Comparative Analysis of Patient-reported Outcomes After Cranial Vault Remodeling and Strip Craniectomy With the FACE-Q Craniofacial Module.

Background: The debate continues among craniofacial surgeons regarding the effectiveness of strip craniectomy (SC) compared with cranial vault remodeling (CVR) in achieving optimal functional and aesthetic outcomes in patients with single-suture craniosynostosis. This study aimed to compare long-term patient-reported outcomes (PROs) between SC and CVR procedures at a single institution using the validated FACE-Q Craniofacial module.

Methods: Patients older than or equal to 8 years of age and parents of patients younger than 8 years of age who underwent SC or CVR for single-suture craniosynostosis were eligible.

Congress of Neurological Surgeons Systematic Review and Evidence-Based Guidelines for Patients With Chiari Malformation: Symptoms.

Background: Chiari I malformation (CIM) is characterized by descent of the cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum, potentially causing symptoms from compression or obstruction of the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Diagnosis and treatment of CIM is varied, and guidelines produced through systematic review may be helpful for clinicians.

Objective: To perform a systematic review of the medical literature to answer specific questions on the diagnosis and treatment of CIM.

Congress of Neurological Surgeons Systematic Review and Evidence-Based Guidelines for Patients With Chiari Malformation: Diagnosis.

Background: Chiari I malformation (CIM) is characterized by descent of the cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum, potentially causing symptoms from compression or obstruction of the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Diagnosis and treatment of CIM is varied, and guidelines produced through systematic review may be helpful for clinicians.

Objective: To perform a systematic review of the medical literature to answer specific questions on the diagnosis and treatment of CIM.

Congress of Neurological Surgeons Systematic Review and Evidence-Based Guidelines for Patients With Chiari Malformation: Surgical Interventions.

Background: Chiari malformation type I (CIM) diagnoses have increased in recent years. Controversy regarding the best operative management prompted a review of the literature to offer guidance on surgical interventions.

Objective: To assess the literature to determine (1) whether posterior fossa decompression or posterior fossa decompression with duraplasty is more effective in preoperative symptom resolution; (2) whether there is benefit from cerebellar tonsillar resection/reduction; (3) the role of intraoperative neuromonitoring; (4) in patients with a syrinx, how long should a syrinx be observed for improvement before additional surgery is performed; and 5) what is the optimal duration of follow-up care after preoperative symptom resolution.

Use of Subcutaneous Injection of Epinephrine and Triamcinolone with Tranexamic Acid Reduces Blood Loss, Transfusion Rates, and Length of Stay in Open Sagittal Craniosynostosis Repair.

Objective: In 2017, we adopted the use of triamcinolone/epinephrine (TAC/Epi) scalp injection and later added tranexamic acid (TXA) in open sagittal synostosis surgery. We believe that this reduced blood loss and transfusion rates.

Methods: A total of 107 consecutive patients operated for sagittal synostosis aged <4 months from 2007 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed.

Toward rational use of repeat imaging in children with mild traumatic brain injuries and intracranial injuries.

Objective: Limited evidence exists on the utility of repeat neuroimaging in children with mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) and intracranial injuries (ICIs). Here, the authors identified factors associated with repeat neuroimaging and predictors of hemorrhage progression and/or neurosurgical intervention.

Methods: The authors performed a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of children at four centers of the Pediatric TBI Research Consortium.

Disability or Death: A Focused Review of Informed Consent in Pediatric Neurosurgery.

The management of pediatric neurosurgical disease often requires families to choose between long-term disability and premature death. This decision-making is codified by informed consent. In practice, decision-making is heavily weighted toward intervening to prevent death, often with less consideration of the realities of long-term disability.

Early-Onset Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Pediatric Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

Background: Early-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is associated with poor outcomes in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The primary aim of this study was to describe VAP, including the microbiology of VAP and differences in frequency of VAP when various definitions are applied. The secondary aim was to determine the clinical variables associated with the development of VAP in children with severe TBI.

Complications and outcomes of posterior fossa decompression with duraplasty versus without duraplasty for pediatric patients with Chiari malformation type I and syringomyelia: a study from the Park-Reeves Syringomyelia Research Consortium.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine differences in complications and outcomes between posterior fossa decompression with duraplasty (PFDD) and without duraplasty (PFD) for the treatment of pediatric Chiari malformation type I (CM1) and syringomyelia (SM).

Methods: The authors used retrospective and prospective components of the Park-Reeves Syringomyelia Research Consortium database to identify pediatric patients with CM1-SM who received PFD or PFDD and had at least 1 year of follow-up data. Preoperative, treatment, and postoperative characteristics were recorded and compared between groups.

Measures of Intracranial Injury Size Do Not Improve Clinical Decision Making for Children With Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries and Intracranial Injuries.

Background: When evaluating children with mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) and intracranial injuries (ICIs), neurosurgeons intuitively consider injury size. However, the extent to which such measures (eg, hematoma size) improve risk prediction compared with the kids intracranial injury decision support tool for traumatic brain injury (KIIDS-TBI) model, which only includes the presence/absence of imaging findings, remains unknown.

Objective: To determine the extent to which measures of injury size improve risk prediction for children with mild traumatic brain injuries and ICIs.

The association of postoperative dexmedetomidine with pain, opiate utilization, and hospital length of stay in children post-Chiari malformation decompression.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the association of postoperative dexmedetomidine with markers of pain in children undergoing Chiari malformation decompression. The authors hypothesized that patients receiving dexmedetomidine postoperatively would have decreased cumulative opiate use. They further hypothesized that there would be no difference in median pain scores, outcomes, or medication adverse events.

Socioeconomic and demographic factors in the diagnosis and treatment of Chiari malformation type I and syringomyelia.

Objective: The goal of this study was to assess the social determinants that influence access and outcomes for pediatric neurosurgical care for patients with Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) and syringomyelia (SM).

Methods: The authors used retro- and prospective components of the Park-Reeves Syringomyelia Research Consortium database to identify pediatric patients with CM-I and SM who received surgical treatment and had at least 1 year of follow-up data. Race, ethnicity, and insurance status were used as comparators for preoperative, treatment, and postoperative characteristics and outcomes.

Acute Cytotoxic Cerebellar Edema Subsequent to Fentanyl Patch Intoxication in an Infant.

The opioid epidemic continues to have devastating consequences for children and families across the United States with rising prevalence of opioid use and abuse. Given the ease of access to these medications, accidental ingestion and overdose by children are becoming increasingly more common. The recognition of opioid-induced neurotoxicity and the associated life-threatening complication of acute cerebellar cytotoxic edema are crucial, as are the high morbidity and mortality without timely intervention.

Delayed presentation of a traumatic scalp arteriovenous fistula.

Background: Arteriovenous (AV) fistulas of the scalp are extracranial vascular malformations commonly caused by trauma and typically present within 3 years. Although they follow a benign course, they can be esthetically displeasing.

Case Description: We present an atypical onset of scalp AV fistula in a patient with a 1-year history of the left-sided pulsatile tinnitus and scalp swelling 7 years after a traumatic epidural hematoma evacuation.

Extradural decompression versus duraplasty in Chiari malformation type I with syrinx: outcomes on scoliosis from the Park-Reeves Syringomyelia Research Consortium.

Objective: Scoliosis is common in patients with Chiari malformation type I (CM-I)-associated syringomyelia. While it is known that treatment with posterior fossa decompression (PFD) may reduce the progression of scoliosis, it is unknown if decompression with duraplasty is superior to extradural decompression.

Methods: A large multicenter retrospective and prospective registry of 1257 pediatric patients with CM-I (tonsils ≥ 5 mm below the foramen magnum) and syrinx (≥ 3 mm in axial width) was reviewed for patients with scoliosis who underwent PFD with or without duraplasty.

Intrasacral Meningocele Complicating Caudal Analgesia in a 6-Year-Old Child After 3 Previous Uneventful Caudals: A Case Report.

A 6-year-old male undergoing bilateral hydrocelectomy was to receive caudal analgesia after induction of general anesthesia. After insertion of the caudal needle, cerebrospinal fluid was unexpectedly aspirated and the caudal was abandoned. The surgeon performed bilateral ilioinguinal nerve blocks just before incision.

Rapid Improvement Project: Improving Caregivers' Understanding of Safety Recommendations for Neurosurgical Devices.

Unlabelled: There has been a proliferation in the development of indwelling neuromodulatory devices with varied safety recommendations, making it difficult for providers to remain up-to-date. This deficit presents an opportunity for significant improvement in patient safety.

Methods: We performed a search for monopolar electrocautery and magnetic resonance imaging safety recommendations for several indwelling neuromodulatory devices.

Occipital-Cervical Fusion and Ventral Decompression in the Surgical Management of Chiari-1 Malformation and Syringomyelia: Analysis of Data From the Park-Reeves Syringomyelia Research Consortium.

Background: Occipital-cervical fusion (OCF) and ventral decompression (VD) may be used in the treatment of pediatric Chiari-1 malformation (CM-1) with syringomyelia (SM) as adjuncts to posterior fossa decompression (PFD) for complex craniovertebral junction pathology.

Objective: To examine factors influencing the use of OCF and OCF/VD in a multicenter cohort of pediatric CM-1 and SM subjects treated with PFD.

Methods: The Park-Reeves Syringomyelia Research Consortium registry was used to examine 637 subjects with cerebellar tonsillar ectopia ≥ 5 mm, syrinx diameter ≥ 3 mm, and at least 1 yr of follow-up after their index PFD.

Quality of Resuscitative Care Provided to an Infant With Abusive Head Trauma in Community Emergency Departments: An In Situ, Prospective, Simulation-Based Study.

Objectives: Abusive head trauma (AHT) is a very common and serious form of physical abuse, and a major cause of mortality and morbidity for young children. Early Recognition and supportive care of children with AHT is a common challenge in community emergency department (CEDs). We hypothesized that standardized, in situ simulation can be used to measure and compare the quality of resuscitative measures provided to children with AHT in a diverse set of CEDs.

Filum Terminale Ependymoma in an Infant with Meningocele.

This report describes a case of an ependymoma found in the setting of tethered cord syndrome. We present a 3-month-old girl with prenatal diagnosis of lumbar meningocele who later underwent tethered cord release. After birth, she was neurologically intact and only found to have a skin-covered meningocele.

Alterations in cerebral ventricle size in children with congenital heart disease.

Purpose: Children with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and superior cavopulmonary anastomoses (SCPA) can have chronically elevated central venous pressure (CVP), which has been postulated to put patients at risk for cerebral ventriculomegaly. We aimed to examine cerebral ventricle size in children with these congenital heart lesions before and after surgery to determine how changes in CVP affect ventricle size.

Methods: We reviewed the records of patients who underwent SCPA or TOF repair between 2006 and 2015.

Treated hydrocephalus in individuals with myelomeningocele in the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry.

OBJECTIVEAlthough the majority of patients with myelomeningocele have hydrocephalus, reported rates of hydrocephalus treatment vary widely. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of surgical treatment for hydrocephalus in patients with myelomeningocele in the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry (NSBPR). In addition, the authors explored the variation in shunting rates across NSBPR institutions, examined the relationship between hydrocephalus, and the functional lesion level of the myelomeningocele, and evaluated for temporal trends in rates of treated hydrocephalus.

Decompression for Chiari malformation type II in individuals with myelomeningocele in the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry.

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to determine the rate of decompression for Chiari malformation type II in individuals with myelomeningocele in the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry (NSBPR). In addition, the authors explored the variation in rates of Chiari II decompression across NSBPR institutions, examined the relationship between Chiari II decompression and functional lesion level of the myelomeningocele, age, and need for tracheostomy, and they evaluated for temporal trends in rates of Chiari II decompression.METHODSThe authors queried the NSBPR to identify all individuals with myelomeningocele between 2009 and 2015.