Ventriculoatrial Shunts in Adults, Incidence of Infection, and Significant Risk Factors: A Single-Center Experience.

Background: In recent years, the number of ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt insertions has decreased worldwide, the major cause being the risk of shunt infection. VA shunts remain as an alternative option to ventriculoperitoneal shunts. We describe our 10-year experience with VA shunts by analyzing the incidence of shunt infections and predisposing cofactors.

Retrocerebellar arachnoid cyst resulting in syringomyelia in a patient without tonsillar herniation: successful surgical treatment with reconstruction of CSF flow in the foramen magnum region.

A retrocerebellar arachnoid cyst causing syringomyelia is extremely rare without tonsillar herniation. The authors present a 44-year-old woman with symptoms of foramen magnum compression and syringomyelia. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a large retrocerebellar arachnoid cyst with a large cervicothoracic syrinx but no signs of tonsillar herniation or hydrocephalus.

Burr hole is not burr hole: technical considerations to the evacuation of chronic subdural hematomas.

Background: The organization of a multicenter survey about chronic subdural hematomas has triggered the discussion on different surgical techniques of burr hole evacuation. Such a standard operation gives neurosurgeons plenty of scope for creating their own way.

Methods: The procedure presented is one burr hole with a closed drainage system.

The efficacy of dexamethasone on reduction in the reoperation rate of chronic subdural hematoma--the DRESH study: straightforward study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a common neurosurgical disease. It is often considered to be a rather benign entity. In spite of well established surgical procedures cSDH is complicated by a recurrence rate up to 30%.

The role of MRI in spinal stab wounds compared with intraoperative findings.

Introduction: Spinal stab wound injuries are quite rare and only few patients have been reported on the basis of MRI scan.

Methods: A 25-year-old man was stabbed at C1/2 and had an incomplete Brown-Sequard syndrome. He underwent surgical exploration because of CSF leakage on the fourth day.