Intracerebral chondrosarcoma

We present a case of 49-year-old women with a huge intracranial chondrosarcoma. She had suffered from severe headache, nausea, vomiting and seizures for 2 months. Neurologic examination revealed left hemiplegia and bilateral blurred optic disc margins. Computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a giant, heterogeneous, intensely enhancing mass of 7 x 8 x 6 cm, occupying the right parietooccipital regions parasagittal, with calcifications. A presumptive diagnosis of psammomatous meningioma or oligodendroglioma was made. The patient underwent right parieto-occipital craniotomy and total resection of the tumour. Pathologic examination revealed a chondrosarcoma. She was under regular follow-up and remained free of recurrence following surgery. In addition to the current case, we review previously reported cases of chondrosarcoma, discuss treatment strategies and outcomes

Importance of early diagnosis and surgery in spinal epidural abscess

To remind clinicians of the possible consequences of delayed diagnosis of epidural abscess and the importance of early treatment. We report a case of one man who presented with epidural abscess localised in the dorsal spine which was seen on magnetic resonance imaging and revealed by spastic paraplegia and urine retention. Treatment consisted of laminectomy, abscess evacuation and antibiotic chemotherapy. The follow-up has been characterised by a good recovery after immediate surgery. Spinal epidural abscess is an uncommon disease [0.2 to 1.2/10,000 admissions]. The typical triad of back-pain, fever and motor deficitls has often been reported. Magnetic resonance imaging confirms the diagnosis in the majority of cases. The most common aetiological organism is staphylococcus aureus. The prognosis is poor, but early diagnosis and appropriate surgery with antimicrobial chemotherapy is associated with an excellent prognosis