Ventriculopleural shunts in a pediatric population: a review of 170 consecutive patients.

Objective: The authors sought to determine the outcome of using the pleural space as the terminus for ventricular CSF-diverting shunts in a pediatric population.

Methods: All ventriculopleural (VPl) shunt insertions or revisions done between 1978 and 2018 in patients at Children's Hospital Los Angeles were identified. Data recorded for analysis were age, sex, weight, etiology of hydrocephalus, previous shunt history, reason for VPl shunt insertion or conversion from a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) or ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt, valve type, nature of malfunction, presence of shunt infection or pleural effusion, and conversion to a different distal site.

Imaging Features Predictive of Recurrence in Pediatric Intracranial Germ-Cell Tumors.

Background/aims: Intracranial germ-cell tumors (GCTs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors that vary in their response to treatment. Standard treatment consists of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, with the consideration of second-look surgery in resistant disease. The present study aims to inform therapy by characterizing features on pretreatment imaging associated with recurrence.

Dynamic MRI in the Evaluation of Atlantoaxial Stability in Pediatric Down Syndrome Patients.

Background/aims: Down syndrome is the most common inherited disorder. Some patients develop atlantoaxial instability. Existing screening guidelines were developed prior to availability of MRI.

Proliferative Index in Pediatric Pilocytic Astrocytoma by Region of Origin and Prediction of Clinical Behavior.

Background/aims: Pilocytic astrocytomas are common pediatric tumors. Molecular profiles vary with location of origin. Comparisons of proliferation have not been reported.

Seizure outcomes of supratentorial brain tumor resection in pediatric patients.

Background: This study aims to identify the prevalence of and risk factors for seizure development after supratentorial brain tumor resection in pediatric patients. This could be used to guide the postoperative management and usage of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs).

Methods: Retrospective study was conducted for patients between 0 and 21 years with supratentorial tumor resection between 2005 and 2015 at a single institution.

Extending PACS Functionality: Towards Facilitating the Conversion of Clinical Necessities into Research-Derived Applications.

The Picture Administration and Communications System (PACS) was designed to replace the old film archiving system in hospitals in order to store and move varying medical image modalities. Using the standard Internet transport protocol, PACS creators designed a robust digital signaling platform to optimize media use, availability, and confidentiality. Nowadays PACS has become ubiquitous in medical facilities but lacks imaging analytical capabilities.

Cross-Sectional Analysis on Racial and Economic Disparities Affecting Mortality in Preterm Infants with Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus.

Background: Despite major advances in medicine, racial and socioeconomic disparities continue to affect health care outcomes. Higher overall infant mortality has been reported for black neonates compared with their Hispanic and white counterparts. The underlying basis for these differences remains unclear.

Surgical management of hydrocephalus secondary to intraventricular hemorrhage in the preterm infant.

OBJECT Posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) in the preterm infant remains a major neurological complication of prematurity. The authors first described insertion of a specially designed low-profile subcutaneous ventricular catheter reservoir for temporary management of hydrocephalus in 1983. This report presents the follow-up experience with the surgical management of PHH in this population and describes outcomes both in infants who were stable for permanent shunt insertion and those initially temporized with a ventricular reservoir (VR) prior to permanent ventriculoperitoneal (VP)/ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt placement.