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Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT), previously termed hemangiopericytoma, is a rare primary intracranial tumor. SFT is classified into grades I, II, and III with different prognoses; grade III tumor has malignant characteristics with a high probability of recurrence and extracranial metastasis. We report the case of a 63-year-old female patient admitted to the Vietnam National Cancer Hospital with headache, dizziness, nausea, ataxia, and loss of balance. Computed tomography showed a markedly enhanced tumor, without calcification, located in the posterior fossa close to the tentorium cerebelli. No changes in the adjacent bone were seen. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a lobular extra-axial tumor with prominent flow voids, a finding that has been seen frequently in these tumors. The tumor was resected following an initial diagnosis of SFT. Postoperative histology indicated a grade III SFT according to the World Health Organization 2021 classification. SFT is often misdiagnosed as meningioma, as they have some imaging features in common. However, we believe that there are some characteristic magnetic resonance imaging features that help to distinguish between these tumors, as well as playing an essential role in SFT grading and potentially guiding the best therapeutic decision.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Training capable and competent neurosurgeons to work in underserved regions of the world is an essential component of building global neurosurgical capacity. One strategy for achieving this goal is establishing longitudinal partnerships between institutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and their counterparts in high-income countries (HICs) utilizing a multi-component model. We describe the initial experience of the Children's of Alabama (COA) Global Surgery Program partnership with multiple Vietnamese neurosurgical centers. METHODS: The training model developed by the COA Global Surgery Program utilizes three complementary and interdependent methods to expand neurosurgical capacity: in-country training, out-of-country training, and ongoing support and mentorship. Multiple Vietnamese hospital systems have participated in the partnership, including three hospitals in Hanoi and one hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. RESULTS: During the 7 years of the partnership, the COA and Viet Nam teams have collaborated on expanding pediatric neurosurgical care in numerous areas of clinical need including five subspecialized areas of pediatric neurosurgery: cerebrovascular, epilepsy, neuroendoscopy for hydrocephalus management, craniofacial, and neuro-oncology. CONCLUSION: Long-term partnerships between academic departments in LMICs and HICs focused on education and training are playing an increasingly important role in scaling up global surgical capacity. We believe that our multi-faceted approach consisting of in-country targeted hands-on training, out-of-country fellowship training at the mentor institution, and ongoing mentorship using telecollaboration and Internet-based tools is a viable and generalizable model for enhancing surgical capacity globally.
