Showing papers by "Leslie N. Sutton published in 2006"

Experience with acellular human dura and bovine collagen matrix for duraplasty after posterior fossa decompression for Chiari malformations.

Abstract: Object Posterior fossa decompression with duraplasty is routinely used for the treatment of Chiari malformations. It has been traditionally believed that this procedure requires a watertight seal with primary closure of the dura with either pericranium or allograft. In this study, the authors evaluated two synthetic dural substitutes in this patient population for feasibility of use and identification of perioperative morbidity. Methods The authors evaluated 56 patients who underwent duraplasty with a synthetic collagen matrix (Dura-Gen) after suboccipital craniectomy and C-1 laminectomy, and 45 patients in whom the dural closure involved acellular human dermis (AlloDerm). Patients in both groups were assessed for the presence of a pseudomeningocele, wound infection, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, and the need for repeated operation either for wound revision or the placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Operative times for which DuraGen duraplasty was used were compared with those for AlloDerm closur...

Brain tissue oxygen monitoring in pediatric patients with severe traumatic brain injury

Abstract: Object Intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) monitoring are fundamental to the management of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). In adults, brain tissue oxygen monitoring (specifically PO2) and treatment have been shown to be safe additions to conventional neurocritical care and are associated with improved outcome. Brain tissue oxygen monitoring, however, has not been described in pediatric patients with TBI. In this report, the authors present preliminary experience with the use of ICP and PO2 monitoring in this population. Methods Pediatric patients (age <18 years) with severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale score <8) admitted to a Level 1 trauma center who underwent ICP and PO2 monitoring were evaluated. Therapy was directed at maintaining ICP below 20 mm Hg and age-appropriate CPP (≥ 40 mm Hg). Data obtained in six patients (two girls and four boys ranging in age from 6–16 years) were analyzed. Brain tissue oxygen levels were significantly higher (p <0.01) at an ICP of less than ...

Fetal posterior fossa volume: assessment with MR imaging.

Abstract: Purpose: To retrospectively determine the relationship between posterior fossa volume (PFV) and estimated gestational age (EGA) and/or femur length (FL) during pregnancy for the purpose of developing a normal growth curve. Materials and Methods: Advance institutional review board approval was obtained for this HIPAA-compliant study, and the need for parent informed consent was waived. A cross-sectional retrospective study was performed to measure PFV on in vivo magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained in 76 fetuses of 18–36 weeks gestation who had a morphologically normal CNS. Because this was a retrospective series, MR imaging techniques varied slightly, but all fetuses underwent imaging at contiguous 3–5-mm intervals in at least two orthogonal planes, with repetition time msec/echo time msec, 5–12/62–95; number of signals acquired, one; flip angle, 150°–180°; and matrix, 128–192 × 256. Posterior fossa areas were manually traced on half-Fourier rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement in utero fetal ...

Anticancer effects of the novel 1α, 25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 hybrid analog QW1624F2‐2 in human neuroblastoma

Abstract: Vitamin D3 analogs are potential anti-cancer agents with theoretically wide therapeutic index, but there have been limited studies directed towards human neuroblastoma. The antiproliferative ability of the novel vitamin D3 hybrid analog QW-1624F2-2 (QW, 1-hydroxymethyl-16-ene-24, 24-F2-26, 27-bishomo-25-hydroxyvitamin D3) was examined in two human neuroblastoma-derived cell-lines. Analog QW inhibited cell-cycle progression of IMR5 cells with accumulation in G1 phase. QW induced the differentiation of CHP134 as evidenced by increased neurite length. These effects were accompanied by decreased expression of MYCN in both the cell-lines treated with QW. Furthermore, QW inhibited the migration of CHP134 cells in matrigel invasion assays, indicating its anti-invasive ability. In athymic nude mice, we found that QW was less calcemic than EB1089 (1α, 25-dihydroxy-22, 24-diene-24, 26,27-trishomovitamin D3). Systemic administration of QW in a mouse xenotransplantation model revealed that it is more effective than EB1089 in suppressing the growth of CHP134 flank tumors. In summary, the low-calcemic hybrid analog QW showed significant anti-tumor activity in vivo and thus exhibits potential as a novel cancer therapeutic. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Surgical management of hypothalamic hamartomas with epilepsy : The stereoendoscopic approach. Commentary

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) require surgical treatment in patients presenting with refractory epilepsy. METHODS: The authors report on a single-center series of 33 patients (24 males, 9 females) who underwent surgery between January 1997 and April 2004. They experienced several types of seizure (gelastic, tonic, partial, atonic, generalized tonic-clonic, dacrystic, infantile spasm, mental retardation, and behavioral and endocrinological abnormalities). Forty-nine interventions were carried out. Every patient, with the exception of the first, underwent hamartoma disconnection (pterional approach, six patients; endoscopy, 15 patients; both, 11 patients). The endoscopic approach was carried out with a frameless stereotactic system to enhance feasibility and efficacy of the disconnecting procedure. RESULTS: Surgery-related neurological complications occurred in two patients, both after a pterional microsurgical approach. Furthermore, two patients experienced panhypopituitarism and one patient experienced transitory central insipid diabetes. All patients but one showed recovery or considerable improvement of their epilepsy (Engel Class 1, 48.5%; Engel Class 2, 3%; Engel Class 3, 45.5%; mean follow-up duration, 1 yr 7 mo). CONCLUSION: According to the proposed classification of sessile HH into four types, the best candidates for endoscopic disconnection are Type 2 and Type 3 HHs. In the present series, 90% of patients affected by Type 2 HH became seizure free and the remaining 10% improved; of those with Type 3 HH at presentation, 35.3% recovered and 60% improved. Neuropsychological and endocrinological test results showed improvement in many patients. Data from our series demonstrate that frameless stereotactic endoscopic disconnection should be considered as the treatment of choice in the presence of favorable anatomic conditions.

Recanalization of obstructed cerebrospinal fluid ventricular catheters using ultrasonic cavitation. Commentary

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Fifty percent of implanted cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts fail within 2 years, primarily because of obstruction of the proximal catheter. Percutaneous techniques to reduce the morbidity of shunt revision are being developed. The authors describe the development of a device that uses ultrasonic cavitation to unblock ventricular catheters. METHODS: In collaboration with Cybersonics, Inc. (Erie, PA), we designed, built, and tested a system that produces low-frequency ultrasound (20-28 kHz). Extensional ultrasonic waves are transmitted along a tapered wire (final diameter, approximately 0.8 mm) to the tip, where cavitation is produced in a highly localized region. An in vitro model of sheep choroid plexus occluding typical ventricular catheters was developed. The device was safety tested in vivo in rat and pig brains by introducing the device into shunt catheters inserted during simulated shunt surgery. A clinical safety trial using the device to attempt to remove blocked and adherent ventricular catheters has commenced. RESULTS: In the sheep choroid plexus model, at least 90% of the occluded holes were unblocked in a few minutes, restoring normal flow. There was no adverse effect of the device within shunt catheters inserted into live animal brains. Four patients have undergone treatment with the device at open CSF shunt surgery without adverse effect, and the device seems effective at unblocking and freeing the occluded catheters. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonic cavitation produced at the end of a fine wire that is introduced percutaneously into a CSF shunt promises to be a useful technique for minimally invasive proximal ventricular CSF shunt catheter revision.

Endoscopic resection of hypothalamic hamartoma using a novel variable aspiration tissue resector. Commentary

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: We present a novel variable aspiration tissue resector for use with neuroendoscopy. METHODS: Two patients, 4 and 14 years old, respectively, presented with intractable gelastic seizures refractory to maximal medical therapies. Magnetic resonance imaging showed mass lesions of the third ventricle consistent with hypothalamic hamartoma. RESULTS: The patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging wand-guided endoscopic resection of the tumor with the Suros novel variable aspiration tissue resector. There were no device-associated complications or adverse events. The hamartoma was disconnected in one patient, and gross total resection was achieved in the other. CONCLUSION: Endoscopy for tumor resection is still frustrated by the lack of surgical tools, such as ultrasonic aspirators, comparable with those available for use during open procedures. The variable-aspiration tissue resector reported here can be used to resect tumor tissue safely. These two cases demonstrate that gross total resection of small hypothalamic hamartomas is feasible with minimal morbidity through an endoscopic approach.

Use of allogeneic skin graft for the closure of large meningomyeloceles: technical case report.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE To describe an alternative approach to the operative management of large meningomyeloceles, in which primary closure is not possible. CLINICAL PRESENTATION Two full-term infants presented with very large meningomyeloceles for closure after an uncomplicated delivery. TECHNIQUE An allogeneic skin graft was used in both cases to approximate the skin defect that remained after removal of the large meningomyelocele sacs. The surgical site was treated with dressing changes only during the postoperative period. CONCLUSION The independent use of allogeneic skin grafts can lead to a successful cosmetic result for the treatment of large meningomyeloceles without the use of complicated skin incisions or flap advancements.