PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Subdural Effusion”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources

Diagnosis of cerebral atrophy in infants by near-field cranial sonography.

Cranial sonography is the ideal imaging tool for use in infants. However, it has not been used for the diagnosis of cerebral atrophy in infants as the subarachnoid space has been a "blind spot" with ultrasound. We evaluated cerebral atrophy by a unique application of cranial sonography that we have termed the near-field method, and compared these results with those of cranial computed tomography (CT). We examined 106 infants with the near-field method of cranial sonography. Eleven patients fitted our sonographic criteria for cerebral atrophy. Cranial CT was done in eight of the 11 patients with sonographic findings of cerebral atrophy and was consistent with the diagnoses of cerebral atrophy in all cases. Of these eight patients, one had cerebral atrophy and subdural effusion seen by both near-field sonography and cranial CT. Cranial CT was performed in eight of the 95 patients with normal sonographic findings, and all results were normal. All patients with cerebral atrophy determined by cranial CT were found to have cerebral atrophy by near-field sonography. Likewise, all patients without cerebral atrophy by cranial CT were not found to have cerebral atrophy CA by near-field sonography. The near-field method of cranial sonography therefore appears to have a sensitivity and specificity of 100% with cranial CT as a referral method.

Atrophy↗

The role of corticosteroid therapy in children with pneumococcal meningitis.

The records of 97 infants and children with pneumococcal meningitis treated in Dallas, Tex, from 1984 to 1990 were reviewed to determine whether corticosteroid therapy improved disease outcome as has been demonstrated in patients with Haemophilus meningitis. Forty-one patients received corticosteroid therapy, 39 of whom were given dexamethasone in the conventional 4-day regimen. There were no significant differences in the demographic and clinical characteristics of steroid- and non-steroid-treated patients. In addition, there were no significant differences between treatment groups with regard to presence of seizures, subdural effusions, hydrocephalus, and positive cerebrospinal fluid cultures 24 hours after the start of treatment. When steroid therapy was given before or concurrently with antibiotic therapy, none of 30 steroid-treated vs 16 of 52 non-steroid-treated patients developed evidence of neurologic or cardiovascular instability after the first parenteral antibiotic dose was given. Among 86 survivors examined, significantly fewer steroid-treated patients had an adverse neurologic long-term outcome, including hearing impairment, compared with non-steroid-treated patients (four of 35 vs 14 of 43). This was also true for those patients with overwhelming meningeal infection. We believe that corticosteroid therapy is also beneficial in infants and children with pneumococcal meningitis.

Adolescent↗

D-2-Hydroxyglutaric aciduria: biochemical marker or clinical disease entity?

D-2-Hydroxyglutaric aciduria has been observed in patients with extremely variable clinical symptoms, creating doubt about the existence of a disease entity related to the biochemical finding. An international survey of patients with D-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria was initiated to solve this issue. The clinical history, neuroimaging, and biochemical findings of 17 patients were studied. Ten of the patients had a severe early-infantile-onset encephalopathy characterized by epilepsy, hypotonia, cerebral visual failure, and little development. Five of these patients had a cardiomyopathy. In neuroimaging, all patients had a mild ventriculomegaly, often enlarged frontal subarachnoid spaces and subdural effusions, and always signs of delayed cerebral maturation. In all patients who underwent neuroimaging before 6 months, subependymal cysts over the head or corpus of the caudate nucleus were noted. Seven patients had a much milder and variable clinical picture, most often characterized by mental retardation, hypotonia, and macrocephaly, but sometimes no related clinical problems. Neuroimaging findings in 3 patients variably showed delayed cerebral maturation, ventriculomegaly, or subependymal cysts. Biochemical findings included elevations of D-2-hydroxyglutaric acid in urine, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid in both groups. Cerebrospinal fluid gamma-aminobutyric acid was elevated in almost all patients investigated. Urinary citric acid cycle intermediates were variably elevated. The conclusion of the study is that D-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria is a distinct neurometabolic disorder with at least two phenotypes.

Biomarkers↗

Neuroendoscopic third ventriculostomy. A practical alternative to extracranial shunts in non-communicating hydrocephalus.

The outcomes in 103 patients who have undergone third ventriculostomy for non-communicating hydrocephalus at our institution form 1978-1994 have been analysed. The group has been sub-divided by age, cause of hydrocephalus and whether the third ventriculostomy was the initial definitive procedure or whether progression of their hydrocephalus had been arrested for a long time (usually years) by an extracranial shunt prior to third ventriculostomy. At the time of shunt malfunction (usually blockage) a third ventriculostomy was performed if the anatomy was, or could be made suitable for the safe performance of the procedure. Third ventriculostomy under the age of 6 months was successful in only 8 of 25 patients. Seventeen patients in whom the onset of hydrocephalus was under the age of six months and the ventriculostomy was performed between 6 months and 18 years, 8 were successful. Sixteen of these had had previous long term shunts. In 40 patients in whom the onset of hydrocephalus was over the age of 6 months and the ventriculostomy performed after the age of 19 years, 32 were successful. In 28 patients over the age of 20 years, 13 had previously been shunted and in 8 of these the procedure was successful. In 15 patients not previously shunted, 9 ventriculostomies were successful. Three failed, 2 died before evaluation could be done and one was lost to follow-up. There were no deaths caused by the procedure. Two patients suffered from a hemiparesis, (1 transient) 1 patient suffered mid-brain damage. There were 2 subdural effusions. Two patients had infections, 1 superficial and 1 a ventriculitis.

Adolescent↗

Cerebral hydatid cyst in children. Experience of 27 cases.

The authors present 27 cases of cerebral hydatid cyst (CHCy) treated between 1980 and 1992. These cases of CHCy represent 2.8% of all cases of expansive nontraumatic lesions in children. Most of the patients were between 6 and 10 years of age. There was a substantial prevalence of male patients-18 cases (66.6%). Most of the children with CHCy were from rural areas. The cysts were all located in the cerebral hemispheres (none in the posterior fossa). Usually two or three lobes were affected and the cysts were most often retrorolandic. Only 8 patients (29.6%) also had pulmonary or hepatic infestation. All patients were operated on immediately the diagnosis was established. Operative mortality was very low (1 patient died immediately after surgery). There have been 11 cases of recurrence; all these patients have been reoperated on. Neurological sequelae were mainly partial and general seizures. Epilepsy developed postoperatively in five patients. Paresis, which usually disappears in time, was the most common motor disturbance. Two other important postoperative complications were subdural effusion and ventricular dilatation (six cases). There have been five cases of multiple recurrences (four of these patients have since died). Treatment with albendazole was used in three cases without significant results.

Adolescent↗

Danish experience with the one-piece shunt. A long-term follow-up.

A review of the efficacy and complications of the simple one-piece ventriculoperitoneal shunt is given, based on a consecutive series of 61 children with nontumorous hydrocephalus. Control of the hydrocephalic state was satisfactory but was, however, complicated by a rather high frequency of slit ventricles and subdural effusions. No significant increase in the complication rate was observed among premature babies. The infection rate was low (3%) and no visceral perforations were observed. The one-piece shunt can be recommended, especially for smaller children with hydrocephalus.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts↗

Effective shunt-independent treatment for primary middle fossa arachnoid cyst.

The results of a prospective study on excision of the outer and inner membrane for symptomatic primary middle fossa arachnoid cysts in children are presented. During the period 1982-1989, among 48 cases of cyst in various locations, 18 symptomatic patients were treated by excision of both the outer and inner membranes with an opening to the basal cistern. The mean patient age was 3.2 years. All patients were evaluated by examinations, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray computed tomography (CT), quantitative CT cisternography (CTC), digital subtraction angiography (DSA), N-isopropyl-p[123]iodoamphetamine single-photon emission CT (IMP-SPECT) and IQ. All showed abnormal cerebrospinal fluid flow dynamics. Significant complications included massive subdural effusion in two patients and transient pulmonary edema in one. There were no recurrences during the follow-up period (mean 4.7 years). Two morphological types were noted: type I, the classical anteromedial type where the cysts are attached directly to the adjacent parasellar cisterns, and type II, the anterolateral type, where the diagonally concave anterior temporal lobe covers the adjacent cisterns, making wide opening difficult. Type I accounted for 78% of all cases, and the reduction of the cyst volume with clinical improvement was remarkable within 6 months after surgery. Angiographically, 22% of cases showed tapering and retrograde filling of the superficial middle cerebral vein. This pattern is not included in Hacker's normal variations [18] and suggests mild but chronic compression of the developing brain. Even in patients with hemispheric cyst, the reconstituted brain showed sufficient cerebral perfusion on SPECT, suggesting that the nature of this disease entity is reversible developmental arrest.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Arachnoid↗

Arachnoid cyst as a complication of ventricular shunting.

Overdrainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a well-known complication of shunting procedures. Several clinical manifestations of excessive drainage of CSF have been documented, such as subdural hematoma, subdural effusions, slit ventricles, isolated IV ventricle, etc. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of an arachnoid cyst due to the excessive function of a VP shunt.

Arachnoid Cysts↗

"Occult" hydrocephalus in children.

The authors describe 32 children between 2 and 15 years of age who had hydrocephalus that was only clinically manifest late in life. The clinical picture of these children did not suggest an obvious increase in intracranial pressure; instead, the presenting signs were rather nonspecific and included macrocrania, mild psychomotor retardation, unsteady gait, increased muscle tone and deep tendon reflexes in the lower limbs, impaired ocular movement, epilepsy, and endocrine dysfunction. Their histories suggest the possible causes of the ventricular dilation in about one third of the cases were: perinatal hemorrhage, leptomeningitis, neurofibromatosis, and untreated aneurysm of the great vein of Galen. In 20 patients, however, no positive anamnestic findings were reported. CT scan revealed triventricular dilation in more than half of the cases; tetraventricular dilation was present in 6 patients, and biventricular dilation in the remaining subjects. All children underwent CSF shunting, which resulted in complete recovery in all but 2 cases. The most frequently recorded surgical complication was post-operative subdural effusion (7 subjects), which required surgical treatment in only 2 cases.

Adolescent↗

A method for continuous external drainage in the management of infantile subdural collections.

There is no consensus on the management of infantile chronic subdural collections. Subdural tapping, craniotomy and removal of membranes, and shunting from the subdural space have all been used. We performed continuous external subdural drainage (CESD) as a step prior to subdural-peritoneal shunt placement in the management of infantile chronic subdural fluid collections. A lumbar drainage set was used for CESD. The catheter was placed in the subdural space through the anterior fontanel with a Touhy needle. This percutaneous technique seems an easy and safe method for CESD in infants with chronic subdural collections.

Catheters, Indwelling↗

Results of surgical treatment in patients with arachnoid cysts.

A retrospective study of 35 patients operated upon for arachnoid cysts during the last 10 years was carried out. In 19 patients treated by craniotomy, membrane resection and drainage into the basal cisterns, clinical improvement could be noted in 13 cases. Correspondingly on the CT-controls the cysts were found to have disappeared in two cases and were reduced in size in seven patients. In 11 patients, however, who were initially treated by a shunting procedure, seven patients became free of symptoms. Postoperative CT-controls showed in three cases a significant reduction of the size of the cyst, which remained unchanged in two other cases. In five patients with the combination of a nonspace-occupying arachnoid cyst and subdural effusions, drainage of the latter only was sufficient to relieve the clinical symptoms. The prominent findings were the high complication rate of the primary or secondary shunting procedures (48%), as well as the close correlation between the clinical outcome and the postoperative CT-controls.

Arachnoid↗

Neurological cause of late postpartum seizures.

A 32-year-old primigravida showed signs of pre-eclampsia before delivery of a healthy boy at term. The CSF-space was accidentally punctured during epidural anaesthesia in labour. One day later hypertension was noted and the patient had a single generalized fit. For the next three weeks she had postural headaches, fluctuating hypertension, intermittent hearing loss and double-vision. On the 22nd day of postpartum, the patient had the first of a series of partial and later generalized seizures, followed by hemiparesis, alteration of consciousness, and finally slow recovery with corticosteroid therapy. Bilateral subdural effusions and generalized meningeal thickening were found on MR scans. Repeated MRI excluded sinus thrombosis and documented the response to treatment.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Childhood bacterial meningitis in Pondicherry, South India.

OBJECTIVE: To identify causative bacteria from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children with meningitis and analyse various clinical and laboratory parameters. METHODS: Over a 20 month period, September 1994 to April 1996, one hundred episodes of acute bacterial meningitis in children aged 1 month-12 years were studied in a tertiary urban hospital in South India. Organisms were isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in 35% of cases. Among infants and children, the two major pathogens were H. influenzae (17%) and S. pneumoniae (12%). RESULTS: The illness at presentation was mild in 13% and severe in 36% of cases. The association of subdural effusion in children with Salmonella Gp B meningitis merits attention. The overall case fatality rate was 25%. S. pneumoniae had a higher case fatality rate than Salmonella Gp B and H. influenzae (50% vs 17% vs 12%). All the three infants below 3 months of age with S. pneumoniae meningitis died. On analysis of selected clinical and laboratory features by discriminant analysis, CSF culture was the significant (P = 0.02) variable in relation to outcome. In pneumococcal meningitis, CSF WBC count was a highly significant variable in relation to outcome (Wilk's Lambda 0.15, F = 24.64, P = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: Prevention of infections due to H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae should be given higher priority.

Analysis of Variance↗

Auditory profile in children recovering from bacterial meningitis.

In the present study BERA profile of 30 post-meningitic children was compared with 15 normal children of the same age and it was observed that 36.6% children in the age range of 6 months to 36 months were found to have varying degree of sensorineural deafness. Severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (> 80 dB) was observed in 6.6% children and moderate (40-80 dB) hearing loss in 30% of children. Abnormalities were bilateral in both the samples of children with severe hearing loss (> 80 dB) whereas among 9 children who had moderate hearing loss abnormalities were bilateral in one patient and unilateral in the remaining 8 children. A relationship between higher incidence of sensorineural deafness and younger age of children, and occurrence of seizures during meningitis were noted. But no relationship was observed with either sex, hydrocephalus, subdural effusion or with low CSF sugar and high CSF proteins.

Age Distribution↗

Complications of subduroperitoneal shunting.

OBJECTS: Subduroperitoneal (SP) shunts have been widely used in the management of pediatric subdural fluid collections. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the complications of SP shunting in 73 boys and 24 girls, who ranged in age from 1 to 180 months (median 7 months). Subdural fluid collection was bilateral in 75 and unilateral in 22 patients. The most common complication was shunt obstruction (13 patients). Shunt migration was seen in 8 patients. Migration occurred only with unishunts without a reservoir and with peritoneal catheters. However, the shunts with a reservoir or flushing valve led to skin necrosis in 4 patients (P=0.003). Unilateral drainage though bilateral collections were present, infection, bowel perforation, and ileus occurred in 5, 4, 1 and 1 patients respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These SP shunt complications, some of which are avoidable, should be kept in mind.

Adolescent↗

[LOVA hydrocephalus - a new entity of chronic hydrocephalus].

The recently defined term "longstanding overt ventriculomegaly in adults" (LOVA) describes a unique entity of chronic occlusive hydrocephalus. The experiences so far using conventional DP valves were not encouraging because of a high percentage of overdrainage. The objective was to evaluate whether gravitational shunts could be used for this condition with an acceptable overdrainage risk. Twenty-three macrocephalic adults aged 17-72 years suffered from chronic progressive hydrocephalic conditions. They received two different types of gravitational shunt. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 75 months. Only two patients presented small subdural effusions postoperatively, and only one required additional treatment for that. Eighty-two percent were shunt responders. Ventricular size was only marginally reduced in 22 of the 23 patients. There was no correlation between clinical benefit and the reduction in ventricular size. Gravitational shunts clearly have the potency for safe treatment of LOVA, significantly reducing the risk of overdrainage over conventional valves, and may be considered an equivalent alternative to third ventriculostomy.

Adult↗

Subdural hygroma: an unwanted result of Sylvian arachnoid cyst marsupialization.

INTRODUCTION: Subdural hygroma is a known complication of Sylvian fissure arachnoid cysts (SACs). However, most of the data in the literature refer to spontaneous or posttraumatic occurrence of subdural hygromas, regarded as either a favorable or an unfavorable event. Little is known about this phenomenon as a consequence of the surgical management of SACs. The present study was carried out to evaluate the significance of postoperative subdural hygromas in children with temporal arachnoid cysts, who have been treated with craniotomy and wide marsupialization of the cystic membrane. CLINICAL MATERIAL AND RESULTS: Between 1980 and March 2002, 104 children were operated on for a SAC at the Pediatric Neurosurgical Unit of the Catholic University Medical School in Rome. Six patients (5.8%; boys/girls=4/2; mean age 3.28 years) developed a subdural hygroma postoperatively, which required further treatment. According to Galassi's classification 4 children had a Type III cyst and 2 children a Type II cyst. All the patients had previously been submitted to open marsupialization of their arachnoid cyst and extensive removal of the cyst wall. In 5 patients (Type III cyst: 4 patients; Type II cyst: 1 patient), acute or subacute symptoms and signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) developed at a temporal distance, varying from 5 days to 1 month (mean interval: 14.3 days). All these children needed surgical treatment for the hygroma. A subduro-peritoneal (SDP) shunt was implanted as the first step in 3 patients (Type III cyst: 2 patients; Type II cyst: 1 patient). In the remaining 2 patients of this group (Type III cysts) medical therapy was initially attempted (acetazolamide: 24 mg/kg) without any improvement in clinical manifestations; on these grounds an external spinal subarachnoid drainage was implanted, but led only to the transient clearance of symptoms. The direct drainage of the subdural collection (SDP shunt in 1 patient and temporary external subdural drainage in the other), was followed by complete clinical recovery in both cases. The last patient in this series showed a pathologic increase in head circumference during the 1st month after surgery for his arachnoid cyst, followed by a subsequent stabilization. A CT scan documented a subdural hygroma, which first of all increased in size, but stabilized 2 months after surgery. No surgical treatment was performed in this case. At a mean follow-up of 2.38 years (minimum: 1 month; maximum: 5 years) all the patients are in excellent clinical conditions. Complete neuroradiological resolution of the hygroma was observed in 2 of the 4 shunted patients, who have both been submitted to shunt removal (2 and 3 years after the implant respectively). CONCLUSIONS: It is our opinion that a wide opening of the external membrane of SACs may predispose the CSF fluid to accumulate within the subdural space, where its absorption is insufficient. A ball mechanism created by CSF pulsation may further increase the subdural fluid accumulation. Secondary distortion and occlusion at the level of the basal cisterns may also contribute to the persistence of the subdural fluid collection. Clinical manifestations may be transient, but frequently have a progressive course and the drainage of the subdural collection is, though transient, required in most cases. On these grounds we suggest the selective opening of the basal cisterns associated with a limited resection of the outer cyst walls in order to limit CSF access to the subdural space.

Arachnoid Cysts↗

Bobble-head doll syndrome associated with subduroperitoneal shunt malfunction.

Bobble-head doll syndrome is known to be associated with aqueductal stenosis or cystic lesions of the III ventricle. The direction of movement is usually vertical. In the literature, only five cases of purely horizontal movement have been reported. Bobble-head doll syndrome manifested as a sign of shunt malfunction has been described in one case with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. The authors report on a 10-year-old boy who showed subduroperitoneal shunt malfunction associated with horizontal bobble-head doll syndrome. The head bobbing disappeared immediately after shunt revision. Unlike the previously reported cases, in the present case the lesion was asymmetric, though the significance of this for the lateral movement is not clear. This case also showed more marked ventricular dilatation on subduroperitoneal shunt malfunction than in the pre-shunt state. The underlying mechanism of the ventricular dilatation is unknown.

Child↗