Intraventricular meningioma: case report in infancy

Meningiomas are infrequent tumours in infancy but when they appear in this age group, the intraventricular location is more frequent than in adults. We report the case of a 5-year-old girl with intracranial hypertension and a VI nerve palsy. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a tumoral lesion involving the right lateral ventricle with intense enhancement after contrast administration. It was completely resected through a mean temporal circunvolution route. Histological diagnosis was of atypical meningioma.     

Intraventricular dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour: case report

Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour (DNT) is located in the cerebral cortex with very few exceptions. In this article, an extremely rare case of intraventricular DNT originating from the septum pellucidum is reported. A 25-year-old woman presented with 5-month history of headache. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans revealed a mass in the right lateral and third ventricle which was hypointense on T1-weighted image, and hyperintense on T2-weighted images. No contrast enhancement was detected. The lesion was excised totally using a transcallosal-transventricular approach. Immunohistochemical examination revealed DNT. The patient was discharged without any neurological deficits. Intraventricular DNT presents with symptoms of increased intracranial pressure rather than seizures. Distinguishing DNT from other intraventricular tumours is essential as DNT is characterized by benign clinical course and does not require adjuvant therapy.     

Intraventricular schwannoma in a 15-year-old adolescent: a case report

Introduction Schwannomas are benign tumors that originate from the myelin-forming Schwann cells of peripheral nerves or at the Obersteiner–Redlich zone of the vestibular division of the eighth cranial nerve. Intraventricular schwannomas are rare, particularly among children. Discussion This case report illustrates a right occipital horn schwannoma in a 15-year-old adolescent boy who was successfully treated with surgical resection and discusses the possible origins of the tumor in this unique location.     

Intraventricular brain abscess

Unlike an intraventricular rupture of a brain abscess, a primary intraventricular abscess is rare. While the former usually presents with acute clinical deterioration and carries a high rate of mortality, the latter tends to present in a subacute fashion. In this paper, we present a 62-year-old female with an intraventricular brain abscess. We discuss the pathogenesis of this clinical entity, describe the management options and review the literature on this topic.     

Intraventricular malignant meningioma: one case report.

We report a case of primary intraventricular malignant meningioma in a 74-year-old man who presented with progressive weakness of the left limbs and dizziness, The preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the head initially suggested that a glioblastoma multiforme or a metastatic lesion might be present. But later, the excised tumor was histologically diagnosed as a primary malignant meningioma. So far, only a few cases of intraventricular malignant meningioma have been reported. The MR imaging of this tumor has rarely been described in the literature. In the present case, the mass lesion showed hyperintensity on the T1-weighted image (T1WI) and hypointensity on the T2-weighted image (T2WI) which was not commonly seen in meningioma. The unusual MR imaging of this case may be attributed to the intratumoral hemorrhage. Although intraventricular malignant meningioma is difficult to diagnose based on MR or computed tomographic images alone, the characteristics of the MR images in the present case may offer an option for preoperative differential diagnosis of intraventricular tumors.     

Intramedullary spinal cord abscess: a case report

An 11-year-old boy presented with pain in the back, urinary retention, paraplegia and loss of sensations below L1. Investigations revealed an intramedullary lesion. An intramedullary spinal cord abscess was found at surgery. The pus was evacuated and abscess was excised. Minimal recovery was seen following surgery. Early intervention and a high index of suspicion is required in such cases.     

Primary pituitary abscess: case report

Pituitary abscesses are potentially life-threatening lesions if not appropriately diagnosed and treated. The authors have operated on more than five hundred cases of pituitary tumors and only one represented a case of pituitary abscess. A 35-year-old woman was investigated for chronic frontal headache. CT scan showed a cystic sellar lesion with ring enhancement after contrast injection leading to an initial diagnosis of pituitary adenoma. She underwent a sublabial transsphenoidal approach to the pituitary gland. After dural opening, purulent material was obtained and no tumor or other associated lesion was detected. There was no evidence of current or previous septicemic illness, meningitis, cavernous sinus thrombosis or sinus infection. Cultures were negative. She was put on antibiotics and discharged after 4 weeks. Nowadays, 10 years after treatment, she is doing well, with no anterior pituitary hormone deficit. MRI shows a partially empty sella without residual lesion and the pituitary stalck is in the midline. The early diagnosis and adequate treatment of this life-threatening lesion may result in excellent prognosis.     

Chemical epidural abscess: case report

Spinal epidural abscess accompanies blood-borne infection, vertebral osteomyelitis, or an overlying cutaneous source of infection. This report documents the development of non-infective epidural abscess where the inflammatory response was induced by the highly irritant contents (keratin and cholesterol) of an underlying epidermoid. This was associated with aseptic meningitis.     

Nocardial brain abscess: A case report

Summary A case of nocardial abscess is presented in which the investigation was by plane radiography, angiography and computed tomography. Craniotomy was followed by chemotherapy with good results.     

Odontogenic subperiosteal abscess of orbit: a case report.

Subperiosteal abscess of orbit is an uncommon but serious complication of orbital infection. We report a case of a 78 year old gentleman who presented with bilateral periorbital oedema and proptosis. Computerised tomography of orbit revealed bilateral dilated superior ophthalmic veins. Bilateral carotid-cavernous fistula was initially suspected. Serial imaging showed an increasing bilateral subperiosteal lesion of the orbit. Fine needle aspiration confirmed subperiosteal abscess. A high level of awareness is necessary in diagnosing subperiosteal abscess.     

Epidural abscess causing tetraparesis: case report

A case is presented of a 26-year-old male with a 8-day history of fever and back pain, and limb weakness beginning 24 hours before admission. An abscess caused by a staphylococcus aureus was localised in the thoracic paravertebral region with penetration in the subarachnoidal space at T1. Myelography appeared to be superior to CAT-scan and NMRI of the cervico-thoracal region in supporting the diagnosis. Treatment by laminectomy of C7-T3 48 hours after admission did not lead to neurological improvement and an incomplete tetraplegia persisted. The importance and difficulty of early diagnosis is stressed.     

Solitary actinomycotic brain abscess: case report

Actinomycotic brain abscess is a rare condition with uncertain clinical features. Here we report the case of a 66-year-old immune-competent woman with an actinomycotic brain abscess who presented with sensory aphasia and mild right hemiparesis. She had no febrile episode or headache. Moreover, she did not have any periodontal or oto-rhino-laryngological disease, and the results of laboratory tests were normal. A computed tomography scan showed an irregular, low-density area in the left parietal lobe. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging showed low-signal intensity in a T1 weighted image, high-signal intensity in a T2 weighted image, and mixed intensity on a diffusion weighted image. Thallium-201 chloride scintigraphy showed definite accumulation of thallium in the lesion and the patient's condition gradually deteriorated. Ten days after gadolinium administration, a T1 weighted image showed a multi- lobulated irregular mass in the left parietal lobe. The patient subsequently underwent craniotomy and evacuation of the yellowish abscess. Gram staining of the tissue showed the presence of gram-positive filamentous rods, and abscess cultures were positive for Actinomyces and Prevotella disiens. The abscess resolved after treatment with a high dose of intravenous penicillin G (24 million units/day) for 8 weeks, followed by an oral dose of amoxicillin for 4 months. The patient was discharged with a rudimentary limitation of the visual field.     

Intraventricular tension pneumocephalus after transsphenoidal surgery: a case report and literature review

Tension pneumocephalus is a rare complication of transsphenoidal approaches. The case of a 37 year old woman with a transsphenoidal resection of a pituitary adenoma who presented self-limited rhinoliquorrhea postoperatively is reported. Three days later the patient developed progressive decreased consciousness, amnesia and headache, showing an intraventricular tension pneumocephalus on CT scan. Urgent treatment with bilateral external ventricular drainage and anterior nasal tamponade was performed with good clinical outcome. Later transsphenoidal sealing of the dural defect was achieved without recurrence. Tension pneumocephalus following transsphenoidal surgery usually occurs after the presentation of a cerebrospinal fluid leak due to an incomplete sealing of the sphenoid sinus. The postoperative insertion of a lumbar drainage seems to be a predisposing condition for this complication. The combined approach of tension pneumocephalus with external ventricular drainage and repair of the sphenoid sinus offers optimal results solving the acute neurological deterioration and avoiding recurrence.     

The treatment of multiple intracranial tuberculous abscesses: a case report

Summary A Chinese female aged 2 years 8 months with tuberculous meningitis developed hydrocephalus requiring insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. After adequate anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy for 14 weeks, multiple intracranial tuberculous abscesses developed. The lesions increased in size and number accompanied by clinical deterioration. Repeated drainage operations were performed in view of the increased intracranial pressure. The child made a remarkable recovery after an initial stormy course.     

Persistent periodic hiccups following brain abscess: a case report.

A case is reported of a patient with periodic persistent hiccups and secondary generalised epilepsy lasting for a period of five years following a right temporal brain abscess. The recurring episodes of hiccups had a ten day rhythmicity and unlike epileptic convulsions were unresponsive to treatment.     

Intraventricular metaplastic meningioma in a child: case report and review of the literature

Childhood meningiomas are rare and display important differences from adult forms. We report the first case of an intraventricular metaplastic meningioma arising in a child. A 7‐year‐old female underwent resection of an enhancing tumor arising within the left lateral ventricle. It was composed of monomorphic cells embedded within an abundant myxoid stroma. The cells demonstrated epithelial membrane antigen and vimentin immunoreactivity. Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated intermediate filaments, complex intercellular interdigitations and desmosomes, and a diagnosis of myxoid (metaplastic) meningioma was rendered. This case reflects the higher incidence of intraventricular meningiomas in childhood and greater incidence of intraventricular meningiomas in the left lateral ventricle. Recognition of the grade I myxoid meningioma in this case is paramount since chordoid meningiomas, which share similar histologic features, are of a higher grade and worse prognosis.     

结核性脑膜脑炎并发结核性脊髓神经根炎的临床特点1例报道

目的总结结核性脑膜脑炎并发结核性脊髓神经根炎病例的临床特点。方法对国内文献报道的结核性脑膜脑炎并发结核性脊髓神经根炎病例的临床资料进行回顾总结。结果患者均为中青年,首发症状为头痛、发热、脑膜刺激征等,逐渐出现截瘫、大小便障碍、传导束型感觉障碍等脊髓受累表现,脑脊液检查提示初压高,蛋白、细胞数增多,糖降低,磁共振提示颅内及脊髓病灶伴脑脊髓膜强化,抗结核药物联合激素治疗有效。结论结核性脑膜脑炎患者出现脊髓病变症状体征,需警惕并发结核性脊髓神经根炎,脑脊液结果及增强磁共振有助于诊断。