ABSTRACT
A 31-year-old male was presented with a very rare case of ipsilateral palsies of the nerves IX through XII (Collet-Sicard syndrome) after a closed head injury. An occipital condyle fracture that was associated with epidural hematoma was diagnosed by computed tomography. The patient was conservatively managed, and following the treatment, partial neurological recovery ensued. The phenomenon of occipital condyle fracture involving the last four cranial nerve palsies is relatively rare. Although 3 cases of Collet-Sicard syndrome that were caused by an occipital condyle fracture has been reported, the association between condyle fracture and epidural hematoma has never been described before.
ABSTRACT
Dermoid sinuses and meningoceles are seldom encountered in the cervical region. Besides, to the best of our knowledge, the coexistence of these types of congenital abnormalities with recurrent meningitis, as well as with mirror movement, has never been reported before. A 14-year-old female with the diagnosis of recurrent meningitis was referred to our clinic from the Department of Infectious Diseases. She had a cervical meningocele mass that was leaking cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) and an associated mirror movement symptom. Spina bifida, dermoid sinus and meningocele lesions were demonstrated at the C2 level on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). She underwent an operation to remove the sinus tract together with the sac, and at the same time the tethered cord between the sac base and the distal end of the spinal cord was detached. The diagnosis of dermoid sinus and meningocele was confirmed histopathologically. These kinds of congenital pathologies in the cervical region may also predispose the patient to other diseases or symptoms. Herein, a case of meningocele associated with cervical dermoid sinus tract which presented with recurrent meningitis and a rare manifestation of mirror movement is discussed. Neurosurgeons should consider the possible coexistence of mirror movement and recurrent meningitis in the treatment of these types of congenital abnormalities.