Intraoperative 3-Tesla MRI in the management of paediatric cranial tumours--initial experience.

Background: Intraoperative MRI (ioMRI) has been gaining recognition because of its value in the neurosurgical management of cranial tumours. There is limited documentation of its value in children.

Objectives: To review the initial experience of a paediatric 3-Tesla ioMRI unit in the management of cranial tumours.

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis--a rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunts.

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a rare cause of bowel obstruction, most commonly associated with chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. It has not previously been reported as a complication of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts. We describe the clinical features of shunt-associated SEP and the important management considerations.

Tuberculous meningitis: protracted course and clinical response to interferon-gamma.

A 12-year-old girl with protracted tuberculous meningitis received standard chemotherapy and dexamethasone and had a progressive cerebrospinal fluid neutrophilia, raised protein and depressed glucose levels. Her temperature was raised for 5 months until a second course of dexamethasone was given. At week 15, multiple tuberculomas and hydrocephalus were detected followed by acute hydrocephalus (week 58), which required a ventricular-peritoneal shunt.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy in patients with cerebrospinal fluid infection and/or hemorrhage.

Object: In this study the authors evaluate the safety, efficacy, and indications for endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in patients with a history of subarachnoid hemorrhage or intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) infection.

Methods: The charts of 101 patients from seven international medical centers were retrospectively reviewed; 46 patients had a history of hemorrhage, 42 had a history of CSF infection, and 13 had a history of both disorders. All patients experienced third ventricular hydrocephalus before endoscopy.