World Neurosurg
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Case Reports
The Art of Mimicry: Anterior Clinoid Dural-Based Cavernous Hemangioma Mistaken for a Meningioma.
Cavernous hemangiomas account for 5%-13% of central nervous system vascular lesions. They are usually found intra-axially but rarely involve extra-axial structures, most commonly the middle cranial fossa. A cavernous hemangioma manifesting as a clinoid meningioma is extremely rare. ⋯ Anterior clinoid dural-based cavernous hemangiomas are extremely rare. Although preoperative diagnosis is difficult using imaging, this etiology should be considered for any dural-based middle fossa lesion, owing to the tendency for these lesions to bleed heavily during resection in some instances.
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More than 50 years have elapsed since moyamoya disease was initially described; however, the disease etiology remains unknown. Although certain genetic loci and immunologic characteristics are associated with moyamoya disease, this does not fully explain its pathophysiology. An association with inflammatory disease has been postulated but not rigorously explored. We sought to examine the epidemiologic association of moyamoya and inflammatory diseases by analyzing data from a large administrative database. ⋯ Moyamoya is associated with inflammatory disease clusters in both pediatric and adult populations. Further studies are warranted to investigate the pathophysiologic association between moyamoya disease and inflammatory disease processes.
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Distal branches of the C1 nerve that travel with the hypoglossal nerve have been well investigated but relationships of C1 and the hypoglossal nerve near the skull base have not been described in detail. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate these small branches of the hypoglossal and first cervical nerves by anatomic dissection. ⋯ Improved knowledge of such articular branches might aid in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with pain derived from the atlanto-occipital joint. We believe this to be the first description of a branch of the hypoglossal nerve being involved in the innervation of this joint.
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Case Reports
"Sentinel seizure" as a warning sign preceding fatal rupture of a giant middle cerebral artery aneurysm.
Sentinel headache is a well-known warning sign preceding subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) caused by rupture of an intracranial aneurysm. New-onset seizure or "sentinel seizure" preceding aneurysmal SAH, however, is uncommon. ⋯ As with sentinel headache, new-onset seizures in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms might prompt immediate treatment to prevent imminent SAH with its subsequent high morbidity and mortality.
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A 40-year-old man was referred to our center with a 4-month history of progressive quadriparesis. Previous brain imaging revealed no abnormality. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast of the cervicothoracic spine revealed 2 heterogeneously enhancing lesions at the level of C3-C5 and T2-T4 (A); T1- and T2-weighted MRI showed hypointense and hyperintense lesions, respectively, which is characteristic of spinal cord astrocytoma (B and C). ⋯ Though resection was attempted, surgery was aborted due to hemodynamic instability and signal changes in neuromonitoring. The patient stabilized in the intensive care unit and experienced slight improvement in upper extremity strength. After discharge without further complications, the patient was expected to return for further adjuvant therapy/surgical planning but unfortunately passed away 1.5 months after his operation, most likely to rapid disease progression.