Recent Advancements in Ependymoma: Challenges and Therapeutic Opportunities
Background - Ependymoma is one of the most common malignant pediatric brain tumors, and can be difficult to treat. Over the last decade, much progress has been made in the understanding of the underlying molecular drivers within this group of tumors, but clinical outcomes remain unchanged.
Summary - Here, we review the most recent molecular advances in pediatric ependymoma, evaluate results of recent clinical trials and discuss the ongoing challenges in the field and questions that remain.
Key Messages – The field of ependymoma has vastly changed over the last several decades with ten distinct molecular subgroups now d...
Source: Pediatric Neurosurgery - May 2, 2023 Category: Neurosurgery Source Type: research
Midline Sparing Interapophysealaminar Decompression Technique for Management of Lumbar Stenosis in Pediatric Achondroplasia
We present a technical case report of her successful surgical treatment using a midline posterior tension band sparing modification to the interapophyseolaminar decompression technique proposed by Thomeer et al..
Discussion/conclusion: We demonstrate that an adequate interapophyseolaminar decompression can be achieved through the performance of bilateral laminotomies, bilateral medial facetectomies, and undercutting of the ventral spinous process while preserving supraspinous and interspinous ligament attachments. Given the generally multi-level nature of lumbar stenosis and longer life expectancies of pediatric achondrop...
Source: Pediatric Neurosurgery - May 2, 2023 Category: Neurosurgery Source Type: research
Double lumbar localization of Myelomeningocele: Case report
Conclusion: Our case report is considered the first from Algeria to report the condition and the first to report the occurrence of double lesions in the same spine region. MMC can be associated with neurological deficits or other congenital anomali es, thus it is necessary to thoroughly examine such patients. However there was no antenatal folic acid deficiency in our case, We recommend antenatal care with adequate folic acid supplementation given that its deficiency during pregnancy is considered a ubiquitous risk factor for the condition. Th e optimal timing for surgery of MMC cases is 8±5 days. Prenatal intrauterine re...
Source: Pediatric Neurosurgery - April 19, 2023 Category: Neurosurgery Source Type: research
Patient and Caregiver Reported Outcome Measures after Single-Level Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy in Pediatric and Young Adult Patients with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Conclusion:
Based on PROMs, SDR leads to high satisfaction and improved QoL, especially if done at an early age.
Further studies with larger cohorts are necessary to underline and confirm our observations. (Source: Pediatric Neurosurgery)
Source: Pediatric Neurosurgery - April 19, 2023 Category: Neurosurgery Source Type: research
Giant supratentorial brain tumors in children: functional outcome and progression-free survival analysis.
This study aimed to identify factors affecting progression-free survival (PFS) in pediatric patients with giant supratentorial brain tumors (GSBT) treated with surgical excision. The secondary aim was to analyze how these same factors affected the functional outcome in the long term.
Methods: We performed a retrospective, analytical, single-center cohort study. We included all pediatric patients with GSBT between January 2014 to June 2018. Patients were followed for a minimum of 24 months for the PFS and overall survival (OS) analysis. Functional Status Score (FSS) was used to assess the functional outcome.
Results: We i...
Source: Pediatric Neurosurgery - April 10, 2023 Category: Neurosurgery Source Type: research
Carotid artery aneurysm and hypomelanosis of Ito
Conclusion: For children with hypomelanosis of Ito and abnormal neurologic findings, vascular neuroimaging should be considered. (Source: Pediatric Neurosurgery)
Source: Pediatric Neurosurgery - April 3, 2023 Category: Neurosurgery Source Type: research
Chronic Pleural Effusion in Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt due to Diaphragmatic CSF Fistula.
Report of a case treated by Endoscopic Choroid Plexus Coagulation and literature review
We report on a 4-year-old girl with a complex history of underlying neurogenetic disorder, a hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy after influenza A Infection with septic shock and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, followed by meningitis at the age of 10 months. In consequence she developed a severe cerebral atrophy and postmeningitic hydrocephalus requiring placement of a VP shunt. At age 4 she was admitted with community acquired mycoplasma pneumonia and developed increasing pleural effusions leading to severe respiratory distress and requiring continuous chest tube drainage (up to 1000 -1400 ml/day), that could not ...
Source: Pediatric Neurosurgery - April 1, 2023 Category: Neurosurgery Source Type: research
Primary Human Herpes Virus-6 causing recalcitrant pyrexia after pilocytic astrocytoma resection
Conclusion: Here, we present the first known case of HHV-6 infection detected by FAME following intracranial tumor resection. We propose a modified algorithm for persistent fever of unknown origin which may decrease symptomatic sequelae, minimize additional pr ocedures, and shorten length of ICU stay. (Source: Pediatric Neurosurgery)
Source: Pediatric Neurosurgery - March 25, 2023 Category: Neurosurgery Source Type: research
Approaches to Incidental Intradural Tumors of the Spine in the Pediatric Population
Background: Incidental intradural tumors of the spine in the pediatric population are rare lesions whose management remains unclear. Surgeons must balance the risks of iatrogenic deficits and complications after surgical resection against the risks from progressive growth of the tumor. Moreover, the natural history of an incidental finding can be difficult to predict. Here we review the literature on incidental intradural tumors of the spine and present considerations for their management.
Summary: Growth of the tumor or changes in radiographic features are usually indications for resection. Asymptomatic lesions can be f...
Source: Pediatric Neurosurgery - March 22, 2023 Category: Neurosurgery Source Type: research
International/Resident Traveling Notice 2023
Pediatr Neurosurg (Source: Pediatric Neurosurgery)
Source: Pediatric Neurosurgery - March 15, 2023 Category: Neurosurgery Source Type: research
