J Chris Hawkins, Megan V Ryan, Sarah Graber, Ilana Neuberger, Jodi Slade, Michael Young, John A Maloney, C Corbett Wilkinson
{"title":"Use of the Posterior Auricular Artery for Indirect Bypass in Moyamoya: A Pediatric Case Series.","authors":"J Chris Hawkins, Megan V Ryan, Sarah Graber, Ilana Neuberger, Jodi Slade, Michael Young, John A Maloney, C Corbett Wilkinson","doi":"10.1159/000529735","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000529735","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis (EDAS) for moyamoya is predominantly performed using a branch of the superficial temporal artery (STA) as the donor artery. At times, other branches of the external carotid artery are better suited for EDAS than is the STA. There is little information in the literature concerning using the posterior auricular artery (PAA) for EDAS in the pediatric age-group. In this case series, we review our experience using the PAA for EDAS in children and adolescents.</p><p><strong>Case presentations: </strong>We describe the presentations, imaging, and outcomes of 3 patients in whom the PAA was used for EDAS, as well our surgical technique. There were no complications. All 3 patients were confirmed to have radiologic revascularization from their surgeries. All patients also had improvement of their preoperative symptoms, and no patient has had a stroke postoperatively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The PAA is a viable option for use as a donor artery in EDAS for the treatment of moyamoya in children and adolescents.</p>","PeriodicalId":54631,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Neurosurgery","volume":"58 2","pages":"105-113"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9684445","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Scott Boop, David Bonda, Stephanie Randle, Sarah Leary, Nicholas Vitanza, Erin Crotty, Edward Novotny, Seth Friedman, Richard G Ellenbogen, Sharon Durfy, Hannah Goldstein, Jeffrey G Ojemann, Jason S Hauptman
{"title":"A Comparison of Clinical Outcomes for Subependymal Giant Cell Astrocytomas Treated with Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy, Open Surgical Resection, and mTOR Inhibitors.","authors":"Scott Boop, David Bonda, Stephanie Randle, Sarah Leary, Nicholas Vitanza, Erin Crotty, Edward Novotny, Seth Friedman, Richard G Ellenbogen, Sharon Durfy, Hannah Goldstein, Jeffrey G Ojemann, Jason S Hauptman","doi":"10.1159/000531210","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000531210","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) is the most common CNS tumor in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Although these are benign, their proximity to the foramen of Monroe frequently causes obstructive hydrocephalus, a potentially fatal complication. Open surgical resection has been the mainstay of treatment; however, this can cause significant morbidity. The development of mTOR inhibitors has changed the treatment landscape, but there are limitations to their use. Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is an emerging treatment modality that has shown promise in treatment of a variety of intracranial lesions, including SEGAs. We present a single institution, retrospective study of patients treated for SEGAs with LITT, open resection, mTOR inhibitors, or a combination of these modalities. The primary study outcome was tumor volume at most recent follow-up compared with volume at treatment initiation. The secondary outcome was clinical complications associated with treatment modality.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients with SEGAs treated at our institution from 2010 to 2021. Demographics, treatment information, and complications were collected from the medical record. Tumor volumes were calculated from imaging obtained at initiation of treatment and at most recent follow-up. Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric testing was used to assess differences in tumor volume and follow-up duration between groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Four patients underwent LITT (3 with LITT only), three underwent open surgical resection, and four were treated with mTOR inhibitors only. Mean percent tumor volume reduction for each group was 48.6 ± 13.8, 90.7 ± 39.8, and 67.1 ± 17.2%, respectively. No statistically significant difference was identified comparing percent tumor volume reduction between the three groups (p = 0.0513). Additionally, there was no statistically significant difference in follow-up duration between groups (p = 0.223). Only 1 patient in our series required permanent CSF diversion and 4 discontinued or decreased the dose of mTOR inhibitor due to either cost or side effects.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our study suggests that LITT could be considered as a treatment option for SEGAs as it was effective in reducing tumor volume with very few complications. This modality is less invasive than open resection and may be an alternative for patients who are not candidates for mTOR inhibitors. We recommend an updated paradigm for SEGA treatment which includes LITT in select cases after consideration of patient-specific factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":54631,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Neurosurgery","volume":"58 3","pages":"150-159"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10107336","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Knowledge Review of Spinal Deformity and the Need for Fusion and Fixation following Treatment for Spinal Tumors among the Pediatric Age Group.","authors":"Jay I Kumar, George I Jallo, Nir Shimony","doi":"10.1159/000531984","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000531984","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Spinal tumors are rare pathology in the pediatric population. The tumors can be classified as extradural, intradural extramedullary, or intramedullary. Any of the spinal tumors can eventually lead to spinal deformity. The progressive spinal deformity can be part of the initial presentation or evolve on long follow-up, even years after the initial intervention and treatment.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Management of spinal deformity associated with spinal tumors in children is not well defined. Patients with progressive symptoms and even neurological deficits need correction for their deformity when diagnosed. Patients that do not have pain or related neurological deficits should be evaluated for the severity of their deformity and followed long-term. Special consideration is needed for young patients who need multilevel surgery or have deformity at presentation.</p><p><strong>Key messages: </strong>When considering the need for instrumentation and fusion, the surgeon should consider the age of the patient, expected future growth of the spine, neurologic status, extent of initial deformity, and the number of vertebral levels involved by tumor. Providers should also consider how surgery may fix or prevent deformity, especially when instrumentation can affect imaging at follow-up.</p>","PeriodicalId":54631,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Neurosurgery","volume":" ","pages":"281-289"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9981244","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mehdi Khan, Claudia Louise Craven, Muhammad Zubair Tahir
{"title":"Subtemporal Decompression in Resistant Slit Ventricle Syndrome in Children: An Observational Study and Survival Analysis.","authors":"Mehdi Khan, Claudia Louise Craven, Muhammad Zubair Tahir","doi":"10.1159/000534611","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000534611","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Slit ventricle syndrome (SVS) remains a challenging problem in the early-shunted paediatric population. Various surgical and non-surgical treatments have been devised for this condition. However, there is currently no gold standard for its optimal management. Among various treatment modalities, subtemporal decompression (STD) is often performed as a last resort. We present our experience of STD in paediatric patients with SVS in whom initial treatment with programmable valves and anti-syphon device were not successful.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a single-centre retrospective observational study and survival analysis. Patients who underwent STD for SVS were included. Pre- and post-operative imaging data and clinical outcomes were collected.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were 20 patients (12 M, 8 F) with a mean age of 9 years (SD: 4) at first STD. 90% (n = 18) of patients had multiple shunt revisions pre-STD. At first STD, 70% (n = 14) and 30% (n = 6) of patients had unilateral or bilateral STD, respectively. STD led to a reduction in the frequency of shunt revisions in 60% (n = 12) of patients. The median time required before further STD, shunt surgery, or cranial vault surgery was 14 months. The median time before a further STD was required (either revision or contralateral side) was 89 months. At a median follow-up of 66.5 months (range: 1-159), 65% (n = 13) of patients had improvement in symptoms.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A large proportion of patients with persistent SVS symptoms, refractory to multiple shunt revisions, benefitted from STD in combination with shunt optimization. It was also safe and well-tolerated. Therefore, in patients who have multiple failed shunts, STD may reduce the morbidity associated with further shunt revisions and can significantly improve symptomatology.</p>","PeriodicalId":54631,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Neurosurgery","volume":" ","pages":"420-428"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41240952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Letter to the Editor regarding \"Behavioral Improvements following Lesion Resection for Pediatric Epilepsy: Pediatric Psychosurgery?\"","authors":"Fardad T Afshari, Muhammad Zubair Tahir","doi":"10.1159/000531755","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000531755","url":null,"abstract":"Not Applicable (Letter to the editor).","PeriodicalId":54631,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Neurosurgery","volume":" ","pages":"231-232"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10116071","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bailey R Nussbaum, Patrick Graupman, Collin M Torok, Tiffany A Yesavage, Eric S Nussbaum
{"title":"Delayed Migration of Onyx Embolic Agent after Preoperative Embolization of an Arteriovenous Malformation in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.","authors":"Bailey R Nussbaum, Patrick Graupman, Collin M Torok, Tiffany A Yesavage, Eric S Nussbaum","doi":"10.1159/000529629","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000529629","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are increasingly being treated with Onyx liquid embolic agent (Onyx, Medtronic, Inc.). The phenomenon of delayed Onyx migration is not well documented in the literature. Moreover, the clinical presentation associated with Onyx migration is not well understood.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>A pediatric patient with a history of neonatal seizures was referred to our institution upon experiencing daily headaches with photophobia, phonophobia, and sleep disturbance. Cerebral angiography revealed an AVM of the medial left cerebellar hemisphere. Preoperative embolization with Onyx liquid embolic achieved 25% closure of the AVM nidus. Upon developing worsening headaches the following day, new perinidal parenchymal edema was revealed on MRI, and urgent angiography demonstrated delayed migration of Onyx into the venous drainage. The patient underwent emergency resection of the AVM due to the risk of hemorrhage resulting from venous outflow obstruction.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our report and literature review demonstrate that while the delayed, unexpected migration of Onyx embolic material has been alluded to in a handful of papers, this phenomenon is not well documented. Future research is needed to understand the frequency of delayed Onyx migration from brain AVMs and the possible clinical presentations to look for. The sudden development of headaches and other signs of perilesional edema, in particular, should prompt repeat angiographic examination due to the possibility of delayed liquid embolic migration.</p>","PeriodicalId":54631,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Neurosurgery","volume":"58 1","pages":"45-52"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9521384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Huy Dang, Abdul Basit Khan, Nisha Gadgil, Himanshu Sharma, Cristina Trandafir, Fatema Malbari, Howard L Weiner
{"title":"Behavioral Improvements following Lesion Resection for Pediatric Epilepsy: Pediatric Psychosurgery?","authors":"Huy Dang, Abdul Basit Khan, Nisha Gadgil, Himanshu Sharma, Cristina Trandafir, Fatema Malbari, Howard L Weiner","doi":"10.1159/000529683","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000529683","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Resection of brain lesions associated with refractory epilepsy to achieve seizure control is well accepted. However, concurrent behavioral effects of these lesions such as changes in mood, personality, and cognition and the effects of surgery on behavior have not been well characterized. We describe 5 such children with epileptogenic lesions and significant behavioral abnormalities which improved after surgery.</p><p><strong>Case descriptions: </strong>Five children (ages 3-14 years) with major behavioral abnormalities and lesional epilepsy were identified and treated at our center. Behavioral problems included academic impairment, impulsivity, self-injurious behavior, and decreased social interaction with diagnoses of ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, and autism. Pre-operative neuropsychiatric testing was performed in 4/5 patients and revealed low-average cognitive and intellectual abilities for their age, attentional difficulties, and poor memory. Lesions were located in the temporal (2 gangliogliomas, 1 JPA, 1 cavernoma) and parietal (1 DNET) lobes. Gross total resection was achieved in all cases. At mean 1-year follow-up, seizure freedom (Engel 1a in 3 patients, Engel 1c in 2 patients) and significant behavioral improvements (academic performance, attention, socialization, and aggression) were achieved in all. Two patients manifested violence pre-operatively; one had extreme behavior with violence toward teachers and peers despite low seizure burden. Since surgery, his behavior has normalized.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We identified 5 patients with severe behavioral disorders in the setting of lesional epilepsy, all of whom demonstrated improvement after surgery. The degree of behavioral abnormality was disproportionate to epilepsy severity, suggesting a more complicated mechanism by which lesional epilepsy impacts behavior. We propose a novel paradigm in which lesionectomy may offer behavioral benefit even when seizures are not refractory. Thus, behavioral improvement may be an important novel goal for neurosurgical resection in children with epileptic brain lesions.</p>","PeriodicalId":54631,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Neurosurgery","volume":"58 2","pages":"80-88"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9678137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cecilia Dalle Ore, Christina Coleman, Nalin Gupta, Sabine Mueller
{"title":"Advances and Clinical Trials Update in the Treatment of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas.","authors":"Cecilia Dalle Ore, Christina Coleman, Nalin Gupta, Sabine Mueller","doi":"10.1159/000529099","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000529099","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs) are high-grade gliomas (HGGs) that occur primarily in children, and represent a leading cause of death in pediatric patients with brain tumors with a median overall survival of only 8-11 months.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>While these lesions were previously thought to behave similarly to adult HGG, emerging data have demonstrated that DIPG is a biologically distinct entity from adult HGG frequently driven by mutations in the histone genes H3.3 and H3.1 not found in adult glioma. While biopsy of DIPG was historically felt to confer unacceptable risk of morbidity and mortality, multiple studies have demonstrated that stereotactic biopsy of DIPG is safe, allowing not only for improved understanding of DIPG but also forming the basis for protocols for personalized medicine in DIPG. However, current options for personalized medicine in DIPG are limited by the lack of efficacious targeted therapies for the mutations commonly found in DIPG. Multiple treatment modalities including targeted therapies, immunotherapy, convection-enhanced delivery, and focused ultrasound are in various stages of investigation.</p><p><strong>Key message: </strong>Increasing frequency of biopsy for DIPG has identified distinct driving mutations that may serve as therapeutic targets. Novel treatment modalities are under investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":54631,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Neurosurgery","volume":" ","pages":"259-266"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10664325/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10531384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kevin X Liu, Daphne A Haas-Kogan, Hesham Elhalawani
{"title":"Radiotherapy for Primary Pediatric Central Nervous System Malignancies: Current Treatment Paradigms and Future Directions.","authors":"Kevin X Liu, Daphne A Haas-Kogan, Hesham Elhalawani","doi":"10.1159/000533777","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000533777","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Central nervous system tumors are the most common solid tumors in childhood. Treatment paradigms for pediatric central nervous system malignancies depend on elements including tumor histology, age of patient, and stage of disease. Radiotherapy is an important modality of treatment for many pediatric central nervous system malignancies.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>While radiation contributes to excellent overall survival rates for many patients, radiation also carries significant risks of long-term side effects including neurocognitive decline, hearing loss, growth impairment, neuroendocrine dysfunction, strokes, and secondary malignancies. In recent decades, clinical trials have demonstrated that with better imaging and staging along with more sophisticated radiation planning and treatment set-up verification, smaller treatment volumes can be utilized without decrement in survival. Furthermore, the development of intensity-modulated radiotherapy and proton-beam radiotherapy has greatly improved conformality of radiation.</p><p><strong>Key messages: </strong>Recent changes in radiation treatment paradigms have decreased risks of short- and long-term toxicity for common histologies and in different age groups. Future studies will continue to develop novel radiation regimens to improve outcomes in aggressive central nervous system tumors, integrate molecular subtypes to tailor radiation treatment, and decrease radiation-associated toxicity for long-term survivors.</p>","PeriodicalId":54631,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Neurosurgery","volume":" ","pages":"356-366"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10234386","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Lipoblastomatosis Extended into the Lumbar Spinal Canal in a Child: A Case Report.","authors":"Marina Saga, Akira Yamaura, Tadashi Miyagawa","doi":"10.1159/000531548","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000531548","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Lipoblastoma and lipoblastomatosis are rare benign mesenchymal adipose tumors that originate from embryonic white adipocytes and occur most commonly in infancy and early childhood. Lipoblastomas occur in the extremities and trunk, including the retroperitoneum and peritoneal cavity. Therefore, infiltration into the spinal canal has rarely been reported.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>A 4-year-old girl presented to our clinic because of difficulty sitting on the floor with her legs straight. She also complained of enuresis and constipation for the past 6 months with persistent headaches and back pain evoked by body anteflexion. A magnetic resonance imaging revealed a massive lesion of the psoas major muscle, retroperitoneal, and subcutaneous spaces, extending into the spinal epidural space between L2 and S1. The patient underwent surgery which resulted in gross total removal of the tumor from the spinal canal. The mass was yellowish, soft, lobulated, fatty, and easily removed from the surrounding structures. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of lipoblastoma. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged without any signs of neurological deficit.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We herein discuss a rare case of lipoblastoma extending into the spinal canal, resulting in neurological symptoms. Although this tumor is benign with no potential for metastasis, it is prone to local recurrence. Therefore, close postoperative observation should be performed.</p>","PeriodicalId":54631,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Neurosurgery","volume":"58 3","pages":"168-172"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10107820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}