Stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) in 65 children: an effective and safe diagnostic method for pre-surgical diagnosis, independent of age.

Aim: We report our experience of stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) in 65 children with drug-resistant seizures, with a particular emphasis on young children.

Methods: We retrospectively studied all SEEG performed between 2009 and 2011 in our centre. As SEEG can have several indications, the patients were classified into three categories, according to the probability of surgery.

Trigeminal nerve deficit in large and compressive acoustic neuromas and its correlation with MRI findings.

Objectives: Evaluate the prevalence of preoperative trigeminal nerve deficit in large/compressive acoustic neuromas and try to find a correlation between pre/postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and pre/postoperative trigeminal nerve deficit.

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Setting: University medical center.

Effect of introduction of antibiotic-impregnated shunt catheters on cerebrospinal fluid shunt infection in children: a large single-center retrospective study.

Object: Infection after both primary and revision shunt surgeries remains a major problem in pediatric neurosurgical practice. Antibiotic-impregnated shunt (AIS) tubing has been proposed to reduce infection rates. The authors report their experience with AIS catheters in their large pediatric neurosurgery department.

Fourth ventricle rosette-forming glioneuronal tumour in children: an unusual presentation in an 8-year-old patient, discussion and review of the literature.

Introduction: Rosette-forming glioneuronal tumour of the fourth ventricle is a rarely described entity. While usually having an indolent course and hence classified as a WHO grade 1 tumour, the precise characteristics and risk of recurrence of this tumour are still unknown. In addition, the preferred treatment modality remains unclear.

Adverse events occurring during invasive electroencephalogram recordings in children.

Background: In cryptogenic epilepsy or when multifocal seizure onset is suspected, intracranial monitoring of the EEG is required.

Objective: To report on the adverse events related to electroencephalogram (EEG) intracranial recording in one of the largest pediatric series published and to discuss the avoidance of adverse events in our experience and with respect to a review of the literature.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of our department database and hospital charts of 95 children operated on between 1994 and 2009 was performed.

Image-guided transoral surgery in childhood.

Objective: The study aims to report a preliminary experience of image guidance during transoral surgery in a paediatric population. In paediatric practice, the small size of the oropharynx and the distortion of the craniocervical junction anatomy (whether congenital or acquired) are both factors that may compromise the transoral approach. Prior immobilisation of the craniocervical axis by virtue of posterior fixation or external halo body orthosis permits the use of intra-operative image guidance to navigate this region.

Cervical myelocystocele: prenatal diagnosis and therapeutical considerations.

Background: Cervical myelocystocele (CMC) is a very rare congenital malformation and belongs to the spectrum of skin-covered (occult) dysraphisms. Only 15 cases have been so far reported throughout the literature. We report the first case of CMC whose diagnosis was established prenatally by ultrasound imaging (US) followed by fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MR).

Direct-tissue SELDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis: a new application for clinical proteomics.

Background: New molecular profiling technologies can aid in analysis of small pathologic samples obtained by minimally invasive biopsy and may enable the discovery of key biomarkers synergistic with anatomopathologic analysis related to prognosis, therapeutic response, and innovative target validation. Thus proteomic analysis at the histologic level in healthy and pathologic settings is a major issue in the field of clinical proteomics.

Methods: We used surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) technology with surface chromatographic subproteome enrichment and preservation of the spatial distribution of proteomic patterns to detect discrete modifications of protein expression.

Tectal plate lesions in children.

Object: The authors characterized the clinical course of tectal plate lesions in a group of pediatric patients to identify the prognostic factors at presentation that predict progression, in an attempt to differentiate tectal hamartomas from tumors.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of the management of tectal plate lesions in children since the advent of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at the authors' hospital (1984-2003). The lesion volume seen on MR images, the clinical and radiological features at presentation, and the clinical course of the population were analyzed for correlations.