Infected congenital cervical dermal sinuses leading to spinal cord abscess: two case reports and a review of the literature.

Purpose: Congenital dermal sinuses are a rare form of spinal dysraphism. The developmental defects are located along the midline neuroaxis, with sinuses in the cervical region being the least common. Congenital dermal sinuses can be associated with intraspinal infection as they act as a direct route from the skin and subcutaneous tissues into the spinal cord.

Surgical management of raised intracranial pressure secondary to otogenic infection and venous sinus thrombosis.

Purpose: This study reviews paediatric patients with raised intracranial pressure as a result of venous sinus thrombosis secondary to otogenic mastoiditis, requiring admission to the paediatric neuroscience centre at the University Hospital Wales, Cardiff. The consensus regarding the management of otogenic hydrocephalus in the published literature is inconsistent, with a trend towards conservative over surgical management. We reviewed our management of this condition over a 9-year period especially with regard to ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunting.

How much do plastic surgeons add to the closure of myelomeningoceles?

Purpose: This study reviews the outcomes of children undergoing myelomeningocele (MMC) repair in the paediatric neurosurgical department in Cardiff. These procedures are historically performed by paediatric neurosurgeons with occasional support from plastic surgeons for the larger lesions. We reviewed the postoperative outcomes over a 9-year period to assess the efficacy of having a plastic surgeon present at all MMC closures.