Extradural unroofing of the optic canal and subsequent mobilization of the optic nerve is a useful technique in the surgical treatment of parasellar tumors; however, the drilling procedure itself is associated with the risk of optic nerve damage. A safer technique would certainly be beneficial. The ultrasonic bone curette is a device developed in Japan for safer bone removal. Its use in intradural anterior clinoidectomy and opening of the internal auditory meatus has been reported before. In this article the authors describe their experience in using this device for extradural unroofing of the optic canal in patients with parasellar tumors. Between March 2002 and November 2004, the aforementioned technique was used in the treatment of eight patients with parasellar tumors. After undertaking a frontotemporal craniotomy and orbital osteotomy, an ultrasonic bone curette was used to unroof the optic canal via an epidural approach; in five cases anterior clinoidectomy was added subsequently. Using an ultrasonic bone curette, unroofing of the optic canal was completed safely and required much less expertise than that required for standard drilling. The mortality and major morbidity rates were 0%. The visual function outcome was satisfactory, with the overall visual status improving in all seven patients in whom this symptom was present preoperatively. The ultrasonic bone curette makes the unroofing of the optic canal safer and easier, possibly improving the visual outcome of patients undergoing surgery for parasellar tumors.

OBJECT The untethering of a tethered spinal cord in patients with a tight filum terminale is a relatively simple procedure that can prevent or improve neurological symptoms. Postoperatively, patients are usually kept in the horizontal decubitus position to prevent a CSF leak. However, the optimal period for keeping patients flat has not been determined yet. The authors compared 2 cohorts with different periods of horizontal decubitus; one with 72 hours and the other with 8 days. METHODS The authors retrospectively analyzed surgical results in 2 cohorts of pediatric patients who had tethered spinal cord with a tight filum terminale. One cohort was maintained flat for 8 days and the other cohort for 72 hours postoperatively. The patients' charts were reviewed for demographic data, clinical presentation, surgical therapy, and clinical course. RESULTS Three hundred fifty-four patients underwent sectioning of a tight filum terminale. Of those, 238 were kept lying flat for 8 days postoperatively, and 116 were maintained flat for 72 hours. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed 1 to 2 weeks after the surgery. None of the patients in either cohort developed a CSF leak. Pseudomeningocele, which was confirmed by MRI, developed in 1 patient who had been kept flat for 8 days. The occurrence rates of a CSF leak and pseudomeningocele were not significantly different in either cohort. CONCLUSIONS Keeping patients flat for longer than 72 hours did not change the rate of postoperative CSF leakage or pseudomeningocele. Seventy-two hours or less would be an appropriate period for maintaining patients flat after transection of a tight filum terminale.

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Object The endoscopic treatment of a suprasellar arachnoid cyst (SAC) consists mainly of ventriculocystostomy (VC) and ventriculocystocisternostomy (VCC). However, the most appropriate treatment for these cysts has not been fully determined yet. The authors report on the effectiveness of endoscopic VC for SACs communicating with the basal cisterns, which is demonstrated by preoperative CT cisternography. Methods The authors retrospectively analyzed the surgical results of patients with an SAC treated using endoscopic fenestration. The patient charts were reviewed for demographic data, clinical presentations, surgical therapies, and clinical outcomes. Results Six consecutive patients with SAC were surgically treated using endoscopic fenestration (VC or VCC) between March 2004 and February 2011. The mean age was 18.5 months (range 5 days to 37 months). Five patients were previously untreated, and 1 patient had previously undergone ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. Five patients underwent preoperative CT cisternography, and communication between the SAC and the basal cisterns was demonstrated in 3 patients, very slight communication in 1, and no communication in 1. Four patients, including the 3 with communication between the SAC and basal cisterns, underwent VC. Two patients with very slight or no communication underwent VCC. In all patients the SAC decreased in size and hydrocephalus improved postoperatively. Five patients (3 treated with VC and 2 with VCC [83%]) have been stable without reoperation (mean follow-up 32.7 months). All 3 patients with an SAC communicating with the basal cisterns have been stable without reoperation following VC. Conclusions Preoperative cisternography may be useful for selecting the optimal endoscopic treatment method for SAC. If an SAC communicates with the basal cisterns, a VC could be an effective, safe, and simpler treatment option.

Object:The untethering of a tethered spinal cord by transecting a tight filum terminale is a relatively simple surgical procedure that can prevent or ameliorate neurological symptoms. Postoperatively patients are usually kept flat in order to prevent a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. However, the optimal period of maintaining patients flat has not been determined yet. The authors present their experience, compare with ones of previous reports, and try to determine the optimal period.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed surgical results of pediatric patients with tethered spinal cord by a tight filum terminale. The patients' charts were reviewed for demographic data, clinical presentation, surgical therapy, and clinical course.Results:One hundred-sixty-one patients underwent sectioning of a tight filum terminale. They all were kept lying flat for 8 days. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed 10 to 14 days after the surgery. None of the patients developed a CSF leak. Pseudomeningocele, which was confirmed by MRI, developed in one patient (0.6%). The occurrence rate of a CSF leak was significantly lower in our series than that of previous reports in which patients maintained flat less than 72 hours (P = 0.0069).Conclusion:To keep patients flat for a longer time after transection of a tight filum terminale seems to lower the rate of CSF leakage and psuedomeningocele.