A Case of Trigeminal Neurinoma

Trigeminal neurinomas are relatively rare tumors that arise from the sheath of Schwann and constitute 2.9% of intracranial neurinomas and 0.26% of all brain tumors. The most cases are confined to the middle fossa and arising from the Gasserian ganglion. In slight fewer cases the tumor occupy the cerebellopontine angle. In minority it is an hourglass form both situations. By reason of their rarity, the complex clinical problems which may present and the difficult technical aspects involved in their removal, neurinomas of the Gasserian ganglion are of extreme interest. We are reporting a case of trigeminal neurinoma which was arised from the right Gasserian ganglion and located in both situations of middle and posterior cranial fossas. A 37 year-old female was admitted to our department with characteristic symptoms and signs involving many cranial nerves, cerebellum and cerebral peduncle. We chose temporal craniotomy and approached to and exposed the mass by extradural and intradural techniques. Complete removal of the tumor occupying the middle and posterior cranial fossas are accomplished satisfactorily.

Spontaneous Rhinorrhea Induced by Metastatic Carcinoma of the Sphenoid Bone

We have presented a case of spontaneous rhinorrhea which showed recurrence of supparative meningitis and destruction of the sella turhica and sphenoid sinus on the plain skull roentgenograms. By transantral and transnasal route, the portion of sphenoid sinus could easily be approached and exposed. Surgery with microscope easily permitted an identification of the point of cerebrospinal fluid fistula and the repair of it with graft and packing of temporal muscle fascia and pieces of gelfoam. The histopathology of sphenoid bone biopsied was an infiltrating carcinoma.