Fatal rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis in an apparently normal host: case report and literature review.

Fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are fortunately rare but remain challenging problems occurring mostly in immunocompromised individuals, with protean manifestations, unpredictable course and unfavorable outcome in many cases despite aggressive neurosurgical intervention and recent antifungal drugs. Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis is a potentially lethal opportunistic fungal infection with rapid progression and high mortality. Its pathogenic nature becomes evident when the patient's general resistance is compromised. We present a case of an invasive rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis in an apparently normal adult who initially developed mild paranasal sinusitis and later developed status epilepticus and despite an aggressive management died. Interesting clinical, neuroimaging and histological findings are described, and the possibility of fatal mucormycosis in an apparently normal host is highlighted.

Primary orbito-cranial adenoid cystic carcinoma with torcular metastasis: a case report and review of the literature.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare neoplasm arising from the exocrine glands such as salivary glands, lachrymal glands, upper respiratory tract, breast or uterine cervix. Intracranial involvement is commonly from direct skull base involvement, although metastasis may rarely be seen. The predisposition of the adenoid cystic carcinoma for perineural and perivascular invasion is the prime reason for the locally invasive character of the tumour, often extending into the cranium via foramina at the skull base. The authors report a case of primary orbito-cranial extradural adenoid cystic carcinoma and cranial metastasis away from the primary site. This patient initially had a local excision, and later an exenteration of the right eye followed by with radiotherapy. Within months she presented with an extradural cranial recurrence, distant torcular metastasis without any neurological deficit. Craniotomy and radical excision was undertaken as these tumours have slow growth rates, and long term survival of the se patients even in the presence of local recurrence and metastasis has been well documented.

Symptomatic epineural ganglion cyst of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel: a case report and brief review of the literature.

An unusual case of pain and weakness in the hand and forearm due to a ganglion cyst of the ulnar nerve at the elbow is presented. The patient was managed initially as a case of cervical disc disease and cervical spondylosis and later as a case of carpal tunnel syndrome at an another institution. Cervical radiography and cervical magnetic resonance imaging scans were inconclusive. Neurosurgical referral revealed tenderness at the right cubital tunnel, weakness of the right hand and forearm muscles, and sensory deficit along the medial border of the forearm and the hand. The diagnosis of ulnar nerve compression at the elbow was made. Nerve conduction studies of the ulnar nerve at the elbow confirmed the diagnosis. A ganglion cyst of the ulnar nerve was excised microsurgically with a complete postoperative sensory motor recovery.

Symptomatic ependymal cysts of the perimesencephalic and cerebello-pontine angle cisterns.

Primary intracranial ependymal cysts are extremely rare. These are congenital, benign ependyma lined, commonly intraparenchymal and uncommonly extraparenchymal cysts in leptomeningeal location of variable size seen in the adult life. The authors report two cases of symptomatic ependymal cysts: one in the perimesencephalic cistern in a 10-month-old infant presenting with delayed mile stones and another in the cerebello-pontine cistern in a morbidly obese 35-year-old woman with known benign intracranial hypertension now presenting with hemifacial spasm. Neurosurgical intervention was curative in both cases. Interesting clinical, radiological and histological features are presented and discussed.