Surgical treatment problems of hydrocephalus caused by spontaneus intraventricular hemorrhage in prematurely born children.

AIM: The aim of this study was to identify the most appropriate method of surgical treatment of hydrocephalus in preterm infants that is caused by spontaneous intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and to identify predictive factors of poor perioperative outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present a series of 60 patients with IVH and hydrocephalus, to whom a VP shunt or subcutaneous (Omaya) reservoir was placed, during the period from March 2006 to March 2011. RESULTS: Predictors of poor outcome with VP shunt placement were: gestational age (t=2.323, p=0.024), head circumference at birth (t=2.072, p=0.043), birth weight (t=2.832, p=0.006), Apgar score at birth (t=5.026, p < 0.01), number of days on assisted ventilation (Z=6.203, p < 0.001), peripartal asphyxia (χ < sup > 2 < /sup > =17.376, p < 0.01), respiratory distress (χ < sup > 2 < /sup > =9.176 p=0.002). Predictors of poor outcome in getting Omaya reservoir are: low birth weight (t=2.560, p=0.016), low Apgar scores (t=3.059, p=0.005), an extended number of days on assisted ventilation (Z=4.404, p < 0.001), presence of peripartal asphyxia (χ2=9.977, p=0.002) and cardio-respiratory arrest (χ2=12.804, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The outcome of hydrocephalus caused by IVH in premature born children is the worst in perinatology. Our results suggest that the main predictive factor is preoperative condition of the child and that the VP shunt and Omaya reservoir are complementary methods of surgical treatment.

Application of the Ommaya reservoir in the treatment of hydrocephalus in prematurely born children: correlation with animal results.

INTRODUCTION: Intraventricular hemorrhage occurs in almost one fifth of prematurely born children. Due to present complications, such as hydrocephalus and neurological deficit, it endangers the child's life, therefore there is the need for understanding and prevent risk factors as well as the need for finding most optimal methods of treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to point out the current therapeutic modalities of the treatment of posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in prematurely born children. METHODS: The study included 60 patients divided into two groups of 30 patients treated at the University Children's Hospital of Belgrade in the period 2003-2008. RESULTS: Treatment outcome of the control group of patients treated by standard methods was influenced by gestational age (p=0.024), head circumference on birth (p = 0.043), body mass on birth (p = 0.006), Apgar score on birth (p < 0.001), peripartum asphyxia (p < 0.001), cardiorespiratory arrest (p < 0.001), respiratory distress (p = 0.002) and intraventricular hemorrhagic grade (p < 0.001). As statistically significant predictors of the poor treatment outcome of the experimental group of patients treated by using Ommaya reservoir were identified: low body mass on birth (p < 0.05), low Apgar score (p < 0.05), prolonged number of days on assisted ventilation (p < 0.05), presence of peripartum asphyxia (p < 0.05) and cardiorespiratory arrest (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: No statistically significant difference was detected in the outcome between the patients treated by the standard method and those with installed Ommaya reservoir. However, the difference of 10% in mortality between the two groups may be clinically significant so that further studies of larger samples are necessary.

The results of treatment of primary brain tumors in children.

During the period of 2009-2011 in UCH in Belgrade, we treated 22 patients with brain tumors. Treatment included the diagnosis and therapy that included surgery and postoperative neuroradiological follow-up of all patients regardless of whether radiotherapy was conducted with or without chemotherapy. The most frequent were low grade astrocytomas and medulloblastomas. Patients with supratentorial localization of tumor had significantly smaller neurological sequelae compared with patients with infratentorial as well as patients diagnosed with low grade astrocytomas of any localization. From 10 patients with supratentorial localization, 7 of them had no neurological deficit, while from 11 patients with infratentorial localization, 3 of them were Without deficit. Patients with histological diagnosis of low grade astrocytoma of any localization had less neurological deficits compared with other tumors. From 7 low grade astrocytoma in 5 of them there was no neurological deficit, while only in one patient residual tumor was verified. In 7 patients the rest of the tumor was diagnosed, while in 14 patients no residual tumors was diagnosed during follow-up based on the MRI diagnosis. Surgery, postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy in some cases represent an effective therapeutic approach in the treatment of brain tumors in children.

Asymptomatic perforation of large bowel and urinary bladder as a complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt: report of two cases.

INTRODUCTION: Insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt, the method of choice in the treatment of hydrocephalus, is often followed by various mechanical and/or infective complications. We present two children with asymptomatic perforation of the large bowel and urinary bladder, relatively rare and potentially severe complications of this surgical procedure. OUTLINE OF CASES: In both patients a VP shunt was implanted in the first month after birth; in a boy due to congenital hydrocephalus and in a girl due to the consequences of intracranial haemorrhage. Immediately after surgery, as well as during the further course, in both children growth and development were optimal and without any signs of infection or VP shunt malfunction. In the boy at age 6 months and in the girl at age 4 years, without any signs of complications, mothers noted the prominence of the VP shunt tip from the anus in the first case and from the urethral orifice in the second one. The VP shunts were immediately changed, so that both complications were resolved without any consequences. CONCLUSION: Insertion of a VP shunt represents the most frequent method of choice of the surgical treatment of hydrocephalus, but also potentially a highly risky procedure followed by various complications about which parents should be informed when patients are children. Owing to adequate approach in the follow-up of children with implanted VP shunt, large bowel and urinary bladder perforation, examples of severe and potentially fatal complications of this surgical intervention, could be disclosed on time and adequately resolved.