A neurocytoma and an associated lenticulostriate artery aneurysm presenting with intraventricular hemorrhage: case report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Hemorrhage associated with central neurocytoma has been described previously, but never in association with an aneurysm originating from a feeding artery. We present the first reported case of a central neurocytoma in a patient with intraventricular hemorrhage caused by rupture of an aneurysm on a lenticulostriate artery that supplied the tumor. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 35-year-old man who presented with an intraventricular hemorrhage underwent magnetic resonance imaging and cerebral angiography that disclosed a right lateral intraventricular mass and a 7-mm fusiform aneurysm from a lateral lenticulostriate branch of the right middle cerebral artery. INTERVENTION: The patient underwent a contralateral transcallosal exploration and resection of the tumor, with excision of the adjacent lenticulostriate artery aneurysm. Pathological review demonstrated that the tumor was a neurocytoma. The aneurysm was discrete from the tumor but occurred on a vessel that supplied the tumor. CONCLUSION: Previous reports have demonstrated that intraventricular neurocytoma may present with tumor hemorrhage. In this case, an aneurysm separate and distinct from the tumor was the bleeding culprit, and the aneurysm was on an artery that fed into the tumor. Any such aneurysm must be identified and treated appropriately for therapy to be complete.     

Subependymoma in the lateral ventricle manifesting as intraventricular hemorrhage

A 32-year-old man presented with subependymoma in the lateral ventricle causing intraventricular hemorrhage and manifesting as severe headache and disturbance of consciousness. Computed tomography on admission showed a massive intraventricular hemorrhage and acute obstructive hydrocephalus. Cerebral angiography revealed no abnormal findings. Emergency external ventricular drainage was performed, and his neurological deficits gradually improved. Magnetic resonance imaging at 5 weeks after admission showed a tumor arising from the septum pellucidum or the floor of the right lateral ventricle, appearing as a mixed-intensity solid tumor, which was partially enhanced following gadolinium administration. The tumor had arisen from the septum pellucidum and was totally removed via an interhemispheric anterior transcallosal approach. Histological examination found typical subependymoma, with little vascularity. Intraventricular hemorrhage from cerebral neoplasms is usually due to highly vascular tumors. Since subependymomas are quite benign and show poor vascularity, intraventricular or subarachnoid hemorrhages are very rare, but do occasionally occur.     

A case of subependymoma in the lateral ventricle with intraventricular hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage attributable to brain tumor, particularly due to benign tumor, is not common. A case of subependymoma in the lateral ventricle, which manifested itself with an episode of subarachnoid hemorrhage was reported. A 33-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of severe headache and transient loss of consciousness, but neurological examination revealed no abnormality except for slight disturbance of consciousness and nuchal rigidity. Lumbar puncture showed an opening pressure over 350mmH2O and grossly bloody CSF. CT scan revealed an enhanced mass occupying the left ventricular trigone. Angiography, however, demonstrated no tumor stain or other vascular abnormality. Preoperative diagnosis was an intraventricular tumor of benign nature. A soft tumor arose from the lateral wall of the trigone was removed subtotally by paramedian parieto-occipital approach. Histology of the tumor was of typical subependymoma with scanty vascularity. Intraventricular or subarachnoid hemorrhage from cerebral neoplasm reported so far, is mostly due to a highly vascularized tumor. Subependymoma is of benign nature with poor vascularity, and therefore, intraventricular hemorrhage from the subependymoma was rarely reported in the literature. On the basis of the findings of angiography, serial CT scans and histological examination, it is reasonable to assume that intraventricular bleeding in our case is not attributed to the tumor per se, but to tearing of subependymal or ependymal veins extremely extended by the tumor growth.     

An infant autopsy case of ependymoblastoma with high serum alpha fetoprotein (author's transl)

This report is concerned with a 55-day-old female hospitalized because of intraventricular hemorrhage from a tumor in the pineal region. Examination of serum alpha fetoprotein showed 7400 ng/ml. The patient expired because of frequent intraventricular hemorrhage and progressive hydrocephalus. Autopsy demonstrated the tumor was ependymoblastoma. No teratomatous component was noticed in the histological examination. High serum alpha fetoprotein in relation to tumor histology was briefly discussed.     

Low grade glioma presenting as subarachnoid hemorrhage

During the last 2 years, we treated three cases of brain tumor that presented with intracranial hemorrhage. Two of the three tumors were metastatic. They presented with hemorrhage into the tumor, but no blood in the cerebrospinal fluid. One tumor was a low grade astrocytoma that presented as subarachnoid and intraventricular hemorrhage in a 15-year-old child. It was removed with no neurological sequelae.     

Intraventricular hemorrhage from pituitary apoplexy

The case of a patient with a massive intraventricular hemorrhage arising from a pituitary chromophobe adenoma is described. This rare and disastrous complication was ascribed to the large suprasellar extension of the tumor and its close proximity to the floor of the third ventricle. Hemorrhage in the tumor extended along the path of least resistance and ruptured into the third ventricle. A partially treated hyperviscosity syndrome and chemotherapy for an unrelated malignancy (multiple myeloma) may have predisposed the patient to the necrosis and hemorrhage in the pituitary tumor.     

Choroid plexus metastasis of renal cell carcinoma causing intraventricular hemorrhage: a case report]

We report a rare case of choroid plexus metastasis of renal cell carcinoma causing intraventricular hemorrhage. A 75-year-old female was admitted to our hospital for SAH. Preoperative examination evoked suspicion of an anterior communicating aneurysm as a cause of SAH. Furthermore, there were lesions on the tuberculum sellae and in the left trigone of the lateral ventricle, which were enhanced by Gd-DTPA on MRI. The patient was operated on via the pterional approach on December 3, 1996, but no aneurysm was found. She underwent total removal of the tuberculum sellae mass, which was postoperatively proved to be a meningioma by histological examination. The intraventricular tumor was supposed to be a meningioma, but it was not treated surgically. Two months later, the patient presented hematuria and was diagnosed as having a right renal cancer and underwent right nephrectomy on March 18, 1997. However, postoperatively, disturbance of consciousness continued. A CT scan revealed intraventricular hemorrhage around the tumor in the trigone of the lateral ventricle on March 21. An emergency operation for tumor and clot removal succeeded in improving the patient's condition. Histological examination of the tumor revealed clear-cell type renal cell carcinoma. Solitary choroidal plexus metastasis from renal cell carcinoma is quite rare: only 5 cases have been reported. But only our case was accompanied by intraventricular hemorrhage. Renal cell carcinomas are divided into two types: a slowly progressive type and a rapidly progressive type. Four cases among the reported 5 cases were the slowly progressive type, and our case was regarded as being of the same type.     

Ruptured saccular aneurysm of distal vertebral artery fenestration managed with Guglielmi detachable coils and intraventricular tissue plasminogen activator

BACKGROUND: Aneurysms associated with vertebrobasilar fenestrations are uncommon. We report on an unusual presentation of such aneurysm with a dedicated arterial pedicle, manifesting with significant intraventricular hemorrhage. Equally important, the aneurysm was managed in a multidisciplinary fashion, which, we think, greatly contributed to a good outcome. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 55-year-old man presented in good condition after subarachnoid and massive intraventricular hemorrhage. The aneurysm location and the extent of intraventricular hemorrhage both presented concerns regarding treatment approach. The aneurysm was first treated with transarterial coil obliteration, and intraventricular tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) infusion was given, with rapid resolution of evolving hydrocephalus. The patient had an excellent outcome. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of a vertebrobasilar fenestration saccular aneurysm with a dedicated pedicle projecting toward the foramen of Magendie with significant intraventricular hemorrhage. In addition, this patient was successfully managed with endovascular obliteration and intraventricular tPA infusion.     

Pituitary metastasis from carcinoma of the urinary bladder mimicking pituitary apoplexy--case report

A 70-year-old male presented with pituitary metastasis from transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder manifesting as sudden headache, transient unconsciousness, and visual disturbance mimicking apoplexy of pituitary adenoma. Computed tomography showed a suprasellar tumor with intratumoral and intraventricular hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an intra- and suprasellar mass lesion mimicking pituitary adenoma. Diabetes insipidus developed soon after. The tumor was subtotally removed. Histological examination revealed transitional cell carcinoma. An intratumoral hemorrhage may be associated with a pituitary metastasis if the patient presents with symptoms such as pituitary apoplexy.     

神经内窥镜治疗原发性脑室出血

目的：探讨用微创技术治疗原发性脑室出血的新方法。方法：应用Karl-Storz硬质神经内窥镜治疗原发性脑室出血31例，其中单侧侧脑室为主的出血16例，双侧侧脑室为主的出血14例，三脑室合并四脑室出血1例。并发急性梗阻性脑积水者24例。结果：手术时间30-60min，平均43.4min。24例单、双侧脑室血肿清除90％以上，其余7例血肿清除50％-90％。术后明显好转和好转25例，无变化4例，死亡2例。1例术后并发脑积水。结论：应用神经内窥镜清除脑室内血肿，具有直视下操作、手术时间短、创伤小、血肿清除率高和术后疗效好等优点。     

Endoscopic evacuation of intraventricular hematoma and third ventriculostomy

We described our experience of three cases treated with endoscopic evacuation of intraventricular hematoma and third ventriculostomy for a tight intraventricular hematoma associated with intracerebral hemorrhage. A steerable endoscope was introduced into the anterior horn of the lateral ventricle contralaterally to the intracerebral hemorrhage, through a 14 Fr. peel-away sheath. First, the hematoma in the lateral ventricle contralateral to the hemorrhage was evacuated by direct aspiration using a syringe connected to the operative channel of the endoscope, and evacuation of the hematoma was subsequently carried on the third ventricle, aqueduct and the fourth ventricle. After the evacuation of the intraventricular hematoma, third ventriculostomy was performed for acute obstructive hydrocephalus. Finally, the procedure was completed with septostomy and evacuation of the hematoma in the lateral ventricle ipsilateral to the hemorrhage. Sufficient evacuation of the hematoma was obtained in all cases and no major complications were encountered. We conclude that for patients with intraventricular hematoma associated with intracerebral hemorrhage endoscopic evacuation of intraventricular hematoma brings about sufficient removal of hematoma, reduction of hospitalization time and prevention of subsequent hydrocephalus.     

Posterior fossa decompression and clot evacuation for fourth ventricle hemorrhage after aneurysmal rupture: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Massive intraventricular hemorrhage due to aneurysmal rupture is associated with a dismal prognosis. An intraventricular clot causing fourth ventricle dilation can cause compression to the brainstem similar to other posterior fossa masses such as cerebellar hemorrhage or infarction. The presence of fourth ventricle dilation carries a very high risk of death within 48 hours. Neither ventricular drainage nor fibrinolytic infusion has been successful in eliminating clots of the fourth ventricle. Posterior fossa decompression and direct evacuation of the clot could have good results in relieving brainstem compression caused by the clot. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 45-year-old woman was admitted to our intensive care unit after experiencing an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The neurological examination at admission revealed that she was in Grade V according to the World Federation of Neurological Surgeons grading system, but brainstem reflexes were present. Computed tomographic scanning revealed a massive intraventricular hemorrhage, with fourth ventricle dilation caused by an intraventricular clot. Bilateral external ventricular drains were placed to relieve elevated intracranial pressure. Cerebral angiography revealed a 1-cm basilar tip aneurysm, which was embolized with Guglielmi detachable coils (Boston Scientific, Boston, MA) during the same procedure. INTERVENTION: Given the patient's poor neurological condition, it was decided that brainstem compression should be relieved. A posterior fossa decompressive craniectomy was performed immediately after coil therapy, with direct evacuation of the intraventricular clot. The patient experienced a clear improvement in the level of consciousness and has achieved a good neurological result at early follow-up. CONCLUSION: Dilation of the fourth ventricle by an intraventricular clot is a sign of brainstem compression that can be relieved by posterior fossa decompression and direct clot evacuation.     

Fibrinolytic agents in the treatment of intraventricular hemorrhage in adults

This paper aims to review current literature on the treatment of acute intraventricular hemorrhage in adults with intraventricular infusion of fibrinolytic agents. A literature search on the topics of “intraventricular hemorrhage” or “intracerebral hemorrhage” with “thrombolytic therapy”, “fibrinolytic therapy”, “urokinase”, “streptokinase”, “tissue plasminogen activator” or “tPA” covering the years 1966–1997 was carried out electronically. This was supplemented by searching the reference lists of the identified articles. Articles regarding exclusively intracerebral hemorrhage or hematoma, neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage, non-therapeutic issues, and laboratory research were excluded. The included articles are summarized in evidence and evaluation tables. Six articles evaluating the treatment of intraventricular hemorrhage in adults with intraventricular fibrinolytic agents were identified. One reports a small randomized clinical trial including 16 patients and appears to show a statistically insignificant preference for urokinase treatment. Five other reports present case series for which a total of 58 patients were exposed to either streptokinase, urokinase, or recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and suggest good outcome. Two of them were with non-randomized retrospective or prospective controls, and three have no controls. Despite important limitations, all reports suggest that blood is more rapidly cleared from the ventricles and outcome is better when administering a fibrinolytic agent intraventricularly. While the experience presented in these papers suggests that intraventricular administration of fibrinolytic agents may be associated with fewer complications, more rapid clearing of blood from the ventricles, less late hydrocephalus, and better long-term outcome than is seen in patients treated with ventricular drainage alone, it is insufficient to recommend such treatment as a matter of policy. Substantial methodologic flaws render these findings suggestive at best. If the suggestive findings of these studies were confirmed in well-designed randomized clinical trials, an important impact on clinical practice could be expected.     

Treatment of severe intraventricular hemorrhage by intraventricular infusion of urokinase

During the last three years, seven patients with severe intraventricular hemorrhage admitted to our clinic were treated with direct intraventricular infusion of urokinase. In each case, hemorrhage extended into the entire ventricular cavity and cast formation as well as an expansion of third and fourth ventricles were found. On the average, both the third and fourth ventricles became clear on the third day and the lateral ventricle on the ninth day after hemorrhage. Five of the seven patients showed good recovery or only moderate disability, and two died. Infection, convulsion, rebleeding, and peripheral or secondary hemorrhage due to the side effects of urokinase was not encountered during therapy.We conclude that this procedure can be applied effectively and safely in severe intraventricular hemorrhage.     

Treatment of severe intraventricular hemorrhage by intraventricular infusion of urokinase

Six patients with severe intraventricular hemorrhage were treated with direct intraventricular infusion of urokinase. In each case, hemorrhage extended into all ventricular chambers, and a cast formation and expansion of the third and fourth ventricles were found. Immediately after the therapy was started (within 7 days from onset of symptoms), reduction of intraventricular hematoma volume was observed on computerized tomography. On average, both the third and fourth ventricles became clear on the third day after hemorrhage; there was one exception, a case of ruptured aneurysm. Five of the six patients showed excellent or good outcome, although two developed delayed hydrocephalus. No infection or rebleeding was observed. The outcome in a retrospectively studied group of five patients not treated with urokinase is also reported. The authors conclude that this relatively easy method of treatment will greatly improve the prognosis of severe intraventricular hemorrhage.     

Bilateral chronic subdural hematoma associated with meningioma. Case report and review of the literature

Gross intracranial hemorrhage associated with brain tumor has been reported to range from 3.6-10%. Brain metastases and malignant glioma are the most frequent underlying pathologies. Intracranial hemorrhage related to meningioma is a rare condition. Subarachnoid hemorrhage, acute subdural hematoma, intratumoral and intraparenchymal hematomas are the most common forms of bleeding associated with meningioma. By contrast, chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) and intraventricular hemorrhage are seen less frequently. The authors report a very rare case of left fronto-parietal convexity meningioma associated with bilateral cSDH in a patient with history of recent minor head trauma and review the literature on hemorrhage associated with meningiomas.     

Benign pleomorphic astrocytoma in the hypothalamus--case report

A 41-year-old woman presented with an unusual case of benign astrocytoma with marked pleomorphism manifesting as consciousness disturbance due to intraventricular hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-enhanced hypothalamic mass protruding into the third ventricle. Despite partial resection of the tumor without additional therapy, there have been no signs of tumor regrowth for 6 years. The histological findings revealed solid proliferation of tumor cells with marked pleomorphism, contrary to the benign clinical course. However, no mitosis, necrosis, or endothelial proliferation were found and the MIB-1 index was less than 0.5%. Immunohistochemical staining indicated the glial origin of the tumor. The tumor was similar to pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, but the histological findings were not exactly identical, indicating a new histological entity.     

Arteriovenous malformations of the lateral ventricle

Nine cases with arteriovenous malformations (AVM's) predominantly involving the lateral ventricle are presented. All the AVM's were small, but caused intraventricular hemorrhage in eight cases. Only two patients had an intracerebral hemorrhage large enough to warrant evacuation. Eight patients were under the age of 40 years at the onset of their disease. Computerized tomography demonstrated intraventricular hemorrhage in eight patients, and after intravenous administration of contrast medium a small area of enhancement with dilated subependymal draining veins was seen in seven. The lateral ventricles were of normal size in seven cases, and only two patients required a shunting procedure. Angiography demonstrated that the lesion was an AVM in eight patients, and did not visualize the lesion in the ninth. One patient suffered a recurrent intraventricular hemorrhage when the AVM was demonstrated, although repeated angiography had failed to disclose a vascular lesion at his first intraventricular hemorrhage 14 months before. All nine lesions were resected by microsurgical techniques, and the results were excellent in eight patients. Of four caudate lesions, three were resected through a frontal transcortical approach and the other was operated on through an anterior transcallosal approach; the results were excellent in three of these patients. Only one (Case 4) was left with neurological deficits; he had confusion and disorientation following a right frontal transcortical approach. Even in the dominant hemisphere, lesions in the head of the caudate nucleus could be safely resected by an anterior transcallosal approach. Two choroidal lesions located in the temporal horn and trigone on the dominant side were resected through a middle temporal gyrus approach, and three thalamic lesions through a posterior transcallosal approach, all with excellent results. In all cases the brain opening required was about the width of the retractor (maximum 2.0 cm, average 1.5 cm).     

Blood clot resolution in human cerebrospinal fluid: evidence of first-order kinetics

OBJECTIVE: To determine the kinetics of blood clot resolution in human cerebrospinal fluid. METHODS: Computed tomographic scans of 17 adult patients with intraventricular hemorrhages were analyzed. Intraventricular clot volume was determined and analyzed over time to determine both a standardized percentage rate and an absolute rate of clot resolution. Results were analyzed by use of regression for cross sectional time-series data. To determine the kinetics of intraventricular clot resolution, the effect of the clot volume on the percentage rate of clot resolution, clot half-life, and absolute rate of clot resolution was analyzed. The potential effect of age, sex, type of hemorrhage, and treatment with external ventricular drainage on the percentage rate of clot resolution was assessed. RESULTS: The percentage rate of clot resolution was 10.8% per day (95% confidence interval, 9.05-12.61 %), and it was independent of initial clot volume, age, sex, type of underlying hemorrhage, and use of external ventricular drainage. The absolute rate of clot resolution varied directly with the maximal clot volume (R2 = 0.88; P < 0.001). The percentage clot resolution data are consistent with events during the first 24 to 48 hours that antagonize clot resolution. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that intraventricular blood clot resolution in patients with intraventricular hemorrhage follows first-order kinetics. The thrombolytic enzyme system responsible for intraventricular clot resolution seems to be saturated at 24 to 48 hours after the initial hemorrhage.     

Pathology of intracerebral hemorrhage in ruptured aneurysms of the posterior communicating artery at its origin from the internal carotid artery

There were thirty-two autopsied cases of ruptured aneurysms at the junction of the internal carotid and posterior communicating arteries in the file of Montefiore Medical Center from 1948 to 1983 (Table 1). The age range of the patients was 11-83 years. Seven were men and twenty-five were women. Fifteen had previous surgery; either clipping of the neck of the aneurysm or ligation of the common carotid artery. Analysis of the hemorrhage associated with the ruptured aneurysms revealed two distinct patterns. One is subarachnoid hemorrhage alone (18 cases) and another is subarachnoid hemorrhage and intraventricular rupture through the temporal horn (14 cases). These aneurysms did not produce a large intracerebral hematoma in the temporal lobe because they ruptured into the temporal horn. Among the post-operative cases (14 cases), only 3 cases had intraventricular hemorrhage. Correlation of these autopsy findings with CT Scans revealed that an intraventricular hematoma in the temporal horn could be interpreted as a large intracerebral hematoma in the temporal lobe.