Objectives: The aim of this study was to prospectively study perioperative variables associated with revision after shunt surgery for adult hydrocephalus. Methods: Two protocols were designed to prospectively study perioperative risk factors during shunt insertion. Over 10 years (1995–2004), 450 adult (age >16 years) patients with first time shunt implantations were studied. Patients who had been treated with endoscopic third ventriculostomy were excluded from the study. All shunts were designated as meeting one of two end points: (1) shunt failure requiring revision within 6 months or (2) no shunt failure within 6 months. Shunt revision within 6 months postoperatively was considered to be related to the shunting procedure. Results: 85 shunt revisions were performed within 6 months after insertion. During the study period the revision rate declined from 21.1% to 9.1%. Revision rates were the same for ventriculoperitoneal (n = 411) and ventriculoatrial (n = 39) shunts. The predictive values of variables related to the patient, operating room, surgical technique and shunt system were analysed to determine shunt outcome. Conclusions: Right frontal placement of the ventricular catheter was associated with the lowest rate of revisions. Adjustable valves were associated with a lower risk for shunt revision. Shunt revision rates did not differ between ventriculoperitoneal and ventriculoatrial shunts.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ventricular enlargement in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus is often estimated using the Evans index. However, the sensitivity of the Evans index to estimate changes in ventricular size postoperatively has been questioned. Here, we evaluated the postoperative change in ventricle size in relation to shunt response in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus, by comparing ventricular volume and the Evans index. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus underwent high-resolution MR imaging preoperatively and 6 months after shunt insertion. Clinical symptoms of gait, balance, cognition, and continence were assessed according to the idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus scale. The ventricular volume of the lateral and third ventricles and the Evans index were measured using ITK-SNAP software. Semiautomatic volumetric analysis was performed, and postoperative changes in ventricular volume and the Evans index and their relationships to postoperative clinical improvement were compared. RESULTS: The median postoperative ventricular volume decrease was 25 mL (P < .001). The proportional decrease in ventricular volume was greater than that in the Evans index (P < .001). The postoperative decrease in ventricular volume was associated with a postoperative increase in the idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus scale score (P = .004). Shunt responders (75%) demonstrated a greater ventricular volume decrease than nonresponders (P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical improvement after shunt surgery in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus is associated with a reduction of ventricular size. Ventricular volume is a more sensitive estimate than the Evans index and, therefore, constitutes a more precise method to evaluate change in ventricle size after shunt treatment in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Surgery is the main treatment modality for intracranial meningiomas, but data on short-term surgical outcome are limited. The aim of this Swedish nationwide registry-based study was to benchmark the 30-day complication rate in a cohort of meningioma patients using data from the Swedish brain tumor registry (SBTR). Furthermore, we investigated outcomes for asymptomatic patients.

OBJECT: The study aim was to examine the effect of gradually reducing the opening pressure on symptoms and signs in the shunt treatment of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). METHODS: In this prospective double-blinded, randomized, controlled, double-center study on patients with iNPH, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt with an adjustable Codman Medos Valve was implanted in 68 patients randomized into 2 groups. In 1 group (the 20–4 group) the valve setting was initially set to 20 cm H₂O and gradually reduced to 4 cm H₂O over the course of the 6-month study period. In the other group (the 12 group), the valve was kept at a medium level of 12 cm H₂O during the whole study period. All patients were clinically evaluated using 4 tests preoperatively as well as postoperatively at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 months. The test scores between the 2 groups (20–4 and 12) were compared for each clinical evaluation. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients (81%) were able to complete the study. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups (20–4 and 12) preoperatively or at any time postoperatively. Both groups exhibited significant clinical improvement after shunt insertion at all valve settings compared with the preoperative score, with the greatest improvement observed at the first postoperative evaluation. The clinical improvement was significant within the first 3 months, and thereafter no significant improvement was seen in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Gradual reduction of the valve setting from 20 to 4 cm H₂O did not improve outcome compared with a fixed valve setting of 12 cm H₂O. Improvement after shunt surgery in iNPH patients was evident within 3 months, irrespective of valve setting.

The surgical approach for colloid cysts of the third ventricle mainly consists of endoscopic or microscopic approach but few studies compare the neurologic outcomes and complications related to the...

Primary neurological melioidosis is rare with fewer than 50 cases reported world-wide. We report the first documented case of primary neurological melioidosis in Sweden, a 32-year old male who previously lived in Thailand for six years and recently moved to Sweden. He presented with headache, irritability and lack of concentration. Investigation with computerized tomography (CT) and subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed epidural fluid that was interpreted as a chronic epidural hematoma. He underwent surgical evacuation of the epidural collection that was found to be a white collection mixed with pus and bacterial culture results were positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei.