Natural history of untreated syringomyelia in pediatric patients.

Object: The natural history of syringomyelia in pediatric patients remains uncertain. Although symptomatic and operative cases of syringomyelia are well studied, there are fewer articles in the literature on the nonoperative syrinx and its clinical and radiological course. The purpose of this research was to analyze the natural history of untreated syringomyelia in pediatric patients presenting with minimal neurological symptoms.

Safety and efficacy of continuous morphine infusions following pediatric cranial surgery in a surgical ward setting.

Purpose: Morphine is avoided by many neurosurgeons following cranial surgery. There exists a concern regarding the potential complications and a perception that cranial surgery is less painful than other surgical procedures. At British Columbia Children's Hospital continuous morphine infusions (CMI) have been used to control pain in pediatric neurosurgical patients.

Effect of chorioamnionitis on brain development and injury in premature newborns.

Objective: The association of chorioamnionitis and noncystic white matter injury, a common brain injury in premature newborns, remains controversial. Our objectives were to determine the association of chorioamnionitis and postnatal risk factors with white matter injury, and the effects of chorioamnionitis on early brain development, using advanced magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods: Ninety-two preterm newborns (24-32 weeks gestation) were studied at a median age of 31.

Electrophysiologically guided versus non-electrophysiologically guided selective dorsal rhizotomy for spastic cerebral palsy: a comparison of outcomes.

Background: The perceived need for electrophysiological guidance (EPG) during selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) has limited the frequency with which SDR is performed. The need for EPG during SDR has been questioned. At our institution, of >200 children with SDR for spastic cerebral palsy, 22 children underwent SDR without EPG using clinical guidance (no EPG group).

Morphine infusions after pediatric cranial surgery: a retrospective analysis of safety and efficacy.

Introduction: Morphine infusions are avoided after cranial surgery in children due to concerns of masking neurological deterioration and because cranial surgery is considered less painful than other surgical procedures. Studies indicate that up to 60% of patients experience moderate to severe pain after craniotomies. Morphine has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of acute postoperative pain, yet codeine phosphate is commonly preferred as the standard treatment.