Long-term results of endoscopic third ventriculostomy: an outcome analysis.

OBJECT Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is the procedure of choice in the treatment of obstructive hydrocephalus. The excellent clinical and radiological success rates are well known. Nevertheless, very few papers have addressed the very long term outcomes of the procedure in very large series. The authors present a large case series of 113 patients who underwent 126 ETVs, and they highlight the initial postoperative outcome after 3 months and long-term follow-up with an average of 7 years. METHODS All patients who underwent ETV at the Department of Neurosurgery, Mainz University Hospital, between 1993 and 1999 were evaluated. Obstructive hydrocephalus was the causative pathology in all cases. RESULTS The initial clinical success rate was 82% and decreased slightly to 78% during long-term follow-up. Long-term success was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Overall, ETV failed in 31 patients. These patients underwent a second ETV or shunt treatment. A positive impact on long-term success was seen for age older than 6 months, and for obstruction due to cysts or benign aqueductal stenosis. The complication rate was 9% with 5 intraoperative and 5 postoperative events. CONCLUSIONS The high clinical success rate in short-term and long-term follow-up confirms ETV's status as the gold standard for the treatment of obstructive hydrocephalus, especially for distinct pathologies. The patient's age and underlying pathology may influence the outcome. These factors should be considered carefully preoperatively by the surgeon.

CT radiation dose for computer-assisted endoscopic sinus surgery: dose survey and determination of dose-reduction limits

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Computer-assisted navigation is increasingly used in functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) to prevent injury to vital structures, necessitating preparative CT and, thus, radiation exposure. The purpose of our study was to investigate currently used radiation doses for CT in computer-assisted navigation in sinus surgery (CAS-CT) and to assess minimal doses required. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire inquiring about dose parameters used for CAS-CT was sent to 30 radiologic institutions. The feasibility of low-dose registration was tested with a phantom. The influence of CAS-CT dose on technical accuracy and on the practical performance of 5 ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeons was evaluated with cadaver heads. RESULTS: The questionnaire response rate was 63%. Variation between minimal and maximal dose used for CAS-CT was 18-fold. Phantom registration was possible with doses as low as 1.1 mGy. No dose dependence on technical accuracy was found. ENT surgeons were able to identify anatomic landmarks on scans with a dose as low as 3.1 mGy. CONCLUSIONS: The vast dose difference between institutions mirrors different attitudes toward image quality and radiation-protection issues rather than being technically founded, and many patients undergo CAS-CT at higher doses than necessary. The only limit for dose reduction in CT for computer-assisted endoscopic sinus surgery is the ENT surgeon's ability to cope with impaired image quality, whereas there is no technically justified lower dose limit. We recommend, generally, doses used for the typical diagnostic low-dose sinus CT (120 kV/20-50 mAs). When no diagnostic image quality is needed, even a reduction down to a third is possible.

Time-gated fluorescence spectroscopy improves endoscopic detection of low-grade dysplasia in ulcerative colitis

Dysplasia in ulcerative colitis is frequently missed with 4-quadrant biopsies. An experimental setup recording delayed fluorescence spectra simultaneously with white light endoscopy was recently developed.

Iatrogenic orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (IOTES): managing uterine perforations at operative hysteroscopy

To prove safety and feasibility of an intra-abdominal endoscopic evaluation via an iatrogenic uterine perforation that occurred during operative hysteroscopy.

Fecal calprotectin correlates more closely with the Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's disease (SES-CD) than CRP, blood leukocytes, and the CDAI

Studies evaluating the correlation between the widely used Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's disease (SES-CD) and noninvasive markers are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the SES-CD and fecal calprotectin, C-reactive protein (CRP), blood leukocytes, and the Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI).

Greenstick fractures of the middle third of the forearm. A prospective multi-centre study

Greenstick fractures suffered during growth have a high risk for refracture and posttraumatic deformity, particularly at the forearm diaphysis. The use of a preemptive completion of the fracture by manipulation of the concave cortex is controversial and data supporting this approach are few.

Radiation dose reduction in computer assisted navigation for functional endoscopic sinus surgery--cadaver head experiments and clinical implementation

Computed tomography based navigation for endoscopic sinus surgery is inflationary used despite of major public concern about iatrogenic radiation induced cancer risk. Studies on dose reduction for CAS-CT are almost nonexistent. We validate the use of radiation dose reduced CAS-CT for clinically applied surface registration.

[Spontaneous dural arterio-venous fistula at the cavernous sinus: detected by decompensation following endoscopic sinus surgery]

Spontaneous dural arterio-venous fistulas can imperceptibly develop over a long time period before they suddenly develop symptoms like bruit, loss of vision, exophthalmos and conjunctival injection. We present the rare case of an occult, para-infectious, dural arterio-venous fistula which became symptomatic after endoscopic sinus surgery. Conjunctival injection and slight exophthalmos developed due to decompensation of venous drainage probably by intraoperative positioning of the patient, positive pressure ventilation and nasal packing.

Extraction of maxillary first molars improves second and third molar inclinations in Class II Division 1 malocclusion

The aim of this study was to assess the changes in inclination of the maxillary second (M2) and third (M3) molars after orthodontic treatment of Class II Division 1 malocclusion with extraction of maxillary first molars.

Apical surgery: endoscopic findings at the resection level of 168 consecutively treated roots

Endoscopic evaluation of the cut root face after root-end resection during apical surgery.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in head and neck cancer patients: indications, techniques, complications and results

The aim of this study was to review our experience in percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) performed in patients with cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract. Descriptive retrospective study of 142 patients (115 males, 27 females), mean age 62.4 years (25-84 years), with head and neck or esophageal cancer, who underwent PEG tube insertion between January 2006 and December 2008. The studied parameters were indications, success rate, rate and type of complications, and their management. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was inserted before chemoradiation therapy in 80% and during or after cancer treatment in 20% of the patients. PEG placement was possible in 137 patients (96%). Major complications were observed in 9 (7%) and minor complications in 22 (17%) of the 137 patients. Seven of the 9 patients with a major complication needed revision surgery. The mortality directly related to the procedure was 0.7%. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube insertion has a high success rate. In patients with upper aerodigestive tract cancer, PEG should be the first choice for enteral nutrition when sufficient oral intake is not possible. Although apparently easy, the procedure may occasionally lead to severe complications. Therefore, a strict technique and knowledge of clinical signs of possible complications are mandatory.

[Endoscopic decompression of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel syndrome: about 55 patients]

Sulcus ulnaris syndrome is the second most common neurocompression syndrome in the upper limb after carpal tunnel syndrome. Its severity can be appreciated by the Dellon Classification. We present our experience and results after endoscopic decompression.