications in children with posterior fossa tumors.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the data from 48 children with posterior fossa tumors who underwent tumor resection between May 2006 and June 2012. An Ommaya reservoir was placed in the right lateral ventricle forehead for continuous perioperative drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Results

Tumors were successfully removed from all patients. Intracranial infection occurred in nine patients and was controlled by antibiotic treatment. Preoperative obstruction and obstructive hydrocephalus were relieved, and the need for a shunt or endoscopic third ventriculostomy was avoided. One patient who underwent a second surgical procedure had intracranial infection, hydrocephalus, and occipital pseudomeningocele. After continuous drainage and anti-infective treatment, hydrocephalus and intracranial infection were effectively controlled.

Conclusions

Using an Ommaya reservoir for perioperative external ventricular CSF drainage enabled tumors to be wholly and safely removed. Restoring CSF circulation provided an effective means of controlling and preventing hydrocephalus secondary to posterior fossa tumors in children.     

神经内镜脑室应用解剖学研究与临床应用

目的研究脑室的神经内镜解剖学特点,探讨其临床应用价值.方法在15例尸颅标本及20例脑积水患者术中用神经内镜观察侧脑室、第三脑室的解剖结构.采用神经内镜治疗脑积水20例,其中行ETV 16例,1例行透明隔造瘘术,3例行脑室-腹腔分流术,并分析其临床和影像学结果.结果脉络丛、室间孔、乳头体及导水管开口等是内镜经额角人路观察侧脑室和第三脑室的重要＂路标＂.20例脑积水患者治疗后,19例症状好转,影像学复查脑室缩小的14例;1例脑转移瘤引起的脑积水患者,术后3月死亡.并发脑膜炎1例,发热2例,1例切口愈合不良,4例ETV术后并发头皮下少量积聚液,出血2例.结论经额角入路观察范围最大,是脑室内神经内镜手术的最常用入路.对于多种原因引起的梗阻性脑积水患者ETV有很好的效果.慎重选择造瘘部位和器械对于避免出血等严重并发症有重要意义.     

Medullomyoblastoma A rare cerebellar tumour in children

Seven patients between the ages of 3 and 24 years were admitted to our hospital in the last 28 years who had a histological diagnosis of medullomyoblastoma. These patients presented with classic symptoms of a posterior fossa midline mass associated with evidence of raised ICP. A CT scan in each patient revealed a uniformly high-attenuating tumour in the posterior fossa with gross hydrocephalus. In all seven patients a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed prior to definitive surgery. Radical tumour excision was carried out in all cases 3–5 days after CSF diversion. The histological diagnosis was made on H&E-stained slides. In two cases each, the tumour tissue was subjected to electron microscopy and immunohistochemical studies. Six of the seven patients survived the operation. One patient died 21 days after surgery as a result of shunt block and shunt infection. All surviving patients received cranial and spinal radiation 2–4 weeks after surgery, and also chemotherapy. The cranial radiation dose ranged from 4500 to 5000 rad, while the spinal radiation dose was limited to 1500 rad. Patients were followed up carefully. Three patients died within 6 months, and the remaining three between 2.5 and 3 years after surgery. None of the patients in our study survived longer than 3 years. One patient had developed paraplegia. This study highlights the details of an uncommon entity and reports the largest collection of such cases in the literature. Received: 16 October 1997 Revised: 14 December 1997     

Development of obstructive hydrocephalus with lumboperitoneal shunting following subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Hydrocephalus is a frequent complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The optimum method of treating hydrocephalus in this setting has not been determined. We review our experience with patients developing communicating hydrocephalus secondary to SAH and subsequently treated with lumboperitoneal (LP) shunts. Following hospitalization for the treatment of SAH, patients who developed clinical symptoms and radiologic signs of hydrocephalus were treated with (ventriculoperitoneal) VP or LP shunting. Eighteen patients received an LP shunt, of which seven (28%) developed a non-communicating or obstructive hydrocephalus. These seven patients underwent replacement with a VP shunt and have not had further complications. In the setting of post-SAH communicating hydrocephalus, obstructive hydrocephalus may develop after LP shunt placement. Patients who develop this complication and have their LP shunts converted to VP shunts have a favorable prognosis.     

Acquired aqueductal stenosis in preterm infants: an indication for neuroendoscopic third ventriculostomy

OBJECT: The object of this study is to demonstrate the delayed occurrence of aqueductal stenosis in preterm infants who have suffered from intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and to try to explain the mechanisms of this stenosis. METHOD: From January 1996 to June 2002, 1,046 premature infants were admitted to our institution. Thirty-six neonates suffered from grade 3 or 4 intraventricular hemorrhage (Papile grading), of whom 16 died. Twenty patients survived and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was inserted in 7 infants. Four patients underwent a neuroendoscopic third ventriculostomy. Follow-up was carried out, twice a month during the first 2 months and subsequently twice a year. CONCLUSION: In 2 children NTV was an effective treatment for hydrocephalus with an average follow-up of 29 months. The specific pattern concerning these patients is the long delay before obstructive hydrocephalus and the visualization of de novo obstruction with MRI. The biological explanation must be investigated.     

Hypertension-induced cerebellar encephalopathy and hydrocephalus in a male

Hypertensive encephalopathy is believed to be caused by an abrupt elevation in systemic blood pressure. It rarely occurs in children and can be neurologically devastating if it is not recognized and treated immediately. This report describes an 11-year-old male who presented with edema and a cerebellar lesion, with acute obstructive hydrocephalus resulting from hypertensive encephalopathy. A shunt was inserted to relieve pressure in the acute stage. The patient's hydrocephalus and cerebellar swelling subsided when his blood pressure was controlled. The cerebellar lesion had been initially diagnosed as a glioma. In children, a cerebellar lesion occurring with acute obstructive hydrocephalus and hypertensive encephalopathy is rare but reversible. Clinicians should be aware of this condition because it might be misdiagnosed as a tumor of the posterior fossa.     

神经内镜下治疗梗阻性脑积水

目的 探讨对梗阻性脑积水患采用神经内镜下进行第三脑室底和(或)透明隔造瘘的手术方法进行治疗，分析手术成功与失败的原因。方法 对10例不同原因造成的梗阻性脑积水患进行10次神经内镜下第三脑室底造瘘或，和透明隔造瘘术。结果 随诊1—12月，平均6月显效8例有效1例无效1例(改V—P分流术)。手术并发症：1例轻度颅内感染、1例轻度脑室内出血，无死亡病例。结论 神经内镜下第三脑室底造瘘或，和透明隔造瘘手术治疗梗阻性脑积水是一种完全有效的手术方法。但为了提高手术疗效应有良好的手术器械，严格掌握手术适应症并能熟练进行手术操作。