Atretic Cephalocele: Report of Two Cases

In cases of meningoencephalocele, brain tissue, which is enveloped by the meninges and cerebrospinal fluid, herniates through the skull defect. Atretic cephalocele, on the other hand, is a congenital malformation in which small meningeal and vestigial glial tissue herniates through this defect; a benign nodular lesion is found near the midline of the scalp. Atretic cephalocele can occur in the parietal or occipital area; in cases involving the latter, the prognosis is poor. We report the radiologic findings of two cases of atretic cephalocele confirmed by surgery and pathologic findings.

Eagle's Syndrome: A Case Report

Eagle's syndrome is a rare condition associated with recurrent throat pain, foreign body sensation and odynophagia. It is caused by elongation of the styloid process or calcification of the stylohyoid process. We present the clinical and radiologic findings of a case of Eagle's syndrome.

Cranial Fasciitis in a Child: A Case Report

Cranial fasciitis is a rare fibroblastic tumor which shows a predilection for the scalp and skull of youngchil-dren. Histologically, cranial fasciitis is identical to nodular fasciitis which is typically found in theextremities of adults, though is unique in that it may present as an osteolytic lesion of the skull. We report acase of cranial fasciitis in a 20-month-old girl, describing the ultrasonography, CT and MRI findings.

Craniometaphyseal Dysplasia: A Case Report

Craniometaphyseal dysplasia is a rare genetic bone disorder characterized by cranial hyperostosis, sclerosis, and failure of normal modeling of the tubular bones. Both autosomal dominant and recessive forms have been described. Diagnosis of the craniometaphyseal dysplasia is mode on the basis of characteristic radiographic findings. Radiologic findings are thickening and hyperostosis of the skull, and Erlenmeyer flask deformity of the metaphysis on the long bones. We report a case of the craniometaphyseal dysplasia.

Skull-Base Foramina of the Middle Cranial Fossa: Assessment of Normal Variation with High-Resolution CT

PURPOSE: To recognize foraminal variants of the foraminae of the skull base in the middle cranial fossa, and to thus understand and distinguish normal and potentially abnormal structures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed 163 patients without intracranial disease who had undergone CT scanning. These comprised 82 men and 81 women with a mean age of 39 years (range, 4|73 years). HRCT was performed, using a GE 9800 scanner. All CT scans were obtained 6-7 slices at the base of the skull, with 1.5 mm collimation at 1.5 mm intervals parallel to the infraorbital line. We analysed the foraminae by closesly correlating imaging findings and established anatomic knowledge. RESULTS: In 45 cases (27.6 %) the foramen ovale was 5-10 mm in diameter and asymmetrical. Deficiency of the medial bony wall including persistent foramen lacerum medius was seen in five cases (3.1 %). Confluence of the foramen ovale and the foramen spinosum was seen in 13 cases (8 %) and confluence of the foramen ovale and the foramen of Vesalius in 23 (14.1 %). Posterolateral groove for the accessory meningeal artery was observed in 36 cases (22 %). The foramen spinosum was asymmetrical in 42 cases (25.8 %). A small or absent foramen spinosum with a larger ipsilateral foramen ovale was observed in 11 cases (6.7 %). Medial bony defect was seen in 16 cases (9.8%). The foramen spinosum was absent in four cases (2.5 %). In 74 cases (45.4 %), the foramen of Vesalius was absent ; it was present unilaterally and bilaterally in 55 (33.7 %) and 34 cases (20.9 %), respectively. Five cases showed duplicated foramina. Canaliculus innominatus was seen in 14 cases (8.9 %) and was present bilaterally in three (1.8 %). CONCLUSION: HRCT clearly delineates bony structure and is well able to display the rich spectrum of anatomic variation found in the base of the skull. The recognition of these normal variants will result in a better understanding of skull base neurovascular anatomy and diminish speculation as to their true nature during the interpretation of CT images.