Posterior Cranial Distraction in Craniosynostosis: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Objective: Posterior cranial distraction (PCD) is a surgical technique to address craniosynostosis, especially in syndromic patients. The technique has the ability to significantly expand the cranium, while requiring minimal dural dissection, compared to cranial remodeling. Our goals were to determine the patient characteristics and surgical outcomes of PCD.

Current state and future direction of quality improvement in pediatric neurosurgery: a survey of pediatric neurosurgeons.

Objective: Quality improvement (QI) is a methodology used to implement sustainable, meaningful change to improve patient outcomes. Given the complex pathologies observed in pediatric neurosurgery, QI projects could potentially improve patient care. Overall, there is a need to characterize the degree of QI opportunities, training, and initiatives within the field of pediatric neurosurgery.

Factors Associated With Unplanned Post-Craniotomy Re-intubation in Children: A NSQIP-Pediatric ® Analysis.

Objective: Most children undergoing craniotomy with general endotracheal anesthesia are extubated postoperatively, but some require unplanned postoperative intubation (UPI). We sought to determine the incidence of UPI and identify associated factors and related postoperative mortality.

Methods: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program for Pediatrics (2012-2018) was used to retrospectively identify patients less than 18 years old who underwent craniotomy for epilepsy, tumor, and congenital/cyst procedures.

Hospital Case-Volume and Patient Outcomes Following Pediatric Brain Tumor Surgery in the Pediatric Health Information System.

Background: Markers of quality of care in various surgical specialties have been shown to correlate with hospital volumes. This study investigates the effect of hospital volume and patient-related factors on the outcomes of children undergoing brain tumor resection.

Methods: We examined the data within the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) for children aged zero to 17 years undergoing brain tumor resection between 2016 and 2020.

Comparison of Perioperative Outcomes and Parental Satisfaction Outcomes of Strip Craniectomy with Postoperative Helmet versus Spring-Mediated Remodeling in Sagittal Craniosynostosis.

Introduction: We sought to compare outcomes and parental satisfaction between 2 approaches for sagittal craniosynostosis: strip craniectomy with spring-mediated skull remodeling (SMSR) and strip craniectomy with postoperative helmet (SCH).

Methods: Perioperative and outcome data for SMSR or SCH patients between September 2010 and July 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. A telephone survey was administered to parents of children who underwent both procedures.

Case Series of Rapid Surgical Interventions in Fulminant Intracranial Hypertension.

Aims: Examine ophthalmologic outcomes and complications of lumbar drain and cerebrospinal fluid shunts in pediatric fulminant intracranial hypertension.

Methods: Patients under 21 years of age with a diagnosis of fulminant intracranial hypertension with temporary lumbar drain only, shunt after lumbar drain, and shunt only were included. Parameters investigated include lumbar drain data, medication freedom, time to resolution of papilledema, improvement in cranial nerve palsy, afferent pupillary defects, visual fields, visual acuity, and complications of each intervention.

Molecular classification of a complex structural rearrangement of the RB1 locus in an infant with sporadic, isolated, intracranial, sellar region retinoblastoma.

Retinoblastoma is a childhood cancer of the retina involving germline or somatic alterations of the RB Transcriptional Corepressor 1 gene, RB1. Rare cases of sellar-suprasellar region retinoblastoma without evidence of ocular or pineal tumors have been described. A nine-month-old male presented with a sellar-suprasellar region mass.

A Case Series of the Use of Piezosurgery Instrument for Minimally Invasive Metopic Suturectomy.

Background: Minimal invasive suturectomy is one of the many surgical approaches to treat isolated single suture craniosynostosis. This approach can be technically challenging in metopic craniosynostosis given the narrow corridor and steep angle of the forehead. New instruments such as the Piezosurgery device (Mectron) have the potential to improve the ability to safely perform minimal invasive surgery in metopic craniosynostosis.

Management of hydrocephalus in infants with severe hemophilia A: report of 2 cases.

The authors report on the clinical course of two infants with severe hemophilia A (HA) and concomitant progressive hydrocephalus that required management with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. The first child, with known HA, presented with a spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage and acquired hydrocephalus. He underwent cerebrospinal fluid diversion with a temporary external ventricular drain, followed by placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.