Subarachnoid haemorrhage as a presentation of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis can present with a variety of clinical symptoms ranging from isolated headache to deep coma. Subarachnoid haemorrhage is a rare presentation. In the report, we describe a case of non-puerperal venous thrombosis of many dural sinuses manifesting on imaging solely as localized subarachnoid haemorrhage without underlying parenchymal involvement.

MRI findings in Kallmann syndrome.

Kallmann syndrome (KS) is a neuronal migration disorder characterised by hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism and anosmia or hyposmia. Five patients with clinical findings suggestive of KS were evaluated with MRI. All patients had abnormalities of olfactory system. Olfactory bulbs were absent in all patients. Olfactory sulci were absent in 3 patients and hypoplastic in 2 patients. Anterior pituitary was hypoplastic in two patients. The MRI findings in KS are characteristic and MRI is a useful adjunct to the diagnosis of KS.

Neuroimaging in mental retardation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic yield of neuroimaging in a cohort of children with mental retardation of unknown origin. METHODS: Neuroimaging was performed in a total of 47 patients with developmental delay/mental retardation, where no etiologic diagnosis could be made following clinical examination and preliminary investigations. RESULTS: Thirty (63.82%) children had abnormal neuroimaging findings of which 19 (42.42%) were specific abnormalities useful in arriving at etiological diagnosis. Positive outcome of neuroimaging increased with the severity of mental retardation and in presence of microcephaly and neurologic deficits other than mental retardation. CONCLUSION: Neuroimaging should be the standard clinical practice for a child with global developmental delay where no cause is apparent after examination and relevant investigations.

Asymptomatic spontaneous rupture of suprasellar dermoid cyst: a case report.

Suprasellar dermoid cysts are uncommon intracranial lesions. CT and MRI findings in a rare case of asymptomatic rupture of suprasellar dermoid cyst with subarachnoid dissemination is described.

C1-C2 rotary subluxation following posterior stabilization for congenital atlantoaxial dislocation.

The authors report a rare complication of C1-C2 rotary subluxation in two children following posterior stabilization for congenital atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD). A patient, with mobile AAD, underwent Brook's C1-C2 fusion while the other, with fixed AAD, underwent transoral decompression followed by Jain's occipitocervical fusion. A pre-existing ligamentous laxity associated with an asymmetrical wire tightening or slippage of the wires due to rotation of the neck in the former, and the drilling of the C1-C2 lateral joints during the transoral procedure in the latter, could have contributed to the rotary subluxation. Both patients presented with persistent torticollis due to fusion in an asymmetrical position with dislocated facet joints. Rotary C1-C2 subluxation, when coexisting with anterior dislocation, has the potential to cause severe and occasionally fatal cord compression. Well defined criteria to diagnose this entity by conventional radiology exist, however, due to the overlap of anatomy, the condition is often overlooked. In the present study, three dimensional reconstruction images using helical computerized tomography were very useful in delineating the subluxation and in planning its surgical reduction and arthrodesis.

Temporary balloon occlusion of internal carotid artery : a simple and reliable clinical test.

Balloon test occlusion of internal carotid artery has been frequently used in preoperative evaluation of patients with carotid aneurysms, fistulas and skull based neoplasms in whom arterial sacrifice is planned or considered as a possible part of therapy. We present our experience of the test in 28 patients. The test was positive in four and negative in twenty four patients. The results are compared with cross-compression angiography and the outcome following internal carotid artery sacrifice. There were no complications related to the test and the results accurately predicted the tolerance to occlusion of artery. We found the test safe, simple to perform and reliable to preoperatively detect patients at risk of ischaemic stroke following surgical ligation or endovascular occlusion of internal carotid artery.