Lavado endoscópico con colocación de catéter trans acueducto de Silvio en paciente lactante con ventriculitis de difícil manejo / Endoscopic lavage with placement of a trans-aqueduct of Silvio catheter in a nursing patient with difficult-to-manage ventriculitis

Introducción: La ventriculitis representa una emergencia infectológica, generalmente asociada a un procedimiento neuroquirúrgico. La incidencia es desconocida debido a la variación de los criterios diagnóstico. Descripción del caso: Presentamos una paciente de sexo femenino de 6 meses de edad con antecedente de hidrocefalia post hemorrágica, con diagnóstico de ventriculitis por Enterobacter complex asociada a sistema de derivación ventrículo peritoneal (DVP) de difícil manejo. La misma realizó tratamiento combinado de antibiótico con Meropenem y Colistin endovenoso e intraventricular asociado a tratamiento endoscópico que consistió en lavados, aspiración del contenido purulento intraventricular, tercer ventriculostomía endoscópica (TVE), coagulación bilateral del plexo coroideo y acueductoplastia con colocación de catéter de derivación ventricular externa (DVE) entre el tercer y el cuarto ventrículo con el objetivo de mantener la permeabilidad de la misma y de esta manera asegurar la llegada de antibiótico intraventricular al cuarto ventrículo. Discusión: La ventriculitis se asocia a múltiples complicaciones y una elevada tasa de morbi-mortalidad. El tratamiento de las ventriculitis de difícil manejo, es aún controvertido, actualmente existe bibliografía que reporta buenos resultados del tratamiento con lavado endoscópicos asociado al tratamiento combinado endovenoso e intraventricular para lograr mayores concentraciones de antibiótico intraventricular. Conclusión: Consideramos que el tratamiento combinado es una herramienta frente a las ventriculitis por patógenos resistentes a los tratamientos convencionales. En los casos con obstrucción del acueducto de Silvio recomendamos realizar acueductoplastia y colocación de catéter multifenestrado; para mantener la permeabilidad y la llegada de antibiótico al cuarto ventrículo.

Introduction: Ventriculitis represents an infectious emergency which is normally associated with neurosurgical procedures. The incidence is unknown due to the variation of the diagnostic criteria. Case description: We present a 6-month-old female patient with a history of post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus. The patient was diagnosed with Enterobacter complex ventriculitis difficult to manage associated with peritoneal ventricular shunt (VP). The patient received combined antibiotic treatment with Meropenem intravenous and intravenous-intraventricular Colistin associated with endoscopic treatment. This endoscopic treatment consisted of washes, aspiration of the intraventricular purulent content, third endoscopic ventriculostomy (ETV), bilateral coagulation of the choroid plexus and aqueductoplasty with external ventricular drain catheter (EDV). This EDV was placed between the third and fourth ventricle in order to maintain its permeability so as to ensure the arrival of intraventricular antibiotics to the fourth ventricle. Discussion: Ventriculitis is associated with multiple complications and a high morbidity and mortality rate. The treatment of ventriculitis that is difficult to manage is still controversial. Currently several authors show good results of endoscopic lavage treatment associated with combined intravenous/intraventricular antibiotic treatment. This leads to greater intraventricular antibiotic concentrations. Conclusion: We consider that combined treatment has been successful for ventriculitis difficult to manage. In those cases, with obstruction of the Silvio aqueduct, it is recommended to perform aqueductoplasty and placement of a multi-fenestrated catheter; to maintain patency and the arrival of antibiotics in the fourth ventricle.

Analysis of L1CAM gene mutation in pedigrees with X-linked genetic hydrocephalus / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze L1CAM gene mutation in a family featuring X-linked recurrent fetal hydrocephalus.@*METHODS@#The family had three pregnancies where a male fetus was detected at 22 weeks with hydrocephalus by ultrasonography. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from the parents as well as fetal tissue from the third abortion. The fetal DNA was subjected to testing of folic acid metabolism ability gene and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was employed to detect potential mutation of related genes. Suspected mutation was verified by Sanger sequencing.@*RESULTS@#Testing of folic acid metabolism ability gene (MTHFR C677T) and CMA were both normal. A c.512G>A (p.Trp171Ter) hemizygous mutation of the L1CAM gene was detected in the fetal tissue, which was inherited from the phenotypically normal mother. The novel mutation was predicted to be pathogenic.@*CONCLUSION@#The c.512G>A (p.Trp171Ter) mutation of the L1CAM gene probably underlies the X-linked hydrocephalus in this family. Screening of L1CAM gene variations should be carried out for couples experiencing recurrent fetal hydrocephalus affecting the male gender.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: The Role of Phase-Contrast MRI in the Differential Diagnosis of Active and Chronic Disease

OBJECTIVE: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease characterized by demyelinating plaques in the white matter. Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) has been proposed as a new hypothesis for the etiopathogenesis of MS disease. MS-CCSVI includes a significant decrease of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow through the cerebral aqueduct secondary to an impaired venous outflow from the central nervous system. This study aimed to determine whether CSF flow dynamics are affected in MS patients and the contributions to differential diagnosis in active and chronic disease using phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 16 MS patients with chronic plaques (group 1), 16 MS patients with active plaques-enhanced on MRI (group 2), and 16 healthy controls (group 3). Quantitatively evaluation of the CSF flow was performed from the level of the cerebral aqueduct by PC-MRI. According to heart rates, 14–30 images were obtained in a cardiac cycle. Cardiac triggering was performed prospectively using finger plethysmography. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found between the groups regarding average velocity, net forward volume and the average flow (p > 0.05). Compared with the controls, group 1 and group 2, showed a higher peak velocity (5.5 ± 1.4, 4.9 ± 1.0, and 4.3 ± 1.3 cm/sec, respectively; p = 0.040), aqueductal area (5.0 ± 1.3, 4.1 ± 1.5, and 3.1 ± 1.2 mm2, respectively; p = 0.002), forward volume (0.039 ± 0.016, 0.031 ± 0.013, and 0.021 ± 0.010 mL, respectively; p = 0.002) and reverse volume (0.027 ± 0.016, 0.018 ± 0.009, and 0.012 ± 0.006 mL, respectively; p = 0.000). There were no statistical significance between the MS patients with chronic plaques and active plaques except for reverse volume. The MS patients with chronic plaques showed a significantly higher reverse volume (p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: This study indicated that CSF flow is affected in MS patients, contrary to the hypothesis that CCSVI-induced CSF flow decreases in MS patients. These findings may be explained by atrophy-dependent ventricular dilatation, which may occur at every stage of MS.

Use of Three-Dimensional Curved-Multiplanar Reconstruction Images for Sylvian Dissection in Microsurgery of Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysms

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to introduce a method of using three-dimensional (3D) curved-multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images for sylvian dissection during microsurgical treatment of middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-nine patients who had undergone surgery for MCA aneurysms were enrolled. We obtained the 3D curved-MPR images along the sphenoid ridge using OsiriX MD™ imaging software, compared sylvian dissection time according to several 3D MPR image factors, and investigated the correlations between these images and intraoperative findings. RESULTS: Utilizing preoperative information of the sylvian fissure (SF) and peri-aneurysmal space on 3D curved-MPR images, we could predict the feasibility of sylvian dissection for a safe surgery. 3D curved-MPR images showed several features: first, perpendicular images to the sylvian surface in the same orientation as the surgeon's view; second, simultaneous visualization of the brain cortex, vessels, and cisternal space; and third, more accurate measurement of various parameters, such as depth of the MCA from the sylvian surface and the location and width of the SFs. CONCLUSION: In addition to conventional image studies, 3D curved-MPR images seem to provide useful information for Sylvian dissection in the microsurgical treatment of MCA aneurysms.

Utility of the Midbrain Tegmentum Diameter in the Differential Diagnosis of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy from Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Various magnetic resonance (MR) measurements have been proposed to aid in differentiating between progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD); however, these methods have not been compared directly. The aim of this study was to determine which measurement method exhibits the highest power to differentiate between PSP and IPD. METHODS: Brain MR images from 82 IPD and 29 PSP patients were analyzed retrospectively. T1-weighted 3D volumetric axial images, or sagittal images reconstructed from those axial images were examined. MR measurements included the length from the interpeduncular fossa to the center of the cerebral aqueduct at the mid-mammillary-body level, adjusted according to the anterior commissure-posterior commissure length (MB(Tegm)), the ratio of the midbrain area to the pons area (M/P ratio) as measured by both Oba's method (Oba M/P) and Cosottini's method (Cosottini M/P), and a modified MR parkinsonism index (mMRPI). RESULTS: Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated that the areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) exceeded 0.70, with a high intrarater reliability for all MR measurement methods. ROC analyses of four MR measurements yielded AUCs of 0.69-0.76. At the cutoff value with the highest Youden index, mMRPI had the highest sensitivity, while Oba M/P offered the highest specificity. A comparison of the ROC analyses revealed that MB(Tegm) was superior to mMRPI in differentiating PSP from IPD (p=0.049). There was no difference in discriminating power among Oba M/P, Cosottini M/P, and MB(Tegm). CONCLUSIONS: Simple measurements of MB(Tegm) on axial MR images at the mid-mammillary-body level are comparable to measurements of the M/P ratio with regard to their ability to discriminate PSP from IPD.

Surgical treatment of poor grade middle cerebral artery aneurysms associated with large sylvian hematomas following prophylactic hinged craniectomy / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The clinical characteristics of patients who presented in poor clinical grade due to ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms (MCAAs) associated with large sylvian hematomas (SylH) were analyzed and an ingenious designed prophylactic hinged craniectomy was introduced. Twenty-eight patients were graded into Hunt-Hess grades IV-V and emergency standard micro-neurosurgeries (aneurysm clipping, hematoma evacuation and prophylactic hinged craniectomy) were performed, and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. 46.43% of the patients reached encouraged favorable outcomes on discharge. The favorable outcome group and the poor outcome group significantly differed in terms of patients' anisocoria, Hunt-Hess grade before surgery, extent of the midline shift and time to the surgery after bleeding (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in age, sex, volume and location of the hematoma, size of aneurysm between the favorable and poor groups (P>0.05). However, ingenious designed prophylactic hinged craniectomy efficiently reduced the patients' intracranial pressure (ICP) after surgery. It was suggested that preoperative conditions such as Hunt-Hess grading, extent of the midline shift and the occurrence of cerebral hernia affect the prognosis of patients, but time to the surgery after bleeding and prophylactic hinged craniectomy are of significant importance for optimizing the prognosis of MCAA patients presenting with large SylH.

Phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging of cerebrospinal fluid flow through the aqueduct of sylvius in chronic tension-type headache / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To study the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow through the aqueduct of sylvius in chronic tension-type headache patients with phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging.@*METHODS@#Phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the CSF flow through the aqueduct was obtained from 17 patients with chronic tension-type headache and 26 control subjects. A software for CSF flow was applied for MRI data analysis both qualitatively and quantitatively.@*RESULTS@#The CSF through the aqueduct flew in the caudal and cranial directions with the rhythm of the heartbeat in both groups. There were 2 types of flow curves: the smooth "U" and the wave, which were 25 vs 1 in the controls and 11 vs 6 in the patients (P<0.05), respectively. The mean caudocranial flow rate through the aqueduct was (0.235±0.157) mL/s vs (0.133±0.106) mL/s (P<0.05) and the velocity was (6.023±2.654) cm/s vs (3.479±2.364) cm/s (P<0.05), and the mean craniocaudal flow rate was (-0.358±0.201) mL/s vs (-0.190±0.141) mL/s (P<0.05) and the velocity was (-8.263±3.020) cm/s vs (-4.788±2.862) cm/s (P<0.05), respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#The CSF flow curve, rate and velocity through the aqueduct in the patients with chronic tension-type headache is anomalous in comparison with the controls.

Transient Obstructive Hydrocephalus due to Intraventricular Hemorrhage: A Case Report and Review of Literature

BACKGROUND: Acute transient obstructive hydrocephalus is rare in adults. We describe a patient with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) who experienced the delayed development of acute transient hydrocephalus. CASE REPORT: A 33-year-old man with a previously diagnosed Spetzler-Martin Grade 5 arteriovenous malformation presented with severe headache, which was found to be due to IVH. Forty hours after presentation he developed significant obstructive hydrocephalus due to the thrombus migrating to the cerebral aqueduct, and a ventriculostomy placement was planned. However, shortly thereafter his headache began to improve spontaneously. Within 4 hours after onset the headache had completely resolved, and an interval head CT scan revealed resolution of hydrocephalus. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with IVH, acute obstructive hydrocephalus can develop at any time after the ictus. Though a delayed presentation of acute but transient obstructive hydrocephalus is unusual, it is important to be aware of this scenario and ensure that deterioration secondary to thrombus migration and subsequent obstructive hydrocephalus do not occur.

Transtorno de aprendizagem e alteração cognitiva secundária a hidrocefalia por estenose do aqueduto de Sylvius: relato de caso / Learning disorder and cognitive impairment secondary to hydrocephalus due to stenosis of aqueduct of Sylvius: case report

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A estenose do aqueduto de Sylvius é responsável por um terço dos casos congênitos de hidrocefalia.A hipertensão intracraniana com consequente dilatação ventricular pode comprometer o desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor. Em crianças em idade escolar com alterações cognitivas ou comportamentais de início recente, sem causa aparente, este é um diagnóstico a ser pensado. Exames de imagem são fundamentais para a confirmação diagnóstica. Com tratamento adequado é esperada evolução favorável. O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar um caso de hidrocefalia por estenose do aqueduto de Sylvius como causa de transtorno de aprendizagem e alteração cognitiva e discutir seus aspectos clínicos, evolutivos e terapêuticos, ressaltando a importância da avaliação criteriosa de alterações neuropsiquiátricas em crianças em idade escolar. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo masculino, 10 anos, apresentando quadro progressivo de baixo rendimento escolar, déficit de concentração e compreensão, apatia e isolamento social há cinco meses. Após o diagnóstico de hidrocefalia por estenose do aqueduto de Sylvius foi submetido à cirurgia para derivação liquórica ventrículo peritoneal, evoluindo com melhora progressiva. CONCLUSÃO: Os efeitos da hidrocefalia em crianças podem comprometer o desenvolvimento cerebral, portanto, o diagnóstico precoce, a fim de instituir a terapêutica adequada, são essências para a reabilitação neuropsicomotora nesses pacientes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sylvius aqueduct stenosis accounts for one third of congenial hydrocephalus cases. Intracranial hypertension with subsequent ventricular dilatation may impair neuro-psychomotor development. In school-aged children with cognitive and/or behavioral alterations of recent onset, without apparent cause, this is a diagnosis to be considered. Imaging tests are of crucial importance for diagnostic confirmation. Favorable outcomes are expected with an effective treatment. The aim of this study was to report a case of hydrocephalus due to Sylvius aqueduct stenosis as a cause of learning disorders and cognitive impairment and to discuss its clinical, evolutionary and therapeutic aspects, emphasizing the importance of a careful assessment of neuropsychiatric alterations in school-aged children. CASE REPORT: A 10-year-old male patient that presented progressive history of poor academic performance, deficits of concentration and comprehension, apathy and social isolation for five months. The diagnosis was hydrocephalus due to Sylvius aqueduct stenosis; the patient underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunting surgery and there was significant improvement. CONCLUSION: The effects of hydrocephalus in children can impair brain development; therefore, early diagnosis to institute appropriate therapy is essential for neuro-psychomotor rehabilitationin these patients.

A cell junction pathology of neural stem cells leads to abnormal neurogenesis and hydrocephalus

Most cells of the developing mammalian brain derive from the ventricular (VZ) and the subventricular (SVZ) zones. The VZ is formed by the multipotent radial glia/neural stem cells (NSCs) while the SVZ harbors the rapidly proliferative neural precursor cells (NPCs). Evidence from human and animal models indicates that the common history of hydrocephalus and brain maldevelopment starts early in embryonic life with disruption of the VZ and SVZ. We propose that a "cell junction pathology" involving adherent and gap junctions is a final common outcome of a wide range of gene mutations resulting in proteins abnormally expressed by the VZ cells undergoing disruption. Disruption of the VZ during fetal development implies the loss of NSCs whereas VZ disruption during the perinatal period implies the loss of ependyma. The process of disruption occurs in specific regions of the ventricular system and at specific stages of brain development. This explains why only certain brain structures have an abnormal development, which in turn results in a specific neurological impairment of the newborn. Disruption of the VZ of the Sylvian aqueduct (SA) leads to aqueductal stenosis and hydrocephalus, while disruption of the VZ of telencephalon impairs neurogenesis. We are currently investigating whether grafting of NSCs/neurospheres from normal rats into the CSF of hydrocephalic mutants helps to diminish/repair the outcomes of VZ disruption.

Estenosis acueductal en acondroplasia: a propósito de un caso / Aqueductal stenosis in achondroplasia: report of a case

Achondroplasia is the most frequent cause of disproportionate short stature. Characterized by abnormal growth of long bones, it renders a short-limbed individual of normal intelligence. A serious potential complication is spinal compression, which can happen at any level but is particularly common at the craniocervical junction. It can cause important morbility during the first few years of life, including sudden death. We present a 22-month-old patient diagnosed with achondroplasia, who developed aqueductal stenosis with symptomatic spinal cord compression, diagnosed during a routine consultation, requiring decompressive surgery with excellent results.

La acondroplasia es la condición asociada a talla baja desproporcionada más frecuente, caracterizada por un crecimiento óseo anormal, que resulta en talla baja con extremidades cortas e inteligencia normal. Una de las complicaciones más habituales es la compresión medular, que puede ocurrir a cualquier nivel, siendo más frecuente en la unión cráneo cervical, generando alta morbimortalidad en los primeros años de vida, principalmente por muerte súbita. Presentamos una paciente de 1 año 10 meses con diagnóstico precoz de acondroplasia, que presentó en su evolución estenosis acueductal con compresión medular, sintomática, pesquisada en control rutinario, que requirió cirugía descompresiva con buena evolución posterior.

Hemangioblastoma supratentorial extra-axial: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Extra-axial supratentorial hemangioblastoma: a case report and literature review

El hemangioblastoma es un tumor benigno del sistema nervioso central que usualmente se originan en la fosa posterior, especialmente en el cerebelo. Existen alrededor de 114 casos reportados de ubicación supratentorial y no encontramos ningún caso de tipo extraaxial. Nosotros presentamos un caso de hemangioblastoma cerebral izquierdo, en relación con la fisura de Silvio, sólido, no relacionado con la enfermedad de Von Hippel-Lindau, revisamos la literatura relacionada con dicha entidad, y discutimos las características imagenológicas, macroscópicas e histológicas así como las dificultades en su diagnóstico.

Early Dorsal Midbrain Syndrome Mimicking an Adie's Tonic Pupil

BACKGROUND: While tonic pupils have been attributed to various diseases, including syphilis, herpes zoster, orbital trauma, temporal arteritis, endometriosis, and paraneoplastic syndromes, obstructive hydrocephalus has not been implicated. CASE REPORT: A 36-year-old woman visited a neurology department with a 7-day history of throbbing headache and blurred vision in both eyes. She had early dorsal midbrain syndrome mimicking an Adie's tonic pupil, and cholinergic supersensitivity was demonstrated using topical 0.125% pilocarpine. Brain MRI revealed obstructive hydrocephalus at the level of the aqueduct of Sylvius, and her symptoms resolved 4 days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We report a patient with early dorsal midbrain syndrome that was initially believed to represent a tonic pupil on the basis of pharmacologic testing. The findings in our patient suggested that early dorsal midbrain syndrome mimicking an Adie's tonic pupil can be caused by obstructive hydrocephalus compressing the Edinger-Westphal nucleus.

3-D Model of The Oculomotor Fascicular Arrangement Within The Midbrain Using Brain MRI

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The oculomotor nerve fascicles arise along its entire length and sweep ventrally to exit the midbrain at the medial edge of the crus cerebri. A rostro-caudal topography among the fascicular fibers is relatively well established. There are, however, some controversies whether medio-lateral topography also exists. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records and MRI of the 8 patients showing isolated oculomotor nerve palsy due to midbrain infarction. Brain MRI was performed using a 1.5-T magnet with 2mm thickness and 0.1 mm slice interval. The anterior-posterior axis(X) was defined as the midline crossing the center of the cerebral aqueduct and the medio-lateral axis(Y) as the line crossing the same point. For rostro-caudal measurement, the intercommissural line was used as base line of the Z axis. The location of the lesions was defined by measuring actual distance of the margins of the lesions in millimeter from each axis; anterior, right, and caudal direction was defined as positive values in X, Y and Z coordinates, respectively. RESULTS: The mean values and range of the X, Y and Z are as follows: X=7.56+/-4.34, 1< or =X< or =15; Y=3.43+/-1.37, 0< or =Y< or =6; Z=6.51+/-3.91, 0< or =Z< or =12.5. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of all the MRI lesions was 0< or =|Y|< or =6 (mm), 0< or =|Z|< or =12.5 (mm) in mediolateral and rostrocaudal direction respectively, which is almost the same as the previously reported divergent range of the oculomotor fascicles in midbrain tegmentum. We suggest that our method of three dimensional measurements of the MRI lesion in midbrain tegmentum could be a useful tool for the study of oculomotor fascicular arrangement.

Congenital peri-sylvian syndrome presenting with intractable seizures.

We report a case of Congenital peri-sylvian syndrome with intractable seizures, hypotonia and feeding problems since birth. MRI brain helped in making an early diagnosis and counselling parents.

Central neurocytomas of uncommon locations: report of two cases / Localizações incomuns do neurocitoma central: relato de dois casos

We report two patients with central neurocytomas at an uncommon location in the brain. The first, a 58-year-old man presenting with signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, had a tumor located at the pineal region. The second, a 21-year-old woman with tumor in the aqueductal region had worsening migraine-like headaches and diplopia. Both patients had obstructive hydrocephalus treated by neuroendoscopic third ventriculostomy and biopsy of the tumors. No additional treatment was done. We conclude that neurocytomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of tumors located in the pineal and aqueductal regions.

Relatamos dois pacientes com neurocitoma central com localização incomum no sistema nervoso central. O primeiro, 58 anos, masculino, apresentava sinais e sintomas de hipertensão intracraniana, tinha um tumor na região da pineal. O segundo, feminino, 21 anos, tinha um tumor na região do aqueduto de Sylvius e apresentava cefaléia migranosa progressiva e diplopia. Ambos apresentavam hidrocefalia obstrutiva tratada com terceiroventriculostomia endoscópica e biópsia da lesão. Não foi feito tratamento adicional. Concluimos que os neurocitomas devem ser considerados no diagnóstico diferencial de tumores localizados na região da pineal e do aqueduto.

Anatomía quirúrgica endoscópica del acueducto mesencefálico / Surgical endoscopic anatomy of the mesancephalic aqueduct

Objetivos: Describir la anatomía endoscópica del acueducto mesencefálico. Detallar la técnica para el abordaje con éxito de la reción. Enumerar los reparos anatómicos endoscópicos que el cirujano debe conocer para llevar a cabo con éxito el abordaje endoscópico. Método: Se utilizaron diez cadáverez adultos, obteniendose imágenes de 14 cirugías. Utilizamos endoscopios rígidos de cero grados para la inspección del acueducto mesencefálico. En aquellos casos en los que se observó una estenosis del acueducto llevamos a cabo una acueductoplastia con balón. Con la ayuda de un endoscopio flexible se exploró el acueducto y el cuarto ventrículo y se preforaron las obstrucciones membranosas. en un caso fue necesario insertar un stent en el acueducto. Resultados: El acueducto mesencefálico, también llamado acueducto de Silvio, comunica el tercer ventrículo con el cuarto. La entrada al mismo se encuentra en la pared posterior del tercer ventrículo. Esta pared es muy estrecha y se pueden identificar en ella varias estructuras, que en sentido cráneo-caudal son: el receso suprapineal, la comisura habenular, el receso pineal, la comisura posterior, y la entrada al acueducto. En condiciones normales, la entrada al acueducto en el piso del tercer ventrículo es de un ancho aproximado de 1 mm, por lo tanto, el escaso diámetro impide su canulación segura con elementos endoscópicos. En los casos en que el acueducto se encuentra dilatado se constituye en el camino ideal para llegar al cuarto ventrículo y navegar a través del mismo sin dificultad. Conclusión: La región del acueducto es de difícil abordaje, por lo tanto es imprescindible conocer la anatomía endoscópica para poder llevar a cabo con éxito los diversos procedimientos quirúrgicos.

A Parkinsonism as a Component of Sylvian Aqueduct Syndrome: Effect of Floating Cranioplasty and Distal Catheter Elongation

The sylvian aqueduct syndrome is a global rostral midbrain dysfunction induced by a transtentorial pressure gradient through the aquaeductus. Several months after ventriculoperitoneal shunt, a patient with hydrocephalus began experiencing a constellation of midbrain dysfunction symptoms, including bradykinesia, medial longitudinal fasciculus syndrome, third nerve palsy, and mutism. These were indicative of cerebral aqueduct syndrome. In addition, the patient showed posture-dependent underdrainage or overdrainage. All symptoms were resolved after distal catheter elongation and floating cranioplasty. We present a case of reversible parkinsonism, which developed in a patient with shunted hydrocephalus and aqueductal stenosis, and discuss the diagnosis and treatment of the sylvian aqueduct syndrome. We also review the literature to address problems of drainage and potential treatment modalities.

Compensación en el área posterior del lenguaje / Compensation in the posterior speech region

En 1993 Albanese y col consideraron que la división en regiones corticales dentro del área posterior del lenguaje debía corresponder al límite entre los lóbulos que la integran, es decir el temporal y el parietal. Mantuvieron el nombre de planum temporale (PT)para la corteza correspondiente al lóbulo temporal y denominaron planum ascendente posterior (PAP) al correspondiente lóbulo prietal, hallando lateralidad izquierda para el primero y derecha para el segundo. En 1999 Merlo y col. describieron una nuva forma de estudio de las asimetrías y lateralidades interhemisféricas a la que denominaron compensación...Los resultados sugieren que la asimetría de una región no nos informa sobre la distribución interhemisférica de sus subestructuras, enmascarando diferencias morfológicas entre cerebros, las que podrían estar relacionadas a diferencias funcionales