Hémangiome caverneux intradiploïque du vertex : à propos d’un cas et revue de la littérature

We report the case of a 31-year-old patient who had had frontal cephalalgias for several years. CT and MRI anatomical imaging objectified a frontal osteolytic tumor respecting the osseous external table but compressing the superior sagittal sinus. Total en bloc resection of the tumor associated with titan cranioplasty was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. Three months after surgery the patient no longer reported headache. The anatomical and pathological results concluded in intradiploic cavernous hemangioma. We discuss this case and others described in the literature.     

Dilatation du ventriculus terminalis chez l’adulte : à propos d’un cas et revue de la littérature

The ventriculus terminalis (VT) is a virtual cavity of the conus medullaris that appears during embryonic life. The occurrence of its dilatation is very rare in adulthood. Only 27 cases have been documented so far. We present the case of a 47-year-old woman who presented with hypoesthesia and dysesthesia of the lower limb, distal paresis, and urinary dysfunction evolving for the past 5 years. Electrophysiology confirmed radiculopathy. MRI revealed a cystic dilatation of the VT. Surgery consisted in laminectomy with myelotomy and fenestration. Histology showed a simple cubic ependymal epithelium. Progression has been favorable concerning the motor deficit and sphincter dysfunction but neuropathic pain has persisted for 6 months. The data are similar to those found in the literature. The sex ratio is 6:21, the mean age is 45. Symptoms appear on average over 2 years with lower limb pain (71 %), sphincter dysfunction (71 %), lumbago (64 %), motor deficits (57 %), and sensory disorders (47 %). Imaging demonstrated cystic dilatation in the conus medullaris filled with cerebrospinal fluid without contrast enhancement. The histology analysis showed a simple ependymal epithelium with no tumoral process. The fenestration of the cyst allows complete recovery of symptoms in 52 % of cases and partial recovery in 43 %. The VT seems to be a whole nosologic entity in itself. Myelotomy with fenestration provides good results on motor and sphincter symptoms, whereas the benefit in terms of pain is subject to discussion.     

Kystes neurentériques de l’orbite. À propos d’un cas et revue de la littérature

Introduction

Neurenteric cysts defined as a cyst lined by endodermal-type epithelium are extremely rare. We report a rare case of an orbital neurenteric cyst.

Case report

A 19-year-old female presented with an orbital cyst tumor that had cosmetic consequences. The signal of the cyst was not enhanced after administration of gadolinium on MRI examination. The patient underwent surgery due to the increase in size of the tumor. A complete cyst removal including the cyst wall through the inferior palpebral fold was performed. The histological examination confirmed the diagnostic of neurenteric cyst. The patient was discharged home in excellent condition.

Conclusion

This report discusses the clinical presentation, neuroradiological aspect, pathological findings and therapeutic consideration of the neurenteric cyst. We described a rare case of orbital neurenteric cyst. Due to the local recurrence rate observed after partial resection, the goal of the surgery should be a total resection of the cyst with the cyst wall.     

Abcès cérébral à Clostridium perfringens après chirurgie d’exérèse d’un glioblastome : à propos d’un cas et revue de la littérature

Clostridium perfringens is rare in neurosurgery. The source of clostridial brain abscess is usually a penetrating head injury. We report the case of a 57-year-old man who had parietal glioblastoma resection with local carmustine chemotherapy and who presented a clostridial brain abscess three weeks later. Progression was especially brutal, leading to patient's death in few hours. We discuss the etiology and progression of this case compared to the data reported in the literature.     

Hypotension orthostatique sévère et tumeur intramédullaire. À propos d’un cas et revue de la littérature

A 55-year-old woman presented with bilateral neuropathic pain of the upper limbs, motor palsy of the right arm, urinary dysfunction, and postural dizziness. MRI showed an intramedullary cervical tumor with a solid portion extended from C1 to C3 surrounded by a cystic portion. A macroscopic complete resection was performed and histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of ependymoma. Postoperatively, the patient's neuropathic pain and postural dizziness worsened, with syncopal attack while upright because of severe orthostatic hypotension (OH). On physical examination, her supine systolic blood pressure was 130 mmHg and fell to 80 mmHg while sitting with no change in heart rate. We found motor palsy of the left arm, bilateral ataxia, and urinary retention. Three months later, the patient was still bedridden, notably because of the OH. After 6 months, with the association of preventative measures of OH and high doses of a direct α1-adrenoreceptor agonist, a vasoconstricting agent, the patient recovered an independent gait permitting her to walk unassisted. The main causes of OH include medication, nonneurogenic causes such as cardiac insufficiency, and central or peripheral neurogenic causes such as diabetic insufficiency. Brainstem tumors are known to provide severe OH but this symptom has been seldom described in a purely spinal cord lesion. We report an interesting case of severe OH that had complicated the surgical treatment of a high cervical spinal cord ependymoma and we review the literature.     

Efficacité et tolérance du facteur VIIa recombinant dans l’hémorragie grave du post-partum : à propos d’un cas et revue de la littérature

We report the case of a severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) that was successfully treated with two administrations of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa). Two major thromboembolic events (TEE) occurred shortly afterwards: the first was an acute lower limb ischemia at H3, the second was a cardiac arrest complicating a massive pulmonary embolism on day 5. Fortunately, both events had a favorable outcome. This case report allows us to discuss the role of rFVIIa during severe PPH and its potential responsibility in these two major TEE.     

Sidérose superficielle secondaire du système nerveux central : à propos de trois cas et revue de la littérature

Background

Superficial siderosis (SS) is an under-recognized entity. It is due to repeated microhemorrhages in the subarachnoid spaces resulting in a deposit of hemosiderin at the surface of the central nervous system and/or the cranial nerves. The origin of microhemorrhages remains unknown in almost one third of cases and therefore no treatment can be recommended. Through a literature review and new observations, our goal is to detail the outcome of patients with a recognized etiology of SS and treated surgically.

Methods

Series of three cases and review of the literature.

Results

We present three patients with symptomatic SS for whom the origin of microhemorrhages was found. The first two patients complained of longstanding ataxia and neurosensory deafness while the third patient presented with urinary retention, vertigo, diplopia and facial paresis. Neuroradiological explorations revealed a left temporoparietal cavernoma, a fronto-orbital arterio-venous malformation and a cauda equina myxopapillary ependymoma respectively. Surgical resection of the source of hemorrhage was performed in all cases. All outcomes were good with improvement of their SS-related symptoms. These cases are discussed and the current literature is reviewed.

Conclusion

It is important to recognize SS since the treatment of the bleeding source may prevent further deterioration and may even in some cases improve the clinical condition.     

Une tumeur osseuse rare de la voûte crânienne : le fibrome chondromyxoïde. À propos d’un cas et revue de la littérature

Chondromyxoid fibroma is an uncommon benign bone tumor of cartilaginous origin. It is often located in long bone metaphysis. We report a case involving the left frontotemporal cranial vault in a 44-year-old woman. Fifteen cranial vault cases have been reported in the international literature. Surgical resection of the lesion with tumor-free margins is the key factor to cure it and avoid local recurrence.     

Fistule durale intracrânienne à drainage veineux périmédullaire : considérations anatomiques,cliniques et thérapeutiques à propos d’un cas,et revue de la littérature

Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulae with perimedullary venous drainage are unusual type of vascular brain malformations. Patients may present with a rapidly progressive ascending myelopathy associated with autonomic dysfunction, which can cause a misdiagnosis and delay the therapeutic management. These clinical signs must be quickly recognized to avoid a poor outcome. The authors report the case of a 60-year-old woman presenting with a progressive myelopathy due to a dural arteriovenous fistula with perimedullary venous drainage. The diagnosis was suspected on brain-spinal MRI and confirmed by brain arteriography visualizing the arteriovenous shunt in the middle segment of the superior petrous sinus. MRI showed edema in the medulla oblongata. The treatment was performed early by endovascular glue embolization of the arteriovenous shunt and of the origin of the vein. Brain arteriography and clinical follow-up, one month later, showed complete disappearance of the dural fistula and regression of clinical symptoms. MRI control showed the reduction of the brain stem edema. Because of the early pejorative prognosis of these kinds of fistulae, early diagnosis and treatment are needed.