bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of radical resection of primary and recurrent craniopharyngiomas in 86 children
Authors: Elliott Robert E. , Hsieh Kevin , Hochm Tsivia , Belitskaya-Levy Ilana , Wisoff Jessica , Wisoff Jeffrey H. 
Published: December 2009

Object
Optimal treatment of primary and recurrent craniopharyngiomas remains controversial. Radical resection and limited resection plus radiation therapy yield similar rates of disease control and overall survival. The data are much less clear for recurrent tumors. The authors report their experience with radical resection of both primary and recurrent craniopharyngiomas in children and compare the outcomes between the 2 groups.

Methods
A retrospective analysis was performed in 86 children younger than 21 years of age who underwent a total of 103 operations for craniopharyngioma between 1986 and 2008; these were performed by the senior author. The goal was resection with curative intent in all patients. Two patients were lost to follow-up and were excluded from analysis. The mean age at the time of surgery was 9.6 years, and the mean follow-up was 9.0 years.

Results
All 57 children with primary tumors underwent gross-total resection (GTR). A GTR was achieved in significantly fewer children with recurrent tumors (18 [62%] of 29). There were 3 perioperative deaths (3%). Tumor recurred after GTR in 14 (20%) of 71 patients. Overall survival and progression-free survival were significantly better in patients with primary tumors at time of presentation to the authors' institution. There were no significant differences in the neurological, endocrinological, visual, or functional outcomes between patients with primary and those with recurrent tumors. Factors negatively affecting overall survival and progression-free survival include subtotal resection (recurrent tumors only), tumor size ≥ 5 cm, or presence of hydrocephalus or a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Prior radiation therapy and increasing tumor size were both risk factors for incomplete resection at reoperation.

Conclusions
In the hands of surgeons with experience with craniopharyngiomas, the authors believe that radical resection at presentation offers the best chance of disease control and potential cure with acceptable morbidity. While GTR does not preclude recurrence and is more difficult to achieve in recurrent tumors, especially large and previously irradiated tumors, radical resection is still possible in patients with recurrent craniopharyngiomas with morbidity similar to that of primary tumors.
Catheter-tip mass mimicking a spinal epidural hematoma
Authors: Medel Ricky , Pouratian Nader , Elias W. Jeffrey 
Published: December 2009

As > 95,000 spinal drug-delivery devices have been implanted since their inception in the 1980s, the recognition of associated adverse effects is essential. Since 1985, numerous reports have described the presence of catheter-tip granulomas. In the current case, the authors describe a less frequent complication of epidural bupivacaine precipitation. Regardless of origin, these unusual lesions have been increasingly recognized as a rare but potentially devastating complication of intrathecal infusions.A 34-year-old woman with an intrathecal pain-pump delivering fentanyl, bupivacaine, and clonidine for thoracic outlet syndrome presented with rapidly progressive neurological deficits and increasing neck and upper-extremity pain. Neuroimaging disclosed a C7–T1 mass that was thought to be a hematoma that occurred after a recent epidural steroid injection. On emergency surgical decompression by laminectomy, a chalky mass containing viscous fluid was identified surrounding an epidurally located catheter. Histopathological examination revealed a proteinaceous mass consistent with drug precipitate enveloped by fibrosis and mild inflammation. Postoperatively, the patient recovered with minimal neurological deficit. The presentation and clinical relevance are discussed in conjunction with a review of the pertinent literature.Catheter-tip masses are a rare complication of implantable drug-delivery devices occurring in < 3% of all patients with intrathecal catheters. Regardless of the anatomical site, the most common presenting features are neurological deficits, worsening pain, and increasing requirements for pain medication. Expedient diagnosis and management are essential for physicians treating patients with spinal infusion devices to prevent significant neurological sequelae. Further investigation is warranted regarding the use of bupivacaine as an adjunct in permanent spinal infusion systems.
Revision of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion using anterior lumbar interbody fusion: a biomechanical study in nonosteoporotic bone
Authors: Ploumis Avraam , Wu Chunhui , Mehbod Amir , Fischer Gustav , Faundez Antonio , Wu Wentien , Transfeldt Ensor 
Published: December 2009

Object
Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is a popular fusion technique for treating chronic low-back pain. In cases of interbody nonfusion, revision techniques for TLIF include anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) approaches. Biomechanical data of the revision techniques are not available. The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate construct stability, in terms of range of motion (ROM) and neutral zone (NZ), of a revision ALIF procedure for an unsuccessful TLIF. An in vitro biomechanical comparison of TLIF and its ALIF revision procedure was conducted on cadaveric nonosteoporotic human spine segments.

Methods
Twelve cadaveric lumbar motion segments with normal bone mineral density were loaded in unconstrained axial torsion, lateral bending, and flexion-extension under 0.05 Hz and ± 6-nm sinusoidal waveform. The specimens underwent TLIF (with posterior pedicle fixation) and anterior ALIF (with intact posterior fixation). Multidirectional flexibility testing was conducted following each step. The ROM and NZ data were measured and calculated for each test.

Results
Globally, the TLIF and revision ALIF procedures significantly reduced ROM and NZ compared with that of the intact condition. The revision ALIF procedures achieved similar ROM as the TLIF procedure.

Conclusions
Revision ALIF maintained biomechanical stability of TLIF in nonosteoporotic spines. Revision ALIF can be performed without sacrificing spinal stability in cases of intact posterior instrumentation.
Sagittal whole-spine magnetic resonance imaging in 750 consecutive outpatients: accurate determination of the number of lumbar vertebral bodies
Authors: Hanson Eric H. , Mishra Rahul K. , Chang David S. , Perkins Thomas G. , Bonifield Daniel R. , Tandy Richard D. , Cartwright Peter E. , Peoples Randal R. , Orrison William W. 
Published: December 2009

ObjectWhen the number of lumbar and sacral vertebrae is being assessed, variations from typical lumbosacral anatomy may confuse the practitioner, potentially leading to significant clinical errors. In this study, the authors describe the statistical variation in lumbar spine anatomy in an outpatient imaging setting, evaluate the potential implications for clinical practice based on the variation in the number of lumbar-type vertebrae identified, and recommend a method for rapidly determining the number of lumbar spine vertebral bodies (VBs) in outpatients referred for lumbar spine MR imaging.MethodsA total of 762 patients (male and female) who presented with low back–related medical conditions underwent whole-spine MR imaging in an outpatient setting.ResultsThe high-speed whole-spine evaluation was successful for determining the number of lumbar-type VBs in 750 (98%) of 762 consecutive patients. The sagittal whole-spine 3-T MR imaging system images obtained between the beginning of January 2005 and the end of February 2007 were reviewed. The VBs were counted successively from the level of C-2 inferiorly to the intervertebral disc below the most inferior lumbar-type VB. Numbers of disc herniations were also evaluated in the context of the number of VBs.ConclusionsOne in 5 of these outpatients did not have 5 lumbar-type vertebrae: 14.5% had 6; 5.3% had 4; and 1 (0.13%) had the rare finding of 3 lumbar-type vertebrae. Two-thirds of the individuals with 6 lumbar-type vertebrae were male and two-thirds of the individuals with 4 lumbar-type vertebrae were female. Sagittal whole-spine MR imaging can be performed rapidly and efficiently in the majority of patients (98%), and provides improved accuracy for the determination of the number of lumbar-type VBs. A supplementary coronal MR, Ferguson view radiograph or intraoperative fluoroscopic determination for the presence of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae may add additional information when indicated for clinical treatment or surgical planning.
Surgical challenges associated with the morphology of the spinal accessory nerve in the posterior cervical triangle: functional or structural?
Authors: Tubbs R. Shane , Stetler William , Louis Robert G. , Gupta Ankmalika A. , Loukas Marios , Kelly David R. , Shoja Mohammadali M. , Cohen-Gadol Aaron A. 
Published: December 2009

ObjectThe spinal accessory nerve (SAN) has been reported to have a distinctly coiled appearance in its course through the posterior cervical triangle of the neck. As this is unusual compared with other peripheral nerves including the cranial nerves, the present histological analysis was performed to further elucidate the reason for this anatomy with potential application in nerve injury and repair.MethodsTen adult cadavers underwent dissection of the neck. The SAN was harvested proximally and within the posterior cervical triangle. For comparison with other cranial nerves within the neck, the cervical vagus and hypoglossal nerves were also harvested. All nerves underwent histological analysis. Additionally, 2 human fetuses (11 and 20 weeks' gestation) underwent examination of the SAN in the posterior cervical triangle, and 3 randomly selected specimens were submitted for electromicroscopy.ResultsAll SANs were found to have a straight gross configuration proximal to the posterior triangle and a coiled appearance within this geometrical area. Histologically, no differences were identified for the SAN in these 2 locations (that is, proximal to and within the posterior cervical triangle). The histology of the SAN both with routine analysis and electron microscopy was similar in both regions and to nerves used as controls (for example, vagus and hypoglossal nerves). Interestingly, both fetal specimens were found to have coiled SANs in the posterior cervical triangle.ConclusionsBased on this study, it appears that the tortuous course of the SAN in the posterior triangle arises from functional as opposed to structural forces. It is hoped that this analysis will provide some insight into the nature behind the morphology observed in the SAN within the posterior cervical triangle and aid in future investigations regarding its injury. Moreover, such a coiled nature of this nerve may assist the neurosurgeon in identifying it during, for example, neurotization procedures.
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy: outcome analysis in 368 procedures
Authors: Sacko Oumar , Boetto Sergio , Lauwers-Cances Valérie , Dupuy Martin , Roux Franck-Emmanuel 
Published: December 2009

Object
Although endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has been accepted as a procedure of choice for the treatment of obstructive hydrocephalus, the outcome of this treatment remains controversial with regard to age, cause, and long-term follow-up results. The goal of this study was to assess the risk of failure associated with these factors in a retrospective cohort study.

Methods
Between 1999 and 2007, 368 ETVs were performed in 350 patients (165 patients < 18 years of age) with hydrocephalus at the University Hospital of Toulouse. Failure of ETV was defined as cases requiring any subsequent surgical procedure for CSF diversion or death related to hydrocephalus management.

Results
Tumors (53%), primary aqueductal stenosis (18%), and intracranial hemorrhage (13%) were the most common causes of hydrocephalus. The median follow-up period was 47 months (range 6–106 months), and the overall success rate was 68.5% (252 of the 368 procedures). Patients < 6 months of age had a 5-fold increased risk of ETV failure than older patients (adjusted hazard ratio [HRa] 5.0; 95% CI 2.4–10.4; p < 0.001). Hemorrhage-related (HRa 4.0; 95% CI 1.9–8.5; p < 0.001) and idiopathic chronic hydrocephalus (HRa 6.3, 95% CI 2.5–15.0, p < 0.001) had a higher risk of failure than other causes. Most failures (97%) occurred within 2 months of the initial procedure. The overall morbidity rate was 10%, although most complications were minor. Finally, the introduction of ETV in the authors' department reduced the number of shunt insertions and hospital admissions for shunt failures by half and was a source of cost savings.

Conclusions
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is a safe procedure and an effective treatment option for hydrocephalus. Factors indicating potential poor ETV outcome seem to be very young children and hemorrhage-related and chronic hydrocephalus in adults.
Anterior encephaloceles in children of Assamese tea workers
Authors: Dutta Hemonta K. , Deori Pradip 
Published: December 2009

Object
Anterior encephaloceles are rare congenital malformations. Most of the cases in the literature are reported from Southeast Asia. In India it is seen more frequently among manual laborers in the tea gardens of Assam. A brief background of the patients, clinical presentation, operative treatment, and outcome are discussed, with a review of the relevant literature. The causes and pathogenesis of anterior encephaloceles are discussed. The authors‘ surgical approach to repair of the defect, postoperative complications, and results are described.

Methods
Twenty-eight patients (mean age 38 months, range 1 month–12 years) with anterior encephaloceles who presented between 1998 and 2007 are included in the study. Patients were assessed for physical and psychological growth and development; any associated anomalies were noted. A detailed history of the patient‘s family, including the prenatal history, was obtained. Lesions were classified with the help of neuroimaging studies (skull x-ray, CT, ultrasonography, and MR imaging studies) and confirmed at surgery.

Results
Sixteen patients had nasofrontal, 9 had nasoethmoidal, and 3 had nasoorbital encephaloceles, and 12 patients had associated hydrocephalus. The modes of presentation were nasofrontal swelling, watering from the eyes, CSF leakage, fever, and vomiting. Parents of all the patients were ethnic tea garden workers. The average parental age at the time of marriage was 24 years for men and 18 years for women. Consanguinity was present in 6 patients. Alcohol consumption and tobacco chewing were a common practice in both parents. A total of 42 surgical procedures were done in 16 patients, one of whom died of postoperative meningitis. The mean follow-up duration was 38 months (1–92 months).

Conclusions
Anterior encephaloceles are rare in Western countries and other states in India, but this defect is more commonly seen among the ethnic tea garden workers in Assam. Transcranial repair is the treatment of choice. Unlike encephaloceles in other locations, anterior encephaloceles have a better clinical outcome after surgery.
Hyperemic hydrocephalus: a new form of childhood hydrocephalus analogous to hyperemic intracranial hypertension in adults
Authors: Bateman Grant 
Published: December 2009

Object
In the majority of adults with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), there is an elevation in venous pressure associated with a venous outflow stenosis. In about 15% of IIH patients the elevated venous pressure is associated with an elevation in blood flow but little or no evidence of a stenosis. Venostenotic IIH and idiopathic hydrocephalus in children with a normal blood inflow have been shown to be equivalent. The aim of this study was to test whether children with hydrocephalus and an elevated arterial inflow have a vascular pathophysiology that is analogous to the hyperemic form of IIH in adults.

Methods
Nine children with idiopathic hydrocephalus underwent MR imaging with flow quantification and were found to have arterial inflows 2 SDs above the mean for normal controls. Measurements of the head circumference, ventricular enlargement, total blood inflow, superior sagittal sinus (SSS)/straight sinus (SS) outflow, and the degree of collateral venous flow were performed. The results were compared with findings in 14 age-matched controls.

Results
In hyperemic hydrocephalus the cerebral blood inflow was elevated but the SSS and SS outflows were in the normal range. The sinus outflow as a percentage of the inflow was reduced by 8 percentage points in the SSS territory and 5 percentage points in the SS territory compared with findings in the controls (p = 0.04, p = 0.003, respectively), suggesting blood was returning via collateral channels.

Conclusions
Similar to patients with hyperemic IIH, children with hyperemic hydrocephalus show a significant elevation in collateral venous flow, indicating that the same venous pathophysiology may be operating in both conditions.
A single-center experience with symptomatic postoperative calvarial growth restriction after extended strip craniectomy for sagittal craniosynostosis
Authors: Adamo Matthew A. , Pollack Ian F. 
Published: December 2009

Object
Sagittal synostosis accounts for the most common form of craniosynostosis, occurring with an incidence of 1 in 2000–5000 live births. In most cases of single-suture, nonsyndromic sagittal synostosis, a single operation is all that is required to achieve a reasonable cosmetic result. However, there are a number of patients who may experience symptomatic postoperative calvarial growth restriction secondary to fibrosis of newly formed bone and pericranium that replace the surgically removed sagittal suture, or due to fusion of other previously open sutures leading to increased intracranial pressure, necessitating a second operation.

Methods
A retrospective review was conducted of all cases involving infants who had undergone an extended sagittal strip craniectomy with bilateral parietal wedge osteotomies at our institution between 1990 and 2006 for single-suture, nonsyndromic sagittal craniosynostosis. The frequency with which subsequent operations were required for cranial growth restriction was then defined.

Results
There were a total of 164 patients with single-suture nonsyndromic sagittal synostosis. Follow-up data were available for 143 of these patients. The average age at time of initial operation was 5.25 months, and the mean duration of follow-up was 43.85 months. There were 2 patients (1.5%) who required a second operation for symptomatic postoperative calvarial growth restriction.

Conclusions
Recurrence of synostosis with resultant increased intracranial pressure in cases of single-suture, nonsyndromic sagittal craniosynostosis is an uncommon event, but does occur sporadically and unpredictably. Therefore, we recommend routine neurosurgical follow up for at least 5 years, with regular ophthalmological examinations to assess for papilledema.
Noninvasive localization of epileptogenic zones with ictal high-frequency neuromagnetic signals
Authors: Xiang Jing , Wang Yingying , Chen Yangmei , Liu Yang , Kotecha Rupesh , Huo Xiaolin , Rose Douglas F. , Fujiwara Hisako , Hemasilpin Nat , Lee Ki , Mangano Francesco T. , Jones Blaise , deGrauw Ton 
Published: December 2009

Object
Recent reports suggest that high-frequency epileptic activity is highly localized to epileptogenic zones. The goal of the present study was to investigate the potential usefulness of noninvasive localization of high-frequency epileptic activity for epilepsy surgery.

Methods
Data obtained in 4 patients, who had seizures during routine magnetoencephalography (MEG) tests, were retrospectively studied. The MEG data were digitized at 4000 Hz, and 3D MR images were obtained. The magnetic sources were volumetrically localized with wavelet-based beamformer. The MEG results were subsequently compared with clinical data.

Results
The 4 patients had 1–4 high-frequency neuromagnetic components (110–910 Hz) in ictal and interictal activities. The loci of high-frequency activities were concordant with intracranial recordings therein 3 patients, who underwent presurgical evaluation. The loci of high-frequency ictal activities were in line with semiology and neuroimaging in all 4 of the patients. High-frequency epileptic activity was highly localized to the epileptogenic zones.

Conclusions
High-frequency epileptic activity can be volumetrically localized with MEG. Source analysis of high-frequency neuromagnetic signals has the potential to determine epileptogenic zones noninvasively and preoperatively for epilepsy surgery.
Reliability and Validity of the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability Behavioral Tool in Assessing Acute Pain in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Voepel-Lewis Terri , Zanotti Jennifer , Dammeyer Jennifer A. , Merkel Sandra 
Published: January 2010

Background Few investigators have evaluated pain assessment tools in the critical care setting.Objective To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) Behavioral Scale in assessing pain in critically ill adults and children unable to self-report pain.Methods Three nurses simultaneously, but independently, observed and scored pain behaviors twice in 29 critically ill adults and 8 children: before administration of an analgesic or during a painful procedure, and 15 to 30 minutes after the administration or procedure. Two nurses used the FLACC scale, the third used either the Checklist of Nonverbal Pain Indicators (for adults) or the COMFORT scale (for children).Results For 73 observations, FLACC scores correlated highly with the other 2 scores (ρ = 0.963 and 0.849, respectively), supporting criterion validity. Significant decreases in FLACC scores after analgesia (or at rest) supported construct validity of the tool (mean, 5.27; SD, 2.3 vs mean, 0.52; SD, 1.1; P &lt; .001). Exact agreement and κ statistics, as well as intraclass correlation coefficients (0.67–0.95), support excellent interrater reliability of the tool. Internal consistency was excellent; the Cronbach α was 0.882 when all items were included.Conclusions Although similar in content to other behavioral pain scales, the FLACC can be used across populations of patients and settings, and the scores are comparable to those of the commonly used 0-to-10 number rating scale.
Monitor Alarm Fatigue: Standardizing Use of Physiological Monitors and Decreasing Nuisance Alarms
Authors: Graham Kelly Creighton , Cvach Maria 
Published: January 2010

Background Reliance on physiological monitors to continuously “watch” patients and to alert the nurse when a serious rhythm problem occurs is standard practice on monitored units. Alarms are intended to alert clinicians to deviations from a predetermined “normal” status. However, alarm fatigue may occur when the sheer number of monitor alarms overwhelms clinicians, possibly leading to alarms being disabled, silenced, or ignored.
Purpose Excessive numbers of monitor alarms and fear that nurses have become desensitized to these alarms was the impetus for a unit-based quality improvement project.
Methods Small tests of change to improve alarm management were conducted on a medical progressive care unit. The types and frequency of monitor alarms in the unit were assessed. Nurses were trained to individualize patients’ alarm parameter limits and levels. Monitor software was modified to promote audibility of critical alarms.
Results Critical monitor alarms were reduced 43% from baseline data. The reduction of alarms could be attributed to adjustment of monitor alarm defaults, careful assessment and customization of monitor alarm parameter limits and levels, and implementation of an interdisciplinary monitor policy.
Discussion Although alarms are important and sometimes life-saving, they can compromise patients’ safety if ignored. This unit-based quality improvement initiative was beneficial as a starting point for revamping alarm management throughout the institution.