World Neurosurg
-
Among the rare intraventricular cavernomas, purely intra-aqueductal cavernomas are exceptionally rare. ⋯ We discuss the rationale that led us to treat hydrocephalus with neuroendoscopy, which offered the possibility to directly inspect the intra-aqueductal lesion, make the diagnosis of cavernoma, and treat symptoms resulting from hydrocephalus without increasing the risk of bleeding.
-
Case Reports
BRAF-mutated pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma of the spinal cord with eventual anaplastic transformation.
Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is an uncommon, primary neoplasm of the central nervous system with a relatively favorable prognosis. Most patients are managed with surgery alone and experience significant long-term survival. PXAs occur most commonly along the superficial surfaces of the temporal lobes. Although these tumors may occur in other regions of the brain, their origin within the spinal cord is rare, and it is unclear whether spinal cord PXAs should be managed differently from their intracranial counterparts. ⋯ To our knowledge, our patient represents the seventh reported case of PXA of the spinal cord but is the first described to have a BRAF mutation. Specifically, both the initial and recurrent tumors of the patient showed the same BRAF V600E mutation, which refutes previous suggestions that BRAF mutations may be limited to intracranial PXAs and also shows that BRAF mutations may occur earlier in PXA tumorigenesis.
-
Choroid plexus papillomas (CPPs) are rare benign intracranial tumors. We report a rare case of CPP manifesting with typical symptoms of normal-pressure hydrocephalus rather than obstructive hydrocephalus. ⋯ The hydrocephalus was of a communicating type and caused by CSF overproduction. The lateral route of the trans-CMF approach is useful for the dissection of tumors that extend into the unilateral cerebellomedullary cistern through the CMF. This approach not only enables sufficient exposure for resection but also avoids damage to the surrounding structures.
-
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) achieves excellent local control (LC) with limited toxicity for most brain metastases. SRS dose prescription variables influence LC; therefore, we evaluated the impact of prescription isodose line (IDL) on LC after SRS. ⋯ Our results confirm that SRS for brain metastases results in favorable LC, particularly for patients with smaller tumors. We noted that dose delivery to a higher prescription IDL is associated with small but measurable improvements in LC. This finding could be related to higher dose just beyond the radiographically apparent tumor.
-
Even although microvascular decompression is the standard treatment for hemifacial spasm (HFS), the treatment is not always 100% successful. Some patients experience the reappearance of HFS after temporary relief after surgery. We analyzed our data to elucidate the reasons for and prognosis of HFS reappearance, specifically focusing on exact compressive location of the facial nerve. ⋯ After microvascular decompression for HFS, almost half of the patients experienced transient HFS recurrence despite sufficient decompression of the facial nerve. However, in most cases, recurrent HFS gradually resolved over a period. Based on the compression location, the surgeon could anticipate recurrence of transient HFS.