Intradiploic meningioma of the orbit: a case report.

We report a case of a 12-year-old male child who presented with a gradual onset exopthalmos involving the left eye. The plain radiographs of the skull showed hyperostosis of the left orbital roof. The computerized tomography (CT) scan revealed an intradiploic orbital roof tumor with expansion of both the tables of the orbital roof. The tumor was completely excised by an extradural route using a basal frontal craniotomy. The histopathological diagnosis of the tumor was a psammomatous meningioma. A split calvarial frontal bone graft was used to reconstruct the orbital roof. The pathogenesis, radiological features and surgical technique involved in the management of intradiploic orbital roof meningioma are discussed and the relevant literature is reviewed.

Suprasellar arachnoid cyst presenting with bobble-head doll movements: a report of 3 cases.

We report a series of three patients with suprasellar arachnoid cysts who presented with a rare 'bobble-head doll' syndrome. The abnormal head movements improved after surgical evacuation of the cysts in all the three cases. Various pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the bobble-head doll syndrome are discussed. The literature on suprasellar arachnoid cysts is briefly reviewed.

Cavernous sinus thrombosis and air embolism following surgery for acoustic neurinoma: a case report.

A 55 year old male patient was operated on for a massive and vascular acoustic neurinoma in a sitting position. The tumor was completely excised. Post-operatively, the patient developed irritability and clinical features suggestive of contralateral cavernous sinus thrombosis. CT scan showed air within the dural walls of the cavernous sinus on the side of surgery. However, there was no radiological evidence of cavernous sinus thrombosis on the contralateral side. Cavernous sinus thrombosis as a post-surgery complication has not been reported. Air within the dural confines of the cavernous sinus has also not been observed or radiologically recorded in the literature.

Clival chordoma in an infant.

An unusual case of clival chordoma seen in a 7 month 16 day old infant is presented. The literature on this subject, clinical course of such tumours and the management strategy in paediatric age group is reviewed.

Rapid enlargement of subdural haematoma.

A case of subdural haematoma (SDH) having atypical features (headache, vomiting, drowsiness but normal haematological and metabolic parameters and no localising neurological signs) is reported. The SDH rapidly enlarged and liquefied in five days as evident on computerised tomographic (CT) scan and operative findings. Rapid improvement was observed following this. Abnormally excessive fibrinolytic activity in the SDH is a possible cause.

Cladosporium bantianum (trichoides) infection of the brain.

A 32 yr old male patient with history of convulsion and bitemporal headache was diagnosed as suffering from tuberculoma based on CT Scan. He worsened after anti-tuberculous therapy. The patient underwent parieto-occipital craniotomy with drainage of abscess. The histopathological examination of brain abscess revealed the infection with cladosporium bantianum. The details of this rare case of opportunist fungal cerebral lesions in healthy individual are reported.

Bilateral otogenic cerebellar abscesses.

An unusual presentation of bilateral otogenic cerebellar abscesses observed in two of our patients is reported. Both gave a history of otorrhoea, fever, headache, vomiting and had bilateral cerebellar signs and conductive hearing loss. The abscesses were detected on computerised tomography. X-rays revealed bilateral mastoiditis. The therapy followed was excision of abscesses, mastoidectomy and antibiotic therapy.