Prospective observational cohort study on epidemiology, treatment and outcome of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in German BG hospitals.

Objectives: Since 2000/2001, no large-scale prospective studies addressing traumatic brain injury (TBI) epidemiology in Germany have been published. Our aim was to look for a possible shift in TBI epidemiology described in other European countries, to look for possible changes in TBI management and to identify predictors of 1-year outcome especially in patients with mild TBI.

Design: Observational cohort study.

Influence of demographic factors and clinical status parameters on long-term neurological, psychological and vegetative outcome following traumatic brain injury.

Primary Objective: We evaluated the neurologic, psychological and vegetative outcome, the health status and changes of the personal and occupational status of patients after traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Correlations between outcome parameters and basic demographic factors and initial clinical status parameters of the patients were assessed.

Research Design: Monocentric, retrospective follow-up analysis.

Stereotactic versus endoscopic surgery in periventricular lesions.

Object: Endoscopic and stereotactic surgery have gained widespread acceptance as minimally invasive tools for the diagnosis of intracerebral pathologies. We investigated the specific advantages and disadvantages of each technique in the assessment of periventricular lesions.

Method: This study included a retrospective series of 70 patients with periventricular lesions.

Successful treatment of recurrent abdominopelvic neurenteric cysts by OK-432 injection.

The case of recurrent intraabdominal neurenteric cyst after surgical excision in an infant is described. After several operative resections, we changed therapeutic strategy and performed local injection of OK-432. Indeed, there is experience with the application of OK-432 for other entities, especially lymphangioma, but to our knowledge, there is no report published so far on the treatment of neurenteric cyst with OK-432.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy in the treatment of shunt-related over-drainage: Preliminary experience with a new approach how to render ventricles navigable.

Objective: Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is increasingly used for the treatment of shunt-related complications in hydrocephalic patients, particularly if the etiology of the underlying hydrocephalus is of obstructive nature.

Purpose: Due to the slit-like configuration of the ventricles, ventricular dilatation must be achieved prior to ETV in patients with problems due to over-drainage. This has been accomplished by ligating or explanting the shunt.