World Neurosurg
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Treatment for surgically inaccessible medically refractory cerebral radiation necrosis (RN) has remained limited. Recently, laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) has gained traction as an effective means of treating these lesions but limited data are available regarding the effect of ablation size on patient outcome. Therefore, this study analyzed various outcome measures as a function of ablation volume/diameter for a series of 20 patients with surgically inaccessible biopsy-proven RN. ⋯ Although LITT has proved to be an effective salvage therapy for patients with RN, detailed volumetric studies have not been explored. Our results suggest that radical ablations have the potential to increase PFS.
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Infantile myofibromatosis is a rare benign disease of mesenchymal origin. It occurs mostly in infants but can occur in children and adults. It presents in 2 forms: solitary and multicentric. The presence of an orbital component, whether as a solitary lesion or as part of the multicentric disease, is even rarer. Surgery is required when these tumors behave aggressively and grow rapidly or when they are large enough to cause compression symptoms. Several surgical approaches have been described to resect such lesions. ⋯ This case report highlights the advantages of the extended endonasal endoscopic approach in terms of intraoperative and postoperative factors.
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Cervicomedullary compression in young children has been described in the context of Chiari type 1 malformation, with symptoms associated with the extent of tonsillar herniation below McRae line. Historically, Chiari type 1 malformation has been defined by tonsillar herniation of at least 5 mm. However, in certain populations, including very young children, Chiari symptoms may be present without this finding. A new Chiari classification is thus necessary. ⋯ We define a novel Chiari entity, Chiari type 0.5 malformation, characterized by ventral tonsillar wrapping around the medulla in young children in the absence of classic Chiari type 1 malformation imaging findings. These patients are more likely to present with medullary symptoms than patients without VH. They are also more likely to require surgical decompression and respond favorably to intervention.
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Case Reports
Tremor caused by Dandy-Walker syndrome concomitant with syringomyelia: A case report and literature review.
Dandy-Walker Syndrome (DWS) is a rare congenital brain malformation characterized by underdevelopment of cerebellar vermis and cystic enlargement of the fourth ventricle and enlargement of the posterior fossa. The cooccurrence of DWS and syringomyelia in adults is very rare. ⋯ Tremor can be a clinical manifestation in patients of DWS concomitant with syringomyelia in adults. Spinal cord ostomy combined with posterior fossa decompression may be an effective approach for alleviation of symptoms and syringomyelia.
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Case Reports
Interhemispheric Transcallosal Approach for Resection of Choroidal Arteriovenous Malformation: Operative Video.
Choroidal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare vascular entities located deep within the brain and in close relationship with vital paraventricular structures.1,2 Recruitment of feeders from the anterior and posterior choroidal arteries is typical in these lesions.3 We present the case of a 38-year-old woman who presented initially to an outside hospital with an intracranial hemorrhage 17 months prior. Initial computed tomography scan showed a large intraventricular hemorrhage and a right thalamic hemorrhage. She was diagnosed with a cerebral AVM and underwent treatment with placement of an external ventricular drain followed by partial embolization of a feeder with Onyx liquid embolic system (ev3, Irvine, California, USA). ⋯ Drainage was noted into an arterialized vein that coursed anteriorly and inferiorly prior to joining the internal cerebral vein and ultimately draining into the vein of Galen. After reviewing the management options, decision was made to proceed with microsurgical resection via an interhemispheric transcallosal approach (Video 1). The patient tolerated the procedure well and was discharged home on postoperative day 4 with no evidence of residual AVM on DSA and no neurologic deficit noted at last follow-up.