In vitro testing of current spread during ventricular catheter coagulation using diathermy. Technical note.

The authors report on the development of an anterior cerebral artery pseudoaneurysm that hemorrhaged after monopolar coagulation for a ventricular catheter lodged in the interhemispheric fissure. After observing this complication, the authors developed a simple bench test that can be performed by any neurosurgeon to determine the safest coagulation parameters for any given diathermy unit. A modified grounding pad was placed in a beaker of a protein solution consisting of egg whites.

Ruptured intracranial mycotic aneurysm: an unusual infectious complication following craniofacial surgery.

The case of a child with Apert syndrome is presented in which the development and rupture of an intracranial mycotic aneurysm occurred secondary to multiple infectious complications following craniofacial surgery. An endovascular procedure was utilized in an attempt to embolize the aneurysm and parent vessel. The patient recovered from her infections, but retained a residual right hemiparesis and left cranial nerve III palsy at the time of discharge.

Neurologic injuries associated with all-terrain vehicles and recommendations for protective measures for the pediatric population.

Objective: To present data and case studies illustrating the danger, especially in the pediatric population, of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use, and to provide recommendations for pediatricians on how to educate parents concerning ATVs.

Design: Retrospective review of 33 patients with neurologic injuries sustained in ATV accidents presenting to one institution over a 40-month period.

Setting: Emergency department and neurosurgery service at Arkansas Children's Hospital and two other hospitals that make up the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Choroid plexus papilloma and cysts in the Aicardi syndrome: case reports.

Two female infants with callosal agenesis, infantile spasms, chorioretinal lacunae, optic disc colobomas and cortical heterotopias were diagnosed with Aicardi syndrome. A choroid plexus papilloma was found in one patient, and choroid plexus cysts were found in the other. Choroid plexus lesions are common findings in the Aicardi syndrome and are discussed in this paper.

Controlled lumbar drainage in pediatric head injury.

A retrospective study of external lumbar subarachnoid drainage in 16 pediatric patients with severe head injuries is presented. All patients had Glasgow Coma Scale scores of 8 or lower at 6 hours postinjury and were initially treated with ventriculostomy. Five patients required surgical evacuation of focal mass lesions.

Heterotopic pregnancy: report of four cases.

Four patients with heterotopic (combined) pregnancies were treated at one institution during the period of a year. The use of fertility agents, infertility surgery, and pelvic inflammatory disease may be risk factors predisposing to an increasing incidence of such pregnancies. Combined pregnancy may reasonably belong in the differential diagnosis in certain clinical settings.

Management of preterm premature rupture of membranes: assessing amniotic fluid in the vagina for phosphatidylglycerol.

This prospective study evaluates the clinical practicality of assessing free amniotic fluid in instances of premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) before term. The presence of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) provided evidence of fetal pulmonary maturity. Daily aspirations of vaginally pooled amniotic fluid were performed on 55 consecutive patients with preterm PROM and met with a success rate of 80% (79 of 99 attempts).