World Neurosurg
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Carotid cavernous aneurysm (CCA) rupture is rare. However, it can result in various complications such as carotid cavernous fistula (CCF), epistaxis, spontaneous thrombosis, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. ⋯ In patients with clinical manifestation of OCS with no history of any predisposing risk factors, diagnosis of ruptured cavernous sinus aneurysm and resulting direct CCF should be considered. In such cases, emergent imaging along with early endovascular intervention can resolve OCS and prevent permanent ocular injury and vision loss.
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Spindle cell oncocytomas (SCOs) are rare neuroendocrine tumors of the posterior pituitary that are often misdiagnosed as nonfunctional pituitary tumors. Fewer than 50 cases of SCOs have been described in the literature, and many of these reports have documented the tumors to be hypervascular on imaging or histology. ⋯ Despite being a rare entity, SCOs should be included in the differential diagnosis when working up a hypervascular sellar tumor. Flow voids may be present on initial magnetic resonance imaging evaluation. Subsequent digital subtraction angiography can be used to further investigate abnormal vasculature and aid in surgical planning.
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The middle meningeal artery (MMA) is an important conduit for the endovascular treatment of skull base and intracranial pathologies including, recently, subdural hematomas. A key aspect of such procedures is to perform a thorough diagnostic angiogram to detect anomalous arterial origins and "dangerous" anastomoses with branches of the internal carotid arteries. Although the most common anomaly related to the MMA is an abnormal origin from the ophthalmic artery, anomalous origin from the posterior circulation is rare. Moreover, its recognition requires a concerted effort at performing a vertebral artery angiogram irrespective of the location of the pathology (e.g., in subdural hematoma). ⋯ The embryologic origin of the entity is briefly discussed, along with suggestions for managing such an anomaly during endovascular embolization.
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To evaluate the usefulness of 3-dimensional (3D) printed models as an aid for the treatment of complex CVJ anomalies. ⋯ The patient-specific 3D printed model would be an effective tool for evaluation of the reducibility of the atlantoaxial dislocation and basilar invagination, decision making in choosing the optimal surgical approach and way of fixation, and precise placement of the screw while protecting the vertebral artery and spinal cord. The risk of neurovascular injury was minimized, and encouraging outcomes were achieved with the aid of this technique.
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A 71-year-old woman presented to our institution with a 2-week history of concentric bilateral left accentuated visual field loss. Examination of her eyes including funduscopy was normal. A gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance tomography showed contrast enhancement of the optic pathway in the T1-weighted sequence that included both optic nerves, the optic chiasm, and the left optic tract. ⋯ During that time her vision deteriorated, resulting in amaurosis on her left eye and marginal peripheral vision on the right. A biopsy of the left optic nerve revealed a pilocytic astrocytoma, which to some extent contrasted the observed clinical course. After discussing the treatment options including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the patient opted for supportive care and died 3 months later.