World Neurosurg
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We studied the accuracy of the radiologic diagnosis of lateral ventricular masses in children (<20 years of age). ⋯ The pathologic spectrum of lateral ventricular tumors in children is wide, and identifying the pathology on imaging is difficult for malignant tumors. Benign tumors such as SEGAs, low-grade astrocytomas, and choroid plexus papillomas are relatively easier to diagnose. There is significant interobserver variability in the radiologic diagnosis of these tumors.
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A few cases of spontaneous regression of germ cell tumors have been reported. Possible mechanisms include steroid medication, surgical intervention, diagnostic radiation exposure, and immune response. None of these hypotheses has been supported by sufficient data. ⋯ This unusual phenomenon of spontaneous regression of germinoma may be caused by a combination of pathognomonic characteristics of anatomic location with paraventricular development and stress induction as a trigger, such as salvage surgery or diagnostic radiation, including at extremely low dosage.
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Placing of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) is one of the most common procedures performed by neurosurgeons. Surgical revision of VPS is a significant cause of patient morbidity and mortality. This study was aimed to provide an analysis of factors related to VPS failures in the first 30 postoperative days in a pediatric cohort. ⋯ In this study, we found that in pediatric patients, IVH was associated with VPS failure within the first 30 postoperative days and decreased shunt survival over time. Further larger prospective randomized studies are needed to better understand these results.
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Misoprostol is often used for termination of pregnancy in France and other countries. However, some pregnancies are continued after taking the drug and congenital malformations are known to be the consequence of fetal exposure to misoprostol, among them hydrocephalus. The type of hydrocephalus in case of misoprostol exposure is not known. ⋯ The possible physiopathologic implications of the drug regarding the genesis of this malformation are discussed.
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The intravenous application of sodium fluorescein (SF) for brain tumor surgery goes back to the late 1940s. The development of specific fluorophore filters significantly reduced the required dosage of SF and therefore diminished possible side effects. This study investigates the application of SF in benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs), concentrating on its feasibility during microsurgical removal. ⋯ SF reveals increased fluorescence in schwannomas compared with normal nerve tissue. Intraoperative differentiation of tumor and normal nerve tissue becomes possible using a low dose of SF (0.5-1 mg/kg). No side effects occurred. Secure microsurgical preparation is feasible during application of the YELLOW 560 nm filter.