Endoscopic Transnasal Resection of Midline Skull Base Meningiomas: Tumor Consistency and Surgical Outcomes.

Background The endoscopic transnasal approach (ETA) has proven to be of great value in the resection of midline skull base meningiomas when compared with traditional approaches. Our objective was to assess tumor consistency in relation to surgical outcomes for midline meningiomas (MMs) resected using ETA. Methods Radiological preoperative features, including the tumor to cerebellar peduncle T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ratio (TCTI), were evaluated. The intraoperative consistency assessment was performed by the surgeon, which determined if the tumor was soft (resectable by suction) or firm (required a cavitation ultrasonic aspirator). Surgical resection and postoperative complications were evaluated in relation to tumor consistency. Results Twenty patients were evaluated; 6 were classified as firm and 14 were classified as soft. The mean TCTI ratio was 1.7 and the median was 1.7 (range: 1.3-2.4). Three firm tumors had a ratio of <1.6. All soft tumors had a ratio of ≥1.6 with three outliers. Additionally, 66.7% of patients with firm tumors had complications compared with 35.7% of patients with soft tumors. Only 33.3% of firm tumors underwent gross total resection (GTR) in comparison to 79.0% of tumors with a soft consistency. Conclusion In our analysis, we found that tumor consistency was significantly related to short-term surgical outcomes in MMs resected using the ETA. The TCTI ratio was found to be the most reliable predictor with a sensitivity of 76.9% and a specificity of 40.0%. Our findings suggest that traditional cranial approaches should be considered as the first surgical option for managing firm MMs.

Patterns and prognosis of ventriculoperitoneal shunt malfunction among pediatrics in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the predictors of pediatric ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt malfunction in a university hospital. METHODS: A retrospective cohort was conducted. Patients under 18 years old who underwent VP shunt revision at least once between 2016 and 2019 were included. Data were stratified based on age, gender, diagnosis, type of valve, valve position, cause of revision, and part revised. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients (64% males and 36% females) were included in this study. Eighty-two revision surgeries were identified. The most common revised part was the entire shunt system. The most common type of valve which required revision was the low-pressure valve (15.5%). Since a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant, no significant differences among the 4 groups for different points. CONCLUSION: Younger age at initial VP shunt insertion is associated with a higher rate of shunt malfunction. Valve mechanical failures followed by infections are the most common causes for the first 3 revisions. A prospective multi-center study to confirm the current findings is recommended.

Pediatric intracranial hypertension. Experience from 2 Tertiary Centers.

OBJECTIVE: To review the experience of 2 tertiary centers in Saudi Arabia with intracranial hypertension (IH) in the pediatric population. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed pediatric patients diagnosed with IH from June 2002 to May 2017 in 2 institutes. RESULTS: We identified 53 patients (30 females and 23 males) with a mean age of 7 years at the time of presentation. Among them, 41 patients were younger than 12 years, and 12 were older. Obese and overweight patients constituted 27.00% (n = 14) of all cases, 8 (66.7%) of whom were older than 12 years. The most common presenting feature was papilledema followed by headache. Vitamin D deficiency, which constituted the most common associated condition, was identified in 12 (22.6%) patients. Acetazolamide was the treatment option in 98.11% of patients, and only 5.7% underwent surgical interventions. The length of follow-up ranged from 6 months to 8 years. CONCLUSION: Intracranial hypertension is rare in children and commonly seen in overweight females older than 12 years similar to adults. Patients younger than 12 years tend to develop secondary IH. More studies are needed to characterize the clinical presentation and guide the management plan.

Hemorrhagic colloid cyst.

Colloid cysts are cystic lesions that are usually located in the anterior portion of the third ventricle near the foramen of Monro. Rarely, hemorrhagic cysts can lead to acute obstructive hydrocephalus or sudden death. We herein report 2 cases and a review literature. We examine a 47-year old male who presented with progressive headache and a 55-year old male who presented with progressive memory disturbance and unsteady gait. Both cases demonstrated typical imaging features of hemorrhagic colloid cyst, and were histopathologically confirmed. Total excision was achieved in both cases with good outcomes. Hemorrhagic colloid cysts are rare; however, bleeding tendencies should be carefully considered in patients with these cysts. The degree of rapidity with which clinical deterioration occurs may play a major role in the preferred treatment approach and subsequent outcomes.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension in males.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a neurological condition characterized by increased intracranial pressure without an underlying intracranial pathology. This condition is rarely encountered in men and it predominantly affects obese women of childbearing age. We present an interesting case of IIH in a male patient who presented with acute severe vision loss over 2 weeks and was successfully treated via surgery. Although IIH is less common in men than in women, men are more likely to develop vision loss, which is usually severe and less likely to respond to medical treatment. Therefore, surgical intervention might be considered early in the treatment of men with rapidly progressive visual loss. Further prospective studies are needed to evaluate the role of early surgical intervention in comparison to medical treatment in this group of patients.