Magnetic resonance imaging features of cerebellar atrophy pattern after epilepsy / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#Clinically, it has been found that some patients with epilepsy are accompanied by cerebellar atrophy that is inconsistent with symptoms, but the pattern of cerebellar atrophy after epilepsy and the role of cerebellar atrophy in the mechanism of epilepsy have not been elucidated. This study aims to explore the specific pattern of cerebellar atrophy after epilepsy via analyzing magnetic resonance images in patients with postepileptic cerebellar atrophy.@*METHODS@#A total of 41 patients with epilepsy, who received the treatment in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2017 to January 2022 and underwent cranial MRI examination, were selected as the case group. The results of cranial MRI examination of all patients showed cerebellar atrophy. In the same period, 41 cases of physical examination were selected as the control group. General clinical data and cranial MRI results of the 2 groups were collected. The maximum area and signal of dentate nucleus, the maximum width of the brachium pontis, the maximum anterior-posterior diameter of the pontine, and the maximum transverse area of the fourth ventricle were compared between the 2 groups. The indexes with difference were further subjected to logistic regression analysis to clarify the characteristic imaging changes in patients with cerebellar atrophy after epilepsy.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, the maximum width of the brachium pontis and the maximum anterior-posterior diameter of the pontine were decreased significantly, the maximum transverse area of the fourth ventricle was increased significantly in the case group (all P<0.05). The difference in distribution of the low, equal, and high signal in dentate nucleus between the 2 groups was statistically significant (χ2=43.114, P<0.001), and the difference in the maximum area of dentate nucleus between the 2 groups was not significant (P>0.05). The maximum width of the brachium pontis [odds ratio (OR)=3.327, 95% CI 1.454 to 7.615, P=0.004] and the maximum transverse area of the fourth ventricle (OR=0.987, 95% CI 0.979 to 0.995, P=0.002) were independent factors that distinguished cerebellar atrophy after epilepsy from the normal control, while the anterior-posterior diameter of pontine (OR=1.456, 95% CI 0.906 to 2.339, P>0.05) was not an independent factor that distinguished them.@*CONCLUSIONS@#In MRI imaging, cerebellar atrophy after epilepsy is manifested as significant atrophy of the brachium pontis, significant enlargement of the fourth ventricle, and increased dentate nucleus signaling while insignificant dentate nucleus atrophy. This particular pattern may be associated with seizures and exacerbated pathological processes.

Quiste epidermoide intraventricular. Presentación de un caso / Intraventricular epidermoid cyst. A case report

RESUMEN Fundamento: El tumor epidermoide es una lesión benigna que representa cerca del 1 % de las neoplasias intracraneales, su origen es embrionario y son frecuentes en la línea media. Objetivo: Presentar un caso poco frecuente de un quiste epidermoide dentro del cuarto ventrículo, que debutó con hidrocefalia en un paciente de la quinta década de la vida. Presentación clínica: Paciente blanco, masculino, de 49 años que debutó con cefalea, vértigos e inestabilidad para la marcha. Al examen físico neurológico se encontraba consciente, con manifestaciones de un síndrome cerebeloso vermiano. Los estudios de tomografía axial computarizada y de resonancia magnética nuclear simple y contrastada demostraron una lesión homogénea, redondeada con poca captación de contraste, dentro del cuarto ventrículo acompañada de una hidrocefalia triventricular. La estrategia quirúrgica se orientó primero a colocar una derivación ventrículo peritoneal y en un segundo momento se realizó el tratamiento quirúrgico directo a la lesión a través de una craniectomía medial de fosa posterior. Después de la durotomía se observó la lesión nacarada, de aproximadamente 2 cm de diámetro, encapsulada que permitió su resección completa y el restablecimiento de la circulación del líquido cefalorraquídeo. El paciente evolucionó favorablemente con recuperación total de sus manifestaciones clínicas y sin secuelas. Conclusiones: Los quistes epidermoides, aunque predominan en la línea media son muy raros dentro del sistema ventricular. La resonancia magnética es el estudio de elección, el diagnóstico positivo es histopatológico y la resección quirúrgica completa permitieron la curación del enfermo.

ABSTRACT Background: Epidermoid cyst is a benign lesion that represents about 1 % of intracranial neoplasms, of embryonal origin and frequent in the media line. Objective: To present a rare case of an epidermoid cyst within the fourth ventricle in a patient who had hydrocephalus in the fifth decade of life. Clinical report: 49 years old, white male patient, who presented headache, dizziness and gait instability. He was conscious when neurologic physical examination, with appearances of a cerebellar vermis syndrome. Computed axial tomography also simple and contrasted nuclear magnetic resonance imaging studies showed a homogeneous, rounded lesion with low contrast acquisition, within the fourth ventricle, accompanied by triventricular hydrocephalus. The surgical strategy was first oriented to place a ventricle-peritoneal shunt, then direct surgical treatment of the lesion through a posterior fossa medial craniotomy. After dural surgery, a pearly lesion was observed, approximately 2 cm diameter, encapsulated, which allowed its complete resection and the reestablishment of cerebrospinal fluid circulation. The patient evolved positively with total recovery of his clinical manifestations and without any sequela. Conclusions: Epidermoid cysts, although predominant in the media line are very rare within the ventricular system. Magnetic resonance imaging is the choice study, the positive histopathological diagnosis and complete surgical resection allowed the patient to be cured.

Evaluación del cerebro fetal: nuevas herramientas / Fetal brain assessment: new tools

RESUMEN La evaluación del cerebro fetal es un punto imprescindible en el ultrasonido obstétrico, por la gran cantidad de malformaciones que pueden ser diagnosticadas. La guía de ISUOG nos brinda los cortes elementales para la sospecha de la patología cerebral; pero, podemos ampliar y mejorar nuestro ultrasonido con la visualización de estructuras fácilmente reproducibles, tales como el complejo anterior, cuerpo calloso, cisura de Silvio y el cuarto ventrículo. Presentamos algunas herramientas para complementar la evaluación del cerebro fetal.

ABSTRACT The evaluation of the fetal brain is an essential point in obstetric ultrasound due to the large number of malformations that can be diagnosed. The ISUOG guide provides us with the elementary sections for the suspicion of brain pathology; but we can extend and improve our ultrasound with the visualization of easily reproducible structures, such as the anterior complex, corpus callosum, Sylvian fissure and the fourth ventricle. We present some tools to complement the assessment of the fetal brain.

Meningioma of the Fourth Ventricle: Literature Review

Meningiomas are among the most common central nervous system tumors, with an incidence that ranges from 15% to 40% of intracranial tumors. Of these, only 0.5% to 3% are intraventricular, and the rarest of them occurs in the fourth ventricle. Fourth-ventricle meningiomas originate generally fromthe choroid plexus and have no dural adhesions. Most often, they manifest in young patients, around 41 years of age, with a possible predominance in females, through intracranial hypertension and cerebellar syndromes. The treatment consists of surgical resection, which commonly presents good results due to the characteristics of the tumor. So, for better preoperative planning, the radiological differentiation of the most frequent tumors in this location is important. Themost common histologic subtypes are fibroblastic and meningothelial, both grade I according to the World Health Organization (WHO), although there are reports of tumors of grades II and III. We report a case ofmeningioma of the fourth ventricle operated in our institution, and we have conducted a literature review, through which we found that 57 cases have been reported so far, with the first one reported in 1938.

Epidermoid Cyst of the IV Ventricle: Case Report

Epidermoid cysts constitute congenital, benign and rare lesions, corresponding to 0.2% to 1.8% of all intracranial tumors. Only 5% of the cases are located in the fourth ventricle. Despite their genesis in intrauterine life, they are usually diagnosed between the third and fifth decades of life due to their very slow growth pattern. The image weighted by the diffusion of the magnetic resonance is essential to establish the diagnosis. The ideal treatment consists of emptying the cystic content with complete capsule resection. In the present work, we report the case of a 31-year-old female with cerebellar syndrome that evolved with intracranial hypertension. The symptomatology was due to an obstructive hydrocephalus by an epidermoid cyst located inside the fourth ventricle, which was confirmed by the pathological anatomy.

Resección microquirúrgica de cavernoma del receso lateral derecho a través de abordaje telovelar / Microsurgical resection of a cavernoma of the right lateral recess through the telovelar approach

A partir de la introducción de las técnicas modernas en diagnóstico por Resonancia Magnética por Imágenes (RMI), revolucionó la comprensión de las malformaciones cavernosas, permitiendo su diagnóstico preciso. En paralelo, el avance de las técnicas microquirúrgicas y el conocimiento de las zonas seguras de acceso al tronco cerebral han definido los accesos para su resección segura. Se presenta un caso de paciente varón de 25 años de edad, sin antecedentes patológicos, consulta por cefalea de un año de evolución. En RM donde se observa lesión nodular en relación con el receso lateral derecho. Se realiza abordaje suboccipital medial, con acceso telovelar hacia el receso lateral con la exéresis completa de la lesión. Un adecuado conocimiento sobre la anatomía del IV ventrículo, seleccionando el abordaje microquirúrgico más apropiado, con técnica quirúrgica meticulosa es prioritario en la resección de cavernomas en esta localización. El devastador resultado neurológico que puede ocurrir en un paciente con una malformación cavernosa del tronco encefálico cuando estos sangran, plantean a la resección microquirúrgica como la mejor opción en aquellas lesiones accesibles a través de zonas seguras.

From the introduction of modern imaging techniques with Magnetic Resonance Imaging, it revolutionized the understanding of cavernous malformations, allowing for accurate diagnosis. In parallel, the advancement of microsurgical techniques and the knowledge of safe areas of access to the brain stem have defined access for safe resection. We present a case of male patient of 25 years of age, without pathological history, consultation for headache of one year of evolution. In MRI where nodular lesion is observed in relation to the right lateral recess. A medial suboccipital approach was performed, with telovelar access to the lateral recess with complete excision of the lesion. An adequate knowledge about the anatomy of the IV ventricle, selecting the most appropriate microsurgical approach, with meticulous surgical technique is a priority in the resection of cavernous in this location. The devastating neurological outcome that can occur in a patient with a cavernous malformation of the brainstem when they bleed, posed to microsurgical resection as the best option in those lesions accessible through safe areas.

Choroid Plexus Carcinoma in Adults: Two Case Reports

Choroid plexus tumors are uncommon brain tumors that primarily occur in children. Most of these tumors originate from the intraventricular area, and the most common clinicalpresentation is increased intracranial pressure. Dissemination through the cerebrospinal fluid space is the inevitable natural course of the disease. Here, we present 2 rare cases of adult choroid plexus carcinoma (CPC), each with distinct clinical presentation and progression. The first case was a 40-year-old male who presented with multiple intraventricular masses. After surgical biopsy, radiation and intrathecal chemotherapy failed to elicit any response. The patient progressed with spinal cord dissemination and expired 1 year later. The second case presented with visual disturbance, and brain MRI revealed a large ovoid juxtaventricular mass with peritumoral edema. This 49-year-old female patient underwent craniotomy for what was thought to be a high-grade glioma; however, the mass was connected to the choroid plexus at the operative field. Her pathology specimen was diagnosed as CPC, and adjuvant systemic chemotherapy was administered. She has now been free of recurrence for 10 months. The description of the presentation and progression of these rare adult-onset CPC provides insight for the diagnosis and treatment of other rare instances of choroid plexus tumors.

Clinical features and efficacy of microsurgery for treatment of cerebral cysticercosis of the fourth ventricle: a report of 24 patients / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of 24 patients with cysticercosis of the fourth ventricle, and to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of microsurgery. Methods The clinical data of 24 patients with cysticercosis of the fourth ventricle referred the Department of Neurosurgery of the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University from January 2000 to December 2018 were collected, and the clinical features, imaging characteristics, surgical methods, therapeutic efficacy and postoperative complications were analyzed. Results The 24 patients included 15 men and 9 women, and had a mean age of 43.5 years (range, 16 to 68 years). Preoperative imaging examinations showed obvious dilatation of bilateral lateral ventricles, the third ventricle and middle cerebral aqueduct, and spherical or cystic dilatation of the fourth ventricle. There were 18 cases positive for antibodies against cysticercus, and 3 of the 21 cases were egg positives. All 24 cases received microsurgery, including 8 cases via the median aperture approach, 7 cases via the median aperture-cerebellar vermis approach, and 9 cases via the transcerebellomedullary fissure approach. There were 17 cases with complete delivery of vesicles, 5 cases with vesicle rupture and 2 cases with extraction of cystic fluid followed by separation and removal of cystic wall. All cases had obvious retraction of the ventricular system and disappearance of intracranial hypertension following surgery. There were 19 cases (79.17%) with well recovery, and 5 cases (20.83%) with aggravation or development of cerebellar ataxia, which recovered following treatment for 1 to 2 weeks. Conclusion The transcerebellomedullary fissure approach is a safe and lowly invasive approach for the treatment of cysticercosis of the fourth ventricle.

Clinical features and efficacy of microsurgery for treatment of cerebral cysticercosis of the fourth ventricle: a report of 24 patients / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of 24 patients with cysticercosis of the fourth ventricle, and to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of microsurgery. Methods The clinical data of 24 patients with cysticercosis of the fourth ventricle referred the Department of Neurosurgery of the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University from January 2000 to December 2018 were collected, and the clinical features, imaging characteristics, surgical methods, therapeutic efficacy and postoperative complications were analyzed. Results The 24 patients included 15 men and 9 women, and had a mean age of 43.5 years (range, 16 to 68 years). Preoperative imaging examinations showed obvious dilatation of bilateral lateral ventricles, the third ventricle and middle cerebral aqueduct, and spherical or cystic dilatation of the fourth ventricle. There were 18 cases positive for antibodies against cysticercus, and 3 of the 21 cases were egg positives. All 24 cases received microsurgery, including 8 cases via the median aperture approach, 7 cases via the median aperture-cerebellar vermis approach, and 9 cases via the transcerebellomedullary fissure approach. There were 17 cases with complete delivery of vesicles, 5 cases with vesicle rupture and 2 cases with extraction of cystic fluid followed by separation and removal of cystic wall. All cases had obvious retraction of the ventricular system and disappearance of intracranial hypertension following surgery. There were 19 cases (79.17%) with well recovery, and 5 cases (20.83%) with aggravation or development of cerebellar ataxia, which recovered following treatment for 1 to 2 weeks. Conclusion The transcerebellomedullary fissure approach is a safe and lowly invasive approach for the treatment of cysticercosis of the fourth ventricle.

Found at Old Age and Continuously Growing WHO Grade II Fourth Ventricle Ependymoma: A Case Report

A 74-year-old woman presented with a month-long nausea and vomiting, then she could not take a meal. She had found an asymptomatic 4th ventricular mass 6 year ago as a preoperative work-up for ovarian cancer. And during the yearly follow-up, the mass had grown continuously over 6 years, and caused symptoms in the seventh year. MRI revealed a large ovoid extra-axial mass in the fourth ventricle compressing adjacent medulla and cerebellum. Surgery achieved near total resection since the tumor tightly adhered to the brain stem of 4th ventricle floor. The histological diagnosis was ependymoma (WHO grade II). She transferred rehabilitation facility for mild gait disturbance, hoarseness and swallowing difficulty. Fourth ventricle ependymoma in the elderly is extremely rare and the growth rate has not been reported. Here, we present a rare care of 4th ventricle ependymoma found asymptomatic at elderly but continuously grow to cause local pressure symptoms.

Age-related cerebral ventricular volume changes in healthy elderly humans / Alterações volumétricas dos ventrículos cerebrais relacionadas a idade em idosos saudáveis

Introduction: Normal aging is associated with morphological alte-rations in brain. Ventricular system is located deep inside brain and reflect the overall process of parenchymal atrophy. Once neurode-generative disorders course with more prominent dilatation of brain ventricles, to establish normative volumetric parameters from Brazi-lian healthy old individuals is necessary, and it may be an additional tool on differentiation from the normal to pathological. Objective: To investigate brain ventricular volume changes in Brazilian healthy el-derly people. Methods: Transversal study using magnetic resonance imaging (1.5T) of the brain from 21 elderly healthy volunteers (67±6 years old). Data were assessed with manual segmentation techni-que. Regions of interest were the brain ventricles and intracranial volumes. Old (60-69 years old, 15 women) and Older (>69 years old) groups were created for analysis. Results: Volume of all ventricular compartments significantly increased (p<.001) with age, with excep-tion of the fourth ventricle. The third and lateral ventricles increased between groups 2.1- and 2.8-fold, respectively. Mean total ventricular volume was 1.2±.4% of intracranial volume in Old and 3.2±1.8% in Ol-der group (p<.001), which represents 15±6ml and 40±24ml (p=.001), respectively. We observed a moderate to strong positive correlation between ventricular volume and age, with the best correlation in the third ventricle (r=.710). Total intracranial volume diminished with age, but without statistical significance. Conclusions: Brain ventricles vo-lume increased significantly with age in healthy old individuals, with exception of the fourth ventricle. (AU)

Introdução: O envelhecimento normal está associado a alterações morfológicas do cérebro. O sistema ventricular está localizado pro-fundamente no encéfalo e reflete o processo global de atrofia do pa-rênquima. Uma vez que doenças neurodegenerativas cursam com dilatação mais proeminente dos ventrículos cerebrais, estabelecer parâmetros volumétricos de normalidade em nossa população idosa saudável se faz necessário, podendo ser uma ferramenta a mais para diferenciar o normal do patológico. Objetivo: Investigar alterações volumétricas dos ventrículos cerebrais em brasileiros idosos sau-dáveis. Métodos: Estudo transversal com imagens de ressonância magnética (1,5T) do encéfalo de 21 idosos saudáveis (68±6 anos, 15 mulheres). Os dados foram examinados por técnicas de segmenta-ção manual. As regiões de interesse foram os ventrículos cerebrais e o volume intracraniano. Criamos os subgrupos Idosos (60-69 anos) e Mais idosos (>69 anos) para a análise. Resultados: O volume de todos os ventrículos aumentou com a idade (p<0,001), com exceção do quarto ventrículo. O terceiro e os ventrículos laterais aumentaram 2,1 e 2,8 vezes, respectivamente, entre os grupos. O volume ventri-cular médio foi de 1,2±0,4% do volume intracraniano nos Idosos e de 3,2±1,8% nos mais idosos, o que representa 15±6ml e 40±24ml, respectivamente. Observamos correlação positiva de moderada a forte entre volume ventricular e idade, com a melhor correlação no terceiro ventrículo (r=0,710). O volume intracraniano diminui com a idade, sem significância estatística. Conclusão: os ventrículos cere-brais aumentam significativamente com o envelhecimento em idosos saudáveis, exceto o quarto ventrículo. (AU)

Ultrasonography of Normal Fetal Fourth Ventricle in the Second Trimester of Pregnancy / 中国医学影像学杂志

Purpose To characterize normal growth of the fetal fourth ventricle in the second trimester of pregnancy by standardized ultrasonography.Materials and Methods 516 cases of pregnant women with single fetus aged 18-27 weeks and 6 days were examined by conventional ultrasound.At the standard section of the fourth ventricle,the transverse dimension,anteroposterior dimension,circumference and area of the fourth ventricle were measured.Results The display rate of the fourth ventricles of fetuses aged 18-27 weeks and 6 days was up to 100％.There were no significant differences in the values of the fourth ventricles between fetuses with different gender (P＞0.05).The values of the fourth ventricle,including transverse dimension,anteroposterior dimension,circumference and area,increased linearly with the increase of gestational age,and there were positive correlations (r=0.374,0.378,0.387,0.379,P＜0.05).Conclusion The normal size of the fourth ventricle can be obtained by standardized measurement,which can be used as a reference for the clinical evaluation of the size of the fourth ventricle.

Fourth Ventricular Lesions in Metastatic Gliomas: A Rare Predilection?

Over the course of five years, a total of ten cases were collected of glioma patients in whom a distant lesion at the fourth ventricle was noted. A ‘distant lesion’ was defined as a lesion with a normal appearing tissue bridge at imaging between the primary and secondary locations. Previous imaging of these patients was reviewed along with clinical history, course of therapy, and available histology. A review of the literature was performed with respect to present knowledge on patterns of glioma proliferation and dissemination. This case series is the first to describe the fourth ventricle as a location that may be prone to secondary lesions in glioma patients. Further investigation on this subject may yield deeper insights into the mechanisms by which glial tumors spread within the brain, with the hope of developing or improving therapeutic targets.

Fourth Ventricle Neurenteric Cyst Mimicking Hemangioblastoma

This report presents a case of fourth ventricle neurenteric cyst (NE cyst) mimicking hemangioblastoma, which developed in a 50-year-old woman. A tiny enhancing mural portion of the fourth ventricle in MRI suggested that the cyst was hemangioblastoma, but pathological evidence showed that the cyst was in fact NE cyst in the fourth ventricle. In order to make proper decision on to what extent of surgical resection should be done, considering every possibility in differential diagnosis might be helpful. This case reports an unusual pathology in 4th ventricle, considering the patient's age, and demonstrates that a rarer disease may share radiological features of a common disease.

The application of minimum apparent diffusion coefficient value on diagnosing the primary tumors in the fourth ventricle with diffusion-weighted imaging / 中国医学装备

Objective:To analyze the differences and common differential diagnostic value on the fourth ventricle magic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of primary tumors, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC).Methods:A total 100 cases with the fourth ventricle of the primary tumor who were given MRI examination, were selected from March 2011 to April 2012 in our hospital, recording an average minimum ADC value of tumor parenchyma.Results: 43 cases of medulloblastoma showed cerebellar hemisphere pressed shift or tonsillar herniation and restricted diffusion on DWI tumors showed high signal tumor. The minimum ADC value was (0.43±0.15)×10-3mm2/s. 33 cases of astrocytomas showed significant mass effect and the minimum ADC value was (1.58±0.58)×10-3mm2/s. 24 cases of ependymoma MRI showed typical “melting wa×” degeneration and tumor minimum ADC value was(0.93±0.18)×10-3mm2/s. The minimum ADC value of the three different forms of tumor cell lines was calculated by variance test and twenty-two row-LSD-t test, and the results were statistically significant difference (F=21.985,P=0.001). DWI high signal is limited to an average minimum ADC value of 0.875×10-3mm2/s as a threshold value. Compared with the pathology, the specificity of the fourth ventricle medulloblastoma was 98.5%, the sensitivity was 97.3%, the negative predictive value was 98.5%, and a positive predictive value was 100%. The suppression test was carried out between all the results above and the results of histological findings and Kappa value was 0.912.Conclusion: The primary tumor of the fourth ventricle was diagnosed with the ADC, DWI and conventional MRI, which showed that the specificity, sensitivity, negative predictive value and positive predictive value were high. It had obvious diagnostic effect and great value.

Morphometric Study of Fourth Ventricle By Computerised Tomography.

Background: The two major changes that may occur in elderly individual without neurologic deficits is enlargement of ventricles and cortical atrophy. Aim of the study was to statistically analyse the dimensions of Fourth ventricle in humans and also to study the Changes that occur during ageing. Ventricular size of males and females was compared. METHOD: The CT images of 112 adult individuals (Age Group 21-60) and 88 ageing individuals (Age above 61) was studied in both males and females. Measurements like vertical length, height, anterior-posterior diameter and transverse diameter of fourth ventricle was made by using dicomworks software. RESULT: This study showed positive co-relation of age with dimensions of fourth ventricle and the dimensions of the fourth ventricle were enlarged with physiologic ageing. Also the dimensions of fourth ventricle were more in males as compared to females.

Multiple Spinal Cord Recurrences of an Intracranial Ependymoma after 14 Years

Ependymoma can spread via cerebrospinal fluid, but late spinal recurrences of intracranial tumor are very rare. We describe a case of a 33-year-old male who presented with multiple, delayed, recurrent lesions in the spinal cord from an intracranial ependymoma. The patient underwent gross total resection and postoperative radiation therapy 14 years prior to visit for a low grade ependymoma in the 4th ventricle. The large thoraco-lumbar intradural-extramedullary spinal cord tumor was surgically removed and the pathologic diagnosis was an anaplastic ependymoma. An adjuvant whole-spine radiation therapy for residual spine lesions was performed. After completion of radiation therapy, a MRI showed a near complete response and the disease was stable for three years.

Resection of the fourth ventricle tumors through lateral wall type of the cerebellomedullary fissure approach under endoscope / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of the fourth ventricle tumors through lateral wall type of the transcerebellomedullary fissure approach under endoscope.Methods Clinical data of 14 cases with the fourth ventricle lesions were analyzed retrospectively.All the patients were treated by lateral wall type of the transcerebellomedullary fissure approach surgery.The endoscope was used if the lesions develop to the aqueduct and hard to be exposed.Both neurophysiological monitoring and intraoperative ultrasound were used regularly.Results Tumors were totally removed in 12 cases,subtotally in 1,and partially in 1.All the patients were diagnosed in postoperative histopathology,including 4 medulloblastoma,three epidermoid cyst,two ependymoma,two hemangioblastoma,one meningioma,one cavernous hemangioma and 1 astrocytoma.Hypopnea occurred immediate after operation in 1 patient.Ventilatory support was performed by Ventilator,and the respiration was restored 1 day later.Normal cerebrospinal fluid circulation was return in all cases.Neither aggravation of preoperative symptoms nor nuclei injury related complication had been found.The follow-up interval between 3 months to 28 months,one patient was dead with unexplained,and 1 medulloblastoma patient was relapse.Conclusion Lateral wall type of the transeerebellomedullary fissure approach,under endoscope,combined with the usage of neurophysiological monitoring and intraoperative ultrasound,can degrade the surgical related complications such as facial palsy and amblyacousia.

Recurrent posterior fossa anaplastic ependymoma with prominent chondroid metaplasia: A case report and review of literature.

We report an unusual case of a recurrent fourth ventricular anaplastic ependymoma with prominent chondroid metaplasia in a 16-year-old male. On initial presentation, the patient had a WHO Grade II tumor. However, at recurrence 1 year later, the tumor progressed to WHO Grade III tumor with more cellularity, necrosis and brisk mitotic activity. Chondroid metaplasia was present in both the initial and recurrent tumors.

Measuring the volume of the fourth ventricle in healthy Chinese adults of the Han nationality on the high-resolution MRI / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To explore the normal range of the fourth ventricle volume of Chinese adults of the Han nationality and provide morphological data for the construction of database for Chinese Standard Brain.Methods This is a clinical multi-center study.One thousand Chinese healthy volunteers (age range= 18 to 70) recruited from 15 hospitals were divided into 5 groups, i.e., Group A (age range = 18 to 30),B (age range =31 to 40), C (age range =41 to 50), D (age range =51 to 60), and E (age range =61 to 70).Each group contained 100 males and 100 females.All of the volunteers were scanned by MR using T1 weighted three-dimensional magnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo sequence.After three dimension data reconstruction, the volumes of the fourth ventricle were measured at sagittal view by automatic trace of Midobl.2 combined with manual outlining.The difference of volumes of the fourth ventricle between male and female were analyzed by independent sample t test, and among age groups by ANOVA.Pearson's correlation coeffcient was used to characterize the relationship between volumes of the fourth ventricle and age.Results The fourth ventricle volumes of Group A-E were (2.1±0.9), (2.1±0.8), (2.2±0.8), (2.1±1.0) and (2.4±0.8) ml respectively for male; those for female were(2.0±0.7), (1.9±0.6), (18±0.6), (1.9±0.7) and (2.0±0.6) ml respectively.The fourth ventricle volumes of males were significantly larger than those of females ( t = 5.573, P =0.000 ) ; there were no significant differences among the female groups ( F = 1.788, P = 0.130 ) ; there were significant differences among the male groups ( F = 2.639, P = 0.033 ) and multiple comparison found that the 60 years old was the watershed with significant difference ( P < 0.05 ).Correlation between the change of males' volumes and the ages was not strong (r = 0.119, P = 0.008 ), and the females' volumes did not correlated with their ages ( r = 0.041,P = 0.360 ).Conclusion There are gender differences in the fourth ventricle volumes of normal Chinese adults, and changes of the fourth ventricle volume with aging are different between males and females.