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Neurosurgery 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Cancer Treat Rev 2018 Dec 1;72:56-64. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

Radiation Oncology Department, Centre François Baclesse, Caen, France; Archade, Advanced Resource Center for Hadrontherapy in Europe, Caen, France; Normandy University, Université de Caen Basse Normandie, Caen, France; Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire, Caen, France.

Introduction: The depth-dose distribution of a proton beam, materialized by the Bragg peak makes it an attractive radiation modality as it reduces exposure of healthy tissues to radiations, compared with photon therapy Prominent indications, based on a long-standing experience are: intraocular melanomas, low-grade skull-base and spinal canal malignancies. However, many others potential indications are under investigations such as the benign morbid conditions that are compatible with an extended life-expectancy: low grade meningiomas, paragangliomas, pituitary adenomas, neurinomas craniopharyngioma or recurrent pleomorphic adenomas.

Materials: Given the radiation-induced risk of secondary cancer and the potential neurocognitive and functional alteration with photonic radiotherapy, we systematically analyzed the existing clinical literature about the use of proton therapy as an irradiation modality for cervical or intracranial benign tumors. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Neurosurgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.

Superficial siderosis (SS) associated with craniopharyngioma is an extremely rare occurrence. To our knowledge, only three cases have been reported in literature. Two of the cases occurred following resection of the tumor. Read More

Laryngoscope 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Objectives/hypothesis: Currently, due to the rarity of pathology, there are limited data surrounding outcomes of pediatric skull base surgery. Traditionally, surgeons have proceeded with caution when electing endonasal endoscopic transsellar/transplanum approaches to the skull base in pediatric patients due to poor sphenoid pneumatization. In this study, we review outcomes of endoscopic pediatric skull base surgery based on sphenoid pneumatization patterns. Read More

Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2018 Dec 2. Epub 2018 Dec 2.

Schools of Medicine (RB, DAR) and Psychology (KLD), Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK.

Patients with hypopituitarism display impaired quality of life and excess morbidity and mortality, despite apparently optimal pituitary hormone replacement. Oxytocin is a neuropeptide synthesised in the anterior hypothalamus which plays an important role in controlling social and emotional behaviour, body weight and metabolism. Recent studies have suggested that a deficiency of oxytocin may be evident in patients with hypopituitarism and craniopharyngioma, and that this may be associated with deficits in cognitive empathy. Read More

J Neurosurg 2018 Oct 1:1-15. Epub 2018 Oct 1.

OBJECTIVEHarvey Cushing (1869-1939) coined the term "craniopharyngioma" (CP) in 1929 to describe a kaleidoscopic group of epithelial tumors involving the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Throughout his career, he endured a long struggle to accurately diagnose and safely remove these complex lesions, and his resulting surgical series has never before been analyzed in depth. The authors here conduct such an analysis. Read More

J Neurosurg 2018 Oct 1:1-15. Epub 2018 Oct 1.

OBJECTIVEHarvey Cushing (1869-1939) developed pioneering surgical techniques for craniopharyngioma (CP) removal. This study exhaustively analyzes the pathological variables and surgical strategies that influenced Cushing's results in his entire series of CP patients.METHODSThe CP records from Cushing's Brain Tumor Registry were carefully reviewed, as were his CP cases published in medical monographs and scientific reports. Read More

J Neurosurg 2018 Nov 1:1-9. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

OBJECTIVEGross-total resection (GTR) of craniopharyngiomas (CPs) is potentially curative and is often the goal of surgery, but endocrinopathy generally results if the stalk is sacrificed. In some cases, GTR can be attempted while still preserving the stalk; however, stalk manipulation or devascularization may cause endocrinopathy and this strategy risks leaving behind small tumor remnants that can recur.METHODSA retrospective review of a prospective cohort of patients who underwent initial resection of CP using the endoscopic endonasal approach over a period of 12 years at Weill Cornell Medical College, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, was performed. Read More

J Neurosurg 2018 Nov 1:1-11. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

OBJECTIVEIntrinsic third ventricular craniopharyngiomas (IVCs) have been reported by some authors to "pose the greatest surgical challenge" of all craniopharyngiomas (CPAs). A variety of open microsurgical approaches have historically been used for resection of these tumors. Despite increased utilization of the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for resection of CPAs in recent years, many authors continue to recommend against use of the EEA for resection of IVCs. Read More

J Neurosurg 2018 Oct 1:1-6. Epub 2018 Oct 1.

OBJECTIVEThe endoscopic endonasal approach has been proposed as a primary surgical strategy for select craniopharyngiomas. However, those tumors that arise from the sella have not been classified with the other craniopharyngioma subtypes in terms of surgical nuances, intraoperative findings, and postoperative outcomes. The authors describe their experience with a select subtype of craniopharyngioma arising within the sella subjacent to the diaphragma sellae and refer to these tumors as type 0. Read More

Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2018 Nov 27. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Department of Neurosurgery, Johannes Wesling Klinikum, University Hospital of Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Hans Nolte Str. 1, 32429, Minden, Germany.

Background: Perisellar infiltration may be responsible for incomplete removal of pituitary tumors. Since intraoperative visualization of parasellar structures is difficult during transsphenoidal surgery, we are describing the use of intraoperative direct contact ultrasound (IOUS).

Methods: Within 5 years, in 113 transsphenoidal operations (58 male, 55 female, age 14-81 years, 110 pituitary adenomas (mean diameter 26. Read More

Neurosurgery 2018 Nov 27. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Divisions of Neuro-Oncology and Hematology/Oncology, Departments of Medicine and Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

Background: Papillary craniopharyngiomas are characterized by BRAFV600E mutations. Targeted therapy can elicit a dramatic radiographic regression of these tumors. Therefore, prediction of BRAF mutation status before definitive surgery could enable neoadjuvant treatment strategies. Read More

J Endocrinol Invest 2018 Nov 24. Epub 2018 Nov 24.

Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University Children's Hospital, Klinikum Oldenburg AöR, 26133, Oldenburg, Germany.

Purpose: Periostin is highly expressed in craniopharyngioma (CP)-associated fibroblasts and has been identified as a marker for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Half of CP patients with hypothalamic syndrome develop NAFLD. We hypothesized that periostin concentration is elevated in biological fluids of CP and associated with pathological hepatic parameters, indicating increased risk for NAFLD. Read More

Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2018 Nov 16. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado.

Background: Management of recurrent Rathke cleft cysts (RCC) is problematic. The mainstay of treatment has been reoperation with cyst drainage. Radical cyst resection, although effective, results in a high incidence of diabetes insipidus. Read More

Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2018 Jul;2018:4158-4161

In this paper, we described the development of an endoscopic system with the application of minimally invasive observation for a pituitary tumor or a craniopharyngioma. The end-effector was manufactured by attaching an image sensor to the end of a manipulator with a diameter of 3 mm (smaller than a commercial endoscope) by making slits on a biocompatible PAI (Polyamide-imide) tube. The end-effector having 2 degrees of freedom for bending is designed not only to cover most of the FOVs (92. Read More

Indian J Psychiatry 2018 Jul-Sep;60(3):355-357

Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Rapidly progressive dementia (RPD) is generally obvious to family member but often difficult for physicians to pinpoint the underlying pathology. Some common causes, such as prion's disease, Alzheimer's disease, central nervous system vasculitis, or infection, might present with disease-specific signs or symptoms where many etiologies do not produce such warning signs. Here, we are presenting a case who attended the psychiatric clinic for decreased motivation to do work, easy fatigability, infrequent falls, recent memory impairment, increased appetite, polydipsia and polyuria, and provisionally diagnosed with RPD. Read More

J Neurooncol 2018 Nov 3. Epub 2018 Nov 3.

Department of Neurosurgery, Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China.

Background: The trans-eyebrow supraorbital keyhole approach, a minimal transcranial approach, has been widely used in different types of surgery for sellar and parasellar lesions. In this study, we investigated the outcome of this approach in the surgical treatment of suprasellar and third ventricular craniopharyngioma.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients with suprasellar and third ventricular craniopharyngioma underwent surgery via a supraorbital approach between June 2007 and June 2018. Read More

Ultrastruct Pathol 2018 Sep-Oct;42(5):448-457

a Department of Basic Medical Sciences (Anatomy, Pathology and Histology) , University of La Laguna , Tenerife , Spain.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogeneous population involved in intercellular communication. Little attention has been paid to a peculiar EV type with the appearance of a multivesicular body: extracellular multivesicular body (EMVB), also termed matrix vesicle cluster/multivesicular cargo. The aim of this work is to assess the ultrastructural characteristics, participation, and tissue location of EMVBs in inflammation/repair and tumors (with physiopathological processes involving intense intercellular communication), for which representative specimens were used. Read More

Cancers (Basel) 2018 Oct 26;10(11). Epub 2018 Oct 26.

Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO) and DKTK Site Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.

(1) Background: Selecting patients that will benefit the most from proton radiotherapy (PRT) is of major importance. This study sought to assess dose reductions to numerous organs-at-risk (OARs) with PRT, as compared to three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT), as a function of tumor location. (2) Materials/Methods: Patients with intracranial neoplasms (all treated with PRT) were stratified into five location-based groups (frontal, suprasellar, temporal, parietal, posterior cranial fossa; = 10 per group). Read More

F1000Res 2018 11;7. Epub 2018 Oct 11.

Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, 2015 North Jefferson Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206, USA.

Craniopharyngioma is a curable benign tumor, but owing to its intimate relationship to critical structures in the central brain-such as the optic apparatus, pituitary, hypothalamus, intracranial vasculature, brain stem, and temporal lobes-its management introduces the risk of long-term treatment morbidity. Today, the most common treatment approach is conservative subtotal resection followed by radiotherapy, and the goal is to limit long-term toxicity. Many recent advances in the treatment of craniopharyngioma are attributable to improved surgical techniques and radiotherapy technologies. Read More

J Chem Neuroanat 2018 Dec 17;94:93-101. Epub 2018 Oct 17.

Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Hosur Road, Bangalore, 560 029, India. Electronic address:

Craniopharyngiomas (CPs) are rare, epithelial tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) that could lead to manifestation of multiple post-operative symptoms, ranging from hormonal imbalance to obesity, diabetes, visual, neurological and neurocognitive impairments. CP is more frequent in children, and has been reported in middle aged adults as well. In fact, arterial laceration and/or brain stroke which may occur following the removal of some CPs is mainly due to calcification of that CPs along with strong attachments to the blood vessels. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2018 Oct 14. Epub 2018 Oct 14.

Institute of Neurosurgery, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy.

Xanthogranulomas are rare intracranial lesions with controversial etiology. The sellar location is exceedingly rare. Here we report a clinical case and a review of the English-language literature of histologically confirmed xanthogranulomas in order to furnish useful tools in diagnosis and management of this unusual disease. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Oct 13. Epub 2018 Oct 13.

Department of Neurosurgery, Medstar Washington Hospital Center, 110 Irving St. NW, Washington, DC 20010.

Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2018 4;14:2545-2550. Epub 2018 Oct 4.

Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.

In this report, we discuss the case of an multiple sclerosis (MS) patient, age 62, who learned to attain and sustain euthymia despite his ailments. He has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), asthma, MS, urticaria, and major depression (MD). Despite thriving limitations, the patient is an accomplished scientist, who struggled for > twelve years to emerge from being confined to bed and wheel chair with MS, to walking with crutches, scuba diving, writing manuscripts, and living a positive life. Read More

J Craniomaxillofac Surg 2018 Sep 24. Epub 2018 Sep 24.

Anna Meyer Hospital (Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Meyer), Neurosurgery Department, Florence, Italy.

Object: At present, a minimally invasive endoscopic endonasal approach is considered an efficient option for lesions affecting the anterior and middle skull base with sellar and parasellar region involvement. In this study we will retrospectively analyze the pediatric patients that we have been treating in the same medical center for the past four years, using an endoscopic approach in the skull base.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart and imaging review of pediatric patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery (ESBS) at the Meyer Children's Hospital, (Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Meyer), in Florence, from January 2012 to July 2016. Read More

Asian J Neurosurg 2018 Jul-Sep;13(3):640-646

Department of Pathology, National Hospital Organization, Yokohama Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan.

Objective: Craniopharyngioma is a benign tumor. However, sometimes, this tumor may recur repeatedly even after apparent total resection. This study investigated the requirements for ideal radical treatment, based on a discussion of the long-term clinical course and pathological findings in surgical patients. Read More

Asian J Neurosurg 2018 Jul-Sep;13(3):626-630

Department of Radiology, Timberland Medical Center, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Introduction: This study describes a technique using gravity for guidance in stereotactic brain biopsy. This will be especially useful in hospitals where the stereotactic equipment is unavailable.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to describe the technique, develop a formula to define its limits of accuracy, and report on its clinical application. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Sep 26. Epub 2018 Sep 26.

Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address:

Objective: Craniopharyngiomas have traditionally been resected through the transcranial approaches (TCA). The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has recently been developed as an alternative for surgeons, but controversy remains regarding which approach has better outcomes. We compared the endocrine and metabolic outcomes of TCA and EEA in patients who underwent primary resection of craniopharyngiomas. Read More

Niger Postgrad Med J 2018 Jul-Sep;25(3):186-190

Department of Neurosurgery, Memfys Hospital for Neurosurgery, Enugu, Nigeria.

Background: Nothing has been published about paediatric brain tumours (PBTs) in Southeast Nigeria. This pioneer study analyses the tumour characteristics and management outcome of PBTs in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria.

Methodology: Retrospective longitudinal study utilising information from medical, radiology and histopathology records of all paediatric tumour cases managed at Memfys Hospital for Neurosurgery, Enugu, a major referral centre, from 2006 to 2017. Read More

J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol 2018 Sep 27. Epub 2018 Sep 27.

Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Adana, Turkey.

Inappropriate ADH syndrome (SIADH) may develop after intracranial surgery. SIADH in pediatric age is mostly seen in intracranial mass and not only after surgery. The management of these clinical conditions in patients is important for the clinical course of the patient. Read More

Expert Rev Neurother 2018 Oct 4;18(10):793-806. Epub 2018 Oct 4.

a Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology , Klinikum Oldenburg AöR, Medical Campus University Oldenburg , Oldenburg , Germany.

Introduction: Childhood-onset craniopharyngiomas are rare embryonic tumors of low-grade histological malignancy. Severe obesity, physical fatigue, and psychosocial deficits due to hypothalamic tumor involvement have negative impact on quality of life. Initial pretreatment involvement of hypothalamic structures and/or treatment-related lesions result in sequelae clinically associated with impaired social and physical functionality and severe neuroendocrine deficiencies. Read More

Endocr Rev 2018 Sep 20. Epub 2018 Sep 20.

Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.

The development of hypothalamic obesity (HO) following craniopharyngioma (CP) and other suprasellar tumors leads to reduced patient quality of life. No treatment algorithms are currently available for management of HO. Depending on which hypothalamic nuclei are destroyed, the pathophysiologic mechanisms and clinical symptoms that contribute to HO differ among patients. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Dec 18;120:e1245-e1278. Epub 2018 Sep 18.

Statistics Department, Computing Center, C.S.I.C., Madrid, Spain.

Objective: This study provides a systematic review and meta-analysis of psychiatric disorders caused by craniopharyngiomas and the hypothalamic alterations underlying these symptoms.

Methods: We investigated a collection of 210 craniopharyngiomas reported from 1823 to 2017 providing detailed clinical and pathologic information about psychiatric disturbances, including 10 of our own series, and compared the hypothalamic damage in this cohort with the present in a control cohort of 105 cases without psychiatric symptoms.

Results: Psychiatric disorders occurred predominantly in patients with craniopharyngiomas developing primarily at the infundibulotuberal region (45%) or entirely within the third ventricle (30%), mostly affecting adult patients (61%; P < 0. Read More

J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2018 Nov;77(11):1017-1023

Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.

The aim of this study was to clarify pathological and anatomical relationships between adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas (ACP) and their surrounding structures. We previously established a QST classification scheme based on the apparent anatomic origin of the tumors. According to this classification, 13 type Q tumors, 6 type S tumors, and 42 type T ACPs were analyzed. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Sep 19;2018. Epub 2018 Sep 19.

Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA.

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Sep;97(37):e12375

Department of Neurosurgery.

Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a poor prognostic factor in many tumors including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), colorectal, and prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of preoperative NLR in patients with craniopharyngioma.Around 149 patients of craniopharyngioma surgically were treated at the Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital from January 2008 to December 2010, including 84 males and 65 females aged from 6 to 70 years were retrospectively reviewed, and preoperative NLR was analyzed. Read More

J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2018 Oct;31(10):1161-1164

Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan.

Background Xanthogranuloma of the sellar region is a rare entity. Its pathology is controversial and it is difficult to strictly differentiate it from craniopharyngioma or Rathke's cyst. Case presentation We report a case of xanthogranuloma accompanied by growth hormone deficiency in an 11-year-old girl. Read More

Pituitary 2018 Dec;21(6):571-583

Department of Neurosurgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, 525 East 68th St., Box #99, New York, NY, 10065, USA.

Purpose: To describe the clinical, radiographic and surgical outcomes in a cohort of patients with BRAF V600E mutant papillary craniopharyngiomas.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed to identify all patients with a histological diagnosis of CP operated upon at a single institution between 2005 and 2017. All cases with adequate material were sequenced to confirm the presence of BRAF V600E mutation. Read More

Neuro Endocrinol Lett 2018 05;39(2):99-104

Department of Endocrinology, 302 Military Hospital of China, Beijing, China.

Background: A few reports had revealed the clinical associations between hypopituitarism and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Further evidences were needed.

Objectives: To report 5 cases of young patients with rapidly progressive NAFLD in conjunction with hypopituitarism, aiming to detect the associations. Read More

Int J Obes (Lond) 2018 Sep 4. Epub 2018 Sep 4.

Department of Endocrinology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.

Background/objectives: Hypothalamic obesity (HO) occurs in 50% of patients with the pituitary tumor craniopharyngioma (CP). Attempts have been made to predict the risk of HO based on hypothalamic (HT) damage on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but none have included volumetry. We performed qualitative and quantitative volumetric analyses of HT damage. Read More

Childs Nerv Syst 2018 Aug 27. Epub 2018 Aug 27.

Department of Neurosurgery, Policlinico Universitario "G. Martino", University of Messina, 98125, Messina, Italy.

Purpose: Craniopharyngiomas account for 5.6-13% of intracranial tumors in children. Despite being histologically benign, these tumors remain a major neurosurgical challenge because of the typical tight adherence to adjacent critical structures. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Aug;97(34):e11746

Department of Neurosurgery, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.

This study aimed to summarize the clinical experiences and postoperative effects of microsurgical approaches for craniopharyngioma.A total of 183 craniopharyngioma patients who underwent microsurgical treatment since March 2009 to March 2015 in our hospital were included in current research. Surgical approaches were selected based on preoperative evaluations, including tumor locations, sizes, and growth patterns. Read More

Cureus 2018 Jun 20;10(6):e2849. Epub 2018 Jun 20.

Neurosurgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, TWN.

Choroid plexus papillomas (CPPs) are slow-growing and benign tumors, representing less than 1% of all intracranial neoplasms. They are predominantly located in the lateral ventricles in children, and in the fourth ventricle in adults. Primary CPP over sellar regions is extremely rare. Read More

Eur J Endocrinol 2018 10 12;179(5):331-341. Epub 2018 Oct 12.

Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology / Oncology, Klinikum Oldenburg AöR, Medical Campus University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.

Objective: Quality of survival, prognosis and long-term outcome are often severely impaired in childhood-onset craniopharyngioma patients (CP). Identification of risk factors for sequelae such as growth hormone (GH) deficiency is important for appropriate treatment and rehabilitation.

Design: In a cross-sectional study, 79 CP recruited in HIT-Endo before 2000 were analyzed according to GH substitution: a. Read More

Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2018 Aug 16. Epub 2018 Aug 16.

Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Background: Near-infrared (NIR) tumor contrast is achieved through the "second-window ICG" technique, which relies on passive accumulation of high doses of indocyanine green (ICG) in neoplasms via the enhanced permeability and retention effect.

Objective: To report early results and potential challenges associated with the application of second-window ICG technique in endonasal endoscopic, ventral skull-base surgery, and to determine potential predictors of NIR signal-to-background ratio (SBR) using endoscopic techniques.

Methods: Pituitary adenoma (n = 8), craniopharyngioma (n = 3), and chordoma (n = 4) patients received systemic infusions of ICG (5 mg/kg) approximately 24 h before surgery. Read More

Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2018 10 6;102(2):391-398. Epub 2018 Jun 6.

Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.

Purpose: Radiation therapy is integral in treatment of pediatric brain tumors, but it is associated with negative long-term sequelae. Proton beam radiation therapy (PRT), which enables better focusing of radiation on tumors, may entail fewer sequelae. This prospective study examined cognitive and adaptive functioning in children and young adults treated with PRT. Read More

Surg Neurol Int 2018 4;9:128. Epub 2018 Jul 4.

Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.

Background: Tension pneumocephalus from skull base surgery is a rare occurrence that mandates urgent neurosurgical attention.

Case Description: We describe a case of tension pneumocephalus secondary to an endoscopic endonasal resection of an adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma and how it was successfully managed at our institution.

Conclusion: Our experience reflects that definitive treatment of tension pneumocephalus is required with multilayered dural repair, but temporising measures should be used immediately to prevent neurological deterioration prior to the definitive repair. Read More