Complex spinal dysraphism: myelomenigocele associated with dorsal bony spur, split cord malformation type I, syringomyelia, lipoma and tethered cord.

Variations in split cord malformation (SCM) are known. However, association of SCM type I with myelomeningocele along with same level dorsal bony spur has not been described previously. We report a 1-year old male child who presented with these findings with associated syringomyelia, lipoma and tethered cord.

Treatment Dilemma of Latrogenic Pseudoaneurysm of the Intracavernous Internal Carotid Artery in Young Girl Following Transnasal Transsphenoidal Surgery: A Case Report.

Epistaxis following transnasal transsphenoidal (TNTS) removal of pituitary adenoma can be massive and life-threatening. The intracranial source of bleeding is usually the intracavernous segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) or adjacent branches. Injury to the cavernous ICA can lead to pseudoaneurysm (PA) or fistula formation. Management of PA is different from saccular aneurysms. A timely diagnosis and adequate management can restore vessel integrity and prevent associated morbidity. A young patient of growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma, who underwent microscopic TNTS excision of the tumour, presented with massive epistaxis. Pseudoaneurysm of the cavernous ICA was initially not seen on computed tomography angiography and was later diagnosed on digital subtraction angiography. The attempted management of PA with coils without stent could not stop aneurysm recurrence. The management of such complicated PAs is discussed, and a literature review is done regarding epistaxis in growth hormone secreting adenoma.

Nasopharyngeal rhinosporidiosis with intracranial extension masquerading as juvenile angiofibroma: an unusual entity.

Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic fungal inflammatory disease prevalent in India and Sri Lanka. Its manifestations are mostly nasal and extranasal lesions are relatively rare. Occasional atypical presentations of this disease lead to diagnostic dilemma. Herein we report on a case of nasopharyngeal rhinosporidiosis having extensive involvement of paranasal sinuses along with intracranial extension which mimicked radiologically as juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of rhinosporidiosis having intracranial extension. We discuss the pathology, treatment and briefly review the literature of this rare disease.

Occipital transtentorial approach for pineal region lesions: Addressing the controversies in conventional teaching.

BACKGROUND: The occipital transtentorial (OT) approach is well-established approach for pineal region tumors and can be of choice for the lesions located around the suboccipital part of tentorium such as the quadrigeminal plate, posterior part of thalamus, tentorial surface of cerebellum, splenial region, posterior falx, and lesions around the tentorial incisura. However, it is not very much extensively used in the above-mentioned locations other than the pineal region. METHODS: Thirty-one patients of pineal region lesions were operated by OT approach, the role of conventional preoperative evaluation of the anatomy of the venous sinuses, deep venous system, and tentorial angle was investigated. RESULTS: A variety of lesions were operated using this approach achieving gross and near total resection in majority of the cases (76.6%), with acceptable postoperative mean modified Rankin scales (1.8). CONCLUSION: The OT is a preferable approach for pineal region lesions for patients of all ages and can be tailored for achieving high resectability rates irrespective of the status of the deep venous system and tentorial angle, with reasonable postoperative surgical outcome.

Posterior ischemic optic neuropathy with acute monocular vision loss following clipping of anterior communicating artery aneurysm. A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: The acute postoperative monocular vision loss following anterior communicating artery aneurysm clipping secondary to posterior ischemic optic neuropathy (PION) a rare presentation. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 32-year old patient presented with a spontaneous holocranial thunderclap headache for 7 days, associated with vomiting. The SAH was diagnosed with a tiny saccular aneurysm arising from the anterior communicating artery. A left pterional craniotomy and clipping of aneurysm were done. On the 3rd postoperative day, he complained of left-sided complete blindness, and on the 5th postoperative day, his GCS dropped to E4V1M5 with right-sided hemiplegia. MRI brain showed normal optic apparatus with bilateral ACA and left MCA territory infarct. CONCLUSION: The PION must be kept in the differential diagnosis of post-clipping sudden visual deterioration, especially following anterior communicating artery aneurysm rupture.

Dissection of C2 Guiding to C1 Lateral Mass and Facilitation of Screw Placement: Technical Note.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical intervention at the craniovertebral junction requires preoperative and intraoperative planning to get optimum postoperative results. Careful positioning minimizes the risk of iatrogenic injury and can also facilitate adequate surgical exposure. Tortuous venous channels that are usually encountered as the dissection proceeds may cause excessive bleeding before reaching the lateral mass (LM). However, both localization and placement may be made easier by altering the dissection technique and modifying the patient's position. Traditionally, the military tuck position is described for the dorsal approach to the craniovertebral junction. The objective of this study is to emphasize the role of arc or bow like position, a modification of prone position for adequate placement of C1 LM screw in these cases. METHODS: We operated on 68 patients with atlantoaxial dislocation in an arc or bow position from January 2013 to September 2018. In 58 patients, at least 1 C1 LM screw was placed. RESULTS: This position helped in easy and early recognition with easy trajectory for the C1 LM screw placement and less work force. CONCLUSIONS: Visual axis to the lateral mass of C1 in an arc/bow position with head elevation puts C1 LM more in the visual axis of the operator, which makes the trajectory straight without causing much angulation while inserting the screw. At the same time, the axis vertebra guides the surgeon to the C1 lateral mass with no handling of dura.

Surgical Experience in Pediatric Patients with Chiari-I Malformations Aged ≤18 Years.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to retrospectively study Chiari I malformation patients (<18 years) treated surgically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chiari I malformation patients (<18 years) treated surgically at our institute were retrospectively studied. RESULTS: During the study period between January 1999 and June 2011, fifty patients, aged ≤18 years with Chiari malformation, were treated surgically and formed the basis for this series. There were 21 female children (42%) and 29 male children (58%), with a female-to-male ratio of 1:1. At the last follow-up, oropharyngeal symptoms were improved in 33% (n = 3/9). Headache/neck/back pain improved in 69.56% of children (n = 16/23). Upper-extremity pain/weakness/numbness improved in 73.91% of children (n = 17/23). Ataxia improved in 66.66% of children (n = 4/6). Lower-limb weakness/hyperreflexia improved in 83.33% of children (n = 5/6). At follow-up, magnetic resonance imaging for patients with syrinx was available for 75% of patients (n = 30/50) and not available for 25% of patients (n = 10/40). Syrinx was diminished in size or resolved in 66.33% of patients (n = 19/30) and the remaining was same for 36.66% of patients (n = 11/30). CONCLUSIONS: The main goal of surgery is to arrest the progression of neurological deficits. Foramen magnum decompression with a lax duroplasty is the surgical procedure of choice.

Atypical presentation of cystic schwannoma of the sphenoid sinus: a nonsolitary mass with osseous, intracranial and cavernous sinus invasion.

Although nearly half of all schwannomas involve the head and neck region, nasal and paranasal sinus presentations are quite rarely seen. Cystic schwannoma, characterized by cyst formation lined by S-100 protein positive membrane-like structures is very uncommonly seen in sphenoid sinus with only a single previously reported case. Here we report a young patient of cystic schwannoma of the paranasal sinuses having epicenter in the sphenoid sinus. The tumor had caused extensive erosion of the skull base and paranasal sinuses and extended intracranially that radiologically mimicked as infected mucocele causing loss of vision. This case denotes the aggressive behavior of such uncommon tumors.