Surg Neurol
-
Review Case Reports
Hydrothorax from intrathoracic migration of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter.
The intrathoracic complications of the ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt are very rare. We report an unusual case of VP shunt complication with intrathoracic migration, associated with pleural effusion in a 55-year-old man. ⋯ With VP shunting, it is important to keep in mind the possibility of peritoneal shunt-tip migration into the chest. To prevent this kind of complication, we stressed precise location of a subcutaneous tunneling device above the ribs during subcutaneous passage.
-
Pneumocephalus is a well-known phenomenon in which a fistula between the thoracic cavity and the subarachnoid space is one of its rare etiologies. ⋯ The occurrence of pneumocephalus must be considered when neurologic problems emerge after thoracotomy. It appears that if conservative treatment fails, surgical closure of the fistula via thoracic or neurosurgical approach is indicated.
-
Case Reports
Ruptured aneurysm associated with arachnoid cyst: intracystic hematoma without subarachnoid hemorrhage.
It is well-known that arachnoid cysts of the middle fossa are associated often with chronic subdural hematomas and/or intracystic hemorrhages. However, reports of an arachnoid cyst associated with an aneurysm are rare. ⋯ This is the first reported case of an intracystic hematoma due to a ruptured aneurysm. We discuss the possible etiology of the association between the aneurysm and the arachnoid cyst, and the formation mechanism for the intracystic hematoma that did not result in a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
-
Growing skull fractures are poorly understood complications of pediatric skull fractures. ⋯ Brain/leptomeningeal cyst herniation through a dural rent, without MRI evidence of increased intracranial pressure, implicates physiologic growth and brain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pulsations as the cause of fracture enlargement.