Patient-reported outcome measures more than fifteen years after treatment of sagittal or metopic craniosynostosis: a prospective cohort study.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term anthropometric measurements, cosmetic satisfaction, and other patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of patients who underwent surgical treatment or observation only of sagittal or metopic single-suture craniosynostosis (SSC).

Methods: A prospective study was designed for all patients diagnosed with non-syndromic sagittal and metopic craniosynostosis at the British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada, in the period July 1986 to July 2006. After a minimum of 15 years post-diagnosis, all eligible patients were invited to fill out the Craniofacial Surgery Outcomes Questionnaire (CSO-Q) and to attend a scheduled follow-up appointment for the collection of anthropometric measurements.

Cosmetic satisfaction and patient-reported outcomes following surgical treatment of single-suture craniosynostosis: a systematic review.

Purpose: This study provides a systematic review on cosmetic satisfaction and other patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) of patients who underwent surgical treatment of SSC.

Methods: A systematic review of all articles published from inception to 1 June 2022 was performed. Articles were included if they reported on subjective assessment of cosmetic satisfaction or other PROMs by patients or their families using questionnaires or interviews.

Cosmetic satisfaction and patient-reported outcome measures following cranioplasty after craniectomy - A prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Evaluating patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) helps optimize preoperative counseling and psychosocial care for patients who underwent cranioplasty.

Research Question: This study aimed to evaluate cosmetic satisfaction, level of self-esteem, and fear of negative evaluation (FNE) of patients who underwent cranioplasty.

Material And Methods: Patients who underwent cranioplasty from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2020 ​at University Medical Center Utrecht and a control group consisting of our center' employees were invited to fill out the Craniofacial Surgery Outcomes Questionnaire (CSO-Q), consisting of an assessment of cosmetic satisfaction, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and the FNE scale.

Development of a Prediction Model for Cranioplasty Implant Survival Following Craniectomy.

Background: Cranioplasty after craniectomy can result in high rates of postoperative complications. Although determinants of postoperative outcomes have been identified, a prediction model for predicting cranioplasty implant survival does not exist. Thus, we sought to develop a prediction model for cranioplasty implant survival after craniectomy.

Corpus callosum injury after neurosurgical intervention for posthemorrhagic ventricular dilatation and association with neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years.

Objective: Direct injury to the corpus callosum (CC) due to neurosurgical interventions in infants with posthemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PHVD) has not been reported in the literature. The authors observed a subset of infants who had suffered penetrating CC injury after neurosurgical interventions for PHVD and hypothesized that this pattern of injury may result in suboptimal CC maturation and neurodevelopmental impairment.

Methods: In this multicenter, retrospective, observational study, 100 preterm and 17 full-term infants with PHVD were included and compared with 23 preterm controls.

Cranial decompression and expansion surgery for the treatment of refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension: case report and systematic review.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to systematically review the literature on the clinical outcomes following different surgical techniques in patients with refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).

Background: IIH is a condition characterised by increased cranial pressure (ICP) in the absence of an intracranial lesion that does not adequately respond to different medical and surgical therapies. Cranial decompression or expansion surgeries are a last resort therapy for patients with refractory IIH.

Intraparenchymal hemorrhage after serial ventricular reservoir taps in neonates with hydrocephalus and association with neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of age.

Objective: Decompressing the ventricles with a temporary device is often the initial neurosurgical intervention for preterm infants with hydrocephalus. The authors observed a subgroup of infants who developed intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH) after serial ventricular reservoir taps and sought to describe the characteristics of IPH and its association with neurodevelopmental outcome.

Methods: In this multicenter, case-control study, for each neonate with periventricular and/or subcortical IPH, a gestational age-matched control with reservoir who did not develop IPH was selected.

Randomized Controlled Early versus Late Ventricular Intervention Study in Posthemorrhagic Ventricular Dilatation: Outcome at 2 Years.

Objective: To compare the effect of intervention at low vs high threshold of ventriculomegaly in preterm infants with posthemorrhagic ventricular dilatation on death or severe neurodevelopmental disability.

Study Design: This multicenter randomized controlled trial reviewed lumbar punctures initiated after either a low threshold (ventricular index of >p97 and anterior horn width of >6 mm) or high threshold (ventricular index of >p97 + 4 mm and anterior horn width of >10 mm). The composite adverse outcome was defined as death or cerebral palsy or Bayley composite cognitive/motor scores <-2 SDs at 24 months corrected age.

Distance Control and Virtual Drilling Improves Anatomical Orientation During Anterior Petrosectomy.

Background: A combined drill distance control and virtual drilling image guidance feedback method was developed.

Objective: To investigate whether first-time usage of the proposed method, during anterior petrosectomy (AP), improves surgical orientation and surgical performance. The accuracy of virtual drilling and the clinical practicability of the method were also investigated.

Implications of Extracranial Distortion in Ultra-High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Image-Guided Cranial Neurosurgery.

Background: Ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain is attractive for image guidance during neurosurgery because of its high tissue contrast and detailed vessel visualization. However, high-field MRI is prone to distortion artifacts, which may compromise image guidance. Here we investigate intra- and extracranial distortions in 7-T MRI scans.

Cerebellar mutism after posterior fossa tumor resection in children: a multicenter international retrospective study to determine possible modifiable factors.

Purpose: A preliminary survey of pediatric neurosurgeons working at different centers around the world suggested differences in clinical practice resulting in variation in the risk of pediatric cerebellar mutism (CM) and cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS) after posterior fossa (PF) tumor resection. The purposes of this study were (1) to determine the incidence and severity of CM and CMS after midline PF tumor resection in children treated at these centers and (2) to identify potentially modifiable factors related to surgical management (rather than tumor biology) that correlate with the incidence of CM/CMS.

Methods: Attending pediatric neurosurgeons at British Columbia's Children's Hospital (BCCH) and neurosurgeons who completed a pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at BCCH were invited to provide data from the center where they currently practiced.

Cranioplasties following craniectomies in children-a multicenter, retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Complications following pediatric cranioplasty after craniectomy with either autologous bone flaps or cranial implants are reported to be common, particularly bone flap resorption. However, only sparse data are available regarding cranioplasty strategies, complications, and outcomes. This manuscript describes a Canadian-Dutch multicenter pediatric cohort study with autografts and cranial implant cranioplasties following craniectomies for a variety of indications.

Functional and educational outcomes after treatment for intracranial arteriovenous malformations in children.

Background: Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in the pediatric population are rare, yet they form the most frequent cause of hemorrhagic stroke in children. Compared to adults, children have been suggested to have beneficial neurological outcomes. However, few studies have focused on other variables than neurological outcomes.

Bedside Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Needle Aspiration of Intra- and Extra-Axial Intracranial Hemorrhage in Neonates.

Intracranial hemorrhage is an important cause of brain injury in the neonatal population and bedside percutaneous needle aspiration has emerged as an alternative due to the major risks that can be caused by standard neurosurgical decompression. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of this minimally invasive bedside technique and conducted a retrospective analysis of all newborn infants with a large extra-axial hemorrhage associated with a parenchymal hemorrhage causing a midline shift, managed at three academic centers over a 15-year period. Collected data included clinical history, laboratory results, review of all imaging studies performed, and neurodevelopmental follow-up.

Treatment thresholds for intervention in posthaemorrhagic ventricular dilation: a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To compare a low versus a higher threshold for intervention in preterm infants with posthaemorrhagic ventricular dilatation.

Design: Multicentre randomised controlled trial (ISRCTN43171322).

Setting: 14 neonatal intensive care units in six countries.

Posthemorrhagic ventricular dilatation in preterm infants: When best to intervene?

Objective: To compare neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants with and without intervention for posthemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PHVD) managed with an "early approach" (EA), based on ventricular measurements exceeding normal (ventricular index [VI] <+2 SD/anterior horn width <6 mm) with initial temporizing procedures, followed, if needed, by permanent shunt placement, and a "late approach" (LA), based on signs of increased intracranial pressure with mostly immediate permanent intervention.

Methods: Observational cohort study of 127 preterm infants (gestation <30 weeks) with PHVD managed with EA (n = 78) or LA (n = 49). Ventricular size was measured on cranial ultrasound.

Thulium laser-assisted endoscopic third ventriculostomy: Determining safe laser settings using in vitro model and 2 year follow-up results in 106 patients.

Background And Objective: Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is used to treat hydrocephalus. Different laser wavelengths have been proposed for laser-assisted endoscopic third ventriculostomies over the last decades. The aim of this study was to evaluate Thulium laser endoscopic third ventriculostomy heat penetration in the surrounding environment of the floor of the third ventricle in an in vitro setting with visualization of thermal distribution.

Benchmarking Distance Control and Virtual Drilling for Lateral Skull Base Surgery.

Background: Novel audiovisual feedback methods were developed to improve image guidance during skull base surgery by providing audiovisual warnings when the drill tip enters a protective perimeter set at a distance around anatomic structures ("distance control") and visualizing bone drilling ("virtual drilling").

Objective: To benchmark the drill damage risk reduction provided by distance control, to quantify the accuracy of virtual drilling, and to investigate whether the proposed feedback methods are clinically feasible.

Methods: In a simulated surgical scenario using human cadavers, 12 unexperienced users (medical students) drilled 12 mastoidectomies.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and repeat endoscopic third ventriculostomy in pediatric patients: the Dutch experience.

OBJECTIVE After endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), some patients develop recurrent symptoms of hydrocephalus. The optimal treatment for these patients is not clear: repeat ETV (re-ETV) or CSF shunting. The goals of the study were to assess the effectiveness of re-ETV relative to initial ETV in pediatric patients and validate the ETV success score (ETVSS) for re-ETV.

Minimally Invasive Strip Craniectomy Simplifies Anesthesia Practice in Patients With Isolated Sagittal Synostosis.

Background: Traditional open corrective surgery for isolated sagittal synostosis entails significant blood loss, transfusion rates, morbidity, and a lengthy hospitalization. Minimally invasive strip craniectomy (MISC) was introduced to avoid the disadvantages of open techniques.

Objectives: The aim of the study was, first, to compare the anesthesia practice in MISC and open extended strip craniectomy (OESC), and, second, to evaluate the incidence of perioperative complications in both surgical procedures.

Frameless image-guided stereotactic brain biopsies: emphasis on diagnostic yield.

Background: Studies regarding frameless stereotactic brain biopsy mainly report high diagnostic yield (DY) as opposed to relatively low diagnostic accuracy. This discrepancy raises the question of the certainty and precision of obtained diagnoses. This article proposes a DY definition encompassing diagnostic certainty and precision according to the World Health Organization (WHO) central nervous system (CNS) tumour classification system.

Disruption of silicone valve housing in a Codman Hakim Precision valve with integrated Siphonguard.

Authors of this report describe 2 patients who had undergone shunt insertion for hydrocephalus and who, at 6 weeks or 9 months after their last revision, presented with symptoms of shunt dysfunction and CSF collections at the valve site. At the ensuing shunt revision in both patients, the silicone housing was fractured and the Siphonguard was disconnected from the Codman Hakim Precision flat-bottom valve. The cause of these failures was not clear since manipulation, bending, and twisting of the valves were not thought to have occurred during implantation.

Imaging the course of a hypoplastic cerebellum in a spina bifida newborn.

Introduction: We report about a spina bifida patient with myelomeningocele at the lumbar level L5, extensive Chiari malformation type II with vermal herniation reaching to C6 with downward pontine shift, and a severe hypoplastic cerebellum. Chromosomal diagnostic tests showed no abnormalities.

Case Report: The infant experienced severe central apneas successfully treated with oxygen therapy and caffeine medication; functional motor level was established at L5 with sparse anal sphincter function.