Endoscopic Endonasal Transplanum Transtuberculum Approach for the Resection of a Large Suprasellar Craniopharyngioma.

Objectives To demonstrate an endoscopic endonasal transplanum transtuberculum approach for the resection of a large suprasellar craniopharyngioma. Design Single-case-based operative video. Setting Tertiary center with dedicated skull base team. Participants A 72-year-old male patient diagnosed with a suprasellar craniopharyngioma. Main Outcomes Measured Surgical resection of the tumor and preservation of the normal surrounding neurovascular structures. Results A 72-year-old male patient presented with a 1-year history of progressive bitemporal visual loss. He also referred symptoms suggestive of hypogonadism. Neurological examination was unremarkable and endocrine workup demonstrated mildly elevated prolactin levels. Magnetic resonance images demonstrated a large solid-cystic suprasellar lesion, consistent with the diagnosis of craniopharyngioma. The lesion was retrochiasmatic, compressed the optic chiasm, and extended into the interpeduncular cistern ( Fig. 1 ). Because of that, the patient underwent an endoscopic endonasal transplanum transtuberculum approach. 1 2 3 The nasal stage consisted of a transnasal transseptal approach, with complete preservation of the patient's left nasal cavity. 4 The cystic component of the tumor was decompressed and its solid part was resected. It was possible to preserve the surrounding normal neurovascular structures ( Fig. 2 ). Skull base reconstruction was performed with a dural substitute, a fascia lata graft, and a right nasoseptal flap ( Video 1 ). The patient did well after surgery and referred complete visual improvement. However, he also presented pan-hypopituitarism on long-term follow-up. Conclusions The endoscopic endonasal route is a good alternative for the resection of suprasellar lesions. It permits tumor resection and preservation of the surrounding neurovascular structures while avoiding external incisions and brain retraction. The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/zmgxQe8w-JQ .

Orbital Compartment Syndrome After Frontotemporal Craniotomy: Case Report and Review of Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Orbital compartment syndrome (OCS) is a rare condition characterized by increased intraorbital pressure and hypoperfusion of critical neural structures. It is usually associated with external ophthalmoplegia. We report a case of postoperative OCS following a frontotemporal craniotomy and review pertinent literature. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 3-year-old female patient presented with a 3-year history of refractory epilepsy and diagnosis of right frontobasal cortical dysplasia. She underwent an elective frontotemporal craniotomy to allow resection of dysplastic cortex. The intraoperative period was uneventful. Postoperatively, following removal of operating fields, we noticed proptosis and right periorbital swelling. A diagnosis of orbital compartment syndrome was made. At the pediatric intensive care unit, the patient underwent an emergency right lateral canthotomy with wide inferior and superior cantholysis. Nowadays she is in the fourth month of postoperative follow-up. There is still slight and almost indistinguishable exophthalmos, but her extrinsic eye movement ranges and reaction to light are normal. DISCUSSION: OCS is a rare ophthalmologic emergency characterized by an acute rise in orbital pressure and may result in complete irreversible blindness if not rapidly treated. The frontotemporal or "pterional" craniotomy exposure requires a myocutaneous flap to be retracted anteriorly and inferiorly near the orbit. There may be orbital compression due to this flap leading to potential harmful complications. Attention to factors such as direct ocular pressure from skin flaps, congestion from head positioning, and adequate intraoperative eye protection may reduce the risk or allow faster management.

Retrograde Endovascular Approach for Treating Unruptured Basilar Apex Aneurysms: Two Case Reports and Review of Literature

Background Treatment of target lesions when parent vessels are injured or diseased may be quite difficult. Moret et al have proposed an endovascular technique based on retrograde transcirculation approach through communicating vessels. Methods We report on the first Brazilian experience with retrograde endovascular approach, to the best of our knowledge. Results The two cases illustrate difficult anterograde approach techniques to treat basilar apex aneurysms. In the first case, tortuosity and angulation of both vertebral arteries associated to stenosis did not allow an anterograde approach. In the second case, after a SAH of a basilar apex aneurysm treated more than a decade ago with bilateral vertebral artery trapping, the patient underwent a retrograde approach. Conclusion For this approach, follow-up data are still lacking and complications are usually more common than in anterograde approach. Nevertheless, in select cases, it may be applied by experienced hands with acceptable risks when no other treatment option (surgical or endovascular) is available.

Introdução O tratamento de lesões específicas quando vasos são danificados, ficam doentes ou inacessíveis pode se tornar bastante difícil. Moret et al propuseram uma técnica endovascular baseada no acesso retrógrado pelos vasos comunicantes. Métodos Primeira experiência Brasileira em acesso endovascular retrógrado, segundo os autores do presente estudo. Resultados Os dois casos demonstram técnicas de difícil acesso anterógrado para tratar aneurismas do ápice basilar. No primeiro caso, a tortuosidade e a angulação de ambas as artérias vertebrais associadas à estenose não permitiram acesso anterógrado. No segundo caso, após hemorragia subaracnóidea do aneurisma de ápice basilar tratado há mais de uma década com oclusão de artéria vertebral bilateral, realizou-se um acesso retrógrado. Conclusão Para este acesso, dados subsequentes ainda são necessários, e complicações ainda são mais comuns que em acesso anterógrado. Mesmo assim, pode ser aplicado em casos específicos com riscos aceitáveis e em mãos experientes, quando nenhum outro tratamento (cirúrgico ou endovascular) seja possível.

Complete motor recovery after acute paraparesis caused by spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma: case report.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is a relatively rare but potentially disabling disease. Prompt timely surgical management may promote recovery even in severe cases. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 34-year-old man with a 2-hour history of sudden severe back pain, followed by weakness and numbness over the bilateral lower limbs, progressing to intense paraparesis and anesthesia. A spinal magnetic resonance imaging scan was performed and revealed an anterior epidural hematoma of the thoracic spine. He underwent an emergency decompression laminectomy of the thoracic spine and hematoma evacuation. Just after surgery, his lower extremity movements improved. After 1 week, there was no residual weakness and ambulation without assistance was resumed, with residual paresthesia on the plantar face of both feet. After 5 months, no residual symptoms persisted. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma must be kept in mind in cases of sudden back pain with symptoms of spinal cord compression. Early recognition, accurate diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment may result in significant improvement even in severe cases.

Abscesso cerebelar por nocardia: relato de caso / Cerebellar abscess by Nocardia: a case report

A nocardiose do sistema nervoso central tem alcançado importante destaque no diagnóstico diferencial de patologias tumorais nos últimos anos pelo aumento da incidência de pacientes imunodeficiêntes (pacientes submetidos a quimioterapia, transplante de órgäos ou com a síndrome de imunodeficiência adquirida - SIDA. Os autores descrevem o caso de um paciente com SIDA que desenvolveu nocardiose cerebelar na sua forma tumoral. O paciente foi submetido a craniectomia de fossa posterior para diagnóstico e tratamento. Os achados de neuroimagem e patológicos bem como a conduta cirúrgica säo discutidos com base em revisäo da literatura

Tumores vasculares do ângulo pontocerebelar: relato de 2 casos e revisäo da literatura / Vascular tumors of the cerebellopontine angle: report of 2 cases and review of the literature

Os autores relatam 2 pacientes portadores de tumores de origem vascular situados na regiao do ângulo pontocerebelar. O primeiro paciente era portador de hemangioma do cavo de Meckel com extensao para o ângulo ponto cerebelar, cuja sintomatologia predominante era hipoestesia em território do nervo trigêmeo. O segundo tratava-se de um paciente portador de hemangioendotelioma localizado próximo ao meato acústico interno, cujos sintomas relacionavam-se à disfunçao dos nervos coclear e facial. Ambos foram totalmente removidos através de acesso retromastóideo e técnica microneurocirúrgica. Os tumores vasculares sao raros nesta regiao e constituem importante diagnóstico diferencial com os tumores mais comuns como o neurinoma e o meningioma. É apresentada revisao da literatura sobre o tema, com ênfase maior nos aspectos clínicos e diagnósticos.

Síndrome de Turcot: relato de dois casos / Turcot syndrome: report of 2 cases

Os autores descrevem dois pacientes com associaçäo de polipose intestinal e tumor do sistema nervoso central (síndrome de Turcot), discutindo aspectos clínicos, genéticos e terapêuticos

Tratamiento dos meningiomas da asa esfenoidal por meio da craniotomia fronto-órbito-temporal / Treatment of sphenoidal ridge meningiomas by means of fronto-temporo-orbital craniotomy

Apresenta-se modificaçäo da técnica da craniotomia fronto-órbito-temporal destinada ao tratamento dos meningiomas do terço interno da asa do esfenóide e descrevem o resultado do tratamento em 6 doentes. A técnica consiste da craniotomia fronto-órbito-temporal e da remoçäo do tumor com o mínimo de retraçäo cerebral e com maior segurança do que com as técnicas convencionais

Topodiagnóstico na paralisia facial periférica / Topadiagnosis in peripheral facial paralysis

A importância do topodiagnóstico na paralísia facial pereférica é a localizaçäo anatômica precisa da lesäo neural. Consiste ele da realizaçäo de testes clínicos para avaliar as funçöes de cada um dos ramos do nervo. O Grupo de Paralísia Facial do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Säo Paulo, com estastística de 873 pacientes, demonstra que praticamente 50% dos casos, das mais diversas etiologias, apresentam lesäo suprageniculada. A importâncias desse dado é a indicaçäo da via de acesso, quando necessária a exploraçäo cirúrgica do nervo facial