Neurenteric Cyst of the Ventral Craniocervical Junction: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Neurenteric cysts (NCs) are rare, non-neoplastic lesions arising from a failure of dissolution of the transient neurenteric canal between the foregut and the notochord. They are most frequently seen in the intradural extramedullary space in the lower cervical and upper thoracic spine. The authors describe a rare case of NC arising from the ventral cervicomedullary junction that was totally resected via a posterior approach. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 24-year-old woman presented with a 4-week history of neck pain and progressive left hemiparesis. Admission magnetic resonance imaging scans demonstrated an intradural extramedullary cystic mass lesion ventral to the upper spinal cord from medulla to C2. We performed a posterior approach and the lesion was totally removed. Surgical treatment resulted in resolution of the neurologic impairments. The histological results were consistent with NC. Postoperative course was uneventful. At the 6-month follow-up, the patient is asymptomatic and magnetic resonance imaging scan shows no residual lesion. CONCLUSIONS: NC is a rare lesion of the craniospinal junction and should be considered among differential diagnoses. Complete excision is the treatment of choice. In most instances a dorsal surgical approach will be satisfactory.

[Primary orbital squamous cell carcinoma]. / Carcinoma escamoso primario de órbita.

Primary orbital squamous cell carcinoma is a rare entity. There is little published literature. We report a case of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the orbital soft tissues. Surgical resection offered the best treatment for the patient. Complete resection of the lesion was achieved. The patient received adjuvant radiotherapy due to the proximity of the lesion to the surgical margins. Surgical treatment is feasible and should be considered as part of the surgeon's arsenal. However, therapeutic decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis.

Carcinoma escamoso primario de órbita / Primary orbital squamous cell carcinoma

El carcinoma escamoso primario de órbita es una entidad poco frecuente. Hay escasa literatura publicada al respecto. Presentamos un caso de carcinoma escamoso primario de los tejidos blandos de la órbita. La resección quirúrgica ofrecía el mejor tratamiento para esta paciente. Se realizó un abordaje cráneo-facial y se logró la resección completa de la lesión. La paciente recibió radioterapia adyuvante debido a la proximidad de la lesión a los márgenes quirúrgicos. El tratamiento quirúrgico es factible y debe ser considerado como parte del arsenal del cirujano. Sin embargo, las decisiones terapéuticas deben tomarse teniendo en cuenta las particularidades de cada caso.

Primary orbital squamous cell carcinoma is a rare entity. There is little published literature. We report a case of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the orbital soft tissues. Surgical resection offered the best treatment for the patient. Complete resection of the lesion was achieved. The patient received adjuvant radiotherapy due to the proximity of the lesion to the surgical margins. Surgical treatment is feasible and should be considered as part of the surgeon´s arsenal. However, therapeutic decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis.

Spinal cord compression secondary to metastasis of malignant chondroid syringoma: case report.

The authors describe a case of spinal cord compression due to an epidural metastasis of malignant chondroid syringoma. Chondroid syringoma is a rare mixed tumor of the skin composed of both epithelial and mesenchymal elements. Although most are benign, malignant forms have been reported. Malignant chondroid syringoma may progress very slowly and the metastatic spread occurs late, appearing years after the original diagnosis. There is only one other report of spinal cord compression secondary to metastasis of malignant chondroid syringoma, which was finally diagnosed by microscopic examination of an autopsy specimen. This 63-year-old woman presented with a 4-week history of progressive paraparesis. Admission MRI of the thoracic spine showed an extradural mass arising from the posterior elements and left pedicle of T-9, which caused posterior compression of the spinal cord. Surgical decompression resulted in resolution of the neurological impairments. The histological results were consistent with metastasis of malignant chondroid syringoma. The patient underwent adjuvant radiotherapy and a favorable outcome was noted at the 2-year follow-up visit. This represents the first reported case of spinal cord compression from a metastasis of a malignant chondroid syringoma histologically confirmed in vivo. The authors' experience in this case suggests that resection followed by radiotherapy might be an acceptable means for achieving short-term, progression-free survival.