An Algorithm for Managing Intraosseous Vascular Anomalies of the Craniofacial Skeleton.

BACKGROUND: Intraosseous vascular anomalies (IOVA) are rare in the craniofacial skeleton and present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. This study aims to describe the clinical management based on a large case series. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed and 9 IOVA were identified over a 15-year period. Data on demographics, diagnostic features, clinical management, and outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: Five frontal bone IOVA and 4 orbital IOVA were identified. The postoperative follow-up ranged from 4 months to 4 years. All 9 lesions were diagnosed with computed tomography (CT) imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to delineate soft tissue involvement in 2 patients presenting with oculo-orbital dystopia and ophthalmoplegia. En bloc excision was performed in all patients. Preoperative interventional embolization was critical in the successful resection of an orbital IOVA following 2 previously failed attempts that were aborted secondary to hemorrhage. Intraoperative 3-dimensional stereotactic navigation was used for the accurate en bloc excision of a frontal IOVA to prevent injury to the frontal sinus. Reconstruction of esthetic and functional deformities was successfully accomplished. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of IOVA relies primarily on clinical assessment and CT imaging. Further interpretation of the involvement of periorbital, facial, and intracranial soft tissue is best defined by MRI. Multidisciplinary care with interventional radiology and neurosurgery must be considered for ensuring the safe and adequate en bloc excision of craniofacial IOVA.

Somatosensory evoked potentials after decompressive craniectomy for traumatic brain injury.

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) are used for neuroprognosis after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). However decompressive craniectomy (DC), involving removal of a portion of the skull to alleviate elevated intracranial pressure, is associated with an increase in SSEP amplitude. Accordingly, SSEPs are not available for neuroprognosis over the hemisphere with DC. We aim to determine the degree to which SSEP amplitudes are increased in the absence of cranial bone. This will serve as a precursor for translation to clinically prognostic ranges. Intra-operative SSEPs were performed before and after bone flap replacement in 22 patients with severe TBI. SSEP measurements were also performed in a comparison non-traumatic group undergoing craniotomy for tumor resection. N20/P25 amplitudes and central conduction time were measured with the bone flap in (BI) and out (BO). Linear regressions, adjusting for skull thickness and study arm, were performed to evaluate the contribution of bone presence to SSEP amplitudes. Latencies were not different between BO or BI trials in either group. Mean N20/P25 amplitudes recorded with BO were statistically different (p = 0.0001) from BI in both cohorts, showing an approximate doubling in BO amplitudes. For contralateral-ipsilateral montages r2 was 0.28 and for frontal pole montages r2 was 0.62. Cortical SSEP amplitudes are influenced by the presence of cortical bone as is particularly evident in frontal pole montages. Larger, longitudinal trials to assess feasibility of neuroprognosis over the hemisphere with DC in severe TBI patients are warranted.

Primary intracranial leiomyoma: a case report and literature review.

We report a case of primary intracranial leiomyoma in 29-year-old woman presented with severe headache. The radiology diagnosis was consistent with meningioma. However, histologically, the tumor had the characteristic appearance of benign smooth muscle. This was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Benign metastasizing leiomyoma was excluded by thorough imaging. Although rare, leiomyoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of well-circumscribed intracranial lesion.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the orbit.

Painless unilateral proptosis is a frequent manifestation of numerous orbital neoplastic and non-neoplastic processes. Various mesenchymal tumors of both fibrohistiocytic and vascular origin are well-described causes. Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are rare spindle-cell neoplasms usually found associated with serosal surfaces, especially the pleura, but they have recently been described in a number of extrapleural sites including the orbit. The authors describe the case of an 18-year-old man who presented with a 6-month history of painless proptosis in the right eye. A visible nontender mass in the right supermedial orbit producing ptosis of the upper lid was present. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a well-circumscribed soft tissue mass located above the right globe with no obvious invasion of adjacent orbital structures. Uneventful surgical excision through a right frontal-orbitotomy approach was performed. Histological evaluation showed a solid, highly vascular tumor mass composed of spindle cells arranged in short ill-defined fascicles. Intense immunohistochemistry staining for CD34 and B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) differentiated the lesion from the more common hemangiopericytoma. Though considered benign, local recurrence and extraorbital extension of orbital SFTs have been described. Malignant behavior, including distant metastases, has been documented in as many as 20% of pleural cases with mortality rates as high as 50%. The natural history of this tumor in the orbit is unclear. The authors report the 35th case of orbital solitary fibrous tumor and discuss the differential diagnosis, histopathology, radiological features, and clinical course.