Laparoscopic management of complicated ventriculoperitoneal shunts.

Intra-abdominal migration of the catheter and formation of a cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst are both rare complications of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Traditionally, each condition is treated by a formal laparotomy. Laparoscopic management of the complications in two patients is described.

Diffuse calvarial meningioma: a case report.

A rare case of a diffuse calvarial meningioma in a sixty-three year-old female is reported. The patient presented with headache, painful proptosis and chemosis of the left eye. Imaging showed that the frontoparietal calvarium on both sides and the left orbital roof were thickened.

Middle fossa decompression of the trigeminal sensory root for trigeminal neuralgia--a re-appraisal and a modification of the technique.

Twenty-three patients with intractable trigeminal neuralgia were treated by a modified technique of middle fossa extradural decompression of the trigeminal sensory root at the petrous ridge. After exposing the ganglion and the root at the petrous ridge, by an extradural Frazier's approach a thin layer of autogenous fat was interposed between the dura propria and the middle fossa dura anteriorly, and between the petrous ridge and the root posteriorly. The fat layers were used to prevent dural adhesions and to maintain a space between the petrous ridge and the root.

Experience with brain abscesses.

Brain abscesses were studied in 47 patients. Thirty-four (72%) of them were between 5-15 years and 9 were infants. Otogenic source (34%) was the commonest predisposing factor, followed by scalp and face infection (21.