Abordaje interhemisférico contralateral transfalcino para resección de empendimoma supratentorial extraventricular: presentación de caso y análisis de literatura / Contralateral Transfalcine Interhemispheric Approach for Resection of Extraventricular Supratentorial Empendymoma: Case Presentation and Literature Analysis

Introducción: los ependimomas supratentoriales extraventriculares son una entidad sumamente infrecuente, solo 45 casos han sido reportados en la literatura. La mayoría de los ependimomas se localizan a nivel infratentorial e intraventricular, solo en un grupo pequeño de casos no presentan continuidad con el sistema ventricular. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir y presentar el caso de un tumor inusual, cuya importancia radica en la baja prevalencia de casos reportados en la literatura y en la particularidad del abordaje quirúrgico seleccionado. Descripción del caso: paciente de sexo masculino, de 16 años de edad, con diagnóstico de lesión ocupante de espacio sólida-quística, a nivel frontal izquierdo, entre el giro frontal superior y giro del cíngulo. Se optó por realizar un abordaje interhemisférico contralateral transfalcino, logrando la resección total de la lesión tumoral. Se obtuvo el diagnóstico histopatológico de ependimoma Grado II según clasificación de la OMS. Discusión: en base a la información analizada en los diferentes artículos, los hallazgos imagenológicos y anatomopatológicos del caso presentado coinciden con lo relatado en la literatura acerca de los ependimomas supratentoriales extraventricualres. Es imprescindible la utilización de técnicas de inmunohistoquímica para la correcta tipificación del tumor ya que las características del mismo son fácilmente confundibles con otras entidades y su correcta graduación tiene implicancias pronósticas y terapéuticas. Conclusión: los ependimomas supratentoriales extraventricualares son neoplasias sumamente inusuales. La resección quirúrgica es considerada el tratamiento de primera línea para mejorar el pronóstico y la sobrevida. El abordaje interhemisférico contralateral transfalcino nos permitió lograr la exéresis total de la lesión tumoral, favoreciéndonos un adecuado ángulo de trabajo y reduciendo así la transgresión del parénquima cerebral

ntroduction: extraventricular supratentorial ependymomas are an extremely rare entity, only 45 cases have been reported in the literature. Most ependymomas are located at the infratentorial and intraventricular level, only in a small group of cases don ́t present continuity with the ventricular system. The aim of this paper is to describe and to present the case of an unusual tumor, the importance lies in the low prevalence of cases reported in the literature and in the particularity of the selected surgical approach. Case description: a 16-year-old male patient with a diagnosis of a solid-cystic space-occupying lesion, at the left frontal level, between the superior frontal gyrus and the cingulate gyrus, measuring 40mm x 50mm x 60mm. A contralateral transfalcine interhemispheric approach was chosen, achieving total resection of the lesion. The histopathological diagnosis of Grade II ependymoma was obtained according to WHO. Discussion: based on the information analyzed in the different articles, the imaging and pathological findings of the case presented coincide with what is reported in the literature about supratentorial extraventricular ependymomas. The use of immunohistochemical techniques is essential for the correct typing of the tumor since its characteristics are easily confused with other entities and its correct graduation has prognostic and therapeutic implications Conclusion: extraventricular supratentorial ependymomas are extremely rare neoplasms. Surgical resection is considered the first-line treatment to improve prognosis and survival. The contralateral transfalcine interhemispheric approach allowed us to achieve a total resection of the lesion, favoring an adequate working angle and thus reducing the transgression of the brain parenchyma

Stereotactic biopsy for lesions in brainstem and deep brain: a single-center experience of 72 cases

Stereotactic biopsies for lesions in the brainstem and deep brain are rare. This study aimed to summarize our 6-year experience in the accurate diagnosis of lesions in the brain stem and deep brain and to discuss the technical note and strategies. From December 2011 to January 2018, 72 cases of intracranial lesions in the brainstem or deep in the lobes undergoing stereotactic biopsy were retrospectively reviewed. An individualized puncture path was designed based on the lesion's location and the image characteristics. The most common biopsy targets were deep in the lobes (43 cases, 59.7%), including frontal lobe (33 cases, 45.8%), temporal lobe (4 cases, 5.6%), parietal lobe (3 cases, 4.2%), and occipital lobe (3 cases, 4.2 %). There were 12 cases (16.7%) of the brainstem, including 8 cases (11.1%) of midbrain, and 4 cases (5.6%) of pons or brachium pontis. Other targets included internal capsule (2 cases, 2.8%), thalamus (3 cases, 4.2%), and basal ganglion (12 cases, 16.7%). As for complications, one patient developed acute intracerebral hemorrhage in the biopsy area at 2 h post-operation, and one patient had delayed intracerebral hemorrhage at 7 days post-operation. The remaining patients recovered well after surgery. There was no surgery-related death. The CT-MRI-guided stereotactic biopsy of lesions in the brainstem or deep in the brain has the advantages of high safety, accurate diagnosis, and low incidence of complications. It plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of atypical, microscopic, diffuse, multiple, and refractory lesions.

MR imaging manifestations of extraventricular neurocytoma / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To analyze retrospectively the MR manifestations and differential diagnosis of extraventricular neurocytoma (EVN).Methods 7 patients with EVN confirmed by pathologic examination were performed non-enhanced and contrast-enhanced MR scan,and one of them was also performed DWI.Results 4 tumors were located in cerebra,2 tumors located in cerebellum,involving both cortex and white matter,and 1 tumor was located in the seller region.5 tumors were solid-cystic lesions and 2 tumors were solid lesions.5 lesions were well demarcated and 2 lesions were ill defined.Edema around the lesion was found in 2 cases.The solid part of tumors showed iso-or hyper intensity on T1WI,hypo-or hyper intensity on T2WI.Necrosis and hemorrhage occurred in some cases.The degree of enhancement in solid part ranged from mild enhancement to intense enhancement heterogeneously.The cystic part showed ring like enhancement with a thin wall.Conclusion The manifestations of EVN on MRI have some characteristics.If a solid-cystic lesion was well defined,involving both cortex and white matter,EVN should be considered.

Sellar-Suprasellar Extraventricular Choroid Plexus Papilloma : A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Choroid plexus papillomas (CPPs) are relatively rare neuroectodermal tumors that develop from choroid plexus epithelial cells and are usually restricted to the ventricles. Extraventricular CPPs are very unusual and can be difficult to diagnose and treat. A 50-year-old male patient was admitted to our clinic complaining of headache and visual deterioration. Neurological examination found no abnormalities except decreased light perception and secondary optic atrophy in the left eye. Endocrine testing revealed normal levels of hormones produced by the pituitary and target glands. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a huge regular-shaped lesion in the sellar-suprasellar region occupying the sella turcica and extending into the suprasellar cistern and planum sphenoidale. The lesion was completely excised by microsurgery via an ordinary left-sided pterional approach. Histopathology identified the lesion as a choroid plexus papilloma. Following the case report, literature on the origin, differential diagnosis, and treatment of this rare tumor is reviewed.

Clinicopathological analysis of 12 cases with extraventricular neurocytoma / 临床与实验病理学杂志

Purpose To study the clinicopathological features of extraventricular neurocytoma. Methods 12 cases of extraventricular neurocytoma were retrospectively analyzed for their clinical information and histopathological features. Results The distribution of ex-traventricular neurocytoma was as follows: cerebral hemisphere (5 cases), right thalamus (2 cases), cerebellar vermis (2 cases), saddle area (2 cases), and spinal cord (1 case). The histological features were round uniform cells, round or oval nuclei, with peri-nuclear clearing commonly seen. Neuropil-like structure, ganglion cells or ganglion-like cells, perivascular rosettes, calcification, cap-illary wall thickening and hyaline degeneration and other pathological changes were also observed. All cases showed strong immunoreac-tivity for Syn. 7 cases exhibited Ki-67 labeling index of≤2%, and other 5 cases showed 3% ~8%. 3 cases were performed with fluo-rescence in situ hybridization ( FISH) to detect loss of chromosome 1p/19q, but no loss was detected. Postoperative follow-up for 4 months to 4 years showed one case had tumor recurrence and intracranial spread in postoperative 2 years. Conclusions Extraventricu-lar neurocytoma shares similar histological features with central neurocytoma, but often more complex. Ganglion cells or ganglion-like cells, calcification, capillary wall thickening and hyaline degeneration are more frequently seen, but neuropil-like structure is less seen. Extraventricular neurocytoma needs differential diagnoses from oligodendroglioma, ependymoma, dysembryoplastic neuroepitheli-al tumor and others. Immunohistochemistry and chromosome 1p/19q loss can help in the differential diagnosis. The treatment for ex-traventricular neurocytoma is grossly total resection, with post-operative radiotherapy for subtotal resection, atypical or recurrent cases.

Supratentorial Extraventricular Anaplastic Ependymoma Presenting with Repeated Intratumoral Hemorrhage

Supratentorial extraventricular anaplastic ependymomas are extremely rare. We report the case of a 23-year-old male with a supratentorial extraventricular anaplastic ependymoma that presented with repeated intratumoral hemorrhage. The patient was diagnosed with an intracerebral hematoma in the left occipital lobe and underwent operation. The hematoma did not reveal tumor cells, but a new tumor grew in the same location 5 years later. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a tumor with intratumoral hemorrhage. The patient underwent the tumor resection. Intraoperative findings showed that the tumor had no continuity with the ventricle. Histopathological examinations confirmed an anaplastic ependymoma. The spinal evaluation was unremarkable, and radiotherapy was administered to the left occipital lobe. Four years later, the tumor recurred at the cervicomedullary junction and T8-T9 levels. This case demonstrates that anaplastic ependymomas should be included in the differential diagnoses of supratentorial extraventricular tumors presenting with repeated intratumoral hemorrhage.

5-Aminolevulinic Acid Fluorescence Discriminates the Histological Grade of Extraventricular Neurocytoma

Extraventricular neurocytomas are rare brain tumors that have a diverse range of clinical characteristics. We describe two cases involving fluorescence-guided resection of extraventricular neurocytoma using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and evaluate the efficacy of the technique. We found that the tumor reactions to 5-ALA differed depending on the histologic grade. This finding shows that the 5-ALA fluorescence reaction may potentially be used as a biomarker of the clinical behavior of these tumors. To our knowledge, this is the first report in which fluorescence-guided resection was utilized for the resection of extraventricular neurocytomas.

Comparison of Ventricular Type and Parenchymal Type Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Monitoring for the Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Patients / 대한신경손상학회지

OBJECTIVE: Intracranial pressure (ICP) is one of the critical parameter for the patients of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) to determine the treatment modalities and predict clinical outcomes. Hence, the ICP monitoring with accuracy and safety is essential for the TBI patients. The purpose of this study is to compare its safety and clinical usefulness of intraventricular ICP monitoring method to the parenchymal type. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and imaging data of 18 severe TBI patients. We used intraventricular ICP monitoring in 10 patients and parenchymal 8 patients. We compared the clinical findings of the two type ICP monitoring methods including procedure time, neurological status, outcome, complications and mortality. RESULTS: The initial Glasgow Coma Scale of intraventricular ICP monitoring and parenchymal ICP monitoring patients were 5.8 (range: 4-7) and 6.5 (range: 3-7) respectively. The Glasgow Outcome Scale after 6 months was a little higher in intraventricular monitoring patients than parenchymal monitoring patients (2.8 vs. 2.0, p=0.25). We could not find any intraventricular catheter related complication in intraventricular ICP monitoring patients. There was no difference in mortality in both groups (p=0.56). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that intraventricular catheter insertion for ICP monitoring is relatively a safe procedure in the severe TBI patients. We could not demonstrate the significant benefit of intraventricular type ICP monitoring compared with parenchymal type ICP monitoring. Considering intraventricular type ICP monitoring have advantages of the accuracy and extraventricular drainage, intraventricular type ICP monitoring could be considered for severe TBI patients, regardless of hydrocephalus.

Atypical Extraventricular Neurocytoma

The authors report a case of atypical extraventricular neurocytoma (EVN) transformed from EVN which had been initially diagnosed as an oligodendroglioma 15 years ago. An 8-year-old boy underwent a surgical resection for a right frontal mass which was initially diagnosed as oligodendroglioma. When the tumor recurred 15 years later, a secondary operation was performed, followed by salvage gamma knife treatment. The recurrent tumor was diagnosed as an atypical EVN. The initial specimen was reviewed and immunohistochemistry revealed a strong positivity for synaptophysin. The diagnosis of the initial tumor was revised as an EVN. The patient maintained a stable disease state for 15 years after the first operation, and was followed up for one year without any complications or disease progression after the second operation. We diagnosed an atypical extraventricular neurocytoma transformed from EVN which had been initially diagnosed as an oligodendroglioma 15 years earlier. We emphasize that EVN should be included in the differential diagnosis of oligodendroglioma.

Epidural Hematomas due to Occipital Artery Injury Following Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt and Extraventricular Drainage

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is a common treatment for hydrocephalic patients. However, complications, such as shunt tube occlusion, infection, intracranial hemorrhage, seizure can occur. Of these, intracranial hemorrhage may occur due to intracranial vascular injury or a rapid decrease of intracranial pressure (ICP). Most of these hemorrhages are subdural hematomas (SDH) while a few are epidural hematomas (EDH). It is extremely rare for an intracranial hemorrhage to occur due to an extension of the bleeding from an injured extracranial vessel. We report two cases of EDH due to occipital artery injury following VP shunt and extraventricular drainage (EVD).

Extraventricular Cystic Neurocytoma

We report a case of extraventricular neurocytoma(left parietal lobe) in a young man presented with hemiparesis. The tumor, a radiologically well-circumscribed, cystic and enhancing mass, was partially removed. The patient, who received postoperative radiotherapy, is living well after 15 months of follow-up. Pathology showed a well-differentiated lesion composed of uniform, round cells with perinuclear halos in a neuropil background, immunohistochemically positive for neuronal markers. This was a cystic extraventricular neurocytoma(glio-neuronal tumor) arising from the left parietal lobe. Its features were consistent with neurocytoma pathologically and were different from those of intraventricular neurocytoma pathophysiologically. We outline the morphological and immunohistochemical evaluations necessary to recognize this rare tumor.

Effectiveness of Preoperative Extra-Ventricular Drainage in Poor Grade Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / 대한뇌혈관학회지

OBJECTIVE: Preoperative extra-ventricular drainage in poor grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients has been known to improve patient's clinical grade. However, the risk of rebleeding due to increase of transmural pressure hinders its popular clinical use. The authors present new experience of preoperative extra-ventricular drainage in poor grade aneurysmal SAH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1996 to November 2001, 56 SAH patients underwent extra-ventricular drainage preoperatively. The mean age was 57.9 years (range 27 to 88). Hunt and Hess grade (HH grade) on the time of extra-ventricular drainage insertion were grade 3 in 4 patients, grade 4 in 35 patients and grade 5 in 17 patients. The overall clinical outcome of the patients who underwent extra-ventricular drainage and final clinical outcome according to the intervals between ventricular drainage and direct clipping/endovascular coiling were analysed retrospectively. RESULT: Twenty-six patients (46.4%) improved clinically (average HH grade was improved from 4.6 to 3.3), 25 patients (44.6%) have not been changed, 5 patients (9%) aggravated (4 to 5) after ventricular drainage. Seven of 30 unchanged or aggravated patients underwent CT scan which revealed rebleeding of the aneurysm. 32 patients (57.1%) were treated with surgery or endovascular coiling. Seventeen patients (30.4%) have lost their opportunity of ultimate treatment because they had poor clinical course after extra-ventricular drainage. Final clinical outcome was not statistically different between early therapeutic group who underwent operation within 24 hours after extra-ventricular drainage and delayed therapeutic group who underwent operation after 24 hours. (Fisher extract test, survival rate P=0.603, clinical outcome P=1.000). CONCLUSION: Preoperative extra-ventricular drainage had additional risk of rebleeding, however, it provides immediate improvement of patient's neurological status and final clinical outcomes.

Recurrent Extraventricular Neurocytoma with Malignant Glial Differentiation

We present a case of recurrent extraventricular neurocytoma with malignant glial differentiation in left temporoparietal area. A 37-year-old man with presentation of generalized seizure had undergone biopsy of brain tumor in left parietal area in 1987, which revealed extraventricular neurocytoma and radiotherapy was followed. Postoperative course was uneventful until eleven years after biopsy, when he became gradually aphasic and right hemiplegic. Brain CT and MRI revealed enlargement of tumor with peritumoral edema and calcifications. He underwent subtotal tumor removal in 1998. Microscopic examination of second biopsy specimen revealed presence of large areas composed of anaplastic glial cells with frequent mitosis, nuclear pleomorphism, large eosinophilic cytoplasm and eccentric nuclei, resembling gemistocytes, which were strongly immunoreactive to glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) but not to synaptophysin(SNP). Also focal areas of neuronal cells were found, which were immunoreactive to SNP but not to GFAP. These histologic findings imply that this recurred tumor was a high grade, mixed tumor with divergent differentiation of neuronal and astrocyte lineage. We report a rare case of extraventricular cerebral neurocytoma with malignant glial differentiation with review of the literature.

A Clinical Comparison between Epidural Pressure Measurements and Intraventricular Pressure: Technical Note

OBJECTIVE: Measurement of intracranial pressure(ICP) is important in patients at risk of raised ICP. To evaluate the usefulness of measuring epidural pressure measurements for the estimation of intracranial pressure, we studied the relationship between epidural pressure and ventricular pressure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From Nov. '97 to Jul. '98, 10 patients of extraventricular drainage(Group A) and 12 patients of decompressive craniectomy(Group B) are included in this study. Simultaneous recording of intracranial pressure (ICP) from an air-pouch epidural pressure monitoring system and a ventricular catheter was compared. RESULTS: The epidural pressure group(Group A) showed marked high epidural pressure(32.6+/-13.4mmHg) compared with those of intraventricular pressure, but in decompressive craniectomy group(Group B) shows nearly the same values(2.1+/-6.9mmHg). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the available comparison between these two methods of measuring intracranial pressure, in the light of the data we had established and the importance of ICP monitoring in neurosurgical critical care, intradural monitoring technique appears to be our measuring method of choice.

Early Surgery Extraventricular Drainage, Cisternal Drainage with Nimodipine Irrigation and Intravenous Nimodipine for Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

During the eleven months from September, 1989 to July, 1990, a total of 118 subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) patients were admitted. Among these, in 2 cases, the etiology was unknown and another 8 cases of Hunt & Hess clinical grade V patients died in the emergency room or intensive care unit within 24 hours after admission. The remaning 108 cases were managed with protocol as follows. 1) Surgery was done within 9 days after the SAH(total 67 cases) : Extraventricular drainage(EVD) was performed and a cisternal drainage(CD) catheter was positioned during surgery. EVD, CD nimodipine irrigation(0.4mg) through the CD catheter, and intravenous injection(IV) of nimodipine(1~2mg/hr)continued for 13days after the SAH. 2) Surgery was done after the 9th SAH day due to late transfer neurology or other hospitals or posterior circulation aneurysms(32 cases), and 9 cases refused surgery : Nimodipine was used orally(240mg/day) in 35 cases and an IV route(1~2mg/hr) in 6 cases. Total management outcome and results were obtained as follows. 1) A total unsatisfactory management outcome was 18.52%(serve disabled : 4.63%, vegetative : 0.93%, death : 12.96%. In the surgical cases only, 40.8%, 1.02%, 9.19%, respectively). 2) An unsatisfactory surgical outcome in cases following surgery after the 9th SAH day was 6.24%(severe disabled : 3.12%, death : 3.12%). 3) An unsatisfactory management outcome in cases of admission grades I & II following surgery within the 9th SAH day or those non-surgical patients was 19.15%(severe disabled : 4.25%, death : 14.89%. In surgical cases only 2.33%, 9.30%, respectively). 4) An unsatisfactory management outcome in cases of admission grades III & IV with surgery within the 9th SAH day or non-surgical patients was 29.63%(severe disabled : 7.41%, vegetative : 3.70%. death : 18.52%. In surgical cases only 9.09%, 4.55%, 13.64%, respectively). One case of admission grade V died. 5) Causes of unsatisfactory outcome were vasospasm : 9 cases(8.33%), SAH itself : 4 cases, rebleeding : 3 cases, surgical complication : 1 case, medical complication : 1 case, anesthesia : 1 case, and head trauma : 1 case. 6) Complications in management protocol with EVD, CD, CD nimodipine irrigation, and IV of nimodipine were transient hypotension(1 case) and meningitis(5 cases). These complications were improved without sequelae with discontinuing the IV of nimodipine and using antibiotics. We concluded that this protocol may improved the total management outcome of aneurysmal SAH patients, especially poor grade patients(Hunt & Hess grade III & IV) without significant complications. However, in spite of this protocol, the leading cause of an unsatisfactory outcome is vasospasm.

Classification of Spontaneous Thalamic Hemorrhagy for Management and Prediction of Prognosis

65 patients with spontaneous thalamic hemorrhage(TH) diagnosed by CT scan were treated in Catholic Medical Center. Of total 340 patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage from 1980 to 1983, TH occured in 19.1%. In order to analyse prognosis and guideline of management we classified TH into 4 types with the topographic involvement of thalamus : Type I-the anteromedial TH in 3 cases(4.8%) showed no specific correlation between symptoms and site of hematoma. The prognosis was good with medical treatment alone. Type II-the posterolateral TH in 23 cases(35.2%), mainly spreaded into the internal capsule and the midbrain. Aphasia was one of the main clinical features and the prognosis was worse with both conservative and surgical treatment than those of type I and III. Type III-the dorsal TH in 26 cases(40%), often extended to the lateral ventricle and were localizing in the thalamic area. Emotional change was more occasionally indicated. Type IV-the massive TH in 13 cases(20%), was extensively involved in the thalamus and spreaded to all direction. Symptoms and signs were various and surgery was not indicated because the prognosis was poor. Aphasia was noted in the left TH, but right-hemisphere cortical dysfunction were found mainly in the right TH. The prognoses of the patients with aphaia and/or right hemisphere cortical dysfunction were poorer than those of the patients without. We consider that the patients in type II or III with aphasia and/or right-hemisphere cortical dysfunction should be managed with EVD or stereotaxic urokinase therapy for better neurological outcome.