Two adults presented with hydrocephalus due to idiopathic obstruction of the bilateral foramina of Monro, manifesting as clinical signs of chronically elevated intracranial pressure. No inflammation was present. The primary surgical treatment was neuroendoscopic reconstruction of the right foramen of Monro. A 37-year-old man had a spontaneous perforation of the septum pellucidum. The patient required a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, although postoperative ventriculography proved free passage of cerebrospinal fluid from the lateral ventricle into the third ventricle. A 62-year-old man underwent additional septostomy and third ventriculostomy, and the neuroendoscopic intervention relieved the presenting symptoms without additional treatment. The biopsy specimens showed no evidence of malignancy in either case. Neuroendoscopic intervention is an alternative treatment in the management of hydrocephalus due to idiopathic obstruction of the foramen of Monro. The procedure is less invasive than open microsurgical reconstruction and can even avoid ventriculoperitoneal or ventriculoatrial shunting.

Background: Acute epidural hematomas (EDH), often associated with additional cranial and extracranial injury, are a serious condition which requires immediate surgical evacuation. Otherwise there is a high risk of quick deterioration and death. Only small asymptomatic hematomas can be treated conservatively with close observation. Case Report: We present a case of complete resolution of a traumatic posterior fossa EDH within 1 hour. Conclusion: Several possible mechanisms of spontaneous resorption are discussed with a review of literature regarding the conservative treatment of acute epidural hemorrhage. This is the first description of the spontaneous resolution of an acute traumatic EDH within 1 hour. Mögliche Wege der raschen spontanen Resorption von akuten epiduralen Hämatomen. Fallbericht und LiteraturübersichtZusammenfassung Hintergrund: Akute traumatische, epidurale Hämatome sind häufig eine lebensbedrohliche Erkrankung. Sie erfordern eine rasche neurochirurgische Behandlung durch Hämatomausräumung, da sich der klinische Zustand des Patienten sonst in kurzer Zeit verschlechtern und die Raumwirkung des Hämatoms auf das Gehirn zum Tode führen kann. Nur kleine epidurale Hämatome, die sich klinisch asymptomatisch darstellen, können konservativ erfolgreich behandelt werden. Eine engmaschige Überwachung der Patienten ist jedoch erforderlich. Fallbeschreibung: Wir berichten über einen Patienten mit einem ausgedehnten traumatischen epiduralen Häma-tom in der hinteren Schädelgrube, das sich innerhalb einer Stunde spontan resorbierte. Schlussfolgerungen: Es werden mögliche Resorptionsmechanismen beschrieben und die vorhandene Literatur zur konservativen Behandlung akuter epiduraler Hämatome besprochen. Die vorliegende Arbeit befasst sich erstmals mit der spontanen Resorption eines akuten traumatischen epiduralen Hämatoms innerhalb 1 Stunde. Schlüsselwörter: Akutes epidurales Hämatom · Spontane Resorption · Intrakranielle Verletzung · Konservative Behandlung von epiduralen Hämatomen

Monodisperse porous poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co–ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) particles are widely applied in different fields, as their pore properties can be influenced and functionalization of the epoxy group is versatile. However, the adjustment of parameters which control morphology and pore properties such as pore volume, pore size and specific surface area is scarcely available. In this work, the effects of the process factors monomer:porogen ratio, GMA:EDMA ratio and composition of the porogen mixture on the response variables pore volume, pore size and specific surface area are investigated using a face centered central composite design. Non-linear effects of the process factors and second order interaction effects between them were identified. Despite the complex interplay of the process factors, targeted control of the pore properties was possible. For each response a response surface model was derived with high predictive power (all R2predicted > 0.85). All models were tested by four external validation experiments and their validity and predictive power was demonstrated.

Two cases of subdural hygroma occurred in a series of 77 neuroendoscopic procedures. An 8-year-old boy underwent neuroendoscopic cysto-cisternostomy of a left temporal arachnoid cyst. Routine postoperative magnetic resonance imaging 7 days later showed a large left-sided subdural hygroma without clinical symptoms. During the following 3 months, the subdural hygroma did not resolve spontaneously, so it was drained through a burr hole. A 3-month-old boy with aqueductal stenosis developed bilateral subdural hygromas after third ventriculostomy. Several punctures through the open anterior fontanelle relieved the hygromas but increasing head circumference required ventriculoperitoneal shunting 12 months later. Complications of neuroendoscopic procedures are increasingly reported, including various kinds of bleeding, infections, or damage of neuronal tissue. Only three previous cases of subdural hygroma or hematoma after neuroendoscopic interventions have been reported. The possible etiologies and clinical consequences of this rare complication have to be considered before selecting neuroendoscopy treatment.