BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In medically refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension, optic nerve sheath fenestration or CSF shunting is considered the next line of management. Venous sinus stenosis has been increasingly recognized as a treatable cause of elevated intracranial pressure in a subset of patients. In this article, we present the results of the largest meta-analysis of optic nerve sheath fenestration, CSF shunting, and dural venous sinus stenting. This is the only article that compares these procedures, to our knowledge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a PubMed search of all peer-reviewed articles from 1988 to 2014 for patients who underwent a procedure for medically refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension. RESULTS: Optic nerve sheath fenestration analysis included 712 patients. Postprocedure, there was improvement of vision in 59%, headache in 44%, and papilledema in 80%; 14.8% of patients required a repeat procedure with major and minor complication rates of 1.5% and 16.4%, respectively. The CSF diversion procedure analysis included 435 patients. Postprocedure, there was improvement of vision in 54%, headache in 80%, and papilledema in 70%; 43% of patients required at least 1 additional surgery. The major and minor complication rates were 7.6% and 32.9%, respectively. The dural venous sinus stenting analysis included 136 patients. After intervention, there was improvement of vision in 78%, headache in 83%, and papilledema in 97% of patients. The major and minor complication rates were 2.9% and 4.4%, respectively. Fourteen additional procedures were performed with a repeat procedure rate of 10.3%. Three patients had contralateral stent placement, while 8 had ipsilateral stent placement within or adjacent to the original stent. Only 3 patients required conversion to CSF diversion or 2.2% of patients with stents. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with medically refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension have traditionally undergone a CSF diversion procedure as the first intervention. This paradigm may need to be re-examined, given the high technical and clinical success and low complication rates with dural venous sinus stenting.

http://www.ajnr.org/content/ajnr/36/10/1899.full.pdf

Meta-Analysis of CSF Diversion Procedures and Dural Venous Sinus Stenting in the Setting of Medically Refractory Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Introduction
The sylvian aqueduct is the most common site of intraventricular blockage of the cerebro-spinal fluid. Clinical aspects, neuroradiological appearance, and treatment of hydrocephalus secondary to aqueductal stenosis are specific.

Hydrocephalus in aqueductal stenosis

To define the efficacy, complication profile and cost of surgical options for treating idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) with respect to the following endpoints: vision and headache improvement, normal CSF pressure restoration, papilloedema resolution, relapse rate, operative complications, cost of intervention and quality of life. A systematic review of the surgical treatment of IIH was carried out. Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were systematically searched from 1985 to 2014 to identify all relevant manuscripts written in English. Additional studies were identified by searching the references of retrieved papers and relative narrative reviews. Forty-one (41) studies were included (36 case series and 5 case reports), totalling 728 patients. Three hundred forty-one patients were treated with optic nerve sheath fenestration (ONSF), 128 patients with lumboperitoneal shunting (LPS), 72 patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS), 155 patients with venous sinus stenting and 32 patients with bariatric surgery. ONSF showed considerable efficacy in vision improvement, while CSF shunting had a superior headache response. Venous sinus stenting demonstrated satisfactory results in both vision and headache improvement along with the best complication profile and low relapse rate, but longer follow-up periods are needed. The complication rate of bariatric surgery was high when compared to other interventions and visual outcomes have not been reported adequately. ONSF had the lowest cost. No surgical modality proved to be clearly superior to any other in IIH management. However, in certain contexts, a given approach appears more justified. Therefore, a treatment algorithm has been formulated, based on the extracted evidence of this review. The traditional treatment paradigm may need to be re-examined with sinus stenting as a first-line treatment modality.

Efficacy, complications and cost of surgical interventions for idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a systematic review of the literature.

Object. Complications following lumboperitoneal (LP) shunting have been reported in 18% to 85% of cases. The need for multiple revision surgeries, development of iatrogenic Chiari malformation, and frequent wound complications have prompted many to abandon this procedure altogether for the treatment of idiopathic benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri), in favor of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting. A direct comparison of the complication rates and health care charges between first-choice LP versus VP shunting is presented. Methods. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was queried for all patients with the diagnosis of benign intracranial hypertension (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, code 348.2) from 2005 to 2009. These data were stratified by operative intervention, with demographic and hospitalization charge data generated for each. Results. A weighted sample of 4480 patients was identified as having the diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), with 2505 undergoing first-time VP shunt placement and 1754 undergoing initial LP shunt place ment. Revision surgery occurred in 3.9% of admissions (n = 98) for VP shunts and in 7.0% of admissions (n = 123) for LP shunts (p < 0.0001). Ventriculoperitoneal shunts were placed at teaching institutions in 83.8% of cases, compared with only 77.3% of first-time LP shunts (p < 0.0001). Mean hospital length of stay (LOS) significantly differed between primary VP (3 days) and primary LP shunt procedures (4 days, p < 0.0001). The summed charges for the revisions of 92 VP shunts ($3,453,956) and those of the 6 VP shunt removals ($272,484) totaled $3,726,352 over 5 years for the study population. The summed charges for revision of 70 LP shunts ($2,229,430) and those of the 53 LP shunt removals ($3,125,569) totaled $5,408,679 over 5 years for the study population. Conclusions. The presented results appear to call into question the selection of LP shunt placement as primary treatment for IIH, as this procedure is associated with a significantly greater likelihood of need for shunt revision, increased LOS, and greater overall charges to the health care system.

/pdf/a-comparison-of-lumboperitoneal-and-ventriculoperitoneal-igpkgqlbhl.pdf

A comparison of lumboperitoneal and ventriculoperitoneal shunting for idiopathic intracranial hypertension: an analysis of economic impact and complications using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample.

The cerebral ventricles have been recognized since ancient medical history. Their true function started to be realized more than a thousand years later. Their anatomy and function are extremely important in the neurosurgical panorama. The literature was searched for articles and textbooks of different topics related to the history, anatomy, physiology, histology, embryology and surgical considerations of the brain ventricles. Herein, we summarize the literature about the cerebral ventricular system.

The ventricular system of the brain: a comprehensive review of its history, anatomy, histology, embryology, and surgical considerations

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is considered as a treatment of choice for obstructive hydrocephalus. It is indicated in hydrocephalus secondary to congenital aqueductal stenosis, posterior third ventricle tumor, cerebellar infarct, Dandy-Walker malformation, vein of Galen aneurism, syringomyelia with or without Chiari malformation type I, intraventricular hematoma, post infective, normal pressure hydrocephalus, myelomeningocele, multiloculated hydrocephalus, encephalocele, posterior fossa tumor and craniosynostosis. It is also indicated in block shunt or slit ventricle syndrome. Proper Pre-operative imaging for detailed assessment of the posterior communicating arteries distance from mid line, presence or absence of Liliequist membrane or other membranes, located in the prepontine cistern is useful. Measurement of lumbar elastance and resistance can predict patency of cranial subarachnoid space and complex hydrocephalus, which decides an ultimate outcome. Water jet dissection is an effective technique of ETV in thick floor. Ultrasonic contact probe can be useful in selected patients. Intra-operative ventriculo-stomography could help in confirming the adequacy of endoscopic procedure, thereby facilitating the need for shunt. Intraoperative observations of the patent aqueduct and prepontine cistern scarring are predictors of the risk of ETV failure. Such patients may be considered for shunt surgery. Magnetic resonance ventriculography and cine phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging are effective in assessing subarachnoid space and stoma patency after ETV. Proper case selection, post-operative care including monitoring of ICP and need for external ventricular drain, repeated lumbar puncture and CSF drainage, Ommaya reservoir in selected patients could help to increase success rate and reduce complications. Most of the complications develop in an early post-operative, but fatal complications can develop late which indicate an importance of long term follow up.

/pdf/endoscopic-third-ventriculostomy-1sg66mezor.pdf

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy.

Introduction  The role of surgery by minimally invasive techniques for lumbar disc disease remains unclear in the Cochrane review. There are reports of significant advantages of endoscopy over open or microdiscectomy techniques, such as better visualization of the lesion, smaller incision sizes with lower short-term morbidity, reduced hospital stay, and better education. Materials and Methods  Four hundred consecutive lumber disc herniation patients underwent endoscopic interlaminar lumbar discectomy from January 2006 to December 2010 by single surgeon by Destandu system (Karl Storz, Germany). Single-level and double-level disc with unilateral or bilateral symptoms (including central, sequestrated, or migrated disc) were included. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores for back pain and leg pain and MacNab criteria were recorded pre- and postoperatively. Results  The mean VAS score before surgery was 7.9 as compared with a 1.5 score 3 months after surgery. Postoperative VAS scores were significantly better in 90% of cases. Overall, 91% of patients had good-to-excellent results according to MacNab criteria. Accidental intraoperative single-facet injury, minor dural tear, recurrence, postoperative discitis, and persistent paresthesia were seen in 3, 7, 2, 2, and 1 patients, respectively. The mean follow- up was 24 months (range 10 months to 5 years). Conclusions  Endoscopic interlaminar technique (ILT) was a safe and effective alternative procedure for lumber disc disease. This was associated with some complications, especially in the initial learning curve. Once the practitioner is over the learning curve and has acquired expertise, this procedure was safe and effective.

Endoscopic interlaminar management of lumbar disc disease.

AIm: Treatment options for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) are lumbar peritoneal shunt (LP), optic nerve fenestration, ventriculoperitoneal shunt and venous stenting. We report our experience of 24 cases of LP shunt. mAterIAl and methOds: All the patients had preoperative fundus examination, cerebrospinal fluid pressure estimation and examination, visual field charting, CT scan and MR venography. Postoperative fundus examination and visual field charting was done in all cases. Follow up ranged from 18 to 137 months. results: Preoperative papilledema, headache, decreased vision, optic atrophy and diplopia were seen in 24, 24, 19, 10 and 11 patients respectively. Shunt failure, CSF leak and temporary over drainage complications in the form of headache were seen in 2, 1 and 15 cases respectively. Vision improved in 10 out of 18 patients. Only one patient, out of 9 who had only perception of light and optic atrophy preoperatively, had improved vision while all patients with vision of finger counting or better without optic atrophy improved after shunt. COnClusIOn: LP shunt is safe and effective in IIH. Results in terms of improvement in vision were better in good pre operatively vision group. Keyw Ords: Pseudo tumor cerebri, Benign intracranial hypertension, Cerebrospinal fluid shunt, Lumbar peritoneal shunt

/pdf/lumbar-peritoneal-shunt-in-idiopathic-intracranial-55g2yo34jp.pdf

Lumbar peritoneal shunt in idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

There are several case reports of complications of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. Extrusion of the peritoneal end of the shunt through mouth is extremely rare. There are few case reports. We are reporting one such case. A 1-year male child was admitted with the peritoneal end of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt coming out through mouth since 6 hours after an episode of vomiting. He was conscious and had no neurological deficits. The anterior fontanelle was depressed. There was no infection. The peritoneal end of the shunt was removed through the mouth. Shunt revision was performed. The patient was discharged 10 days after the revision without any complications. At 1-year follow-up the patient is doing well. Possible mechanisms of bowel perforation are discussed. Pulling the peritoneal end through mouth is probably the best way of management as small spontaneous gut perforation seals off spontaneously. It also decreases the possibility of infection, other morbidities, and hospital stay.

Transoral extrusion of the ventriculo- peritoneal shunt: A case report and review of literature

AIM: The management of intraoperative bleeding during removal of a large hyper vascular meningioma is crucial for safe and efficient surgery. Preoperative embolization of meningioma is the best way to reduce vascularity of meningiomas but this technique is not readily available, costly and has its own limitations. The study is aimed to evaluate the use of temporary clamping of external carotid artery to reduce blood loss and operating time during excision of large convexity, parasagittal or temporal base meningiomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study of 115 consecutively operated meningiomas of size 5 cms or more were operated from January 2002 to December2010. Temporary clamping of external carotid artery was done in 61 while 51 cases were managed without clamping. RESULTS: There was significant reduction of blood loss, operative time and blood transfusion given in the temporary clipping group compared to non clipping group. There was stitch abscess in two patients each in clamping, and non clamping group. There was no scalp necrosis or mortality in any of the group. CONCLUSION: Temporary clamping of external carotid artery is a safe, simple and cost-effective alternative to embolization for the surgery of large meningiomas. This can be practiced at all the centers.

/pdf/temporary-clamping-of-external-carotid-artery-in-convexity-495s018hn5.pdf

Moneet Agarwal

Papers

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy.

Endoscopic interlaminar management of lumbar disc disease.

Lumbar peritoneal shunt in idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Transoral extrusion of the ventriculo- peritoneal shunt: A case report and review of literature

Temporary clamping of external carotid artery in convexity, parasagittal and temporal base meningioma.