ABSTRACT
Schwannomas are rare benign tumors arising from Schwann cells of the nerve sheath. Although the head-and-neck region accounts for a large percentage of extracranial schwannomas, those located within the orbit are infrequent. This paper presents an extremely rare case of orbital schwannoma arising from the terminal branch of abducens nerve in a 37-year-old female. The lesion presented as a large intraconal mass causing proptosis and weakness to abduct the left eye. Imaging showed a well-defined, solid-cystic lesion, measuring 2.7 cm and displacing the lateral rectus muscle laterally and the optic nerve medially. A multidisciplinary approach was used for the surgical management of the tumor. Access was attained through lateral rim osteotomy. Histopathological evaluation was diagnostic for schwannoma. A search of English literature revealed only five previously published cases of abducens nerve schwannomas. A review of these cases has also been discussed along with the present report.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Tailgut cysts or retrorectal cystic hamartomas are rare developmental anomalies that are believed to arise from the embryonic hindgut. PRESENTATION OF CASE: 9 months old male infant was presented with swelling in the right gluteal region. MRI lumbo-sacral spine showed well defined round to oval lesion which is brightly hypertense on T2W1 and hypotense on T1W1 posterior to sacrum and coccyx with no evidence of connection to the thecal sac indicating cyst. Complete excision of the cyst was done. Histopathology report shows cyst wall partially lined with stratified squamous epithelium and cyst wall shows spaces lined by cuboidal epithelium and nerve bundles with no evidence of malignancy suggestive of tailgut cyst. DISCUSSION: Tailgut cysts are rare congenital anomalies. Most commonly located in the retrorectal space. They are thought to be derived from the remnants of the embryonic hindgut. Age ranges from 4 to 73 years but an average presentation is at 35 years. Female to male ratio is 3:1. MRI is a good diagnostic tool for diagnosis of tailgut cyst. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice as this provides a definite diagnosis and prevents possible complications such as infection, fistula formation and malignant degeneration. CONCLUSION: The aim of presenting this case is its rarity. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Preoperative imaging with MRI is essential to plan the most appropriate surgical approach.
ABSTRACT
Cerebral toxoplasmosis is an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related infection and is one of the causes of CNS mass lesions in AIDS. Toxoplasmosis is the most common cerebral mass lesion encountered in HIV-infected patients, and its incidence has increased markedly since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. Cerebral toxoplasmosis is associated with high mortality and morbidity in patients with acquired immunocopromised state. We are reporting a case of cerebral toxoplasmosis presented with status epileptics and treated with cotrimoxazole. Refractory status epilepsy was controlled with intravenous levetiracetam, which has a unique drug profile.