Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals Immune Education promotes T cell survival in mice subjected to the cecal ligation and puncture sepsis model.

Background: Individual T cell responses vary significantly based on the microenvironment present at the time of immune response and on prior induced T cell memory. While the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model is the most commonly used murine sepsis model, the contribution of diverse T cell responses has not been explored. We defined T cell subset responses to CLP using single-cell RNA sequencing and examined the effects of prior induced T cell memory (Immune Education) on these responses.

A multicenter retrospective study of heterogeneous tissue aggregates obstructing ventricular catheters explanted from patients with hydrocephalus.

Background: Implantation of ventricular catheters (VCs) to drain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a standard approach to treat hydrocephalus. VCs fail frequently due to tissue obstructing the lumen via the drainage holes. Mechanisms driving obstruction are poorly understood.

The role of lumboperitoneal shunts in managing chronic hydrocephalus with slit ventricles.

OBJECTIVELumboperitoneal (LP) shunts have a role not only in pseudotumor cerebri, but also in patients with slit-like ventricles who are treated with CSF shunting on a chronic basis. Hesitation to utilize LP shunts is based on previous conventional beliefs including the tendency for overdrainage, difficulties accessing the shunt to tap or revise, and risk of progressive cerebellar tonsillar herniation. The authors hypothesized that the use of horizontal-vertical (HV) valves may reduce the risk of these complications, particularly overdrainage and development of Chiari malformation.

Apparent diffusion coefficient mapping in medulloblastoma predicts non-infiltrative surgical planes.

Introduction: An appropriate surgical approach for posterior fossa lesions is to start tumor removal from areas with a defined plane to where tumor is infiltrating the brainstem or peduncles. This surgical approach minimizes risk of damage to eloquent areas. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the current standard preoperative imaging obtained for diagnosis and surgical planning of pediatric posterior fossa tumors, it offers limited information on the infiltrative planes between tumor and normal structures in patients with medulloblastomas.

Effect of molding helmets on intracranial pressure and head shape in nonsurgically treated sagittal craniosynostosis patients.

OBJECTIVE Cranial vault expansion is performed in pediatric patients with craniosynostosis to improve head shape. Another argument for performing total cranial vault reconstruction is the potential reduction in the harmful effects of elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) that are associated with craniosynostosis. Alternatively, molding helmets have been shown to improve the cranial index (CI) in patients with sagittal synostosis without surgery.

Endoscopic corpus callosotomy and hemispherotomy.

Object: Corpus callosotomy and hemispherotomy are conventionally performed via a large craniotomy with the aid of a microscope for children with intractable epilepsy. Primary technical considerations include completeness of disconnection and blood loss. The authors describe an endoscopic technique performed through a microcraniotomy for these procedures.

Effect of molding helmet on head shape in nonsurgically treated sagittal craniosynostosis.

Object: Sagittal craniosynostosis is traditionally considered to be a surgical condition. Poor results of simple suturectomy follow from early reclosure of the suture. A wider craniectomy or use of interposing materials has not improved the outcome.

Interhemispheric endoscopic resection of large intraventricular and thalamic tumors.

A transfrontal route is the traditional endoscopic approach to intraventricular tumors. Small lesions can be biopsied using the parallel port channel of the endoscope. For larger tumors a ventriculoport can be used for resection.

Pure endoscopic removal of pineal region tumors.

Purpose: Endoscopic resection of pineal tumors using an endoscope with a mounted rigid suction that allows bimanual handling of the tumor for resection. This contrasts to the established method of biopsy of pineal tumors through intraventricular approach.

Methods: Two patients, one with a cystic lesion in the pineal region and one with a large pineal tumor, were operated in sitting position through a subtorcular approach.

Pediatric spinal clear cell meningioma. Case report.

In this report the authors describe a unique case of spinal clear cell meningioma in a 13-year-old girl. Clear cell meningiomas (CCMs) are not uncommon. To the authors' knowledge, 14 cases of pediatric CCM occurring in the spinal canal have been reported.

Thrombosis associated with ventriculoatrial shunts.

Object: In this single-center study, the authors examined the clinical characteristics, risk factors, treatment strategies, and outcomes in patients with thrombosis associated with ventriculoatrial (VA) shunts.

Methods: Inpatient and outpatient charts of patients who underwent treatment and follow-up in the Hematology-Oncology Division at the authors' institution and in whom thrombosis developed secondary to a VA shunt placement were reviewed. A complete thrombophilia work-up was performed in each patient, and these records were also reviewed.

Value of overnight monitoring of intracranial pressure in hydrocephalic children.

Objective: Exaggerated nocturnal intracranial pressure (ICP) dynamics are commonly observed in hydrocephalic children with a compromise of CSF compensatory reserve capacity. Successful shunting restores this cerebrospinal reserve. We used ICP overnight monitoring combined with positional maneuvers in complex hydrocephalic children with a suspected shunt malfunction for the assessment of shunt function.

Management of lumbar shunt site swelling in children.

Object: The aim of this study was to define the origin and management of lumbar shunt site swelling/cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak seen in children who underwent placement of a percutaneous lumbar shunt due to recurrent problems with a ventricular shunt.

Methods: Fifty-seven children with a lumbar shunt were analyzed. Episodes of swelling along the lumbar shunt site, presenting symptoms, origin of the CSF leak, and surgical outcome were recorded.

Delayed lateral rectus palsy following resection of a pineal cyst in sitting position: direct or indirect compressive phenomenon?

A rare case of delayed lateral rectus palsy in a patient following resection of a pineal lesion in the sitting position is presented. Postoperative pneumocephalus is common following craniospinal surgical intervention in the sitting position. The sixth cranial nerve is frequently injured because of its prolonged intracranial course.

The role of lumbar shunts in the management of slit ventricles: does the slit-ventricle syndrome exist?

Object: Slit-ventricle syndrome (SVS) is a confusing description of presentations in patients with chronic shunt-treated hydrocephalus. These patients are prone to acute deterioration with recurrent malfunction. The authors describe the clinical profile and management outcome of using lumboperitoneal (LP) shunts in this population of patients.

The value of C-reactive protein in the management of shunt infections.

Object: Shunt infections and their management remain a clinically important problem in patients with hydrocephalus. The authors evaluated, in comparison with traditional parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP) in blood/serum (S-CRP) and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF; C-CRP) for its power to identify and treat patients with infected shunts.

Methods: On 84 different occasions, CSF and blood samples from 59 children suspected of having shunt/CSF infections were obtained and evaluated.

Endoscopic fenestration and coagulation shrinkage of suprasellar arachnoid cysts. Technical note.

The authors describe their experience with endoscopic fenestration of suprasellar cysts followed by shrinkage coagulation of the cysts to restore the anatomy in eight patients. Seven children ranging in age from 8 months to 4.5 years and one adult 24 years of age were treated.

Periventricular rigidity in long-term shunt-treated hydrocephalus.

Object: The failure of ventricles to enlarge after acute shunt malfunction in long-term shunt-dependent patients is generally attributed to the presence of periventricular rigidity resulting from gliosis. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that periventricular rigidity is present in these patients.

Methods: Fifteen pediatric patients who presented with acute shunt malfunction were studied; slit ventricles were detected in all of these patients.

Effects of hydrocephalus and ventriculoperitoneal shunt therapy on afferent and efferent connections in the feline sensorimotor cortex.

Object: The authors of previous studies have suggested that connectivity within the cerebral cortex may be irreversibly altered by hydrocephalus. To examine connectivity-related changes directly, the authors conducted a study in which they used an axonal tracer in an animal model of infantile hydrocephalus.

Methods: In five hydrocephalic kittens low-pressure ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts were placed 10 to 14 days after induction of hydrocephalus by intracisternal kaolin injections.

Pathophysiological changes in cerebrovascular distensibility in patients undergoing chronic shunt therapy.

Object: Patients undergoing long-term shunt therapy following shunt malfunction often present with acute neurological deterioration, high intracranial pressure (ICP), and yet small or slit ventricles. It is believed that low brain compliance prevents ventricle enlargement in such cases. To elucidate the underlying pathophysiology, the authors estimated compliance as a function of cerebrovascular distensibility in 45 patients undergoing chronic shunt therapy.