Lesión como malformación de Chiari secundaria a quiste aracnoidal de la cisterna cuadrigémina / Chiari malformation-like lesion secondary to arachnoid cyst of the quadrigeminal cistern

Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 31 años de edad con cefalea y cervicalgia que se agravaba con la maniobra de Valsalva, presentando además mareos, encontrándose una malformación de Chiari secundario a un quiste aracnoideo cuadrigeminal. Después de efectuada la resonancia magnética diagnóstica, la paciente fue sometida a descompresión del agujero magno y extirpación del quiste cuadrigeminal, seguido por la resolución tanto de la malformación de Chiari y el quiste. Los síntomas desaparecieron después de la cirugía y han permanecido completamente resuelto hasta la actualidad. En pacientes adultos que presentan signos y síntomas de una malformación de Chiari debido a la compresión de la médula por las las amígdalas cerebelosas, la presencia de un quiste aracnoideo de cisterna cuadrigéminal es una rara patología asociada que puede ser tratada quirúrgicamente.

We report a rare case of a 31-year-old woman with headache and pain manifested by cervicalgia that worsened with the Valsalva maneuver and dizziness, who was found to have a Chiari malformation secondary to a posterior fossa arachnoid cyst. After magnetic resonance imagining (MRI), the patient was submitted to foramen magnum decompression and arachnoid cyst removal that were followed by resolution of both the Chiari malformation and the cyst. The symptoms disappeared after surgery and have remained completely resolved to the present day. In adult patients who present with signs and symptoms of Chiari malformation due to direct medulla compression by the tonsils, a quadrigeminal cistern arachnoid cyst is a rare associated pathology that can be treated surgically.

Estudio neuropsicológico pre y posquirúrgico en dos niños de 8 años de edad con tumor en fosa posterior / Neuropsychological study pre and post surgical in two children aged 8 years with posterior fossa tumor

Objetivo: Identificar y describir las diferencias neuropsicológicas antes y después de resecar el tumor en 2 pacientes de 8 años de edad con una neoplasia en la fosa posterior. Metodología: Se realizó evaluación neuropsicológica pre y posquirúrgica a 2 pacientes de 8 años de edad del Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, uno femenino con quiste aracnoideo en cisterna paravermiana y otro masculino con meduloblastoma en vermis y se compararon los datos obtenidos antes de extirpación de tumor y después de ella. Para la obtención del IQ se aplicó el WISC-IV y para las otras funciones, la Evaluación Neuropsicológica Infantil (ENI), para niños de 5 a 16 años, obteniéndose sus valores en percentiles que se igualaron con la clasificación cualitativa. Resultados: Los 2 pacientes presentaron deficiencias en el IQ, en Funciones Cognitivas, en las Habilidades de Rendimiento Académico, así como en sus Funciones Ejecutivas. A pesar de que no se aplicó quimioterapia ni radioterapia, tanto antes de la cirugía, como después de la extirpación del tumor, empeorando dichas funciones después de la extirpación. Conclusiones: Los tumores en Fosa Posterior originan diversas alteraciones neuropsicológicas similares a las observadas con lesiones en la corteza cerebral, dichas alteraciones se hacen más severas después de la extirpación del tumor; esta evolución puede presentar un dilema a la luz de la Bioética: ¿Se prolonga la vida a expensas de mayor deterioro neurocognitivo al quitar el tumor, o no se opera para evitar mayor deterioro en la calidad de vida y se reduce el tiempo de vida?.

Aim: Identify and describe the neuropsychological differences before and after surgery in 2 patients 8 years of age with a tumor in the posterior fossa. Methodology: Neuropsychological assessment was performed before and after surgery to 2 patients (8 years of age), one female with arachnoid cyst in paravermian cyst and another male with medulloblastoma in vermis and we compared the data obtained before removal of tumor and after. We use the following Neuropsychological Tests: WISC-IV was applied to assess IQ and Child Neuropsychological Assessment (ENI) was to evaluate cognitive functions. Results: The 2 patients had deficits in IQ, cognitive functions, the academic performance skills and his executive skills, even without chemotherapy or radiotherapy, both before surgery and after removal of the tumor. These functions worsened after surgery. Conclusions: Posterior fossa tumors originate many various neuropsychological similar to those observed in cerebral cortex, these changes are most evident after removal of the tumor, this evolution can present a dilemma in light of Bioethics: Is justified to prolong the life at expense of neurocognitive impairment, after removing a big tumor, or not to operate preventing further deterioration in the quality of life and reducing the lifetime?.

Mastoiditis causing sinus thrombosis and posterior fossa epidural haematoma: Case report

Spontaneously occurring epidural haematomas are an uncommon entity. A spontaneous post fossa epidural haematoma due to sigmoid sinus thrombosis secondary to mastoiditis has not been reported in English medical literature. We report a 40 year-old man who presented to us with headache and incoordination. A magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] confirmed epidural sub-acute bleeding in the right side of posterior fossa with mastoiditis and right sigmoid sinus thrombosis. A right suboccipital craniotomy and evacuation of the haematoma was done and the patient was relieved of his complains

Isolated Petroclival Craniopharyngioma with Aggressive Skull Base Destruction

We report a rare case of petroclival craniopharyngioma with no connection to the sellar or suprasellar region. MRI and CT images revealed a homogenously enhancing retroclival solid mass with aggressive skull base destruction, mimicking chordoma or aggressive sarcoma. However, there was no calcification or cystic change found in the mass. Here, we report the clinical features and radiographic investigation of this uncommon craniopharyngioma arising primarily in the petroclival region.

Asymptomatic posterior fossa subdural effusion

Though subdural effusion is very common supratentorially; a similar occurrence in the posterior fossa is rather unusual with all the cases of posterior fossa subdural collection reported in the literature being symptomatic, mandating some form of intervention. An asymptomatic posterior fossa collection is not reported before as per the authors' review of the literature. The authors report a 5-year-old child was found to have a posterior fossa subdural collection postoperatively after a posterior fossa surgery. As the child was asymptomatic, the parents were reassured and the child was managed conservatively. Posterior fossa subdural effusion is very rare condition mandating some form of surgical intervention. It can occasionally be asymptomatic, in which case a conservative approach can be followed. A regular follow-up is recommended to detect any neurological deterioration, however

The outcome of surgical treatment for tumors of the craniocervical junction.

OBJECTIVE: The authors report the clinical, radiological, and surgicalfindings ofpatients with craniocervical junction tumors surgically treated in the institution over the last 8 years. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective study was performed. Clinical, radiological, and operative data were evaluated, and follow-up information was obtained from outpatient examinations, and telephone interviews. RESULTS: There were 25 patients consisting of nine chordomas, eight meningiomas, three cysts, two schwannomas, one each of aneurysmal bone cyst, plasmacytoma, and metastasis. Twenty-nine operative procedures were performed, classified as 12 anterior nine posterior-lateral, and eight posterior approaches. Gross total removal was achieved in 17 cases, subtotal removal in six cases, and partial removal in two cases. Re-operation was performed in six cases. Median follow-up time was 31 months. The authors found significant improvement in Karnofsky Performance Scale scores. CONCLUSION: Appropriate surgical approaches provide successful tumor removal with less surgical morbidities, nevertheless recurrent tumors occasionally occur and so, long-term follow-up is mandatory.

Abordaje extremo lateral transcondilar para resecar un meningioma anterior del foramen magno / Extreme lateral transcondylar approach to resect an anterior foramen magnum meningioma

Objetivo. Describir el abordaje extremo lateral transcondilar realizado para resecar un meningioma del sector aterior del foramen magno. Descripción. Mujer de 24 años con una tetraparesia a prediminio derecho y déficit de los nervios craneanos IX, X y XI del lado derecho, de 9 meses de evolución. La resonancia magnética mostró un proceso expansivo a nivel del sector anterior del foramen magno (isointenso en T1 y T2, captando en forma homogénea y bien marcada luego de la administración del gadolinio). Intervención. En diciembre de 2005 se realizó la cirugía (abordaje extremolateral transcondilar), con resección completa de la lesión. Anatomía patológica: meningioma cordoide. La paciente evolucionó mejorando completamente de su clínica neurológica, encontrándose actualente sin ninguna secuela. Conclusión. En este caso el abordaje extremo lateral transcondilar fue la vía de elección para resecar completamente el meningioma del sector anterior del foramen magno. Palabras clave: abordaje extremolateral, cóndilo occipital, foramen magno, meningioma

Objective: To describe the far-lateral transcondylar approach performed toremove a meningioma of the anterior portion of the foramen magnum. Description: A woman, 24-years old, with tetraparesis, greater in the right side, and paresis of the IX, X and XI right cranial nerves, with a 9 months history. The MRI showed a tumor in the anterior aspect of the foramen magnum (isointense in T1 and T2, with homogeneous enhace after galolinium administration). Intervention. In December 2005 the surgery was performed (far-lateral transcondylar approach), with complete removal of the lesion. Histology: cordoid meningioma. The patient had a good outcome, with complete recovery of her neurological deficits. In the last control, she was asymptomatic. Conclusion. In this case, the far-lateral transcondylar was the most appropiate approach to completely resect a meningioma of the anterior portion of the foramen magnum. Key words: condyle, far-lateral approach, foramen magnum, meningioma.

Plasmacytoma of the clivus: a case report.

A 60-year-old male presented with headache and diplopia for 2 months. Computed tomography of the head showed a heterogeneously enhancing expansile lytic lesion in clival region. The patient underwent surgery and histopathological examination revealed it to be plasmacytoma of the clivus. The multiple myeloma work-up was negative. Solitary plasmacytoma localized to the skull base is extremely rare. Prior to this, only three case reports of plasmacytoma of the clivus have been described in the English literature.

Giant pituitary adenoma invading the clivus.

A 26-year-old man was admitted with complaints of worsening of vision for one month. Investigations revealed a large sellar and parasellar tumor mass invading into both the cavernous sinuses. The tumor invaded the clivus and both petrous apices. It was radically but partially resected through a transsphenoidal approach. Following surgery, the patient showed symptomatic improvement. The residual tumor was treated by radiation treatment. The case is discussed and the literature on the subject is briefly reviewed.

Avaliação textural por ressonância magnética dos tumores da fossa posterior em crianças / Magnetic resonance imaging textural evaluation of posterior cranial fossa tumors in childhood

OBJETIVO: Possibilitar a distinção entre tecidos sãos e patológicos em pacientes da faixa etária pediátrica portadores de tumores da fossa posterior, por meio da análise de parâmetros texturais calculados a partir de imagens de ressonância magnética. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram analisados 14 pacientes da faixa etária pediátrica, portadores de tumores da fossa posterior, através da definição dos valores texturais das regiões de interesse representando tecidos sãos e patológicos, com base em imagens de ressonância magnética pesadas em T2 pelo "software" MaZda. RESULTADOS: Houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os tecidos normal e tumoral, bem como entre os tecidos presumidamente normais adjacentes e distantes da lesão. Não foi possível a distinção entre edema e tumor. CONCLUSÃO: A avaliação textural por ressonância magnética é uma técnica útil para a determinação de diferenças entre diversos tipos de tecidos, inclusive entre áreas de tecidos presumidamente normais à análise visual.

OBJECTIVE: To distinguish healthy from pathological tissues in pediatric patients with posterior cranial fossa tumors using calculated textural parameters from magnetic resonance images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 14 pediatric patients with posterior cranial fossa tumors using the software MaZda to define the texture parameters in selected regions of interest representing healthy and pathological tissues based on T2-weighted magnetic resonance images. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between normal and tumoral tissues as well as between supposedly normal tissues adjacent and distant from the tumoral lesion. CONCLUSION: Magnetic resonance textural evaluation is an useful tool for determining differences among various tissues, including tissues that appear apparently normal on visual analysis.

A Case Report of Inflammatory Pseudotumor Involving the Clivus: CT and MR Findings

The authors describe a rare case of inflammatory pseudotumor involving the clivus, where a soft tissue mass lesion, with extension into the prevertebral retropharyngeal space and the cavernous sinuses, was detected by CT and MRI. The mass resembled a malignant tumor or aggressive infectious lesion, and the final diagnosis of inflammatory pseudotumor was a diagnosis of exclusion, decided after histopathological examination.

Osteocondroma da foice: relato de caso e revisäo da literatura / Falx osteochondroma: case report and review of the literature

Descrevemos o caso de um paciente com osteocondroma intracraniano originado da foice cerebral. O tumor foi parcialmente ressecado. Discutimos os condromas da foice, em particular quanto a seus aspectos cirúrgicos e etiopatogênicos, comparados com a literatura e ressaltando o valor diagnóstico da tomografia computadorizada e da ressonância magnética.

Hemangioblastoma of the posterior fossa: the role of multimodality treatment

The authors made a review of a series of patients with hemangioblastomas of the posterior fossa treated between 1973 and 1993. A total of 32 patients were analyzed with 24 patients receiving resection, 8 patients receiving radiosurgery and 2 patients receiving conventional radiotherapy. The mortality in the patients with a resection was considered acceptable with 2 deaths (8 percent) and with a morbidity of 3 patients (12.5 percent). A review of the literature suggests that conventional radiotherapy with high doses (45-60Gy) may have a role in the post-operative control of hemangioblastomas and in some cases could be employed even before the resection in order to facilitate the surgery. The radiosurgical treatment is regarded like adjuvant. Poor results were obtained with radiosurgery in large tumors where low doses (less than 20 Gy) were used. Because of the rarity and complexity of these tumors, mainly when associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease, a multicenter study could be useful with the assessment of the optimal utilization and combination of these treatment modalities.

Hemangioblastomas. Relato de caso com evoluçäo de 26 anos / Hemangioblastomas. Acase report of twenty-six years' follow-up

Hemangioblastomas såo tumores originados da ploriferaçåo de células endoteliais nåo marcadamente anaplásicas, sendo considerado tumores benignos do ponto de vista histológico. Sua evoluçåo, no entanto, é pouco favorável devido a alta freqüência de recorrências e formas multicêntricas. Os autores apresentaram a história natural de uma paciente portadora de hemangioblastoma de fossa posterior operado, e que posteriormente apresentou metástases para a medula cervical, acompanhada durante vinte e seis anos, esclarecendo o diagnóstico e a terapêutica empregada

Hematomas epidurales post-traumáticos de fosa posterior: presentació de 4 casos en el Hospital "Dr. Jesus Yerena" / Posterior fossa epidural hematoma: presentation of 4 cases

Se realizó un estudio de 4 casos de hematomas epidurales de fosa posterior, diagnosticados y tratados en el Hospital "Dr. Jesús Yerena" de Caracas, ocurridos en el período comprendido entre 1983 y 1990. Se encontró una mayor incidencia en la tercera década de la vida, todos en el sexo masculino, y el antecedente traumático estuvo presente en los 4 casos. Se revisa la bibliografía encontrándose que la clínica es inespecífica. La TAC es el método diagnóstico ideal y el tratamiento quirúrgico debe realizarse precozmente por la cercanía de estructuras nobles