Intradural Eosinophilic Granuloma Invading Skull: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Eosinophilic granuloma is a localized form of Langerhans cell histiocytosis, most commonly involving the skeletal system. Their origin from the dura is rare with only a handful of cases on record. We present one such rare case of an eosinophilic granuloma originating from the dura mater with secondary osseous invasion in an 11-year-old female child who presented with a swelling in the right parietal region. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an enhancing mass with a wide dural attachment with a lytic lesion in the overlying skull. Right parietal extended craniotomy was done with the excision of mass from the dura. Histopathological features of mass were characteristic of eosinophilic granuloma which was confirmed by positive immunohistochemical staining for CD1a.

Ganglioneuroma arising from the L5 nerve root: A rare case report.

Ganglioneuroma is a rare, benign, slow-growing, well-differentiated tumor consisting ganglion cells and Schwann cells. Ganglioneuromas originate from neural crest cells and can affect any part of the sympathetic tissue from the skull base to the pelvis. However, ganglioneuroma occurring in the nerve root is extremely rare. We describe a 44-year-old man with ganglioneuroma involving the right fifth lumbar nerve root.

Rhabdoid meningioma lacking malignant features: Report of a rare case with review of literature.

We reported a case of meningioma with rhabdoid morphology but lacking histological features of malignancy in arising from the spinal cord in a 28-year-old male. The tumor showed light microscopic, immunohistochemical evidence of meningothelial differentiation together with diffuse areas exhibiting rhabdoid morphology. The rhabdoid areas were characterized by cells with large cytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions and eccentric nuclei. Unlike most cases reported in the literature, this case lacked significant mitotic activity and other atypical features. The diagnostic and prognostic significance of this tumor entity is discussed along with a review of the literature.

Micropropagation and germplasm conservation of Central Park Splendor Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia Jacq. 'A/Ross Central Park') trees.

Micropropagation offers opportunities to propagate, preserve and ship tree germplasm. It also reduces the risk of moving pathogens and insects with the germplasm due to built-in pathogen detection capabilities of aseptic cultures. For the past few decades, our laboratory has been involved in a project to preserve and restore a large, cold hardy, and historically important Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia Jacq. 'A/Ross Central Park') tree. Here we present three simple and efficient systems for its micropropagation, germplasm conservation and distribution: (1) in vitro plant formation from meristematic nodules (MNs), (2) plantlet generation from axillary buds, and (3) in vitro rooting of micro-cuttings from 20-years-old hedged stock plants. Newly flushed nodal segments were used as explants. WPM with 0.5 mg/l BA was found to be the best medium for meristematic shoot development and WPM supplemented with 2.0 mg/l 4-CPPU and 0.5 mg/l TDZ was best for meristematic nodule formation. Rhizogenesis of regenerants and micro-cuttings was best achieved on WPM with 1.0 mg/l NAA and 2% sucrose. Rooted plants were readily acclimatized to the greenhouse ambient environment and continued to grow well under greenhouse conditions. The survival rate of acclimatized plantlets under ex vitro conditions was 100% after 4 weeks. Plants looked healthy with no visually detectable phenotypic variation based on observation of about 1,000 plants. Cycling of shoot explants and MNs through repetitive cultures was effective in scaling-up propagules.

Determination of genetic stability in long-term micropropagated shoots of Pinus thunbergii Parl. using RAPD markers.

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to determine the genetic stability of long-term (more than 10 years) micropropagated shoots of Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii Parl.). Thirty-six shoots consisting of three morphotypes (short, medium, and long needles) were randomly chosen from about 4,000 micropropagated shoots regenerated from the explants of a single nematode-resistant mother plant. Out of 126 primers screened, 30 gave 134 clear reproducible bands. A total of 4,824 bands obtained from these studies exhibited no aberration in RAPD banding patterns among the tested shoots. Our results show that regenerants from our plant micropropagation system are genetically stable.

Rapid in vitro propagation of Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Todaro - an edible fern.

A rapid and efficient in vitro plant regeneration method was developed for Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Todaro (Ostrich fern). Side shoots, originating in meristems of sectioned rhizomes, were used as explant material. A very high rate of meristem multiplication was achieved by culturing the explants in half-strength MS liquid medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l N-(4-Pyridyl)-N'-phenylurea (4-PU) and 0.5 mg/l thidiazuron (TDZ). Multiplication of the shoot primordia was faster in suspension culture than on solid medium. Rhizogenesis and growth of regenerants were best achieved on hormone-free one-quarter-strength MS solid medium amended with 0.4% agar and 1.0% activated charcoal. Regenerated plantlets continued to grow after transfer to soil in a phytotron.

Large exophytic chondrosarcoma of cervicodorsal spine without spinal cord compression : a case report with review of literature.

A case of well differentiated chondrosarcoma arising from the laminae and spinous processes of cervicodorsal spine is reported in a 22-years-old patient. He had presented with a painless progressive mass in the cervicodorsal region, without any neurological deficit. The tumour had a large exophytic growth without any intraspinal component. Radiological appearance of cartilaginous calcification suggested the diagnosis of a cartilaginous tumour. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) from the mass failed to differentiate between a chondroma and a well differentiated chondrosarcoma. The final histopathological diagnosis of the surgically excised tumour was possible only after a detailed radiological and clinicopathological correlation. Total surgicalexcision of the tumour was followed by radiation therapy. A review of literature is included in view of the rarity of this condition and scarcity of similar reports in the Indian literature.

Occipital lobe infarction caused by tentorial herniation in chronic subdural haematoma.

Uncontrolled unilateral supratentorial expanding lesions can cause tentorial herniation. The common complications reported include ischaemic infarction of occipital lobe, brain stem haemorrhages, seizures as well as psychiatric disturbances from residual scarring of hippocampal formation, gaze palsies and death if untreated. We report a rare case of occipital lobe infarction with computerised tomography (CT) findings caused by tentorial herniation in a chronic subdural haematoma with contralateral homonymous hemianopsia and macular sparing.

Craniospinal intradural arachnoid cyst.

A patient with an uncommonly situated congenital intradural arachnoid cyst is reported. The cyst extended from the cervical spinal canal into the posterior cranial fossa and was posterolateral to the spinal cord. The patient's initial complaint was urinary hesitancy. The location of the cyst is unique and the presenting complaint rare.

Intramedullary spinal cord abscess: a case report.

An 11-year-old boy presented with pain in the back, urinary retention, paraplegia and loss of sensations below L1. Investigations revealed an intramedullary lesion. An intramedullary spinal cord abscess was found at surgery. The pus was evacuated and abscess was excised. Minimal recovery was seen following surgery. Early intervention and a high index of suspicion is required in such cases.

Air in epidural haematomas.

Air in epidural haematoma is an uncommon finding. It is usually seen if epidural haematoma is associated with fracture involving one of the air sinuses, but can be seen at times in the absence of any demonstrable fracture on the CT scan. Seven such cases are described in the present communication and the significance of this finding discussed.

Non-missile penetrating injuries of the spine.

Non-missile penetrating injuries of the spine accounted for 7% of all spinal injuries admitted to this Institute during the last 10 years. Young males were most commonly affected and 73% of the injuries involved the upper dorsal und cervical spine. They presented with varying degrees of neurological deficit. Plains x-rays revealed the bony injury and/or the retained foreign body satisfactorily. Myelography (with or without CT scan) was performed in patients with progressive neurological deterioration and those not responding to conservative therapy. Surgery remained the mainstay of treatment and improved neurological function in 7 out of 9 cases. Conservative management resulted in complications such as persistent CSF fistula, uncontrolled fulminant meningitis and septicaemia, with 100% mortality. Early surgical intervention is, therefore, recommended in all penetrating injuries of the spine.

Spinal subarachnoid haematoma after stab injury of the cauda equina.

An unusual case of an anterior stab injury, involving the cauda equina, with a progressive neurological deterioration is presented. Myelography showed a filling defect and surgery revealed a subarachnoid clot. Good recovery followed removal of the clot.