[Isolated intracranial Rosai-Dorfman disease: a case report and literature review]. / Enfermedad de Rosai-Dorfman intracraneal. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

INTRODUCTION: Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy, also known as Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is an idiopathic histiocytosis that usually affects the lymph nodes. Occasionally it may affect the CNS, being exceptional intracranial involvement without lymph node lesions. In the absence of typical radiological signs, affected patients are generally operated under the suspicion of a meningioma. The histological diagnosis is obtained after the surgical procedure. It is a clinicopathological entity not well known, controversy exists about its pathogenesis, clinical course and therapeutic management. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 40-year-old male presented two generalized tonic-clonic seizures and brain MRI showed a left parieto-occipital extra-axial lesion extending into the posterior fossa, without presenting lesions at other levels. A partial resection of the lesion was performed and the histological findings were reported as Rosai-Dorfman disease. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its low frequency, the ERD should be included in the differential diagnosis of dural-based masses, compared to more common, such as meningiomas. Due to lack of specificity of additional studies its diagnosis is fundamentally histologic. More research is needed to define the best therapeutic option.

[Remote cerebellar hemorrhage after lumbar spinal fluid drainage. Report of two cases and literature review]. / Hematomas de cerebelo como complicación de drenaje lumbar. Presentación de dos casos y revisión de la literatura.

Remote cerebellar hematoma, a cerebellar hematoma occurring after performing a surgical procedure in an anatomical distant area from the cerebellum, is a rare complication. It has been reported after supratentorial surgery and, less often, after spinal surgery with dural opening with important loss of cerebrospinal fluid. We report the occurrence of remote cerebellar hemorrhage after lumbar spinal fluid drainage in two patients with suspected normal pressure hydrocephalus. They were managed conservatively with good outcome. We review the pathologic mechanism, diagnostic procedures, management and prognosis of remote cerebellar hemorrhage.

[Chordoid glioma of the III ventricle. Case report and revision of the literature]. / Glioma cordoide del III ventrículo. Nuevo caso y revisión de la literatura.

Chordoid glioma of the third ventricle is an infrequent brain tumour that was described for the first time by Brat et al. in 1998; since then, only 39 cases have been reported. We present a new case of chordoid glioma of the third ventricle in a 51-year-old-man that was treated with total surgical removal, with a good initial postoperative evolution. Sudden death, most likely due to a massive pulmonary embolism, occurred in the third postoperative day. We present the histological characteristics of the tumour and review the literature regarding this entity.

Glioma cordoide del III ventrículo. Nuevo caso y revisión de la literatura / No disponible

El glioma cordoide del tercer ventrículo es una entidadtumoral muy infrecuente descrita por primeravez en 1998 por Brat y colaboradores; desde entoncesse han descrito en la literatura tan sólo 39 casos. Presentamosun nuevo caso de glioma cordoide del tercerventrículo en un paciente varón de 51 años, que fuetratado mediante resección quirúrgica completa, conbuena evolución en el postoperatorio inmediato, peroque falleció súbitamente tres días después de la intervenciónpor un probable embolismo pulmonar. Presentamoslas características histológicas del tumor yrealizamos una revisión de la literatura

Chordoid glioma of the third ventricle is an infrequentbrain tumour that was described for the firsttime by Brat et al. in 1998; since then, only 39 caseshave been reported. We present a new case of chordoidglioma of the third ventricle in a 51-year-old-man thatwas treated with total surgical removal, with a good initialpostoperative evolution. Sudden death, most likelydue to a massive pulmonary embolism, occurred in thethird postoperative day. We present the histologicalcharacteristics of the tumour and review the literatureregarding this entity

Hernias discales calcificadas en la infancia / Calcified disc herniation in childhood

Las calcificaciones de los discos intervertebrales son muy infrecuentes en la infancia. Aunque su etiologíano está clara, se sabe que no se relacionan con procesos degenerativos. Cursan con clínica inespecífica de raquialgias, contracturas musculares y, a veces, febrícula. Aunque ocasionalmente estos discos se hernian, causando dolor radicular o, mucho más raramente, déficits neurológicos o disfagia, la clínica desaparece en la mayor parte de los casos con tratamiento conservador, y sólo excepcionalmente se precisan tratamientos más agresivos. En nuestra revisión de la literatura hemos encontrado solamente17 casos que requirieron tratamiento quirúrgico. En dos de estos casos el paciente estaba previamente diagnosticado de calcificaciones intervertebrales idiopáticas, pero no se habían descartado hernias preexistentes mediante resonancia magnética (RM). Presentamos un nuevo caso de una paciente diagnosticada a la edad de 10 años decalcificaciones discales idiopáticas, sin hernias discales en la RM, en la que 4 años después uno de los discos cervicales calcificados se hernió presentando un cuadro de radiculopatía cervical con déficit motor, precisando discectomía y artrodesis intersomática. Consideramos que este caso prueba definitivamente la teoría de Heinrichy cols., que considera la hernia calcificada en la infancia como la complicación de una patología previa, la calcificación del disco intervertebral. Se discuten los aspectos clínicos y terapéuticos de esta entidad

Calcification of intervertebral discs is a rare occurrence in children. Although the etiology of the calcification remains uncertain, it is no related with degenerative diseases. The clinical picture is non specific with neck pain, muscle contractures and, sometimes, low-grade fever. These symptoms generally disappear spontaneously, and surgery rarely becomes necessary. In our review of the literature, we have found only seventeen cases requiring surgical management. Two of these children had been previously diagnosed with calcified intervertebral discs, but at the time no herniation had been ruled out with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We report the case of a girl who was diagnosed, when she was ten years old, with intervertebral idiopatic calcifications. Four years later she presented with radiculopathy caused by the posterolateral displacement of a calcified cervical disc, wich required operative management. We think that this case supports the theory of Heinrich et al. that considers that the calcified hernia is a complication of a previous pathology, namely intervertebral calcification. Clinical and therapeutic aspects of this entity are discussed

[Calcified disc herniation in childhood]. / Hernias discales calcificadas en la infancia.

Calcification of intervertebral discs is a rare occurrence in children. Although the etiology of the calcification remains uncertain, it is no related with degenerative diseases. The clinical picture is non specific with neck pain, muscle contractures and, sometimes, low-grade fever. These symptoms generally disappear spontaneously, and surgery rarely becomes necessary. In our review of the literature, we have found only seventeen cases requiring surgical management. Two of these children had been previously diagnosed with calcified intervertebral discs, but at the time no herniation had been ruled out with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We report the case of a girl who was diagnosed, when she was ten years old, with intervertebral idiopatic calcifications. Four years later she presented with radiculopathy caused by the posterolateral displacement of a calcified cervical disc, which required operative management. We think that this case supports the theory of Heinrich et al. that considers that the calcified hernia is a complication of a previous pathology, namely intervertebral calcification. Clinical and therapeutic aspects of this entity are discussed.

[Pyogenic brain abscesses: experience with 60 consecutive cases]. / Abscesos piógenos encefálicos. Nuestra experiencia en 60 casos consecutivos.

INTRODUCTION: Brain abscess is a focal suppurative process in the brain parenchyma that still carries high mortality rates. Outcome is closely related with a correct and early management. In order to evaluate this management we have reviewed the brain abscesses treated in our Department during the last 14 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors present a retrospective series of 60 consecutive patients with pyogenic brain abscess treated between January of 1990 and February of 2004 paying attention to the epidemiology, etiology, clinical data, microbiology, treatment modalities and outcome. RESULTS: The male to female rate was 5.6 to 1. The average age was 47 years. Hematogenous spread was most frequent, followed by contiguous spread. In 22% of the cases, the origin was unknown. Regarding the causative pathogens, Gram positive cocci are the most frequent (44%), with a 40% incidence of anaerobics. A mixed infection occurred in 39% of the abscesses. Three modalities of treatment were used: non surgical, catheter drainage-aspiration and surgical excision. Outcome was excellent in 52 patients (86.7%) and 4 patients (6.7%) died. Although outcome was similar in both surgical modalities, drainage-aspiration required a second procedure in 20% of the cases while this was necessary in only 10% of the patients with abscess excision. Length of admission was shorter in the drainage-aspiration group than in the excision group (13 and 26 days respectively). Mortality was higher in patients with low level of consciousness and age over 70 years. CONCLUSIONS: The shorter admission time associated with drainage-aspiration of brain abscesses together with its high efficacy and low morbidity suggests that drainage-aspiration should be used as the first mode of treatment.

[Pseudo-emesis gravidarum caused by complicated cerebral venous angioma]. / Seudoemesis gravídica causada por angioma venoso cerebral complicado.

INTRODUCTION: Emesis gravidarum is a common pathology rarely requiring hospitalization to control hydroelectrolytic and metabolic alterations. Although it is typical in the first quarter of pregnancy, it can appear in any moment of the gestation. On the other hand, venous angioma (VA) is the most frequent cerebral vascular malformation. In fact, it is a variant of the normal venous drainage of the brain and it is usually an incidental finding. VA is rarely symptomatic, unless associated with cavernous angiomas. Although uncommon, the clinical complications are very varied, bleeding being the most severe one. CASE REPORT: We describe a 27 weeks pregnant healthy woman, with repetitive vomiting that was classified like emesis gravidarum. The study was enlarged due to the reappearance of vomiting, accompanied by migraine, bradypsychia and confusional state. Neuroradiological studies showed a choroid plexus haematoma from left lateral ventricle to third ventricle, secondary to the existence of a left parietal VA, without demonstration of associated cavernous angioma. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is rare, a supratentorial VA, without associated cavernous angioma, may lead to intraventricular hemorrhage. Gestation is the only risk factor associated to VA. By itself, it supposes a tendency to develop ischemic and hemorrhagic, arterial and venous vascular complications.

Abscesos piógenos encefálicos. Nuestra experiencia en 60 casos consecutivos / Pyogenic brain abscesses: experience with 60 consecutive cases

Introducción. El absceso cerebral es un proceso supurativo focal en el parénquima cerebral que todavía presenta una elevada mortalidad. El resultado está altamente relacionado con un tratamiento precoz y adecuado. Para valorar dicho tratamiento revisamos los abscesos cerebral es tratados en nuestro Servicio en los últimos 14 años. Material y métodos. Presentamos una revisión de los60 pacientes con diagnóstico de absceso cerebral piógeno tratados en el Servicio de Neurocirugía del Hospital Infanta Cristina entre Enero de 1990 y Febrero de 2004, prestando atención a la epidemiología, clínica, etiología, microbiología, tratamiento y resultado final. Resultados. La relación hombre/mujer es 5.6/1, con una edad media de 47 años; el origen de la infección más frecuente es el hematógeno, seguido de las infecciones contiguas, con un 22% de abscesos de origen desconocido; los gérmenes más frecuentes son los cocos Gram positivos (44%), con una importante presencia de gérmenes anaerobios (40%); en un 39% de los casos las infecciones son mixtas; las modalidades de tratamiento fueron la punción de los abscesos para aspiración-drenaje, la cirugía abierta, con o sin resección capsular, y el tratamiento médico exclusivo. 52 pacientes (86.7 %)curaron sin secuelas y 4 (6,7 %) fallecieron. Aunque los resultados de ambos tipos de tratamiento quirúrgico son similares, el drenaje del absceso requirió en un 20%de los casos un segundo proceder quirúrgico, mientras que la craneotomía lo precisó sólo en el 10%; la estancia media en nuestro hospital fue mucho menor en los abscesos tratados mediante drenaje que en los tratados mediante cirugía abierta (13 vs 26 días); la mortalidad fue mayor en pacientes con bajo nivel de conciencia al ingreso y en mayores de 70 años. Conclusiones. Consideramos que la menor estancia media del drenaje del absceso, unido a su alta eficacia y su baja morbilidad, hacen aconsejable su uso como tratamiento de primera elección

Introduction. Brain abscess is a focal suppurative process in the brain parenchyma that still carries high mortality rates. Outcome is closely related with a correct and early management. In order to evaluate this management we have reviewed the brain abscesses treated in our Department during the last 14 years. Material and Methods. The authors present a retrospective series of 60 consecutive patients with pyogenic brain abscess treated between January of 1990 and February of 2004 paying attention to the epidemiology, etiology, clinical data, microbiology, treatment modalities and outcome Results. The male to female rate was 5.6 to 1. The average age was 47 years. Hematogenous spread was most frequent, followed by contiguous spread. In 22%of the cases, the origin was unknown. Regarding the causative pathogens, Gram positive cocci are the most frequent (44%), with a 40% incidence of an aerobics. A mixed infection occurred in 39% of the abscesses. Three modalities of treatment were used: non surgical,catheter drainage-aspiration and surgical excision. Outcome was excellent in 52 patients (86.7%) and 4patients (6.7%) died. Although outcome was similar in both surgical modalities, drainage-aspiration required a second procedure in 20% of the cases while this was necessary in only 10% of the patients with abscess excision. Length of admission was shorter in the drainage aspiration group than in the excision group (13 and 26 days respectively). Mortality was higher in patients with low level of consciousness and age over 70 years. Conclusions. The shorter admission time associated with drainage-aspiration of brain abscesses together with its high efficacy and low morbidity suggests that drainage aspiration should be used as the first mode of treatment

Seudoemesis gravídica causada por angioma venoso cerebral complicado / Pseudo-emesis gravidarum caused by complicated cerebral venous angioma

Introducción. La emesis en el embarazo es una patología frecuente que rara vez requiere hospitalización para controlar alteraciones hidroelectroliticas y metabólicas. Aunque es típica del primer trimestre del embarazo, puede aparecer en cualquier momento de la gestación. Por otra parte, el angioma venoso (AV) constituye el tipo de malformación vascular cerebral más frecuente. En realidad es una variante del drenaje venoso normal del cerebro y suele ser un hallazgo casual. Raramente es sintomático, a no ser que se relacione con la existencia de cavernomas. Aunque infrecuentes, las complicaciones clínicas son muy variadas, siendo el sangrado la más severa. Caso clínico. Se trata de una mujer sana, gestante de 27 semanas, con vómitos de repetición que se catalogó como una emesis gravídica. La reaparición de los vómitos, acompañados de cefalea, bradipsiquia y estado confusional hizo ampliar el estudio. Las pruebas de neuroimagen revelaron la presencia de un hematoma del plexo coro ideo del ventriculo lateral izquierdo que llegaba hasta el 111 ventrículo, secundario a la existencia de un AV parietal izquierdo, sin encontrar un cavernoma asociado. Conclusiones. Aunque es excepcional, un AV supratentorial, sin cavernoma asociado, puede complicarse con una hemorragia intraventricular. El único factor de riesgo asociado al AV que se encontró fue la propia gestación ya que por sí misma supone una tendencia a desarrollar complicaciones vasculares arteriales y venosas, tanto isquémicas como hemorrágicas

Introduction. Emesis gravidarum is a common pathology rarely requiring hospitalization to control hydroelectrolytic and metabolic alterations. Although it is typical in the first quarter of pregnancy, it can appear in any moment of the gestation. On the other hand, venous angioma (VA) is the most frequent cerebral vascular malformation. In fact, it is a variant of the normal venous drainage of the brain and it is usually an incidental finding. VA is rarely symptomatic, unless associated with cavernous angiomas. Although uncommon, the clinical complications are very varied, bleeding being the most severe one. Case report. We describe a 27 weeks pregnant healthy woman, with repetitive vomiting that was classified like emesis gravidarum. The study was enlarged due to the reappearance of vomiting, accompanied by migraine, bradypsychia and confusional state. Neuroradiological studies showed a choroid plexus haematoma from left lateral ventricle to third ventricle, secondary to the existence of a left parietal VA, without demonstration of associated cavemous angioma. Conclusions. Although it is rare, a supratentorial VA, without associated cavemous angioma, may lead to intraventricular hemorrhage. Gestation is the only risk factor associated to VA. By itself, it supposes a tendency to develop ischemic and hemorragic, arterial and venous vascular complications

Anterior cervical osteophyte causing dysphagia as a complication of laminectomy.

Asymptomatic osteophytes of the anterior margins of the cervical vertebral bodies (VB) may occur in 20 - 30% of the population. On rare occasions, dysphagia or dyspnoea may be caused by such cervical osteophytes. We present the case of a 27-year-old woman with progressive dysphagia caused by a voluminous osteophyte secondary to chronic cervical instability after a laminectomy performed 8 years before. Progressive growth of the osteophyte was observed in sequential roentgenograms. As far as we know, this complication of cervical laminectomy has never been reported before. After resection of the osteophyte and arthrodesis of the affected segment the patient was cured.

[Hemifacial spasm as clinical presentation of intracranial meningiomas. Report of three cases and review of the literature]. / Espasmo hemifacial como presentación clínica de meningiomas intracraneales. Presentación de 3 casos y revisión de la literatura.

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a clinical entity consisting of brief clonic jerking movements of the facial musculature, beginning in the orbicularis oculi with downward spreading to other facial muscles. Apart from vascular loop compression at the root exit zone of the facial nerve, other causes of HFS are rare. It is exceptional as a form of presentation of intracranial meningiomas We report three cases of patients with meningiomas who presented with HFS, either as an isolated sign or associated with symptoms of rise intracranial pressure or focal deficit. We review the literature and discuss the possible physiopathological mechanisms responsible for this association.

[Cocaine abuse as precipitating factor of tumoral bleeding in an oligoastrocitoma]. / Consumo de cocaína como desencadenante de hemorragia en un oligoastrociloma.

Cocaine abuse has been associated with a variety of intracranial haemorrhagic disorders, such as intracerebral, subdural or subarachnoidal haemorrhage. Frequently, these patients harbour underlying vascular malformations, like cerebral aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations (AVM). To the best of our knowledge only two cases of tumoral haemorrhage induced by cocaine abuse have been previously reported. We describe a new case of intracerebral haemorrhage after cocaine inhalation, in which both the preoperative imaging studies and the pathological examination showed a brain tumour as the origin of the haemorrhage. We think that cocaine abuse may be considered as a new precipitating factor in intratumoral haemorrhage.

Espasmo hemifacial como presentación clínica de meningiomas intracraneales. Presentación de 3 casos y revisión de la literatura / Hemifacial spasm as clinical presentation of intracranial meningiomas. Report of three cases and review of the literature

El espasmo hemifacial (EH) constituye una entidad clínica caracterizada por contracciones tónico-clónicas de carácter involuntario de la musculatura inervada por el nervio facial. Como forma de presentación de meningiomas intracraneales es excepcional. Presentamos tres casos de pacientes con meningiomas cuya presentación clínica fue en forma de EH, bien de forma aislada o asociado a sintomatología de hipertensión intracraneal o déficit neurológico focal. Se revisa la literatura y se discuten los posibles mecanismos fisiopatológicos que puedan intervenir en esta asociación

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a clinical entity consisting of brief clonic jerking movements of the facial musculature, beginning in the orbicularis oculi with downward spreading to other facial muscles. Apart from vascular loop compression at the root exit zone of the facial nerve, other causes of HFS are rare. It is excepcional as a form of presentation of intracranial meningiomas We report three cases of patients with meningiomas who presented with HFS, either as an isolated sign or associated with symptoms of rise intracranial pressure or focal déficit. We review the literature and discuss the possible physiopathological mechanisms responsible for this association

[Contralateral extradural hematoma during evacuation of a previous one]. / Desarrollo introperatorio de un hematoma extradural contralateral a otro previo.

The development of an extradural hematoma during the evacuation of a traumatic extracerebral hematoma is a very rare event. It occurs in patients with a severe head injury that present with both an extraaxial hematoma and a contralateral skull fracture. Recognition of the significance of a sudden increase in the cerebral tension after hematoma evacuation is the key for a pront diagnosis of the development of a contralateral lesion. We present the case of a patient with a severe head trauma and an extradural hematoma who developed a contralateral extradural hematoma during evacuation of the initial one. The development of a contralateral lesion was suspected by a sudden and unexpected increase in cerebral tension during evacuation of the first hematoma and confirmed by emergency CT scan. We think that the most important pathogenetic mechanisms involved in the development of a contralateral extradural hematoma are the rapid fall of intracranial pressure, the loss of tamponade effect achieved by the energetic use of antiedema measures and the evacuation of the ipsilateral hematoma.

[Contralateral mesencephalic injury due to tentorial uncal herniation. Magnetic resonance imaging of the Kernohan's notch]. / Lesión mesencefálica contralateral por hernia cerebral. Imagen en resonancia magnética de la hendidura de Kernohan (Kernohan's notch).

We report a case of a traumatic epidural hematoma with ipsilateral hemiparesis, due to the so-called Kernohan's notch. We document the injury with axial and coronal magnetic resonance imaging.

[Anterior cervical interbody fusion with treathed cylindrical bone versus bak-cace: a comparative study]. / Estudio camparativo de la artrodesis cervical con injerto óseo roscado e implante de titanio.

The authors conducted a prospective and randomized study in 44 consecutive patients requiring cervical interbody fusion following anterior cervical discectomy to compare the efficacy of heterologous threaded cylindrical bone (Unilab Surgibone) versus titanium implant (Bak-C; Spine-Tech, Minneapolis ). The patients were evaluated between two and five years postoperatively and the objectives of the study were to assess the potential differences in implant shifting, interespace collapse, angulation, maintenance of cervical alignment and lordosis, and clinical and radiographic fusion success rates between the two fusion substrates. Clinical results were satisfactory with both types of implant. However the threaded cylindrical titanium implant was found to be superior to the heterologous threaded cylindrical bone as an interbody substrate after single -and multiple- level anterior cervical decompression procedures with respect to maintenance of cervical interspace height, interspace angulation and radiographic fusion success rates.

[Isolated oculomotor palsy. An unusual presentation of chronic subural hematoma]. / Parálisis completa del tercer par craneal como forma de presentación en hematoma subdural crónico.

Isolated oculomotor palsy is an unusual symptom in chronic subdural hematomas and it is very rare as initial manifestation. We report a patient with a chronic subdural hematoma that presented with a complete third nerve palsy and normal consciousness. Complete recovery was achieved after surgical evacuation. Rebleeding within the hematoma cavity, most possibly favored by antiaggregating agents, was considered responsible for this rare presentation. In these cases expeditious surgical evacuation is indicated.

Parálisis completa del tercer par craneal como forma de presentación en hematoma subdural crónico / Isolated oculomotor palsy. An unusual presentation of chronic subural hematoma

La parálisis aislada del nervio motor ocular común es un síntoma raro en los hematomas subdurales crónicos (HSDC) y excepcional si lo consideramos como forma de presentación. Comunicamos el caso de un paciente con HSDC que presentó como comienzo una parálisis completa del tercer par craneal, con nivel de conciencia conservado y recuperación completa de su déficit tras la intervención quirúrgica. Consideramos que el resangrado en el interior de la cavidad del hematoma, favorecido por la toma de antiagregantes plaquetarios, pudo provocar esta sintomatología de herniación uncal. En estos casos está indicada la intervención quirúrgica urgente. (AU)

[Rapid spontaneous resolution of acute subdural hematoma]. / Resolución precoz espontánea de hematoma subdural agudo intracraneal.

Acute subdural hematomas are usually neurosurgical emergencies, although a conservative therapy is indicated in selected cases. In some of these patients a progressive resolution is appreciated. However, rapid spontaneous resolution of an acute suddural hematoma is seldom reported. A patient with antecedent of chronic alcoholism and spontaneous resolution of acute subdural hematoma in less than 18 hours after the head injury is described. The possible mechanisms of this rapid resolution are discussed. A tear in the arachnoid with spilling of CSF into the subdural space and the effect of intracranial antihypertensive measures together with cerebral atrophy, are factors that possibly contribute to dilution and redistribution of blood with hematoma disappearing in CT scan.