Hydrocephalus, characterized by abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulation, is commonly treated with ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS). Despite its efficacy, VPS is prone to complications, with distal catheter occlusion being a frequent cause of shunt malfunction. This study presents our experience using laparoscopy to manage distal catheter malfunctions in two VPS patients. Postoperative outcomes demonstrated symptom resolution and normalization of imaging parameters without complications. Our findings suggest that laparoscopy is a minimally invasive, effective, and cost-efficient alternative for addressing distal shunt malfunctions, complementing current neurosurgical practices. Additionally, we review the literature on the use of endoscopy and laparoscopy in VPS management and propose an applicable protocol.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to review hospital-based health information system (HIS) studies that used qualitative research methods and evaluate their methodological contexts and implications. In addition, we propose practical guidelines for HIS researchers who plan to use qualitative research methods. Methods: We collected papers published from 2012 to 2022 by searching the PubMed and CINAHL databases. As search keywords, we used specific system terms related to HISs, such as “electronic medical records” and “clinical decision support systems,” linked with their operational terms, such as “implementation” and “adaptation,” and qualitative methodological terms such as “observation” and “in-depth interview.” We finally selected 74 studies that met this review’s inclusion criteria and conducted an analytical review of the selected studies. Results: We analyzed the selected articles according to the following four points: the general characteristics of the selected articles; research design; participant sampling, identification, and recruitment; and data collection, processing, and analysis. This review found methodologically problematic issues regarding researchers’ reflections, participant sampling methods and research accessibility, and data management. Conclusions Reports on the qualitative research process should include descriptions of researchers’ reflections and ethical considerations, which are meaningful for strengthening the rigor and credibility of qualitative research. Based on these discussions, we suggest guidance for conducting ethical, feasible, and reliable qualitative research on HISs in hospital settings.

The use of a balloon guide catheter (BGC) in the endovascular management of acute ischemic stroke is known to improve the efficacy and efficiency of the procedure by reducing the risk of distal embolization. During the procedure, the balloon of the catheter causes a temporary arrest of cerebral blood flow. However, failure of the balloon to deflate during the BGC procedure can result in catastrophic complications, including aggravated hypoxic damage.
This paper aims to share the resolution and methodological analysis of our experience with BGC balloon deflation failure, which was confirmed by a reproducible experiment under similar conditions.

Progressive epidural hematoma is a form of acute epidural hematoma that graduallyexpands from a small initial hematoma; in cases that are clinically aggravated dueto the presence of a mental illness or neurological condition, patients should be surgicallytreated for evacuation of the hematoma, but poorer outcomes are expected ifthe patient has several medical co-morbidities for surgery. We experienced two casesof progressive epidural hematoma which were successfully managed by endovasculartreatment: an 85-year-old male with medical co-morbidities and a 51-year-oldfemale with a poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage resulting from the rupture of adissecting aneurysm of the vertebral artery. In both cases, a middle meningeal arteryembolization was performed and contrast leakage was observed and controlled usingcerebral angiography, halting the progression of their epidural hematomas. Thus,endovascular embolization of a middle meningeal artery may play a useful role in salvagetherapy in certain complicated situations that limit treatment of the hematomaby surgical evacuation.

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is a rare disease due to occlusion of the terminal hepatic venules and/or sublobular veins, which is a result of endothelial damage from pyrrolizidine alkaloids in herbal teas, irradiation of the liver, or chemotherapy particularly in association with bone marrow transplantation. We recently experienced three cases of VOD developed after radiation therapy. Two cases occurred in hepatocellular carcinoma patients of a 37-year-old man with B viral chronic hepatitis and a 22-year-old man with B viral cirrhosis and the other in a 64-year-old patient with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. For the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, chemoembolization with lipiodol and adriamycin, and external irradiation on the liver mass were done. The total radiation dose was 5400 cGy and 3000 cGy in each case. Five months and 3 months after irradiation, respectively, the resected liver masses showed extensive necrosis due to pre-operative treatment. To treat esophageal carcinoma, pre-operative concurrent chemotherapy of 5-FU and radiation of 4500 cGY were done. One month after irradiation, the radical esophgectomy and wedge biopsy of the liver were done. The liver of all 3 cases showed a dark red appearance with severe congestion in contrast to the pale brown normal liver, which was not included in the radiation field. On micoscopic examination, the terminal hepatic venules and sublobular veins showed subintimal edema, fibrin deposition, and partial or total luminal occlusion by loose fibrous tissue. The centrizonal sinusoids were markedly dilatated and congested with atrophy of hepatocytes.
Adult ; Atrophy ; Teas, Herbal ; Biopsy ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Doxorubicin ; Drug Therapy ; Edema ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Ethiodized Oil ; Fibrin ; Fibrosis ; Fluorouracil ; Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease* ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Hepatocytes ; Humans ; Liver ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis ; Phenobarbital ; Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids ; Rare Diseases ; Veins ; Venules ; Young Adult