Craniopharyngioma: A comprehensive review of the clinical presentation, radiological findings, management, and future Perspective.

Craniopharyngioma (CP) is a rare intracranial tumor arising from the epithelial remnants of Rathke's pouch, most frequently originating in the sellar/parasellar region. Histologically, CP is a benign low-grade tumor (WHO grade 1) with two distinct phenotypes: adamantinomatous CP (ACP) and papillary CP (PCP). Craniopharyngioma constitutes 1-3% of all primary intracranial tumors in adults and 5-10 % of intracranial tumors in children. The annual incidence ranges from 0.13 to 2 per 100,000 population per year with no gender predilection. Due to its unique anatomical locations, the most frequently reported clinical manifestations are headache, visual impairment, nausea/vomiting, and endocrine deficiencies resulting in sexual dysfunction in adults and growth failure in children. Growth hormone deficiency is the most predominant endocrinological disturbance associated with craniopharyngioma. Computed tomography (CT) is gold standard to detect calcifications in CP tissue (found in 90 % of these tumors). Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) further characterizes craniopharyngiomas and helps to narrow down the differential diagnoses. In almost all craniopharyngioma cases, surgery is indicated to: establish the diagnosis, relieve mass-related symptoms, and remove as much tumor as is safely possible. Recent neurosurgical technical advances, including innovative surgical approaches, detailed radiotherapy protocols, targeted therapy, replacement of lost hormonal functions and quality of life all have the potential to improve the outcome of patients with craniopharyngioma. In this article, we present extensive literature on craniopharyngioma clinical presentation, radiological findings, management, and future prospective. The present article helps to identify further research areas that set the basis for the management of such a complex tumor.

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula: a comprehensive review of the history, classification systems, management, and prognosis.

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas account for the majority of spinal vascular malformations. They are typically located in the thoracolumbar region and are diagnosed in the middle-aged and elderly populations. Although spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas have been postulated to be acquired, their exact development remains uncertain. Typically, the arteriovenous shunt is situated close to the spinal nerve root, inside the dura mater, where the blood from the radiculomeningeal artery and radicular vein intermix. Throughout history, there have been multiple classification systems of spinal arteriovenous shunts since 1967. Those were mainly based on the evolution of diagnostic studies as well as the treatment of these lesions. Such classification systems have undergone significant changes over the years. Unlike intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula, spinal dural arteriovenous fistula is progressive in nature. The neurological manifestations, due to venous congestion, tend to be insidious as well as non-specific. These include sensory deficits, such as paresthesia, bilateral and/or unilateral radicular pain affecting the lower limbs, and gait disturbances. Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas can be suspected on magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance angiography and confirmed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The management includes surgery, endovascular therapy, and in selected cases, radiotherapy. The treatment goal of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula is to halt the progression of the disease. The prognosis depends on both the duration of symptoms as well as the clinical condition prior to therapy. The present article comprehensively reviews the pathophysiology, changes in classification systems, natural history, clinical manifestations, radiological features, management, and prognosis.

Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral Mucormycosis: A Rare Complication of Uncontrolled Diabetes.

Introduction: Fungal infection of the central nervous system has become more common over the past two decades. It is frequently diagnosed in patients with underlying pathological conditions. We herein report a case of rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis by outlining the clinical presentation, radiological images, histopathological findings, management plan, and its clinical outcome. Case Description. A 47-year-old man, known to have type 2 diabetes mellitus, presented with severe headache involving the left side of the face, numbness along the left V2 trigeminal nerve, ptosis and dryness of the left eye, short-term memory loss, and right hand numbness. He had a social history of being a bee farmer for which he was exposed to bee stings several times in the past. Neuroradiological imaging showed a left temporal ring-enhancing lesion, suggestive of abscess. The patient underwent craniotomy and resection of the lesion. The histopathological evaluation was suggestive of cerebral mucormycosis, fungal sinusitis, and invasive skull base mucormycosis. Conclusion: Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis is a fulminant fungal infection commonly diagnosed in patients with uncontrolled diabetes. Early diagnosis with radiological and histopathological evaluation is required to identify patients at risk of rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis.

Primary spinal cord glioblastoma: A rare cause of paraplegia.

Background: Primary spinal glioblastomas are extremely rare neoplasms and account for only 0.2% of glioblastoma cases. Due to the rare incidence of spinal cord glioblastoma in the literature, its natural history/ outcome remains undetermined. The present article describes the clinical presentation, radiological/pathological characteristics, and outcome of the primary spinal cord glioblastoma. Case Description: Two young patients initially presented with paresis that rapidly progressed to paraplegia. Nondermatomal sensory deficits were also noted, mainly affecting the lower limbs. Neuroradiological imaging revealed an extensive intramedullary spinal cord lesion, with no evidence of concurrent intracranial space-occupying lesions. Thoracic laminectomy, followed by tumor debulking and/or biopsy, was performed. The histomorphology was suggestive of glioblastoma, the World Health Organization grade 4 (Isocitrate Dehydrogenase-wild type). They were discharged in stable condition and were started on chemoradiotherapy, with clinicoradiological follow-up. One patient passed away after 9 months of initial presentation. The other patient was alive at 6-month follow-up. Conclusion: Primary spinal glioblastoma is a rare and challenging tumor. Patients commonly present with a progressive paresis, resulting in paraplegia, regardless of the surgical resection extent, and received adjuvant chemotherapy. Therefore, primary spinal cord glioblastoma should be considered in patients reporting a rapid lower limb weakness with neuroradiological evidence of extensive, exophytic intramedullary lesion of the spine. A biopsy-proven histopathological diagnosis is of indisputable importance to establish the final diagnosis and plan treatment options.

Metastatic brain lesion as the initial presentation of follicular thyroid carcinoma.

Background: Metastatic brain lesions, of thyroid origin, are rare manifestations of differentiated thyroid cancer, with papillary thyroid carcinoma being the most common subtype. Considering the rarity of metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma to the brain, the present article outlines its clinical presentation, neuroradiological findings, pathological features, and outcome. Case Description: A 52-year-old female presented with a 6-month history of progressive and holocephalic headache. Examination revealed a tracheal deviation to the left side due to an enlarged goiter. Brain CT scan showed a right occipital, slightly hyperdense lesion associated with a 0.4 cm midline shift to the left side. Brain MRI demonstrated a right occipital, avidly-enhancing, extra-axial lesion with disproportionate and extensive vasogenic edema. As the lesion was solitary, the patient underwent craniotomy and tumor resection. Histopathological examination revealed a tumor consistent of small follicles, composed of uniform round nuclei without papillary thyroid carcinoma nuclear features, suggestive of metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma to the brain. Postoperatively, the patient was neurologically intact. She was discharged in a stable condition with laboratory/ radiological investigations and follow-up at neurosurgery, endocrine, radiotherapy, and thyroid surgery clinics. Conclusion: Follicular thyroid carcinoma may rarely metastasize to the central nervous system. A high index of suspicion is required to identify patients with thyroid cancer who initially present with neurological manifestations. Complete surgical resection of the metastatic brain lesion is safe, feasible and is associated with a prolonged overall survival.

Hypothalamic Lipoma: Outcome of an Intracranial Developmental Lesion.

BACKGROUND: Hypothalamic lipomas are benign developmental lesions that tend to be discovered incidentally. This article describes the radiological features, outcome, and the postulated theories behind hypothalamic lipomas development. METHODS: The electronic archive of neurosurgery was retrospectively reviewed. All patients with a neuroradiological diagnosis of hypothalamic lipoma, between 2005 and 2020, were included. RESULTS: Out of 246 patients with intracranial lipomas, a total of six patients with hypothalamic lipomas have been identified. On computed tomography images, one of the hypothalamic lipomas demonstrated calcification. On magnetic resonance imaging, peripheral enhancement after contrast administration was noted in one of the lesions. Considering the benign nature of the lesions, neurosurgical intervention was not indicated. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients with hypothalamic lipomas are asymptomatic and undergo brain imaging for other indications. Although uncommon, such developmental lesions can be identified in the general population, especially with the advancement of neuroimaging techniques.

Traumatic superficial temporal artery pseudoaneurysm: Successful management using endovascular embolization.

Superficial temporal artery pseudoaneurysms are uncommon but can be potentially life-threatening. Considering their rarity, the present article outlines the clinical presentation, radiological findings, intervention, and outcome of traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the superficial temporal artery. An 83-year-old female sustained a traumatic injury to the temple, resulting in right-sided swelling of the forehead. Brain computed tomography and cerebral angiogram revealed a right-sided homogenously-enhancing pseudoaneurysm in the frontal region. Successful occlusion of the lesion was achieved utilizing endovascular embolization. Three months after discharge, the patient reported no complaints or recurrence. Subsequent management included reassurance and observation with periodic clinical assessments. The unusual presentation of superficial temporal artery pseudoaneurysms requires clinicians to have thorough knowledge on the clinical presentation, proper steps in diagnosis, and the approach of choice in management. Endovascular embolization of superficial temporal artery pseudoaneurysms remains a valid approach to achieve successful occlusion of the lesion.

Oculomotor nerve palsy following coronary artery bypass graft surgery: can pituitary apoplexy complicate the post-operative course of cardiac surgery?

Oculomotor nerve palsy, due to pituitary apoplexy, has been previously reported in the literature. However, the association with coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is rarely investigated. This article reports a case of pituitary apoplexy presenting with oculomotor nerve palsy following CABG. A 65-year-old male, known to have ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus and hypertension, presented with ptosis, diplopia and anisocoria that developed after 1 day of CABG. Radiological imaging demonstrated a pituitary adenoma with acute/subacute hemorrhage causing mild mass effect on the cavernous sinus. Considering the acute state of bypass surgery and pre-existing cardiac co-morbidities, expectant management was considered. The visual acuity and palsy gradually improved. Pituitary apoplexy, following CABG, is a rare phenomenon in the post-operative period. High index of suspicious is required to promptly identify high-risk patients to avoid further neurological sequelae.

Effect of cranioplasty timing on the functional neurological outcome and postoperative complications.

BACKGROUND: The optimal timing for performing cranioplasty and its effect on functional outcome remains debatable. Multiple confounding factors may come into role; including the material used, surgical technique, cognitive assessment tools, and the overall complications. The aim of this study is to assess the neurological outcome and postoperative complications in patients who underwent early versus late cranioplasty. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to investigate the neurological outcome and postoperative complications in patients who underwent cranioplasty between 2005 and 2018 at a Level l trauma center. Early and late cranioplasties were defined as surgeries performed within and more than 90 days of decompressive craniectomy, respectively. The Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) and modified Rankin scale (mRS), recorded within 1 week of cranioplasty, were used to assess the neurological outcome. RESULTS: A total of 101 cases of cranioplasty were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 31.4 ± 13.9 years. Most patients (n = 86; 85.1%) were male. The mean GOS for all patients was 4.0 ± 1.0. The mean mRS was 2.2 ± 1.78. Hydrocephalus was noted in 18 patients (early, n = 6; late, n = 12; P = 0.48). Seizures developed in 28 patients (early, n = 12; late, n = 16; P = 0.77). CONCLUSION: The neurological outcome in patients who underwent early versus late cranioplasty is almost identical. The differences in the rates of overall postoperative complications between early versus late cranioplasty were statistically insignificant. The optimal timing for performing cranioplasty is mainly dependent on the resolution of cerebral swelling.

Endoscopic versus Open Microsurgical Excision of Colloid Cysts: A Comparative Analysis and State-of-the-Art Review of Neurosurgical Techniques.

BACKGROUND: The surgical approaches of colloid cysts commonly include endoscopy or open microsurgery. Each approach carries its own challenges, feasibility, and complications. The aim of the current study is to compare endoscopic versus open microsurgical excision of third ventricular colloid cysts. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to compare the surgical outcomes of endoscopic versus open microsurgical (transcortical-transventricular and transcallosal approaches) excision of colloid cyst of the third ventricle at a tertiary-care medical institute. All patients with a neuroradiologic diagnosis of colloid cyst who subsequently underwent surgical management between January 2003 and June 2020 were included. The neurologic outcome was assessed at the last follow-up visit. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients with colloid cysts were included in the study. The mean age was 35.8 ± 18.3 years (range, 4-75 years). Female patients slightly outnumbered male patients (n = 17; 53.1%). A total of 21 patients (65.6%) underwent endoscopic resection of the colloid cyst. Complications were encountered in 7 patients (endoscopic, n = 3; microsurgery, n = 4; P = 0.151). Recurrence was identified in 4 patients (endoscopic, n = 3; microsurgery, n = 1; P = 0.673). Most patients improved neurologically on follow-up visits to the clinic (endoscopic, n = 19; microsurgery, n = 9; P = 0.482). CONCLUSIONS: Both endoscopic and microsurgical approaches provide favorable surgical outcomes in colloid cyst resection. The complication rates between both approaches is statistically insignificant. The optimal surgical approach for colloid cyst resection remains controversial.

Patterns of cervical spine injuries in adults at a major trauma center in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the patterns of cervical spine injuries in an adult population in a major trauma center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A retrospective cohort study including all adults with cervical spine injuries from 2014 to 2018 was conducted. All patient data with radiological evidence of injury involving the cervical spine were collected. Results: The final sample size realized as 257 patients. Majority of the sample (85.6%) were male and the age ranged from 14-90 years (mean of 36.6 years±18.5 SD). Motor vehicle accidents were the most frequent mechanism of injury (92.6%, n=238). Single level of injury of the cervical spine was encountered in 52.9% (n=136) and 2 or more levels of injury were encountered in 47.1% (n=122) of patients. In total, 442 cervical spine injury levels were identified. At these levels, 559 fractures were observable radiologically. Associated head injury was present in 125 patients (48.6%). Only a small proportion (22.2%, n=57) had neurological sequelae. CONCLUSION: It reflects the impact of this injury on younger male patient population.

Cranioplasty: A Comprehensive Review of the History, Materials, Surgical Aspects, and Complications.

Cranioplasty is a common neurosurgical procedure performed to reconstruct cranial defects. The materials used to replace bone defects have evolved throughout history. Cranioplasty materials can be broadly divided into biological and synthetic materials. Biological materials can be further subdivided into autologous grafts, allografts, and xenografts. Allografts (bony materials and cartilage from cadavers) and xenografts (bony materials from animals) are out of favor for use in cranioplasty because of their high rates of infection, resorption, and rejection. In autologous cranioplasty, either the cranial bone itself or bones from other parts of the body of the patient are used. Synthetic bone grafts have reduced the operation time and led to better cosmetic results because of the advancement of computer-based customization and three-dimensional printing. Aluminum was the first synthetic bone graft material used, but it was found to irritate neural tissue, induce seizures, and dissolve over time. Acrylic, in the form of methyl methacrylate, is the most widely used material in cranioplasty. Hydroxyapatite is a natural component of bone and is believed to enhance bone repair, resulting in decreased tissue reactions and promoting good osteointegration. Polyetheretherketones are light and nonconductive and do not interfere with imaging modalities. The complication rates of cranioplasty are high, and surgical site infection is the most common complication. The effect of cranioplasty timing on cognitive function remains debatable. However, the timing of cranioplasty is independent of neurologic outcomes. In this article, the history, materials, complications, and evolution of current practices used in cranioplasty are comprehensively reviewed.

Predictors of Surgical Site Infection in Autologous Cranioplasty: A Retrospective Analysis of Subcutaneously Preserved Bone Flaps in Abdominal Pockets.

BACKGROUND: Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a surgical procedure performed to manage intracranial hypertension. Once performed, patients are obligated to undergo another surgical procedure known as cranioplasty to reconstruct the cranial defect. Cranioplasty still has one of the highest rates of infection. The factors contributing to the high rate of surgical site infection (SSI) after cranioplasty are not well established. This study aims to estimate the incidence of SSI and determine its possible risk factors for patients who underwent cranioplasty using bone flaps subcutaneously preserved in abdominal pockets. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to investigate the predictors of infection among patients who underwent cranioplasty from subcutaneously preserved bone flaps in abdominal pockets between January 2005 and December 2018 at a level l trauma center. RESULTS: A total of 103 cases of cranioplasty from subcutaneously preserved bone flaps were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 31.2 ± 14.8 years (range, 5-67 years). The median interval between DC and cranioplasty was 115 days. The most frequent indication for DC was traumatic brain injury (76.4%). The incidence of SSI was noted in 15.7% of patients. The most significant predictors of infection in patients requiring cranioplasty were blood glucose levels and skull defect size (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Blood glucose levels and skull defect size were the only identifiable risk factors associated with SSI. Storing bone flaps in subcutaneous abdominal pockets is cost-efficient but carries considerable risk of infection.

O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase promoter methylation and isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation as prognostic factors in a cohort of Saudi patients with glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of glioblastoma (GB), the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults, can include alkylating chemo-therapeutic agents. Two molecular biomarkers of treatment response are MGMT (O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase) promoter methylation and IDH (isocitrate dehydrogenase) mutations, which prevent repair of tumor cell DNA damage caused by alkylating chemotherapy. The status of MGMT promoter methylation and IDH mutation are associated with longer survival and a better response to chemotherapy. OBJECTIVE: Assess the prognostic value of MGMT methylation status and IDH mutation in adult Saudi glioblastoma patients. DESIGN: Retrospective, comparative survival analysis. SETTING: Tertiary care center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The status of the MGMT promoter methylation and IDH mutation was assessed in adult patients diagnosed with GB between 2006 and 2019. A PCR-based assay was used to analyze for methylation of the MGMT promoter. A qualitative assay combining PCR clamping and amplification refractory mutation system technology was used to search for any of the 12 most common mutations in IDH1 and IDH2. Differences in survival were compared between those with and without MGMT promoter methylation and IDH mutation and between other subgroups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival of GB patients relative to MGMT promoter methylation and IDH mutation status. SAMPLE SIZE: 146 patients (80 males and 66 females). RESULTS: Of 43 (29.5%) cases tested for MGMT promoter methylation, 14 (32.5%) were positive. Of 65 (44.5%) cases screened for IDH mutation, 6 cases (9.2%) tested positive. The 36-month survival rate was 47% for the MGMT methylated cohort compared to 27% for their unmethylated counterparts. The 18-month survival rate for the IDH-mutant was 75% compared to 48% for their IDH-wildtype counterparts. CONCLUSION: The findings confirm the positive impact of both MGMT promoter methylation and IDH mutation on the overall survival of Saudi GB patients. LIMITATIONS: Single institute study with relatively few tested cases. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Meningioma Presenting with Spontaneous Subdural Hematoma: A Report of Two Cases and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Although meningiomas are considered benign, encapsulated brain tumors, their distinct intracranial location can lead to devastating complications. Although a highly vascularized tumor, a rarely reported complication of meningioma is hemorrhage. To the best of our knowledge, only 19 cases of meningioma presenting with a subdural hematoma have been reported. CASE DESCRIPTION: We have outlined the clinical presentation, radiological findings, and outcomes of 2 female patients with a diagnosis of a spontaneous subdural hematoma associated with meningioma. The coagulation profile was within normal limits for both patients. The postoperative histopathologic examination results showed an angiomatous/microcystic subtype of meningioma (patient 1) and meningothelial meningioma (patient 2). Both patients underwent right frontal craniotomy, resection of the dural-based tumor, and evacuation of the subdural hematoma. CONCLUSIONS: We comprehensively reviewed the pertinent data for meningiomas presenting as subdural hematomas. The mechanism of hemorrhage in meningiomas remains unclear. Therefore, further studies are required to investigate the possible mechanisms of bleeding in such tumors.

Canalis basalis medianus with cerebrospinal fluid leak: rare presentation and literature review.

Canalis Basalis Medianus is a rare congenital normal anatomically variant of the clivus .We report a very rare case of cerebrospinal fluid leak from a canalis basilaris medianus in a 22-year-old male, who presented to our hospital with frontal headache and running nose two weeks after an elective septoplasty.

Apixaban-induced subdural bleeding: case presentation and literature review.

Apixaban is a factor Xa inhibitor which is a non-vitamin K dependent oral anticoagulant known tocause the lowest rate of intracranial bleeding among the same kind of inibitors. In this paper, we report a rare case in a 60-year-old man with a history of hypertension and oligodendroglioma on apixaban for deep venous thrombosis who presented to our hospital with decreased level of consciousness and slurred speech with rapid deterioration. We highlight the risk of subdural bleeding requiring immediate neurosurgical intervention due to apixaban, with literature review.

Bilateral Temporal Extradural Hematoma on Top of Bilateral Temporal Arachnoid Cyst: First Case Report and Extensive Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: The traumatic complication of an arachnoid cyst (AC) with intracystic and subdural hematoma has been reported in many cases. However, a unilateral extradural hematoma (EDH) as a complication of AC is extremely rare. Most arachnoid cysts are unilateral and are located in the middle cranial fossa. Bilateral temporal AC alone is an extremely rare condition, and a bilateral EDH on top of a bilateral temporal AC has never been reported in the literature, to our knowledge. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report the case of a 25-year-old man with a known bilateral AC who was involved in a motor vehicle accident and developed a bilateral temporal EDH. The brain computed tomography scan also showed fractures in the skull on both temporal areas. The patient was treated conservatively. He was discharge with Glasgow Coma Scale score of 5. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral temporal EDH in a bilateral temporal AC has never been reported in the literature. The presence of an AC may predispose a patient to complications because of the anatomic changes in the area. It is important to educate asymptomatic patients and their families about these cysts and the importance of avoiding head injury and not being involved in contact sports or military service.

Neurointerventional participation in craniopagus separation.

Craniopagus-type conjoined twins (joined at the head) are exceedingly rare. Separation of craniopagus conjoined twins is a challenging task mainly owing to complex vascular anatomy and limited experience with this disorder. Modern neuroimaging techniques including digital subtraction angiography can be used to preoperatively assess the cerebral vascular system. These techniques can also provide the raw data to fabricate three-dimensional true-scale models. We report a case in which endovascular techniques have been used in the separation of craniopagus conjoined twins. To our knowledge there are no reports of successful incorporation of neurointerventional methods in the disconnection of shared venous channels.