Decompressive craniectomy for severe traumatic brain injury in children: analysis of long-term neuropsychological impairment and review of the literature.

Objective: The effectiveness of decompressive craniectomy (DC) in the context of neurocritical care in adult patients has been recently under debate. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of decompressive craniectomy in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children, focusing on short and long-term neurological and neuropsychological outcomes.

Methods: Retrospective review of the medical records of children admitted at a level I trauma center, between January 2012 and December 2015, submitted to DC due to severe TBI.

The role of coagulopathy on clinical outcome following traumatic brain injury in children: analysis of 66 consecutive cases in a single center institution.

Introduction: Head injury is a significant economic, social, and medical problem in developing countries and remains one of the leading causes of pediatric morbidity and mortality. The association of traumatic brain injury and coagulopathy in children is linked with an increase in mortality and poor functional outcomes. However, its impact on long-term outcome has not been discussed in the literature so far.

Subthalamic nucleus lesion improves cell survival and functional recovery following dopaminergic cell transplantation in parkinsonian rats.

Subthalamic nucleus (STN) modulation is currently the gold standard in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) cases refractory to medication. Cell transplantation is a tissue-restorative approach and is a promising strategy in the treatment of PD. One of the obstacles to overcome in cell therapy is the poor dopaminergic cell survival.

The success of endoscopic third ventriculostomy in children: analysis of prognostic factors.

Objective: The treatment of hydrocephalus in children with endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has particular features and is associated with different success rates (SR). The aim of this study was to identify putative factors that could influence the outcome of ETV in children.

Methods: Clinical data of 114 consecutive patients under 18 years of age who underwent 116 consecutive ETVs from January 2000 to January 2010 were reviewed.

Neuroendoscopic surgery in children: an analysis of 200 consecutive procedures.

Objective: Neuroendoscopic surgery in children has particular features and is associated with different success rates (SR). The aim of this study was to identify putative factors that could influence the outcome in pediatric patients.

Methods: Clinical data of 177 patients under 18 years of age submitted to 200 consecutive neuroendoscopic procedures from January 2000 to January 2010 were reviewed.

Epidermoid cyst mimicking an intrinsic brainstem tumor.

Objective: To describe an atypical clinical and radiological presentation of a brainstem epidermoid cyst in a child and to provide a review of the medical literature on brainstem epidermoid cysts in children.

Material And Method: Review of medical records and operative notes of an unusual case of a patient with a brainstem epidermoid cyst. MEDLINE literature search using the terms brainstem, epidermoid cyst and children.

Multiple cranial burr holes as an alternative treatment for total scalp avulsion.

Background: Total scalp avulsion is a devastating injury in clinical practice. It often occurs in female adults, being rare in children. The standard treatment for scalp avulsion is microsurgical replantation, when feasible.

Penetrating cardiac injuries: a 13-year retrospective evaluation from a Brazilian trauma center.

To present our experience with penetrating cardiac injuries. We have retrospectively reviewed the records of 70 victims of penetrating cardiac injuries. A logistic regression has been performed in order to determine the association between death and clinical predictors.