The term spinal dysraphism describes many different forms of congenital malformations of the neural tube. Table 74.1 classifies dysraphic malformations according to accepted theories of embryogenesis and conveniently divides most of them into primary and secondary neurulation lesions, plus an…
The goal of fetal surgery is to prevent or reduce the adverse consequences of a congenital disorder without increasing the risks for the fetus and mother. A number of diseases, such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia and sacrococcygeal teratoma, can be…
Introduction The Chiari malformations encompass a range of hindbrain anomalies. Classically, four subtypes were described ( Table 72.1 ). Chiari 1 malformations are characterized by cerebellar tonsillar herniation through the foramen magnum, and may be congenital or acquired. Patients with…
Children present many unique challenges to the epilepsy surgeon necessitating the use of special techniques and equipment. A large portion of adult epilepsy surgery treats mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS), while in children, extratemporal epilepsy is more common and developmental lesions…
Introduction Primary brainstem tumors represent 10% to 20% of all pediatric central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms and 20% to 30% of posterior fossa lesions, where their incidence is surpassed by cerebellar pilocytic astrocytoma (PA), medulloblastoma, and ependymoma. The overwhelming majority…
The most common pediatric supratentorial tumors include low-grade glioma, high-grade glioma (HGG), pineal region tumors, germ cell tumors, and intraventricular tumors. In this chapter, we examine the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and relevant operative approaches for these lesions. Epidemiology Primary brain…
Introduction Brain tumors are the most common solid pediatric cancer and constitute the most frequent cause of cancer-related death in children. Pediatric brain tumors are most often located in the posterior fossa (PF). They include medulloblastoma, ependymoma, and cerebellar astrocytoma,…
The first angiographic description of cerebral vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) was provided in the 1950s by Ecker and Riemenschneider. and substantial contributions have been made in subsequent decades to the clinical and pathophysiologic understanding of this debilitating condition.…
The role of endovascular therapy in the treatment of neurologic disease has had a relatively short history. Since its initial introduction by Luessenhop and Spence in 1960, the technological improvements and subsequent indications for the use of endovascular techniques have…
Our knowledge of spinal vascular malformations has advanced significantly over the past several decades, and with this increased understanding of the anatomy and pathophysiology of this diverse group of lesions has come the advent of new classification schemes accompanied by…