Giant Encephalocoele: A Rare Case Report and Review of Literature.

Giant encephalocoeles are rare entities with only one case series and few case reports reported in medical literature. Encephalocoeles, which reach a size larger than the head size, are be called Giant encephalocoeles. We report a case of a 6 month old child who had giant encephalocoele with delayed motor milestones in the form of inability to hold neck. Anesthetic implications include difficulty in securing air way due without undue pressure on the sac. She underwent VP shunt followed by excision of the encephalocele sac. Patient is doing well at 1 year of follow up. Preoperative neurological status and amount of brain tissue herniating into the sac are the most important factors determining the long term prognosis.

Far-lateral Transcondylar Approach to Anterior Foramen Magnum Lesions - Our Experience.

BACKGROUND: Initial surgical management of the anterior foramen magnum lesions through the posterior approaches was fraught with unacceptable morbidity, mortality, and incomplete removal. The far-lateral approach provides excellent exposure and access to these lesions resulting in complete excision of these lesions with reduced frequency of unwanted complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients with lesions anterior to the brainstem and upper cervical cord were surgically treated using the far-lateral transcondylar approach. Two of these patients had a meningioma while three patients had "white epidermoid." One patient had a vertebral artery (VA) aneurysm while another was a rare case of lower brainstem compression by the VA and the last was a clival chordoma. The technical aspects of this surgical procedure are briefly illustrated in this article. RESULTS: Total excision was achieved in five neoplastic cases while subtotal excision was done in one case. The VA aneurysm was satisfactorily clipped while in the brainstem compression patient, microvascular decompression was done. The VA aneurysm patient developed postoperative lower cranial nerve palsies. There were no fresh postoperative deficits in any of the other patients. One patient had an unexplained sudden cardiorespiratory arrest 18 h after the surgery and succumbed. One patient had cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) otorrhea which was satisfactorily managed by intrathecal CSF drainage. CONCLUSION: The far-lateral transcondylar approach provides excellent approach to lesions located anterior to the brainstem and upper cervical cord. Total excision of these benign lesions is safely possible through this approach.

A neurosurgical perspective to approaches to the orbit: A cadaveric study.

Neurosurgeons are getting increasingly involved in surgery for orbital tumours. The various approaches to the orbit can be challenging. The authors have demonstrated on cadavers the various approaches to the orbit which are required to be mastered by the neurosurgeon. The superior approaches which include the transcranial, supraorbital and the hybrid approaches are the most commonly utilized surgical approaches by the neurosurgeon for excision of orbital pathologies. The lateral orbitotomy is an elegant approach for excision of the tumours lateral to the optic Nerve and lacrimal gland tumours. The authors also demonstrate the medial approach through a medial orbitotomy which is a relatively unfamiliar approach to neurosurgeons. The importance of the various landmarks in each approach is emphasised along with the methods to minimize complications. It is imperative that neurosurgeons are intimately familiar with the microsurgical anatomy of the orbit and the various approaches to it.

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma in a toddler--a case report.

OBJECTS: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEDH) is rare in children below the age of 2 years. It can produce rapidly progressive neurological deficits. METHODS: The authors report a case of SSEDH in a 15-month-old boy diagnosed by MRI. Suspension laminotomy and evacuation of the clot were done 48 h after the onset of symptoms. The patient made excellent neurological recovery. Computed tomography (CT) and MRI scanning carried out 6 months after surgery revealed good fusion of the laminotomy. A brief review of relevant literature is presented. CONCLUSION: Although rare SSEDH requires immediate surgical decompression to avoid any permanent neurological deficit. Reconstructive surgical procedures like laminotomy are preferred in children where the incidence of spinal deformity is high following laminectomy.

Giant cell tumor of the temporal bone--a case report.

BACKGROUND: Giant cell tumor is a benign but locally aggressive bone neoplasm which uncommonly involves the skull. The petrous portion of the temporal bone forms a rare location for this tumor. CASE PRESENTATION: The authors report a case of a large giant cell tumor involving the petrous and squamous portions of the temporal bone in a 26 year old male patient. He presented with right side severe hearing loss and facial paresis. Radical excision of the tumor was achieved but facial palsy could not be avoided. CONCLUSION: Radical excision of skull base giant cell tumor may be hazardous but if achieved is the optimal treatment and may be curative.

Ethmoidal osteoid osteoma with orbital and intracranial extension - a case report.

BACKGROUND: Osteoid osteoma is a benign bone neoplasm which is seen in the long bones of appendicular skeleton. It is rarely seen in the cranium. Skull base osteoid osteoma is extremely rare and has been anecdotally reported. CASE PRESENTATION: The authors report a case of a large osteoid osteoma of the ethmoid with intraorbital and intracranial extension in a 33 year old male patient. He presented with loss of vision in the left eye. The intra-cranial extension was excised through a single burr-hole fronto-orbitotomy. The ethmoid and orbital portions were approached and excised through a Weber-Ferguson incision and inferior orbitotomy. Radical excision of the tumor could thus be achieved through a craniofacial approach. CONCLUSION: Although benign and rare, skull base osteoid osteoma can present with neurological deficit due to its mass effect and involvement of vital structures. A multispeciality team approach is advisable in such cases if radical excision is to be achieved. A craniofacial approach made radical single stage excision of this multicompartmental osteoid osteoma possible with an uneventful postoperative period.

Post lumbar puncture spinal subarachnoid hematoma causing paraplegia: a short report.

A 53 year old male underwent total excision of a large sphenoidal wing meningioma. Patient was treated with cephalosporins and phenytoin for postoperative meningitis. Three weeks after surgery, a follow up lumbar puncture was done. The patient became paraplegic over a few hours. Imaging of the dorsolumbar spine and other investigations demonstrated a large intraspinal hematoma caused by thrombocytopenia which was probably drug induced. After normalising the platelet count surgical evacuation of the spinal subarachnoid hematoma was done. Relevant literature is reviewed.