Pediatric neurosurgery
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Pediatric neurosurgery · Aug 1998
Management of uncomplicated skull fractures in children: is hospital admission necessary?
This study was undertaken to determine the necessity for routine hospital admission of children with skull fractures, a normal neurological exam, a normal head CT, and no other injuries ('uncomplicated skull fracture'). ⋯ Patients with uncomplicated skull fractures, in the absence of recurrent emesis and/or evidence of child abuse, can be considered for discharge home. The definition of an uncomplicated skull fracture requires that a head CT be performed on these patients.
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Pediatric neurosurgery · Aug 1998
Shunt revision by coagulation with retention of the ventricular catheter.
Intraluminal coagulation of a ventricular catheter followed by its removal and replacement is a technique used for proximal shunt revision. The authors describe experience leaving the original catheter in place when flow of CSF is established by the coagulation. Advantages of this modification include maintenance of ventricular access when the ventricles are small and the possibility of reducing the incidence of subsequent shunt obstruction by mitigating intraventricular hemorrhage caused by catheter removal.