[Spasmodic torticollis caused by metoclopramide: a rare etiology of C1-C2 rotatory pseudoluxation in children]. / Un torticolis spasmodique lié à la prise de métoclopramide: une cause rare de pseudoluxation rotatoire C1-C2 chez l'enfant.

Torticollis in children must always instigate a search for trauma. Many other etiologies can be found. The authors report a case of postmedicinal atlantoaxial rotatory pseudoluxation (AARP) occurring in a child. This child had fallen down in the morning with head trauma followed by headache. Clinically, a stiff neck with an irreducible right rotation of his neck, and an osteotendinous hyperreflexia were noted. There was a C1-C2 rotatory dislocation with no traumatic lesion on the cervical CT scan. After a few hours, the torticollis spontaneously reduced and then reappeared on the left side. This clinical fluctuation and the absorption of metoclopramide (Primpéran) started in the morning for acute gastroenteritis provided the diagnosis of AARP. This entity was confirmed by the good clinical and radiological follow-up and was caused by the substantial ligament laxity of the craniovertebral junction encountered in children. The analysis of medical imaging and the systematic search for a medicinal cause helped make the right diagnosis.

[Chondrosarcoma of the cricoid]. / Chondrosarcome du cricoïde.

OBJECTIVE: Chondrosarcoma of the larynx is a rare neoplasm generally observed on the cricoid. The purpose of this study was to define the most appropriate surgical management depending on tumor extension and histological grade. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three males and one female were treated for chondrosarcoma of the cricoid between 1990 and 2003 in the Ear, Nose and Throat department in Tours, France. There were three grade I tumors and one grade II tumor. Tumor resection by thyrotomy was performed in two patients, total laryngectomy in one and laser desobstruction in one. RESULTS: The patient who underwent total laryngectomy remained in complete remission at five years. Among the two patients who had thyrotomy, one remained in remission at three years and the other experienced recurrence at four years and underwent a second operation. He died five years later due to another disease. Total follow-up was nine years. The patient treated by laser therapy achieved stabilization at twelve months. CONCLUSION: Computed tomography and histological grading enable choosing the best surgical procedure. Partial laryngeal surgery is indicated for small or low-grade chondrosarcomas. For large or high-grade tumors, total laryngectomy must be performed. In the event of patient refusal, laser desobstruction can provide clinical stabilization.

[Management of cerebrospinal fluid fistulae: physiopathology, imaging and treatment]. / Stratégie d'exploration d'une brèche ostéoméningée.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulae can produce leakage through a defect in the bony skull and meninges into the contiguous air-filled cavities at the base of the skull. The major risk is central nervous system infection. When abundant clear rhinorrhea or otorrhea is present, the diagnosis is obvious and imaging is used to localize the fistula. Computed tomography (CT) with millimetric slices and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the most effective diagnostic tools. CT cisternography, an invasive procedure, should only be used when the diagnosis remains uncertain following CT scan and MRI. When CSF leakage is sparse or intermittent, the diagnosis can be made by measuring beta-2 transferrine in the escaping fluid. CT scan followed by MRI are also useful for making the diagnosis and locating the fistula when exterior leakage is absent. CT scan alone is effective for assessing isolated otorrhea. If the diagnosis remains uncertain after all these studies have been used, the patient should be closely followed clinically and isotopic study or surgery should be considered.

Follow-up of intracranial aneurysms treated with detachable coils: comparison of plain radiographs, 3D time-of-flight MRA and digital subtraction angiography.

All patients with aneurysms treated with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDC) are undergo angiography to assess long-term stability of aneurysm exclusion or to show recurrence of the aneurysm sac, which may require further treatment. We prospectively compared the plain-film appearance of the coil-mass, 3D time-of-flight MR angiography (TOF MRA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for the detection of aneurysm recanalisation during follow-up. We studied 60 patients with 74 intracranial aneurysms treated with Guglielmi detachable coils. We used the unsubtracted image of the angiograms performed at the completion of any embolisation procedure and at follow-up as the plain radiographs. Recanalisation was considered if loosening, compaction or reorientation of the coil mass was apparent. TOF MRA was performed to assess the presence and size of a neck remnant. DSA was regarded as the definitive investigation. Comparison of the techniques showed good agreement as regards aneurysm recanalisation. MRA was more accurate than plain radiography and could replace DSA for long term follow- up. The initial follow-up examination should, however, include both modalities. In cases of contraindications or limitations to MRA, the interval between follow-up angiographic examinations could be increased if there is no change in the plain-film coil-mass appearances.

[MRI diagnosis of cavernous sinus invasion by pituitary adenomas]. / Etude IRM de l'invasion des sinus caverneux par les adénomes hypophysaires.

Several MRI signs are helpful for the preoperative MRI diagnosis of cavernous sinus invasion by an adenoma. The first step is to analyse the percentage of encasement of the intracavernous ICA by the adenoma. If this percentage is greater than or equal to 66%, the cavernous sinus is invaded. If the percentage of encasement of intracavernous CA is less than 25%, the cavernous sinus is not invaded. If the percentage of encasement is between 25 and 66%, the analysis of the cavernous venous compartment, the drawing of intercarotid lines and the analysis of the shape and venous compartments of the cavernous sinus are necessary. The cavernous sinus invasion remains very likely if the carotid sulcus venous compartment is obliterated, or if the lateral intercarotid line is crossed. Conversely, if the median intercarotid line is uncrossed, the superior venous compartment is visible, the cavernous sinus is of normal size, or there is no bulging of its lateral dural wall, invasion of the cavernous sinus space can reliably be excluded.