Cholesteatoma in Children with Sotos Syndrome.

Background: Sotos syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by neurodevelopmental delay and excessive childhood growth including macrocephaly. In this study, we present our experience of children with Sotos syndrome and cholesteatoma.

Methods: Retrospective case note review and cross-referencing with hospital picture archive and communication systems or cases identified from a prospective database of consecutive cholesteatoma surgeries.

Prospective Comparison of Pediatric Endoscopic Lateral Graft and Interlay Tympanoplasty.

Objective: To compare outcomes and complications of endoscopic lateral graft (LGT) and interlay (IT) tympanoplasty.

Study Design: Prospective observational cohort study of totally endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) tympanoplasty.

Setting: Pediatric tertiary referral center.

Fetal therapy using rapamycin for a rapidly enlarging, obstructive, cervical lymphatic malformation: a case report.

WHAT'S ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC?: Fetal lymphatic malformations (LMs) can be detected on prenatal ultrasound and until recently, therapeutic options were limited. Recently the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor rapamycin has emerged as a safe, effective therapy for children with LMs and multiple studies have demonstrated improved efficacy if started early. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD?: We report the first in-utero therapy with rapamycin for a rapidly enlarging, obstructive, fetal cervical LM.

Hybrid Solutions for the Surgical Treatment of Multilevel Degenerative Cervical Disk Disease.

 In different stages of cervical degenerative disk disease, the combination of dynamic and nondynamic implants may be considered. The aim of this study was to investigate the applicability of criteria to assist decision making in these cases.  Thirty patients with spondylotic cervical radiculopathy and a coincidence of soft disk and hard disk herniation were surgically treated with a hybrid solution (combination of total disk replacement and cage fusion).

Reconstruction of the anterior skull base after major trauma or extensive tumour resection.

Background: The authors describe their experience with the reconstruction of complex anterior skull base defects after trauma or tumour resection using a "sandwich" technique with pericranial flap, titanium mesh and TachoSil.

Methods: Description of surgical anatomy, surgical technique, indications, limitations, complications, specific perioperative considerations and specific information to give to the patient about surgery and potential risks. A summary of ten key points is given.

Management of complex cervical instability.

Purpose: Illustrative cases are presented to demonstrate the surgical management of complex instability of the cervical spine.

Methods: Six patients with different underlying pathologies are presented along with their clinical and radiologic findings, surgical procedures, complications, and outcomes.

Results: Five patients underwent anteroposterior (AP) decompression and stabilization, of which two required secondary posterior stabilization because of dislocation or subsidence of the anterior osteosynthesis.

A bilateral infratentorial neurenteric cyst.

We report a patient with a large infratentorial neurenteric (NE) cyst. Intracranial NE cysts, also known as enterogenous cysts, constitute a rare, generally benign entity of unknown aetiology. The presentation, imaging characteristics and management of the case is discussed, including illustrative peri-operative images.

Perioperative epidural steroids for lumbar spine surgery in degenerative spinal disease. A review.

Object: This systematic review assesses the efficacy of epidural steroids on adults undergoing lumbar spine surgery for degenerative spinal disease.

Methods: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, and Embase databases were searched for relevant articles. Search terms included "laminectomy," "discectomy," and "steroid.