ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Intrasphenoidal encephaloceles are extremely rare findings. Sternberg's canal is a lateral craniopharyngeal canal resulting from incomplete fusion of the greater wings of the sphenoid bone with the basisphenoid. It acts as a weak spot of the skull base, which may lead to develop a temporal lobe encephalocele protruding into the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus (SS). CASE DESCRIPTION: We present two cases of intrasphenoidal encephalocele due to persistence of the lateral craniopharyngeal canal. The first case presented with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea and the second one was referred to the neurosurgical department with CSF rhinorrhea and meningitis. Radiological investigations consisted of computed tomography (CT) scan, CT cisternography and magnetic resonance images in both cases. These imaging studies identified a herniated temporal lobe through a bony defect which communicates the middle cranial fossa with the lateral recess of the SS. Both patients underwent a transcranial repair of the encephalocele because of the previous failure of the endoscopic surgery. There was no complication related to the surgical procedure and no recurrence of CSF leakage occurred 2 and 3 years after surgery, respectively. CONCLUSION: Encephalocele within the lateral recess of the SS is a rare entity which must be suspected in patients who present with spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea. Congenital intrasphenoidal encephaloceles, which are located medial to the foramen rotundum, seem to be due to persistence of the Sternberg's canal. Transcranial approach is a good option when a transnasal approach had failed previously.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive glioma, presents with a rapid evolution and relapse within the first year, which is attributed to the persistence of tumor stem cells (TSC) and the escape of immune surveillance. Mixed leukocyte culture (MLC) cytoimplant has been shown to function as a powerful intratumor pro-inflammatory cytokine pump. Tumor B-cell hybridoma (TBH) vaccines have been shown to function as antigen-presenting cells. We evaluated the toxicity and efficiency of each treatment alone and in combination. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In an open study, 12 consecutive patients were evenly divided into 3 groups, each group receiving 3 different treatments. Patients in Group 1 were treated, after diagnosis, with debulking surgery (DS)+radiotherapy (Rx), and after the first relapse underwent DS+MLC treatment. Patients in Group 2 were similarly treated but after the first relapse underwent DS+MLC+TBH. Finally, patients in Group 3 were similarly treated but after the first relapse underwent DS+TBH. Nestin PAP stain assessed TSC participation in TBH. RESULTS: Treatment with MLC had strong and rapid therapeutic effects, but was limited in duration and induced various degrees of brain inflammation. Treatment with MLC+TBH acted synergistically, provoking a rapid, strong and lasting therapeutic response but also generating different degrees of brain inflammation. A lasting therapeutic effect without generating high degrees of brain inflammation occurred in patients treated with TBH vaccine alone. CONCLUSION: TSC vaccine consisting of TBH alone seems to have potent adjuvant reactions overcoming both persistence of tumor stem cells and immune escape of GBM without provoking an encephalitic reaction.
