Risk factors for hydrocephalus and neurological deficit in children born with an encephalocele.

Object: There is a known association of hydrocephalus with encephaloceles. Risk factors for hydrocephalus and neurological deficit were ascertained in a series of patients born with an encephalocele.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was undertaken of patients treated for encephaloceles at Children's Hospital Los Angeles between 1994 and 2012.

Cerebellar mutism: the rehabilitation challenge in pediatric neuro-oncology: case studies.

Cerebellar Mutism Syndrome (CMS), also known as posterior fossa syndrome (CMS/PFS), refers to a transient loss of speech followed by dysarthria and is a common complication in the pediatric population following resection of a cerebellar tumor. Recognition and rehabilitation of CMS is critical in the post-operative phases of recovery. Two case studies, including neuropsychological assessments, along with the family and patient's perspectives are reviewed.

Neurosurgical care of pediatric brain tumor patients in a rehabilitation unit.

As brain tumor patients are transferred to a rehabilitation unit in a stable condition, subsequent neurosurgical involvement is needed to address later developing complications. Problems of cerebrospinal fluid circulation are the most common and include shunt malfunction. Infection is the next in frequency, with wound and shunt infection the most likely.

The association between dental health and procedures and developing shunt infections in pediatric patients.

Object: Cerebrospinal fluid-diverting shunts are often complicated by bacterial infections. Dental procedures are known to cause transient bacteremia that could potentially spread hematogenously to these implanted devices. No literature currently exists to inform practitioners as to the need for prophylactic antibiotics for patients who possess these implants.

What is the risk of infecting a cerebrospinal fluid-diverting shunt with percutaneous tapping?

Object: Most CSF-diverting shunt systems have an access port that can be percutaneously tapped. Tapping the shunt can yield valuable information as to its function and whether an infection is present. The fear of causing a shunt infection by tapping may limit the physician's willingness to do so.