Since 1990, 110 retrograde ventriculo-sinus (RVS) shunts were implanted; 98 patients (89.1%) benefited – 1 of them (0.9%) after shunt revision. The manifestations of high intra cranial pressure (ICP) disappeared, there were no problems related to improper cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage, and the transcranial Doppler (TCD) resistive index (RI) measurements decreased to within normal ranges. Radiologically, the ventriculomegaly showed no regression in patients with open craniums and variable degrees of mild regression in patients with rigid craniums. Complications that needed shunt removal or revision occurred in 13 patients (11.8%); 1 patient (0.9%) died before shunt revision; they were all due to technical errors committed during the stages of evolution of the surgical technique for shunt implantation. The follow-up ranged between 4 months and 11 years (mean 3.42 years). Conclusion: the RVS shunt is a simple, minimally invasive, physiological procedure for treatment of hydrocephalus and is suitable for all ages.

Background: Various approaches to lesions in the anterior cranial fossa and sellar region have been described by different authors under various names which describe the extent of craniotomies. The aims of this study were to describe and retrospectively analyze and evaluate the anterolateral mini fronto-orbito-zygomatic (MFOZ) approach via an eyebrow incision in treating pediatric pathologies, especially those related to the sellar region. Method: Between January 2003 and December 2008, 18 patients with lesions in the sellar region or the anterior corridor leading to it were operated upon via the same approach. There were 10 males and 8 females. The age ranged between 11 months and 15 years (mean 7.9 years). The pathologies were craniopharyngiomas in 6 cases, hypothalamic and chiasmal pilocytic astrocytoma in 7 and 5 miscellaneous cases including 2 pituitary adenomas, 1 extradural hematoma, hypothalamic hamartoma and 1 arachnoid cyst in the retrosellar and prepontine area. Surgery was performed from the right side in 15 cases and from the left in 3 cases. Results: Total resection was achieved in 9 cases (50%), subtotal resection in 4 cases (22%), and partial resection in 5 cases (28%). Complications related to the approach like CSF rhinorrhea, supraorbital hypoesthesia and loss of upward elevation of the eyebrow were temporary. There was no mortality in this study and no significant added morbidities related to the approach. The approach has the advantages of the small cosmetic eyebrow incision and the skull base trajectory, thus reducing brain retraction and achieving the desired exposure with good outcome. Conclusion: The MFOZ craniotomy using an eyebrow incision in pediatric patients is safe, effective, and both suitable and convenient for treating lesions especially at the sellar region.

Maduromycosis is a chronic granulomatous condition caused by fungal infection and is rarely encountered in Europe. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a case of maduromycosis affecting the chest wall in the United Kingdom. Conservative excision and drainage of the lesion combined with ketoconazole treatment in a dose 400 mg daily for several months failed to cure the condition. However, radical excision of the lesion combined with myoplastic repair of the defect in the chest wall eradicated the disease. Maduromycosis can occur in the chest wall and should be suspected in the immigrant population from tropical and subtropical areas. We recommend radical resection of similar lesions, combined with prolonged treatment with an antifungal agent e.g. ketoconazole when the causative organism is madurella mycetomis.

Problem statement: Post-Traumatic Meningitis (PTM) is a serious complication followed trauma. It sounds to have different pattern and characteristics. The aim of the current study was to determine the characteristics and outcome of PTM in referral neurosurgery department in Iran. Approach: During 5 years period-2003-2008, all records from meningitis patients in neurosurgery department in the unique referral trauma center in Kerman, Iran were evaluated by researchers, retrospectively. The PTM cases were selected and their data registered in the data collection form. The outcome of the disease as live or death considered, too. Analysis was conducted based on outcome and multivariable ANOVA was done to determine factor associated with death in PTM cases. Results: The incidence of PTM in head trauma patients estimated 3.1% (95% CI = 2.5-3.9%). The most frequent cases were male 89.7%. Average of age was 28.4±17.2 years. Klebsiella was the most common organism in CSF culture. Hospital staying time average in these patients was 25.7±15.8 days. Surgery was done for 52 (66.6%) cases. The fatality rate was 24.4%, (95% CI = 15.4-35.4). All death had undergone operation. Multivariable ANAOVA declared that blood sugar and CSF protein differed statistically between two groups, died and survived. Conclusion: PTM is an important phenomenon that has great mortality. Certainly, it needs antibiotic prophylaxis and immediate intervention and preventive services to reduce its morbidity and mortality rate.

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