Neurosurgery
-
The clinical relevance of any scheme for classification of vascular malformations of the brain remains controversial. Widely accepted pathologic classifications include discrete venous, arteriovenous, capillary, and cavernous malformations. Of 280 cases of possible vascular malformations evaluated by a single cerebrovascular service during a 5-year period, 14 were instances of mixed vascular malformations including definite features of more than one pathologically discrete type of malformation within the same lesion. ⋯ In the other three cases, manifestations of clinical lesions were due to arteriovenous shunting within a venous malformation. We conclude that mixed vascular malformations of the brain are rare entities with distinct clinical, radiological, and pathological profiles. Their identification generates several hypotheses about common pathogenesis or causation-evolution among different types of lesions.
-
A rare case of hydatid disease of the lumbar extradural area and of the paravertebral muscles is reported. The patient underwent surgery, resulting in complete recovery. The limitations of computed tomography and the benefits of magnetic resonance imaging in forming a diagnosis are discussed. Magnetic resonance has been found to be an invaluable tool, not only in detecting the soft tissue extent of the disease but also in delineating the viability of hydatid cysts.