RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Cavernomas are rare vascular lesions that can occur anywhere along the neuraxis. However, they are most commonly found in the cerebral hemispheres. Spinal cavernomas are more uncommon and intradural extramedullary cavernomas are the most uncommon as they constitute only 3 % of spinal cavernomas. PRESENTATION: A 36-year-old female presented to our neurosurgical clinic with a history of back pain radiating to the left side of the chest with left lower extremity paresthesia and ataxia without urinary disturbance. Neurological exam showed left-sided hypoesthesia below the T9 dermatome in addition to increased patellar and Achilles reflexes on the left side. MRI showed a homogeneous intradural extramedullary mass which was hyperintense on T1 and hypointense on T2 and it was surgically resected. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of intradural extramedullary cavernoma. DISCUSSION: Intradural extramedullary cavernomas are extremely rare lesions that arise within the area located between the inner surface of the dura and the pial surface of the spinal cord. Up until 2022 only 40 cases of intradural extramedullary cavernomas were reported in the literature. MRI is the preferred imaging modality and pathology is the golden standard for diagnosis. Surgical resection showed very promising results and it is considered the golden standard for treating this condition. However, surgery should be performed urgently to give an optimal outcome. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should consider this condition in their differential diagnoses when faced with progressive spinal root compression symptoms, sudden onset myelopathy, or progressive subarachnoid hemorrhage.
RESUMO
Ossified or calcified subdural chronic hematoma is an uncommon condition with an incidence of 0.3-2% of all chronic subdural hematomas. It can cause significant mortality and morbidity, especially in young patients. Because of the rare incidence of this condition, its pathophysiology and management preferences have not yet been clearly established, which raises the importance of reporting such cases in order to add valuable databases to the literature. Case Presentation: A 34-year-old woman with a history of head trauma several years ago presented with refractory headaches, convulsions, and muscle weakness. Computed tomography showed an extra-axial calcified lesion in the frontal lobe. Surgical treatment was decided considering the patient's age, in addition to the presence of serious medically uncontrolled symptoms. The calcified lesion was successfully removed surgically, and the patient recovered completely. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of ossified subdural chronic hematoma. Clinical Discussion: The symptoms of ossified subdural hematomas are not specific. However, the presence of a history of head trauma should raise suspicion of this condition. Computerized tomography is usually used as the diagnostic method. Nevertheless, it is unable to differentiate ossified chronic subdural hematomas from other intracranial extra-axial calcified lesions that need to be considered as a differential diagnosis. Pathologic investigations are needed to provide the final diagnosis. Conclusions: We highly recommend surgical therapy for ossified subdural hematomas that are symptomatic and persistent, especially in young patients. We further stress the significance of postsurgical anticonvulsant prophylaxis, particularly in patients presenting convulsions.
