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.

Distribution of affected muscles and degree of neurogenic lesion in patients with spina bifida.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with spina bifida in the lumbosacral region usually have various degrees of motor and sensory dysfunctions of the lower extremities and anal sphincter. The aim of our study was to evaluate the distribution and differences in frequencies of affected muscles, number of affected muscles and degree of neurogenic lesion between patients with spina bifida occulta (SBO) and spina bifida aperta (SBA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 100 patients with SB, 6 muscles in the lower limbs were separately analysed. Due to the number of affected muscles, we evaluated 5 groups of patients: with 1 affected muscle, 2 affected muscles, 3 affected muscles, 4 affected muscles and 5 affected muscles. Three degrees of neurogenic lesions were assessed: mild, moderate and severe. RESULTS: The tibialis anterior muscle was most frequently affected in SB patients. The outer anal sphincter was frequently affected in the group of SBA patients. Single muscle affection is frequent in the group of patients with SBO, while in the group of patients with SBA, 4 muscles were significantly frequently affected. The great majority of patients (45.46%) with affected outer anal sphincter (OAS) in the group of SBO were without affection of other muscles, while for the SBA group it was for every third patient. Mild neurogenic lesion was significantly frequent in SBO patients, while severe form was significantly frequent in SBA patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SBO usually present with mild to moderate clinical presentation, while multiple root involvement and severe degree of neurogenic lesion is associated more frequently with SBA.

[Growing skull fracture].

BACKGROUND: Growing skull fracture or craniocerebral erosion is a rare complication of linear skull fracture in childhood. It is characterized by progressive diastatic enlargement of the fracture line, which leads to a cranial defect, dural cleft, and cerebral herniation. It is presented as a soft pulsabile scalp swelling above the fracture, with a clear cranial defect. CASE REPORT: In this paper we presented a patient, an 8-month-old boy with the growing skull fracture revealed four weeks after the injury. After the surgical treatment, the boy was in a good general condition without the presence of neurologic impairment. CONCLUSION: Early recognition of craniocerebral erosion is very important. Timely detection prevents further progression of the disease and the evolution of neurological impairment. Surgery is the method of choice for treating a growing skull fracture.

[Occult spinal dysraphia]. / Okultni spinalni disrafizam.

One of the most complex and most difficult congenital anomalies is spina bifida. Peter Van Forest was the first one who noticed this anomaly in 1587, and Recklinghausen, in 1886, classified spina bifida to types and suggested surgical procedures for its management. Earlier name, spina bifida, is currently more and more replacing with a term "defect of neural tube" (NTDs), or even more, "spinal dysraphia". Anomaly can appear at any level of spinal cord (cervical, thoracal, lumbar and sacral) and posterior localization is more often than the anterior one. Contrary to the open spinal dysraphism that can be perceived immediately, closed spinal dysraphism is very deceiving anomaly, and therefore, it must be treated properly as soon as it is diagnosed. Because of its seclusion, the term usually used is "occult spinal dysraphism (OSD)". The incidence of this anomaly is unknown, but it has been reported that it is more common among female children. Etiology of OSD is also unknown, but some of its risk factors are as follows: previous pregnancy with NTD, partner with NTD, type 1 diabetes mellitus, usage of anticonvulsives, a lack of folates in mother's nutrition. Prenatal diagnose of OSD is practically impossible. Skin changes, orthopedic, urological and neurological problems, suggest considering this complex anomaly. X-ray, ECHO, MRI, as well as neuropsychological examination corroborate diagnosis. At the same time, the diagnosis (once it is confirmed) represents the indication for neurosurgical treatment.