Programming jammed Codman Hakim programmable valves: study of an explanted valve and successful programming in a patient.

Malfunction of a Codman Hakim programmable valve due to jamming of its programmable component may necessitate shunt revision. The authors report a method for programming jammed Codman Hakim programmable valves by using a Strata II magnet and additional neodymium magnets. The programming method was derived after studying a jammed valve in the laboratory that was explanted from an 10-year-old boy with a history of fourth ventricle ependymoma.

Reducing radiation exposure from computed tomography of the brain in children--report of a practical approach.

Purpose: To reduce radiation exposure to paediatric neurosurgical patients from computed tomography (CT), a CT scanning protocol - lower radiation dose and selective scan segment (LDSS) protocol was used for CT brain at the authors' hospital. To evaluate the amount of reduction in radiation exposure by using this LDSS protocol compared to their usual protocol, the authors prospectively documented their findings.

Methods: From May 2010 to June 2011, paediatric neurosurgical patients requiring CT brain, and when it was not a clinical emergency and there was baseline CT or MRI brain available, were evaluated for the LDSS protocol.

Ruptured brain arteriovenous malformations in children: correlation of clinical outcome with admission parameters.

Aims: To gain a better understanding of how clinical outcome in children with ruptured brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVMs) correlates with clinical and imaging parameters on admission.

Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed patients with bAVMs, aged 18 or below, managed at their hospital between January 1992 and December 2008. Clinical outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).

Results of excision of cerebral radionecrosis: experience in patients treated with radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Object: In theory, the purpose of the treatment of cerebral radionecrosis (CRN), a nonneoplastic condition, is to minimize loss of brain function by preventing the progression and reversing some of the processes of CRN. In a practical sense, factors for achieving this purpose may include the following: removal of a CRN lesion that is causing mass effect, control of brain edema, prevention of recurrence of CRN lesions, minimization of adverse effects from treatments, and achievement of reasonably long and good-quality survivals. Based on these practical issues, the authors performed a retrospective study to evaluate the results of excision for the treatment of CRN.

Pathophysiological mechanism of ipsilateral cerebral and brainstem hemiatrophy in basal ganglia germ cell tumors: case report.

Introduction: The basal ganglia is an uncommon location for germ cell tumors. It has been reported that basal ganglia germinomas and mixed germ cell tumors are associated with ipsilateral cerebral and brainstem hemiatrophy on presentation. Several pathophysiological mechanisms including autoimmune process and direct tumor infiltration of the thalamus or the internal capsule have been postulated to explain this association.

Redistribution of hematoma to spinal subdural space as a mechanism for the rapid spontaneous resolution of posttraumatic intracranial acute subdural hematoma: case report.

Background: Rapid spontaneous resolution of posttraumatic intracranial ASDH has been reported in the literature since 1986. We report a case to demonstrate that redistribution of hematoma to the spinal subdural space is a mechanism for the rapid spontaneous resolution of posttraumatic intracranial ASDH.

Case Description: A 73-year-old woman with a slipped-and-fell injury had a worst GCS score of 8/15.

Depressed skull fractures: a pattern of abusive head injury in three older children.

Objective: To describe a pattern of abusive head injury in a series of children older than 4 years of age.

Methods: A hospital chart review of abused children with skull fractures from 1999 to 2001 was carried out. The clinical features, social background, and subsequent outcome and management are described.

Are there sub-types of attentional deficits in patients with persisting post-concussive symptoms? A cluster analytical study.

Aim: The present study aimed to examine attentional deficits in patients with persisting post-concussive symptoms using a multi-componential framework of attention.

Design: A cross-sectional investigation using standardized tests and questionnaires of attention including 92 patients.

Method: Participants were administered comprehensive measures of attention assessing sustained attention (Sustained Attention Response to Task, Backward Digit Span), selective attention (Stroop Word-Colour Test, Colour Trails Test), divided attention (Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test, Symbol Digit Modalities Test), and attentional control (Tower of Hanoi, Six Elements Test).