Neurochirurgie
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Spinal tuberculosis is a frequent skeletal involvement in tuberculosis. We report 122 cases between 1983 and 1998 of Pott's disease explored by plain radiographies in all cases, CT-scan in 22 cases and MRI in 6 cases. The lesion involved one localization in 98 cases, two localizations in 9 cases and multiple localizations in 15 cases. ⋯ The diagnosis of Pott's disease was confirmed biologically in 30 cases. Radiographic exploration of Pott's disease is improved by the contributions of CT and MRI which can identify sequestra, perilesional sclerosis and epidural or soft tissue abscesses. Discovertebral aspiration biopsy provides the key to diagnosis.
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A perfect knowledge of the anatomy of the vestibuloacusticofacial pedicle is required to preserve hearing and facial functions during cerebellopontine angle surgery for vestibular schwannoma. A clarification of the anatomy of this pedicle, in particular of its blood supply, is presented here, based on a review of the available literature, as well as on the author's data issued from anatomical dissections on latex-injected fresh specimens, and from radiological images of the cerebellopontine angle. The blood supply to the vestibuloacusticofacial bundle arises from the meatal loop of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery most often exhibited at the porus of the internal acoustical meatus. ⋯ Thus, aside from a direct injury to the labyrinth, auditory function can be impaired through two distinct ischemic lesion types. Although the facial nerve is supplied through three main arterial systems (from the labyrinthine, the middle meningeal, and the stylomastoid arteries), its labyrinthine portion is more likely to suffer from ischemic damage as it is only supplied by meatal arteries. A refinement of our anatomical knowledge of the vestibuloacusticofacial pedicle, from a functional point of view, could arise from laser Doppler measurements of labyrinthine and facial blood flow during surgery, in an attempt to improve our functional preservation rate during therapeutic procedures for vestibular schwannoma.
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Subperosteal hematoma is rarely associated with extradural hematoma and orbital roof fracture. We report a case observed in a 16-year-old boy who developed exophthalmos, diplopia and visual loss after blunt head trauma. ⋯ Surgery led to complete recovery without functional sequelae. We stress the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic exophthalmos.
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Different approaches to the pineal region are described in the literature with high mortality and morbidity. We report our experience with two different approaches (occipitoparietal or infratentorial supracerebellar approaches) for pineal region. ⋯ Total or partial resection of well-defined pineal region lesions by direct neurosurgical approaches can be achieved in most cases with low morbidity. The choice among the two surgical occipitoparietal or infratentorial supracerebellar approaches depends on the size and the location of the lesion in the pineal area, its relation to the ventricular system, the median line and the splenium. Angiographic sequences in magnetic resonance with study of the deep veins are helpful in this respect.
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Case Reports
[Transthoracic transvertebral approach for resection of an anteriorly located, calcified meningioma. Case report].
We report the case of a 61-year-old woman, who developed progressive paraparesia over a period of 8 months. Conventional X-rays of the thoracic spine showed an intra-spinal calcified lesion at T10. On CT-scan and MRI, the lesion appeared anterior to the cord, thus making a posterior approach hazardous. ⋯ Surgical outcome has been unfavorable for a long time in relation with posterior or postero-lateral approaches. Although anterior transthoracic procedures are routinely performed for extradural spinal lesions, this approach is rarely used for intradural lesions. A calcified anterior spinal thoracic meningioma should be managed like the more frequent calcified thoracic disk hernia, despite the increased risk of cerebrospinal fluid effusion requiring subsequent repair.