Idiopathic scoliosis and pineal lesions in Australian children.

PURPOSE: To determine whether treatment of pineal lesions in children is associated with development of idiopathic scoliosis. METHODS: 38 boys and 10 girls with pineal lesions were identified. Their mean age at presentation was 10 years. The pineal pathology varied from cysts and epidermoid to teratoma, germinoma, pineocytoma, and glioblastoma. Treatment ranged from biopsy/extirpation to radiotherapy. RESULTS: 12 patients died. No scoliosis was found in any females or any of the deceased. Two boys had scoliosis: one had a 12-degree right upper thoracic curve with 32-degree kyphosis and the other had a 60-degree right thoracolumbar idiopathic curve, requiring a 2-stage arthrodesis. CONCLUSION: Pineal ablation is not related to the development of idiopathic scoliosis in humans.

Desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma/astrocytoma with cerebrospinal metastasis.

Desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma and astrocytoma (DIG/DIA) are rare intracranial tumours of early childhood that involve superficial cerebral cortex and leptomeninges. Despite the large size of the tumour and the presence of poorly differentiated cells, it is believed that the prognosis of DIG/DIA is excellent. We report two patients with DIG/DIA who developed multiple cerebrospinal metastases. To our knowledge only two similar cases have been reported in the literature. It appears that not all tumours with histological features of DIG/DIA behave in a benign way. It is possible that what is called DIG/DIA may be a heterogenous group of tumours with variable biological behaviour.

Continuous intrathecal baclofen infusion for children with cerebral palsy: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether continuous intrathecal baclofen infusion (CIBI) would decrease spasticity and improve function in children with spastic cerebral palsy. DESIGN: Prospective study with measurement of changes from baseline assessed at regular intervals for 6 months following the intervention. PATIENTS: Two subjects aged 8 and 9 years with cerebral palsy. Inclusion criteria included severe spasticity and age greater than 4 years. STUDY CENTRE: Department of Rehabilitation, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia. RESULTS: Both subjects had clinically significant reductions in lower limb spasticity from a single intrathecal dose of baclofen (screening procedure), and had intrathecal pumps implanted. An intensive physical therapy programme was provided for both subjects in the 1-3-month period after commencing CIBI, in order to maximize functional gains. Modified Ashworth Scale scores remained reduced during the 6-month study period. There was a clinically significant increase in upper limb function for Subject 1. Gross Motor Function Measure scores decreased from 22% to 19% for Subject 1, and increased from 6% to 10% for Subject 2 over the study period. Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory scores for Subject 1 showed a reduction in the level of caregiver assistance required, while Subject 2 showed significant improvement in the functional mobility domain. The major changes noted in the parent questionnaires were reduction in tone, increased range of motion and reduced time taken helping with activities of daily living such as toilet and dressing. No significant side-effect was seen after the screening procedure or after continuous intrathecal infusion. Both subjects' parents felt their child was improved following the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Children with spastic cerebral palsy can have their spasticity effectively reduced with CIBI. In this study of two children, the clinical improvements were encouraging, and it is proposed that CIBI may be of benefit to those patients whose level of spasticity severely interferes with function. Further studies using multidimensional assessment approaches, with larger numbers of children, are warranted.

Demonstration of membranous aqueduct occlusion by fast multiphase magnetic resonance imaging.

Membranous aqueduct occlusion is one of the few causes of obstructive hydrocephalus that is amenable to direct surgical treatment. Conventional diagnostic methods may not delineate this entity. The advent of dynamic fast multiphase magnetic resonance imaging has improved the definition of the aqueductal membrane by enabling visualization of the obstructed cerebrospinal fluid flow within the ventricular system. We report a case of a 10-year-old boy in whom the diagnosis of membranous aqueduct occlusion was only achieved utilizing this new technique.

Intraventricular neurocytoma.

Intraventricular neurocytoma is a rare cerebral tumour which is usually associated with a good prognosis. It has imaging features which help differentiate it from other cerebral tumours. We report three cases including the first to originate from the pineal gland. The report emphasizes the radiological appearance and reviews the literature.

When should patients with bacterial meningitis be referred to a neurosurgical unit?

The case records of 97 patients with proven bacterial meningitis who were referred to a regional neurosurgical unit between 1964 and 1991 were reviewed. Mortality declined from 34% in the first cohort referred between the years 1964-82 to 5% for 1983-91 (X2 = 11.78; p < 0.001). Fewer patients were admitted in coma, (X2 = 4.43; p < 0.05), or with focal neurological signs (X2 = 7.57; p < 0.01) in the second cohort. The rate of referral increased in the later period but the incidence of unsuspected brain abscess (16% and 15%) did not change. There was a strong correlation between coma on admission and death, (X2 = 17.3; p < 0.001) and with brain abscess and death (X2 = 6.73; p < 0.01). In conclusion patients with known or suspected bacterial meningitis coupled with a decreasing level of consciousness or focal neurological signs should be referred to a neurosurgical centre.

Hydrocephalus, lumbar canal stenosis and Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis type 6). Case report.

A case of communicating hydrocephalus and lumbar canal stenosis in a child with mucopolysaccharidosis type 6 is reported. We review the literature and discuss the aetiology of communicating hydrocephalus in this condition.

Cystic cerebellar schwannoma: case report.

We report a case of cerebellar schwannoma in a 64-year-old woman. The tumor was defined on computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging scans and confirmed on surgery. The solid part of the tumor appeared to be derived from the inferior vermis of the cerebellum, the cystic part extending toward the medulla oblongata and the foramen magnum. The problem of preoperative diagnosis based on magnetic resonance imaging findings is discussed.

Outcome prediction in extradural haematomas.

Extradural haematoma (EDH) is generally a condition of young adult males. It represents only a small percentage of the total number of head injuries admitted to a neurosurgical service, but it must be differentiated from simple concussion, and this means that it is considered in a large number of patients. EDH has the potential for a low mortality rate because of its extraaxial location, but in practice it is approximately 10%. Our results show that about 40% of EDH present with vomiting or nausea and no focal neurological signs. Skull X-ray does not aid in the diagnosis as approximately 35% are reported as being normal. There is a place for conservative treatment of EDH but only if the shift of the midline is minimal (less than 5 mm). A score has been developed to predict accurately a patient's outcome after suffering an EDH. This score includes the Glasgow Coma Scale, pupillary reaction and initial CT scan appearance, and has an accuracy of 88%.

Intracranial carotid artery injury in closed head trauma.

Six patients with trauma to the intracranial internal carotid artery are reported. One patient died and two are permanently disabled due to ischemic sequelae. The incidence of this complication of trauma is unknown because of the infrequent use of angiography in head-injured patients. The pathology, clinical course, and management of this condition are discussed with reference to the 25 previously reported cases in addition to the six in this series.

Spinal arteriovenous malformation presenting at birth: case report.

A newborn with paraplegia and evidence of a subarachnoid hemorrhage was found to have a spinal arteriovenous malformation. The arteriovenous malformation was managed by direct surgical obliteration. This patient is the youngest ever reported to have this disorder and the youngest so treated.

Effect of halothane on spinal somatosensory evoked potentials in sheep.

The effects of increasing concentrations of halothane on the morphology of spinal somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) were studied in seven anaesthetized sheep. Anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone and maintained with nitrous oxide in oxygen. Ventilation was controlled throughout. Arterial pressure, temperature and end-tidal carbon dioxide tension were monitored. A lumbar laminectomy was performed, the sciatic nerve exposed and a baseline spinal SEP was recorded from the surface of the lumbar spinal cord. Halothane was introduced in incremental steps of 1% up to 3% and further SEP were recorded. These recordings revealed that the spinal SEP peak latencies and general waveform configuration were stable under halothane anaesthesia. Baseline SEP amplitude was similar to that obtained with 1% halothane; however, at concentrations of 2% halothane or greater, there was a significant (P less than 0.005) attenuation of all components of the spinal SEP. These findings have important anaesthetic implications for patients undergoing spinal cord monitoring using SEP, although interspecies differences may occur.

Meningoceles and the tethered cord syndrome.

This study shows that there is a relationship between simple meningocele and the tethered cord syndrome. Two groups of patients were examined: the first comprised patients presenting with neurological abnormality at some period after initial closure of a simple meningocele, and the second group (18 patients) had elective myelography after closure of a simple meningocele in the neonatal period (in 17 of the 18 cases). Of these 18 cases. 10 showed an intradural abnormality, and all underwent surgery confirming their myelographic diagnosis. The conclusion is drawn that after closure of a simple meningocele in the neonatal period, patients should have elective myelography in the first 12 months of life to determine whether or not the tethered cord syndrome is likely to develop during the period of growth.