Interobserver reliability between pediatric radiologists and residents in ultrasound evaluation of intraventricular hemorrhage in premature infants

BACKGROUND Germinal matrix intraventricular hemorrhage(IVH)may contribute to significant morbidity and mortality in premature infants.Timely identification and grading of IVH affect decision-making and clinical outcomes.There is possibility of misinterpretation of the ultrasound appearances,and the interobserver variability has not been investigated between radiology resident and board-certified radiologist.AIM To assess interobserver reliability between senior radiology residents performing bedside cranial ultrasound during on-call hours and pediatric radiologists.METHODS From June 2018 to June 2020,neonatal cranial ultrasound examinations were performed in neonatal intensive care unit.Ultrasound findings were recorded by the residents performing the ultrasound and the pediatric attending radiologists.RESULTS In total,200 neonates were included in the study,with a mean gestational age of 30.9 wk.Interobserver agreement for higher grade(Grade III&IV)IVH was excellent.There was substantial agreement for lower grade(Grade I&II)IVH.CONCLUSION There is strong agreement between radiology residents and pediatric radiologists,which is higher for high grade IVHs.

Advances in surgical treatment of intraventricular hemorrhage

Intraventricular hemorrhage(IVH)is a dangerous acute cerebrovascular disease.The 30-day mortality rate of patients with IVH is 5 times that of patients with cerebral hemorrhage.In recent years,more and more studies have shown that timely clearance of intraventricular hematoma is closely related to good prognosis.The advantages of surgical intervention in patient management are impressive.This article briefly reviews the positive advances in the surgical treatment of IVH such as external ventricular drainage(EVD)combined with intraventricular fibrinolysis(IVF)and continuous lumbar cistern drainage(LCD),as well as their safety and efficacy,especially the remarkable role of neuroendoscopy in the removal of intraventricular hematomas.

Endoscopic Surgery versus External Ventricular Drainage Surgery for Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage

The efficacy and applied value of endoscopic hematoma evacuation vs. external ventricular drainage (EVD) in the treatment of severe ventficular hemorrhage (IVH) were explored and compared.From Jan.2015 to Dec.2016,the clinical data of 42 cases of IVH were retrospectively analyzed,including 18 patients undergoing endoscopic hematoma evacuation (group A),and 24patients receiving EVD (group B).The hematoma clearance rate was calculated by 3D Slicer software,and complications and outcomes were compared between the two groups.There were no significant differences in age,sex and Graeb score between groups A and B (P>0.05).The hematoma clearance rate was 70.81%±27.64% in group A and 48.72%±36.58% in group B with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05).The operative time in groups A and B was 72.45±25.26 min and 28.54±15.27min,respectively (P<0.05).The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score increased from 9.28±2.72 at baseline to 11.83±2.91 at 1 week postoperatively in group A,and from 8.25±2.62 at baseline to 10.79±4.12 at 1 week postoperatively in group B (P<0.05).The length of hospital stay was 12.67±5.97 days in group A and 17.33±8.91 days in group B with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05).The GOS scores at 6 months after surgery were 3.83±1.12 in group A,and 2.75±1.23 in group B (P<0.05). These results suggested that endoscopic hematoma evacuation has an advantage of a higher hematoma clearance rate,fewer complications and better outcomes in the treatment of severe IVH,indicating it is a safe,effective and promising approach for severe IVH.

Sequential intraventricular injection of tigecycline and polymyxin B in the treatment of intracranial Acinetobacter baumannii infection after trauma: a case report and review of the literature

Background:Intracranial infection after craniotomy is one of the most serious postoperative complications,especially multidrug-resistant(MDR)or extensively drug-resistant(XDR)bacterial meningitis,and strongly affects the prognosis of patients.Current treatment experience regarding these infections is scarce.Case presentation:We report a case of severe intracranial infection of XDR Acinetobacter baumannii(A.baumannii)that was treated by intravenous(IV)injection,sequential intraventricular(IVT)injection of tigecycline and polymyxin B,and other anti-infective drugs.Good results were obtained,and the patient was eventually discharged from the hospital.This case is characterized by intracranial infection.Conclusions:The polymyxin B IV+IVT pathway is an ideal treatment strategy for XDR A.baumannii.The tigecycline IVT pathway is also a safe treatment option.

MODIFIED GRAEB CRITERIA FOR PREDICTING THE POST-HEMORRHAGIC HYDROCEPHALUS IN INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE

Objective To set up a new grading system of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and determine the value of predicting the probability of post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) in IVH. Methods We first modified the Graeb criteria, then compared the value of prediction for PHH assessed by the Graeb criteria with the modified Graeb criteria. One hundred and thirty one IVH patients were divided into two groups: the upper group (n=67) and the lower group (n=64). Gold standard of PHH was assessed by CT scan or by out-drainage. The diagno-stic parameters such as sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP) were analyzed. In the cutoff point of SE and SP curves, diagnostic efficiency (DE), and Kappa value (K) were analyzed. The probability of PHH was estimated by binary logistic regressions. Results In all ventricular group, to Graeb criteria in the cutoff point, SE, SP, and K was 0.78, 0.84, and 0.60; and to modified Graeb criteria SE, SP, and K was 0.90, 0.84, and 0.74 respectively. The probability of PHH from point of 3-12 was 0.011, 0.032, 0.085, 0.212, 0.435, 0.689, 0.865, 0.949, 0.981, and 0.994 respectively according to modified Graeb criteria. Conclusion The modified Graeb criteria combined with logistic regression were useful methods to assess the severity of IVH and to predict the probability of PHH in IVH.

Adrenal Hemorrhage as a Rare Cause of Neonatal Anemia Associated with Hydrocephalus Secondary to Intraventricular Hemorrhage—A Case Report

Neonatal adrenal hemorrhage is frequently associated with birth trauma, perinatal asphyxia, intrauterine infection, coagulation defects and thromboembolism. It has varied clinical presentation depending on degree of hemorrhage and amount of adrenal cortex compromised by hemorrhage. The most common clinical presentations are persistent jaundice and flank mass. We report a case of left sided adrenal hemorrhage in a breech delivered male neonate with perinatal asphyxia presented with anemia and fever. On further evaluation, he was also having moderate communicating hydrocephalus secondary to intraventricular hemorrhage. The adrenal hemorrhage was managed conservatively. Subsequent abdominal ultrasound showed resolving adrenal hemorrhage. Right ventriculoperitoneal shunt was done for hydrocephalus. Postoperative course was uneventful. The patient is asymptomatic at follow-up.

Intraventricular tuberculoma: A case report

Intracranial tuberculomas are one of the most serious formsof tuberculosis disease after meningitis tuberculosis. It incidence varies around 0.15% - 0.18% in the development world to 5% - 30% of intracranial masses in some under developments areas. These tuberculomas, of course ubiquitous, are mostly diagnosed in the adulthood and usually located in the cerebellum and the cerebral hemispheres. Intra ventricular involving is uncommon and just 10 cases had been described in the literature. We report a case of an intraventricular tuberculoma in a 26- year-old man and we discuss the pathogenesis and the radiological findings according this location.

Endoscopic surgery for intraventricular hemorrhage:A comparative study and single center surgical experience

BACKGROUND Intraventricular hemorrhage is a neurosurgical emergency,and a dangerous condition associated with high morbidity and mortality.Previously,hematoma evacuation is generally executed by external intracranial drainage(EVD)or surgical evacuation.Nowadays,endoscopic evacuation is emerging as a good alternative because it brings relatively less invasion and injury.However,successful endoscopic evacuation requires skilled manipulation of endoscopic devices and the evidence supporting its efficacy differs in different reports.AIM To improve the technique usage and provide more evidence of endoscopic evacuation efficacy,we summarize our surgical experience and compared the outcomes of the endoscopic evacuation with EVD using real-world data.METHODS We retrospectively studied 96 consecutive patients with intraventricular hemorrhage who underwent either endoscopic surgery(n=43)or non-endoscopic surgery(n=53)for hemorrhage evacuation between November 2013 and September 2019 in our center.Patients’conditions prior to and after the operation were evaluated and analyzed to assess the efficacy of the operation.The consciousness status improvement and perioperative in-hospital parameters in the two types of operation groups were assessed and compared.RESULTS Patients in the endoscopic and non-endoscopic groups presented with a similar state of consciousness,with a comparable Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)index.The average operation time of the endoscopic group was longer than that of the nonendoscopic group(median 2.42 h vs 1.08 h,P<0.001).Although the endoscopic group was older and had a baseline Graeb score that indicated more severe hemorrhage than the non-endoscopic group(Graeb median:Endoscopic group=9 vs non-endoscopic group=8,P=0.023),the clearance rate of hematoma was as high as 60.5%.Both the endoscopic and non-endoscopic groups showed an improved GCS index after surgery.However,this improvement was more marked in patients in the endoscopic group(median improvement of GCS index:Endoscope group=4 vs non-endoscopic group=1,P<0.001).Additionally,the endoscopic group had a lower Graeb score than the non-endoscopic group after the operation.The intensive care unit stay of the endoscopic group was significantly shorter than that of the non-endoscopic group(median:endoscopic group=6 d vs non-endoscope group=7 d,P=0.017).CONCLUSION Endoscopic evacuation of intraventricular hemorrhage was generally an effective and efficient way for hemorrhage evacuation,and contributed remarkably to the improvement of consciousness in patients with intraventricular hemorrhage.

Aluminum Contents in Dry Leaves and Infusions of Commercial Black and Green Tea Leaves: Effects of Sucrose and Ascorbic Acid Added to Infusions

Tea consumption has increased due to its beneficial effects. Results from a lab study on the effect of sucrose (5 g per cup, 150 mL) and/or ascorbic acid (2 mL per cup, 150 mL) on dissolved aluminum compounds during the infusion of two commercial types of dry tea leaves (black, green) with boiling water (5, 15 min infusion time) are presented. Factors influencing the presence of dissolved aluminum in the infusions of both tea leaves were infusion time and sugar contents, as well as the interaction between ascorbic acid and sucrose (p < 0.05). Aluminum contents found after 15 min of infusion were 0.7 mg L–1 for black tea infusions added with sugar, and 0.69 mg L–1 for green tea added with both sugar and ascorbic acid. Both concentrations are higher than the level accepted in Mexico for drinking water (there is no act concerning tea infusions), that is 0.2 mg L–1.

Giant intraventricular and paraventricular cavernous malformations with multifocal subependymal cavernous malformations in pediatric patients: Two case reports

BACKGROUND Giant cavernous malformation(GCM)is rarely found in intraventricular or paraventricular locations.CASE SUMMARY We present two cases of 6-mo and 21-mo boys with intraventricular and paraventricular GCMs including a literature review focused on location and imaging findings.Characteristic magnetic resonance imaging findings such as multicystic lesions and a hemosiderin ring or bubbles-of-blood appearance can assist in the differential diagnosis of a hemorrhagic intraventricular and/or paraventricular mass.CONCLUSION Multifocal intraventricular and/or paraventricular GCM in small children is rare.The characteristic magnetic resonance imaging findings can help to differentiate GCMs from other intraventricular tumors.

Intraventricular neurocysticercosis: Presentation, diagnosis and management

Neurocysticercosis is thought to be the most common helminthic infection of the central nervous system and its epidemiology is changing due to increasing travel and migration.Evidence to guide management of the intraventricular form is limited.We aimed to review the clinical presentation,diagnosis and treatment of intraventricular neurocysticercosis with reference to two recent cases seen at our institution.The intraventricular variant of neurocysticercosis is less common than parenchymal disease and usually presents with acutely raised intracranial pressure and untreated it progresses rapidly with high mortality.The diagnosis is based on imaging and serological tests but more invasive testing including histopathological examination of surgically acquired tissue specimens is sometimes required.Treatment is mainly surgical,using a neuroendoscopic approach if possible.Patients should also receive antihelmintic treatment with concomitant corticosteroids to reduce the incidence of shunt failure if a ventricular shunt is inserted and to treat viable lesions elsewhere.

Entrapment of the temporal horn secondary to postoperative gamma-knife radiosurgery in intraventricular meningioma: A case report

BACKGROUND Entrapment of the temporal horn (ETH) is a rare pathologic condition. It is a kind of focal hydrocephalus caused by obstruction of flow pathway of cerebrospinal fluid. It is caused by various conditions, but ETH secondary to postoperative gamma-knife radiosurgery (GKS) is extremely rare. CASE SUMMARY A 52-year old previously healthy woman underwent resection of a large intraventricular meningioma. A small fragment of residual tumor with no obvious enlargement of the temporal horn was observed 3 mo after surgery, and she was referred for GKS. Two months after GKS, she complained of headache and progressive paralysis of the left limb. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed enlargement of the temporal horn. There was a second procedure to resect the residual tumor 8 mo after GKS. After the second procedure, she recovered smoothly. As of the date of this writing, she has remained in good condition. CONCLUSION This case reminds us that ETH should be considered in the treatment of intraventricular meningiomas, especially before GKS.

Restoration of an injured lower dorsal ascending reticular activating system in a patient with intraventricular hemorrhage

The ascending reticular activating system（ARAS）plays a key role in the control of arousal and awareness for consciousness（Paus,2000;Zeman,2001;Van der Werf et al.,2002;Weiss et al.,2007;Siposan and Aliu,2014）.It is well known that the ARAS originates from the reticular formation（RF）of the brainstem,and connects to the cerebral cortex via intralaminar to the cerebral cortex （Paus, 2000; Zeman, 2001; Van der Werf et al., 2002; Yeo et al., 2013; Jang and Kwon, 2015）. The hypothalamus is involved in the regulation of sleep and awareness which is associated with the main timekeeper of consciousness （Lin, 2000; Lin et al., 2011）.

MECHANISM OF PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES OF INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE IN DOGS

Objective To probe the mechanism of pathological changes of intraventricular hemorrhage(IVH). Methods The evaluation of neurological status,serial CT scans and pathological examination were applied on the canine model of IVH. The ventricular volume and blood clot volume were measured based on the CT images. Results The normal adult canine ventricle tend to be slitlike. After injection, the ventricle was obviously dilated by the blood clot. The linear regression of ventricular volume against blood clot volume was significant in the first week. From then on, however, while the clots continued to shrink, the ventricular volume showed progressive enlargement. The clots were lysed completely within 3 to 4 weeks. The linear regression of the degree of ventricular dilatation against the first clot volume was also significant. In the pathological examination, we found the ependymal lining of ventricular system was destroyed and neurons in the subependymal areas developed acidophil necrosis, which was prominent around Sylvian aqueduct. Conclusion Hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation(HVD) is a prominent feature of IVH and also is a strong indicator for poor prognosis. Ischemic changes of periventricular neurons in some important structures may be the most direct cause for poor outcome of IVH. It may be induced by periventricular vascular structures compressed by HVD, increased intracranial pressure, cerebral vasospasm and others.

Evacuation of Spontaneous Thalamic and Intraventricular Hemorrhage under the Operating Microscope Improves Mortality Compared with External Ventricular Drainage——Mini-Cranioctomy for Thalamic and Ventricular Hemorrhage

We performed direct hematoma evacuation of thalamic and intraventricular hemorrhage using mini-craniotomy in recent years. The present study evaluated the outcome and complications in 18 patients with spontaneous thalamic and intraventricular hemorrhage treated by mini-craniotomy hematoma evacuation with external ventricular drainage and 24 patients treated by only external ventricular drainage. Patients treated by mini-craniotomy were less likely to require days of ventricular drainage settlement, had a less suffering meningitis, had good hematoma evacuation rate and had a less mortality rate compared with those undergoing only external ventricular drainage. Frontal mini-craniotomy microscope operation is a simple and effective method for hematoma evacuation that causes fewer complications.

Intraventricular metastases from rectal carcinoma:case report and literature review

Intraventricular metastases are a rare occurrence,particularly from a primary colorectal malignancy.To our knowledge,this is the first report of intraventricular metastasis from rectal cancer.A 72-year-old male presented with a new diagnosis of multiple intraventricular lesions,an anterior mediastinal mass and a rectal mass.His workup revealed rectal adenocarcinoma with intraventricular metastases and an incidental thymoma.Ommaya reservoir placement was performed via an awake procedure rather than under general anesthesia due to airway concerns.Cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) cytology was positive for malignancy and consistent with adenocarcinoma.Two weeks postoperatively,the patient underwent whole brain radiation.Although rare,this diagnosis should always be considered in the differential for solitary or multiple intraventricular lesions.CSF sampling is a useful alternative to intraventricular biopsy for diagnosis of intraventricular metastases.Awake placement of Ommaya reservoir is a safe option in the management of patients with intraventricular metastases,especially those who cannot undergo general anesthesia.

Necrostatin-1 decreases necroptosis and inflammatory markers after intraventricular hemorrhage in mice

Necrostatin-1,an inhibitor of necroptosis,can effectively inhibit necrotic apoptosis in neurological diseases,which results in the inhibition of inflammation,endoplasmic reticulum stress,and reactive oxygen species production and substantial improvement of neurological function.However,the effects of necrostatin-1 on intraventricular hemorrhage(IVH)remain unknown.In this study,we established a mouse model of IVH by injecting autologous blood into the lateral ventricle of the brain.We also injected necrostatin-1 into the lateral ventricle one hour prior to IVH induction.We found that necrostatin-1 effectively reduced the expression levels of the necroptosis markers receptor-interacting protein kinase(RIP)1,RIP3,mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein(MLKL),phosphorylated(p)-RIP3,and p-MLKL and the levels of interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-αin the surrounding areas of the lateral ventricle.However,necrostatin-1 did not reduce ependymal ciliary injury or brain water content.These findings suggest that necrostatin-1 can prevent local inflammation and microglial activation induced by IVH but does not greatly improve prognosis.

Selective verbal memory impairment due to left fornical crus injury in a patient with intraventricular hemorrhage

The fornix, a part of the Papez circuit, transfers information of episodic memory between the medial temporal lobe and the medial diencephalon （Aggleton and Brown, 1999）. The right medial temporal lobe is known to be specialized for visual memory and the left medial temporal lobe for verbal memory （Tucker et al., 1988; Aegleton and Brown, 1999）.

Intraventricular Hemorrhage, a Rare Complication of a Cerebral Tuberculoma: Study of a Case in the Neurology Department of the University Hospital of Conakry

Intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) is an extremely rare and poorly described complication of central nervous system Tuberculosis (CNS-TB). In this study, we report the case of a 42-year-old man who presented with a weakness of the left hemibody with diffuse headache, altered consciousness associated with fever. No notion of contagion was noted. Brain computed tomography (CT) showed a hematoma in the occipital horns of the lateral ventricles with peri-lesional oedema of the right hemisphere;after injection of contrast product (CP), there were ring-shaped contrasts in the occipital horn of the lateral ventricle and the right thalamus. Angioscan showed no aneurysms or vascular anomalies. Chest X-ray showed micronodular opacities less than 1.5 cm in size in relation to miliary. Xpert MTB/RIF of sputum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT). The patient’s course was favourable under antihypertensive and antitubercular treatment. Conclusion: This case illustrates the diagnostic difficulties of CNS-TB due to the polymorphism of the clinical and radiological presentation of CNS-TB.

Prevalence, Risk Factors and Intra-Hospital Outcomes Relating to Peri-Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Premature Newborns of Gestational Age Less than 34 Weeks

Peri-intraventricular hemorrhage is one of the main causes of neurological impairment in premature newborns. To control their risk factors is necessary in view of the increasing survival of extreme preterm infants. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of peri-intraventricular hemorrhage in premature newborns, identify the risk factors and observe the frequencies of intra-hospital outcomes of interests. Methods: This study was done in Brazil. This was an observational, analytical longitudinal and prospective study. The subjects included were newborns of gestational age less than 34 weeks who were admitted to two public hospitals between May and November 2015. To assess possible associated factors, obstetric, perinatal and neonatal data were analyzed (chorioamnionitis, antenatal corticosteroids, gestational age, newborn weight, Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes, resuscitation in the delivery room, surfactant in the delivery room, newborn transferred from another hospital, respiratory distress syndrome: RDS, sepsis, umbilical vein catheterization, assisted ventilation, exogenous surfactant in the Neonatal ICU, use of sodium bicarbonate, inotropic agents, adrenaline, volume expanders and blood products). The hospital outcomes studied were assisted ventilation time, hospital stay and death. The data analysis was performed by chi-square test or Fisher’s test, with a significance level of 5%. Results: Out of 156 newborns, 46 (29.9%) presented peri-intraventricular hemorrhage and 28.2% of these had a severe form of the disease. There were significant associations (p < 0.05) with the following risk factors: gestational age, birth weight, low Apgar score, delivery room resuscitation, RDS, surfactant use, sepsis, packed red blood cell transfusion, mechanical ventilation and umbilical vein catheterization. The newborns with peri-intraventricular hemorrhage presented longer times on assisted ventilation, longer hospital stays and higher risk of death. Conclusion: The prevalence of peri-intraventricular hemorrhage was high in the population studied, especially the severe form. Perinatal and neonatal risk factors were associated with a higher risk of developing the disease and the outcomes studied were more evident in these newborns.