World Neurosurg
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Multicenter Study
5-aminolaevulinic acid-induced fluorescence in primary central nervous system lymphoma.
Diagnosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is usually confirmed by brain biopsy and subsequent neuropathologic workup. 5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-induced fluorescence has been established for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in glioma treatment during the last few years and is discussed for use in other cranial tumors. Its role in diagnosis and treatment of PCNSL is still elusive. ⋯ In patients with glioma, the use of 5-ALA is known to be associated with increased extent of resection and survival benefit. Our data and retrospective analysis of a larger patient cohort suggest that the use of 5-ALA in PCNSL should be included in a surgical approach, if this is reconsidered for select patients within a clinical study. In addition, even photodynamic therapy in combination with 5-ALA might be studied.
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Review Case Reports
Small unruptured intracranial aneurysm (≤5mm) associated with epilepsy: report of 2 cases and literature review.
Owing to the continuing improvements in imaging technology, an increasing number of epileptogenic small (≤5 mm) unruptured intracranial aneurysms (sUIAs) are being diagnosed. However, these sUIAs have not been systematically described and reviewed until now. ⋯ The seizures caused by sUIAs are most likely related to subclinical hemorrhages. Angiography may be helpful in identifying seizures associated with sUIA in patients with normal conventional MRI findings. For epileptogenic sUIA with normal preoperative MRI, clipping without damaging the surrounding brain tissue may be sufficient to resolve this complex issue.
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Review Case Reports
First case of primary sellar/suprasellar intraventricular Ewing Sarcoma: case report and review of literature.
Intracranial Ewing sarcoma (ES) and peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors (pPNETs) are extremely rare and poorly differentiated neoplasms. Immunohistochemical and cytogenetic findings support the possibility of a unique nosologic entity. Primary intracranial localization of this tumor is extremely rare; a few cases are reported in the literature, with only some confirmed by genetic studies. ⋯ To our knowledge, this is the first case of primary intrasellar/suprasellar-intraventricular ES/pPNET confirmed by molecular genetic analysis. Extensive investigations, including pathologic, immunohistochemical, and genetic studies, are needed for differentiation of these tumors from other, more common sellar/suprasellar tumors. Our case highlights that an interdisciplinary therapeutic approach is mandatory to guarantee a favorable outcome.
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Review Case Reports
Intra- and extramedullary dumbbell shaped schwannoma of the medulla oblongata: a case report and review of the literature.
Brainstem intramedullary schwannomas (ISs) are extremely rare. Various theories have been suggested to explain its origin. It was first speculated that ISs arise from the region where the nerve roots lose their sheaths on penetrating the pia mater. Later, it was further predicted that ISs would contain both intra- and extramedullary parts and would be shaped like a dumbbell. However, no cases reported previously can support this assumption adequately. ⋯ To date and to our knowledge, there are only 16 reported cases of brainstem ISs, none of which contained both intra- and extramedullary components. We believe this is the first report of dumbbell schwannoma of the medulla oblongata with adequate radiologic evidence. The relevant literature is reviewed, and an assumption has been proposed that dumbbell or surfacing ISs arising near entry zones of sensory nerves, mixed cranial nerves, or ventral root may originate from the aberrant Schwann cells.
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Review Case Reports
Extramedullar Cavernous Hemangioma with intra- and extradural growth and clinical symptoms of Brown-Séquard syndrome - Case report and Review of the Literature.
Primary spinal tumors are rare. Symptoms depend on the size and location of the tumor. ⋯ This is an extremely rare finding; to our knowledge, only 1 case report has been published before in which a spinal cavernous hemangioma had intradural and extradural growth. The clinical symptoms of Brown-Séquard syndrome have not been described before in the findings of spinal cavernous hemangiomas.