ABSTRACT
Gliomas are the most common type of primary brain tumors. Although gliomas are relatively rare, they are among the deadliest types of cancer, with a survival rate of less than 2 years after diagnosis. Gliomas are challenging to diagnose, hard to treat and inherently resistant to conventional therapy. Years of extensive research to improve diagnosis and treatment of gliomas have decreased mortality rates across the Global North, while chances of survival among individuals in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remain unchanged and are significantly worse in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) populations. Long-term survival with glioma is associated with the identification of appropriate pathological features on brain MRI and confirmation by histopathology. Since 2012, the Brain Tumor Segmentation (BraTS) Challenge have evaluated state-of-the-art machine learning methods to detect, characterize, and classify gliomas. However, it is unclear if the state-of-the-art methods can be widely implemented in SSA given the extensive use of lower-quality MRI technology, which produces poor image contrast and resolution and more importantly, the propensity for late presentation of disease at advanced stages as well as the unique characteristics of gliomas in SSA (i.e., suspected higher rates of gliomatosis cerebri). Thus, the BraTS-Africa Challenge provides a unique opportunity to include brain MRI glioma cases from SSA in global efforts through the BraTS Challenge to develop and evaluate computer-aided-diagnostic (CAD) methods for the detection and characterization of glioma in resource-limited settings, where the potential for CAD tools to transform healthcare are more likely.
ABSTRACT
Extradural arachnoid cysts develop from protrusions of arachnoid herniating through a dural defect. Solitary lesions are more common than multiple lesions. This report is an uncommon multiple spinal extradural arachnoid cysts, illustrating the value of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis. A 42-year-old man presented with low back pain radiating into the left leg with associated paraesthesia. Magnetic resonance images showed two well defined expansile lobulated collections. These lesions expanded the spinal canal, appearing as both hyperintense and hypointense on T1 and T2 sequences respectively. The lesions were resected and the dorsal communicating channel was closed. He had remarkable pain reduction thereafter.
