Increment of High-Grade Gliomas Among Pediatric and Young Adult Population

Background/Objective:  Glioblastomas are among the commonest primary brain cancers. This study aimed to assess the trend shift of high-grade glioma in our setting among the young and pediatric population. Materials and Methods:  This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study; it was carried out at the Department of Neurosurgery, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, between duration. All cases with suspected brain tumors, irrespective of age or gender were assessed for glioblastoma. Once a solid tumor was identified on imaging with consistent features of glioblastoma, a provisional diagnosis was established. After that, the patient underwent a brain biopsy. Patients' gender, demographics, clinical presentation, radiologic records, etc. were collected in a predefined proforma. Results:  22 patients were diagnosed with glioblastoma with a high frequency of patients between the age range of 20 to 30 years. The most common location of the tumor was subcortical near the midline. There was slight male predominance. 8 patients had levels of KPS at presentation < 70 and among those two were infants, four were in a vegetative state, and two had a loss of consciousness secondary to increased intracranial pressure. The recurrence rate among those who came back for follow-ups was 27.2%. Conclusion:  Though it is a short study with short follow-up results were astonishing due to perhaps trend shift among Glioblastoma patients, a further detailed workup is needed in different dimensions especially molecular level and genetics to know exactly about the disease and the national registry should be carried and alarmed to identify the problem at once, counter effectively and make a future strategy

Success Rate of Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) in Non-Communicating Hydrocephalus in Pediatric Age Group

Objective:  To evaluate success rate of the endoscopic third Ventriculostomy (ETV) in non-communicating type of hydrocephalus in pediatric age group. Material and Methods:  This study was carried in the department of neurosurgery at Liaquat university hospital, Jamshoro in which an endoscopic third Ventriculostomy procedure was performed in patients (n = 55) with non-communicating hydrocephalus from October 2016 to April 2017. Post-operative follow-up was done on the 15th day post-operative to assess clinical and radiological improvement. Results:  55 patients were included in this study, 26 (47.27%) males and 29 (52.73%) females. The mean age was 3.96 years. The most common etiology was aqueductal stenosis 28 (50.90%) patients followed by posterior fossa tumors in 18 (32.72%) patients. The operative technique was successful in 41 (74.55%) patients. Out of 41 successful patients, 34 (82.92%) patients had clinical as well as radiological improvement whereas 7 (17.07%) patients had clinical improvement only. Conclusion:  The success rate of ETV was 74.55% in the non-communicating hydrocephalus in the pediatric age group in our study. Endoscopic third Ventriculostomy is an effective treatment for non-Communicating hydrocephalus in pediatric age groups by diversion of CSF intracranially. This procedure provides shunt freedom and can be used alternative to shunts in pediatric age groups with non-communicating hydrocephalus