Tortícolis como forma de presentación de quiste de la bolsa de Blake. Diagnóstico ecográfico en atención primaria / Torticolis as a form of presentation of Blake's pouch cyst. Ultrasound diagnosis in primary care

La tortícolis es un signo clínico definido por la inclinación lateral del cuello y rotación de la cabeza, que puede ser fija o flexible y acompañarse o no de dolor cervical. Aparece en trastornos de diferente complejidad. Ante un caso de tortícolis, es preciso realizar una historia clínica cuidadosa y un examen físico completo, y, en caso de ser persistente, solicitar pruebas de imagen.Se hace referencia a una causa de tortícolis no descrita en la literatura. Se trata de una tumoración quística compresiva en la fosa craneal posterior, quiste de la bolsa de Blake, en una lactante pequeña diagnosticada mediante ecografía en la consulta de Pediatría de Atención Primaria. Tras el diagnóstico, se remitió al centro hospitalario de referencia, donde se intervino de urgencia por Neurocirugía Pediátrica, mediante fenestración de la tumoración por ventriculostomía endoscópica y derivación ventrículo-peritoneal. Actualmente, se encuentra asintomática y sin secuelas.

Torticollis is a clinical sign defined by the lateral inclination of the neck and rotation of the head, which can be fixed or flexible and accompanied or not by cervical pain. It appears in disorders of different complexity. In a case of torticollis it is necessary to carry out a careful medical history and a complete physical examination and, if persistent, request imaging tests.Reference is made to a cause of torticollis not described in the literature. This is a compressive cystic tumor in the posterior cranial fossa, Blake's pouch cyst, in a small infant diagnosed by ultrasound in the Primary Care Pediatrics office. After diagnosis, she was referred to the referral hospital, where emergency intervention was performed by pediatric neurosurgery, by fenestration of the tumor by endoscopic ventriculostomy and ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. She is currently asymptomatic and without sequelae.

CPR in prone position during neurosurgery

Intraoperative cardiac arrest in usual position [prone or lateral] present a unique challenge to the anesthesiologist, where changing to supine position can result in undue delay in initiating CPR or it is not feasible due to skull being fixed and opened by the surgeon. A 25 kg girl, 6 years old, was undergoing posterior cranial fossa surgery for fourth ventricle tumor excision. She went into hemorrhagic hypovolemic cardiac arrest, despite fluid resuscitation. Immediately, CPR was started in prone position with one hand at the midthoracic spine between the scapulae. The patient had ROSC after 20 min of CPR. Our patient did not have a favorable outcome, but the resuscitation in the prone position generated sufficient cardiac output while the correction of hypovolemia and hemostasis could be achieved. We recommend that immediate initiation of CPR even in prone position is the best choice in intraoperative patients, where change in position would result in delay in chest compression or make the surgical access impossible

Giant Pseudoaneurysm as a delayed Surgical Complication in a Patient Operated on a Giant Neuroma of the Vagus Nerve: Case Report and Management Considerations / Pseudoaneurisma gigante como complicação cirúrgica em paciente operado com neuroma gigante do nervo vago: relato de caso e considerações

The vertebral artery has four segments. The horizontal portion of the V3 segment is the most exposed portion of the vertebral artery to potential iatrogenic injuries during surgical approaches to the posterior fossa.We present an unusual case of a patient who was operated on a giant neuroma of the left vagus nerve, with incidental vertebral artery iatrogenic injury, the development of a delayed giant pseudoaneurysm, and the treatment for this complication. We conclude that endovascular treatment may be a good option for the management of this serious surgical complication.

A artéria vertebral tem quarto segmentos. A porção horizontal do segmento V3 é a mais exposta a potenciais lesões iatrogênicas durante procedimento cirúrgico de acesso à fossa posterior. Apresentamos caso incomum de paciente submetido à cirurgia para neuroma gigante no nervo vago esquerdo, com acidental lesão da artéria vertebral iatrogênica, desenvolvimento de posterior pseudoaneurisma gigante e tratamento para esta complicação. Concluímos que o tratamento endovascular pode ser uma boa opção para o cuidado desta grave complicação cirúrgica.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of Blake's pouch cyst / Terceiroventriculostomia endoscopica e um procedimento efetivo e seguro para o tratamento dos cistos da bolsa de Blake

OBJECTIVE: Blake's pouch cyst (BPC) is a midline cystic malformation of the posterior fossa, within Dandy-Walker's complex (DWC), often associated with hydrocephalus. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has been an alternative to conventional methods for BPC treatment. This study aimed at reporting our experience with ETV in a series of patients with BPC. METHODS: Of 33 patients diagnosed with midline posterior fossa cyst, 26 met the protocol criteria for DWC, and eight subjects with BPC were selected (aged one month to two years old). All cases were treated with ETV. RESULTS: Five patients were male; and three were prenatally diagnosed. They had hydrocephalus and motor deficiencies. Motor assessment at a five-year follow-up yielded normal findings. All patients improved, and only one had residual cognitive dysfunction, despite overall neurological improvement. There were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: ETV was a safe and effective procedure, reducing risks and morbidity associated with open surgery and shunt-related problems. .

OBJETIVO: O cisto da bolsa de Blake (CBB) é uma malformação cística mediana da fossa posterior, dentro do complexo de Dandy-Walker (CDW), frequentemente associada à hidrocefalia. A terceiroventriculostomia endoscópica (TVE) tem sido considerada uma alternativa aos métodos convencionais de tratamento do CBB. Este estudo teve como objetivo relatar nossa experiência com TVE em uma série de pacientes com CBB. MÉTODOS: Dos 33 pacientes diagnosticados com cisto mediano da fossa posterior, 26 preencheram os critérios do protocolo para CDW, dos quais oito foram selecionados com CBB (idades variando entre um mês a dois anos). Todos os casos foram tratados com TVE. RESULTADOS: Cinco pacientes eram do sexo masculino, três tiveram diagnóstico no pré-natal; e todos apresentavam hidrocefalia e alterações motoras. A avaliação motora após cinco anos apresentou resultados normais. Todos os pacientes melhoraram, e apenas um apresentou um leve déficit cognitivo, apesar da melhora neurológica geral. Não houve complicações. CONCLUSÕES: A TVE foi um procedimento seguro e eficaz, reduzindo riscos e morbidade associados à cirurgia aberta e a problemas relacionados aos shunts.

Resolution of syringomyelia in ten cases of "up-and-down Chiari malformation" after posterior fossa decompression / Resolução de siringomielia em dez casos de malformação de Chiari observada apenas com o paciente em posição sentada durante a descompressão da fossa posterior

The authors describe ten cases of syringomyelia without hindbrain herniation depicted by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in supine position. However, the herniation was observed in all cases during the operation with the patient in sitting position. The postoperative MRI revealed an intense reduction of the syrinx in all patients, as well as it was also observed a clinical amelioration in all cases. The surgical treatment was based on a large craniectomy with the patient in sitting position, tonsillectomy, large opening of the fourth ventricle and duraplasty with creation of a large cisterna magna.

Os autores descrevem 10 casos de siringomielia sem herniação do rombencéfalo, observada na ressonância magnética realizada em decúbito dorsal. Por outro lado, a herniação foi observada em todos os pacientes durante a operação com o paciente em posição sentada. A ressonância magnética pós-operatória evidenciou redução da cavidade siringomiélica nos dez pacientes, bem como foi observada melhora clínica em todos os casos. O tratamento cirúrgico consistiu de craniectomia ampla da fossa posterior, tonsilectomia, abertura ampla do quarto ventrículo e duroplastia com a criação de ampla cisterna magna.

Acesso transmaxilar à base do crânio: avaliação de 11 casos / Transmaxillary approach to the cranial base: an evaluation of 11 cases

O acesso cirúrgico à região de base do crânio é sempre difícil principalmente pelas estruturas anatômicas nobres associadas. A osteotomia maxilar proporciona visão direta à região de clivus e coluna cervical, além de apresentar uma menor morbidade em relação aos diversos acessos descritos na literatura. OBJETIVO: Avaliar 11 casos submetidos à osteotomia transmaxilar, descrevendo técnica cirúrgica, resultados e complicações pós-operatórias. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: O estudo retrospectivo de onze pacientes foi submetido à cirurgia transmaxilar para acesso à região do tronco encefálico. Registros quanto à oclusão dentária, hemorragia trans e pós-operatória, necrose óssea e alterações de tecido mole foram estudados. Todos seguiram o mesmo protocolo cirúrgico e acompanhamento médio de dois anos. RESULTADOS: Após o tratamento todos os pacientes apresentaram melhora do quadro clínico e nenhum dano neurológico, hemorragia trans e pós-operatória ou intercorrências maiores foram identificadas. Dentre as complicações, em dois pacientes ocorreu fratura incompleta da maxila, dois apresentaram laceração da mucosa nasal e um apresentou como complicação tardia uma fístula bucossinusal. CONCLUSÃO: A osteotomia transmaxilar possibilitou adequado acesso a região de clivus para descompressão do tronco encefálico com baixo índice de complicações nesta série de casos.

Surgical access to the skull base is always difficult, especially because of the noble anatomic structures present there. Maxillary osteotomy provides direct view to the clivus region and the neck spine, and it also bears less morbidity when compared to the many other accesses described in the literature. AIM: to assess 11 patients submitted to transmaxillary osteotomy, describing the surgical technique and postoperative results and complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study involving eleven patients submitted to transmaxillary approach to the brainstem. We studied dental occlusion, trans and postoperative bleeding, bone necrosis and soft tissue alterations. All followed the same surgical protocol and were followed up for two years. RESULTS: after treatment, all the patients improved in their clinical status and had no neurological complication, trans and postoperative hemorrhage or major complications were seen. Among the complications, two patients had incomplete maxilla fracture, two had laceration of their nasal mucosa and one had, as late complication, an oral-sinusal fistula. CONCLUSION: Transmaxillary osteotomy provided proper access to the clivus for brainstem decompression with low rate of complications in this series.

Índice de complicações na translocação médio-facial para o acesso à base do crânio: análise de 12 casos

Objetivo: Propor uma alternativa cirúrgica ao acesso do terço médio da face incluindo a rinofaringe, seio esfenoidal, fossa pterigopalatina, processo odontóide e clivus. Expor como a técnica apresentada oferece exposição ampla da região e mínimas complicações que são avaliadas neste trabalho. Método: Os registros médicos de doze pacientes submetidos a translocação médio-facial no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto - USP, de 1995 a 2008, foram analisados quanto a doença tratada, localização das lesões, técnica cirúrgica e complicações. Resultados: Seis pacientes eram portadores de cordoma do clivus, neste grupo três pacientes não apresentaram complicações, um desenvolveu ectrópio, um apresentou hipoestesia do nervo infra-orbitário e um evoluiu com insuficiência velo-palatina leve. Um paciente com diagnóstico de estesioneuroblastoma apresentou granulama nasal. Os outros cinco pacientes tinham compressão vértebro-basilar e, no pós-operatório, três deles não apresentaram complicações. Dentre os que apresentaram complicações, um evoluiu com deiscência parcial do palato mole e outro apresentou pequenos granulomas em uma cavidade nasal, paresia do ramo oftálmico e leve insuficiência velo-palatina. Conclusão: A técnica de translocação médio-facial fornece uma ampla abordagem à base do crânio com poucas seqüelas e de baixa morbidade para o paciente no pós-operatório.

Venous air embolism associated morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures in the sitting position

To identify the morbidity and the mortality related to Venous Air Embolism [VAE] during posterior fossa surgery in the sitting position. This study was conducted at Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan. Records of 73 patients undergoing posterior fossa surgery in the sitting position from 1990 to 2005 were retrospectively reviewed to determine the incidence of VAE, the nature of perioperative morbidity and mortality and their relation to VAE. The incidence of VAE was 13.5%. Intraoperative hypotension secondary to VAE was [9.6%]. Intraoperative hypotension was 19% during the positioning of patients and 29% during the procedures. Patients who received blood transfusion were 10 [19.2%] children and 5 [9.6%] adults. Average blood transfusion in children was 200 mls and 360 mls in adults. Postoperatively, six [11.5%] patients were electively intubated and ventilated. Postoperative evacuation of posterior fossa haematoma was performed in seven [13.5%] patients. Six [11.5%] patients died within one month after surgery. There was no intraoperative or postoperative morbidity or mortality related to VAE. Our results indicate the absence of morbidity and mortality related to VAE. With early detection and prompt treatment of VAE, the sitting position is safe for neurosurgical procedures

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.

Retropulsion and vertigo in the Chiari malformation: case report

We describe a rare case of a 30 year-old woman with intense vertiginous sensation, lack of body balance and a tendency to fall backwards, making it necessary for two people to sustain her. The magnetic resonance imaging of the craniocervical junction evidenced tonsilar herniation at the inferior level of C1, and during the operation performed in sitting position, we observed crowding of the cerebellar tonsils at the level of C3. After the osteo-dural-neural decompression, the symptomatology remitted on the same day of the operation.

Descrevemos um caso raro de mulher de 30 anos com intensa sensação vertiginosa, desequilíbrio do corpo e tendência à queda para trás, sendo necessário o auxílio de duas pessoas para ampará-la. A ressonância nuclear magnética da junção craniovertebral evidenciou herniação tonsilar ao nível da borda inferior de C1 e, durante a operação, em posição sentada, foi observado o deslocamento craniocaudal das tonsilas cerebelares ao nível de C3. Após a descompressão ósteo-duro-neural, houve regressão da sintomatologia, no dia da operação.

Venous air embolism: does the site of embolism influence the hemodynamic changes?

Three hundred and ninety-seven patients undergoing posterior cranial fossa surgery in the sitting position were prospectively studied to evaluate the incidence of venous air embolism (VAE) and its effects on hemodynamics. End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETC02) tension was monitored to diagnose VAE. A sudden and sustained decrease in ETC02 of more than 5 mmHg, in the absence of sudden hypovolemia, was presumed to be the result of VAE. The site of probable air entrainment (whether muscle, bone or tumor) was noted. Hemodynamic consequences were managed symptomatically. ETC02 monitoring detected VAE in 22% of the patients. The highest incidence of embolism resulted from muscles and tumor (40% in each case). Forty-two per cent of patients developed hypotension during the embolic episode (systolic BP less than 100 mmHg). Ten per cent of patients developed ventricular arrhythmias during the embolic episode. Air aspiration was successful in 4.8%. There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of VAE among the different groups (P>0.05). Also, the frequency of hypotension and ventricular arrhythmias were not significantly different, irrespective of the source of VAE (P>0.05). The general condition of the patients in the preoperative stage had no influence on the incidence of embolism, hypotension or ventricular arrhythmias.

Posterior fossa craniotomy: technical report

The use of craniotomy to approach supratentorial lesions is quite well established in the literature. The use of craniotomy for posterior fossa approaches, however, is not well described. The aim of this article is to describe the technical aspects of this approach and to delineate the important landmarks. In our cases, posterior fossa craniotomies have been utilized for treat different pathologies. Additionally, the technique has not added any additional risk, and the cosmetic results have been excellent.

Infratentorial tumours in adults; 2 years study

During the course of two years, 50 adult patients with infratentorial tumours were admitted in our neurosurgical unit at Lahore General Hospital. These were 16.5% of total brain tumours in adults. There were 28 women and 22 men. Most of the patients were from 21 to 50 years of age. Operations were performed in 46 cases. Most of the admissions [45 patients], were through out patient department, and only 5 were through emergency. Commonest symptom was headache [84%] followed by disequilibrium [74%] and visual deficit [72%]. Commonest clinical sign was papilloedema [96%] followed by cranial nerve dysfunction [72%]. Duration of relevant neurological complaints was from 3 months to 2 years. Commonest location was cerebellopontine angle [56%]. Histologically, acoustic neurinoma [52%], metastases [8%] and meningiomas [12%] were the common types. Gross total surgical resection was achieved in 66.6%. Hydrocephalus was present in 84% at presentation. General complications of acoustic neurinoma surgery included CSF leakage in 10%. Total hospital stay has been between 3 to 8 weeks. Radiotherapy was given to 44% of patients. Follow up was possible for only 32% of cases. We did not have a high incidence of metastatic lesions in our patients. We also conclude that intraoperative ventricular tapping and postoperative drainage of CSF is unnecessary and increases the rate of infections; and epilepsy

Quarto ventrículo isolado: relato de dois casos / Isolated fourth ventricle: report of 2 cases

Sao descritos dois casos de quarto ventrículo isolado sendo o primeiro decorrente de hemorragia cerebelar e o segundo de hidrocefalia congênita com múltiplas revisoes de válvula e cisto de Dandy-Walker. O tratamento cirúrgico é revisado na literatura. A abordagem direta à fossa posterior acha-se indicada nos casos de cisto no interior do quarto ventrículo. Naqueles sem a presença de cisto, deve-se empregar sistema de drenagem do quarto ventrículo, independente da drenagem supratentorial.

Anatomia cirúrgica do acesso transoral / Surgical anatomy of the transoral approach

O tratamento cirúrgico das lesoes localizadas no clivus, junçao craniocervical e coluna cervical alta pode se acompanhar de morbidade e mortalidade importantes. O acesso transoral é uma via direta e adequada para essa regiao. Para estudar as relaçoes anatômicas desse acesso, realizou-se um estudo em 15 hemicabeças de cadáveres fixados em formalina a 20 por cento. As principais distâncias envolvendo o acesso transoral foram medidas para determinar seus limites e suas vantagens.

Mutismo após ressecçäo de tumor de fossa posterior em criança associado a hematoma do IV ventrículo: relato de caso / Mutism after posterior fossa tumor surgery in a child associated to IV ventricle hematoma: case report

O mutismo após ressecçao de tumores de fossa posterior em criança é uma manifestaçao bem descrita mas ainda pouco conhecida no meio neurocirúrgico. Manifesta-se como perda da capacidade da fala após ressecçao de tumores do IV ventrículo e é, na maioria dos casos, reversível. Ainda nao há explicaçao fisiopatológica bem definida. A ocorrência do mutismo, neste caso, após hematoma no leito tumoral com compressao da face medial do cerebelo, parece confirmar a teoria de lesao orgânica como causa da manifestaçao.