Complications in Posterior Cranial Vault Distraction.

Background: The use of posterior cranial vault distraction for the treatment of elevated intracranial pressure is gaining popularity and is a standard for first-stage cranial expansion in syndromic craniosynostosis at many institutions. However, although the operation is faster and less complex than other cranial vault remodeling procedures, it is not without its own unique set of complications.

Methods: We surveyed the published literature for case series and case control studies on posterior vault distraction.

Neurocutaneous melanosis is associated with tethered spinal cord.

Purpose: Neurocutaneous melanosis (NCM) is a rare congenital disorder occurring in children born with multiple or large congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) in association with melanocytic deposits in the leptomeninges. Multiple associations between NCM and other syndromes or neurologic abnormalities have been reported. Of note, there exists a possible association between NCM and tethered cord (TC).

Ventricular access devices are safe and effective in the treatment of posthemorrhagic ventricular dilatation prior to shunt placement.

Intraventricular hemorrhage of prematurity (IVH) is a diagnosis that has become more frequent in recent years. Advances in medical care have led to survival of increasingly premature infants, as well as infants with more complex medical conditions. Treatment with a ventricular access device (VAD) was reported almost 3 decades ago; however, it is unclear how effective this treatment is in the current population of premature infants.

CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery for the treatment of intramedullary spinal cord metastases.

Spinal cord intramedullary metastases are uncommon and treatment options are limited. We reviewed our experience treating these lesions with radiosurgery to assess safety and efficacy, and to define preliminary treatment recommendations. With Institutional Review Board approval, we identified nine patients with 11 metastases treated with radiosurgery at Stanford University Hospital, between 2000 and 2010.

Epilepsy surgery following brain tumor resection in children.

Object: Intractable epilepsy following successful brain tumor surgery in children may have several underlying causes such as residual tumor, cortical dysplasia, and gliosis. The authors reviewed the cases of children who had previously undergone resection of a brain tumor only to have medically refractory seizures postoperatively.

Methods: The authors performed a retrospective case review of 9 children who underwent brain tumor surgery 2-13 years before undergoing a second surgery to try and control their seizures.