Neurinoma in the cavernous sinus: report of two cases

Two cases of trigeminal neurinoma located solely in the cavernous sinus are reported. Preoperatively, magnetic resonance imaging provided the accurate localization of the lesions, allowing precise planning of the surgical approach, that is, a subtemporal lateral approach and a pterional superior approach, respectively. The neurinomas inside the cavernous sinus were removed successfully, and the patients developed no new neurological deficits except for anesthesia in the 1st division of the trigeminal nerve. The characteristic magnetic resonance imaging findings of trigeminal neurinoma in the cavernous sinus are presented, and the different surgical approaches are discussed.     

Direct surgical management of aneurysms in the cavernous sinus: a report of 5 cases

Five patients with aneurysms in the cavernous sinus were treated by direct surgical approach. Two small aneurysms were located in the C3 segment, one small aneurysm was on the primitive trigeminal artery (PTA), and the last two aneurysms were giant ones. The three small aneurysms were discovered incidentally by angiography and the two giant aneurysms presented oculomotor palsy. After ordinary fronto-temporal craniotomy, the two C3 aneurysms were treated through an intradural approach, and the PTA aneurysm and the two giant aneurysms were treated through combined epi- and subdural approach. The three small aneurysms were clipped and the two giant aneurysms were trapped with the reconstruction of ICA by saphenous veins. In all cases the aneurysms were excluded postoperatively, but in one giant-aneurysm case (Case 5) the bypass was occluded postoperatively, but the patient had no permanent neurological deficit. The four patients developed third nerve palsy and one developed fourth nerve palsy which resolved within 3 to 6 months. In one C3-aneurysm case (case i) the patient had loss of vision due to much packing in the medial side of the ICA. All patients were discharged and returned to their usual life. Three cases (case 2, 4, 6) are presented here and the problems of direct surgical management of aneurysms in the cavernous sinus are discussed with the related literature.     

Spinal cavernous malformations: a report of 5 cases

BACKGROUND: This is a report of 5 patients treated surgically for SCMs. METHODS: During the period from 1998 to 2003, 5 patients (4 male and 1 female) harboring SCMs were treated surgically (all of them underwent complete surgical removal). Patients' ages ranged between 22 and 57 years (mean age, 46 years). Median duration of symptoms was 31 months (1-120 months). Diagnosis was made by MRI scan showing lesions in length of 1 to 6 cm in diameter (mean length, 2.9 cm). Three lesions were found in the cervical, one in the upper dorsal, and one in the lower dorsal cord. One of them was located extradurally, one of them intradural extramedullary, and 3 of them intramedullary. RESULTS: An MRI examination showing total removal was performed postoperatively in each patient (the postoperative MRI examinations revealed total removal in all cases). The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 4 years (mean, 27 months). All patients showed clinical improvement, with 3 of them worsening early in the postoperative period but doing better in long-term follow-up (although 3 of 5 patients had worse neurological examinations in the early postoperative period, all recovered in long-term follow-up and clinically improved relative to preoperative status). CONCLUSION: Neurological status of the patients can worsen in the early postoperative period, causing intramedullary operation; but it usually improves relative to preoperative status. Surgical removal seems to be a safe and a promising way of treatment of symptomatic SCMs.     

A cavernous sinus cavernous hemangioma. Case report

The case of a Turner's syndrome patient with an intracavernous hemangioma is presented. The rarity of this lesion is stressed, as is surgical removal without postoperative deficit, the role of estrogens in the pathogenesis, and the clinical and radiological findings.     

Inflammatory granulomas extending from the sphenoid sinus to the cavernous sinus: report of three cases]

We treated three cases of inflammatory granulomas extending from the sphenoid sinus to the cavernous sinus. Case 1 was that of a 36-year-old male with diplopia and right ptosis. Case 2 was that of a 40-year-old male with frontal headache. Case 3 was that of a 70-year-old female with left impaired vision and frontal headache. In the first case, MRI demonstrated a mass lesion extending from the right half of the sphenoid sinus to the cavernous sinus and retropharyngeal space. In the second case the granuloma extended from the right cavernous sinus to the right retroorbital space. In the last case, MRI demonstrated diffuse Gd-DTPA enhancement of the left cavernous sinus and the left half of the sphenoid sinus. In all cases an operation was performed using the sublabial rhinoseptal approach, and the tumor in the sphenoid sinus was removed. Histological examination revealed an inflammatory granuloma in all 3 cases. In the first case the clinical symptoms improved following administration of glucocorticoids. In the second case the mass in the cavernous sinus decreased in size postoperatively. In the last case, the clinical symptoms gradually improved with administration of antibiotics after surgery. Granuloma of the cavernous sinus is difficult to diagnose, but when a similar pathological lesion coexists in the sphenoid sinus, a definitive diagnosis can be easily made via the sublabial rhinoseptal approach.     

Stereotactic radiosurgery for cavernous sinus cavernous hemangioma--case report.

A 40-year-old female presented with cavernous sinus cavernous hemangioma manifesting as left abducens and trigeminal nerve pareses. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a left cavernous sinus tumor. The tumor was partially removed. Histological examination of the specimen confirmed cavernous hemangioma. Radiosurgery was performed using the gamma knife. The tumor markedly decreased in size after radiosurgery and morbidity was avoided. Cavernous sinus cavernous hemangiomas may be difficult to treat surgically due to intraoperative bleeding and cranial nerve injury. Stereotactic radiosurgery can be used either as an adjunct treatment to craniotomy, or as the primary treatment for small cavernous sinus cavernous hemangioma.     

Cavernous angioma of the cavernous sinus: case report

An unusual case of cavernous angioma in the cavernous sinus ("cavernous cavernoma") is presented. The acute onset of symptoms simulated Tolosa-Hunt syndrome, and after neuroradiological investigations, the suspected diagnosis was an intracavernous meningioma. Macroscopical intraoperative and histopathological findings demonstrated a cavernous angioma. The lesion was completely removed from the cavernous sinus without additional neurological deficits and with improvement of the symptoms. Three additional cases in the literature are reviewed. The rarity of these lesions and the management problems related to their location in the cavernous sinus are stressed.     

Perimesencephalic non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by cavernous sinus thrombosis: case report

A 37-year-old man presented with perimesencephalic non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage associated with cavernous sinus thrombosis. Anticoagulant therapy was administered to treat the cavernous sinus thrombosis, but provoked severe intracranial hemorrhage, severely disabling the patient. Perimesencephalic non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a benign clinical entity with generally good prognosis, but the association with cavernous sinus thrombosis requires careful investigation prior to treatment.     

Extradural approach for cavernous hemangioma of the cavernous sinus: experience with 13 cases

The clinical, radiological, and surgical issues concerning cavernous hemangiomas located within the dural confines of the cavernous sinus were analyzed on the basis of experience with 13 cases. The feasibility of radical resection by an entirely extradural approach using a basal temporal surgical route to this relatively rare and formidable surgical problem was investigated. Thirteen patients, four males and nine females, with cavernous hemangioma involving the cavernous sinus were treated from 1992 to 2001. The patients were aged from 15 to 55 years. Headaches and deficits of the cranial nerves coursing through the cavernous sinus were the principal symptoms at presentation. Vision was affected in four patients. The radiological features in all patients were similar with a characteristic pattern of extension and encasement of internal carotid artery. The maximum size of the tumor was 28 to 73 mm (mean 44 mm). An entirely extradural route using the basal temporal approach was used successfully in seven cases. Total resection was achieved in 12 patients and partial resection was achieved in one patient. The follow up ranged from 8 months to 9 years (mean 45 months). The outcome of extraocular movements was poor in our series, possibly due to the massive sizes of the tumors encountered. There was no recurrence or growth of the residual tumor and all patients were leading active lives.     

Retroorbital hemangiopericytoma and cavernous sinus schwannoma--case report

An 18-year-old male presented with severe proptosis and blindness in the right eye. Neuroimaging revealed a large and hypervascular tumor in the right retrobulbar region and a large tumor in the left cavernous sinus. Angiography showed the right tumor was extensively vascular, fed by a hypertrophic ophthalmic artery, and the left tumor was moderately vascular, fed by a large middle meningeal artery. Following embolization of the feeder vessels, the right retrobulbar hemangiopericytoma and the left cavernous sinus schwannoma were uneventfully and successfully resected. Such combinations of different pathological lesions present unusual therapeutic challenges.     

胰腺神经内分泌肿瘤5例报告并文献复习

目的:分析胰腺神经内分泌肿瘤(PNENs)的临床特征与诊治方法。方法:回顾性分析2013年6月—2016年6月收治的5例PNENs患者临床资料。结果:PNENs 5例中,男2例,女性3例;均行B超及CT检查,1例患者行PET-CT;年龄48~75岁;临床表现各异,且无特异性;实验室检查无特异性指标;4例患者行手术治疗,1例仅行穿刺活检。病理(根据2010年WHO分期)结果为G1期2例,G2期1例,G3期2例。5例均随访,1例术后12个月因肝转移死亡,其余均恢复良好。结论:PNENs大多缺乏特征性临床表现,术前诊断困难,主要依靠术后病理组织学检查,治疗方法主要是手术为主的综合治疗,预后较好。     

Paraganglioma of the cavernous sinus. Case report

A case of paraganglioma arising from the cavernous area is presented. A 51-year-old woman presented with a parasellar mass causing decreased visual acuity, oculomotor nerve paresis and retro-orbital headaches without endocrinological dysfunction. Diagnosis was confirmed by histological appearance and electron microscopy. The patient was treated with surgery followed by radiation therapy consisting of 45 Gy. The clinicopathological features and the possible pathogenesis are discussed.     

Cystic meningioma originating from cavernous sinus: a case report

A 72-year-old man presented with gait disturbance and right homonymous hemianopsia. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed a solid mass around the left cavernous sinus with rostral development of a multi-lobulated cystic component. The tumor was totally removed including the cystic wall via the left transsylvian approach with orbito-zygomatic craniotomy. Most of the tumor was attached to the lateral wall of the left cavernous sinus. Histological examination showed a meningioma WHO grade I with meningothelial meningioma formed lobules with intranuclear inclusions. His neurological symptoms disappeared immediately after the operation. Postoperative MR imaging revealed total removal of the tumor including the large cystic component.     

Abducens schwannoma inside the cavernous sinus proper: case report

BACKGROUND: Only 2 cases of abducens nerve schwannoma solely inside the cavernous sinus have been reported. In both cases, abducens nerve palsy remained after operation. We report the first case of abducens nerve schwannoma inside the cavernous sinus proper with postoperative recovery from abducens nerve palsy. CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient was a 47-year-old female who developed left abducens and trigeminal nerve palsies. Neuroradiological examination revealed left intra-cavernous sinus tumor. Total removal of the tumor was performed. The location of the tumor was confirmed intraoperatively inside the cavernous sinus itself, with no relation to the trigeminal nerve. Further, the relation of the tumor to one particular nerve fiber within the abducens nerve bundle was confirmed inside the cavernous sinus. After surgery, the patient had transient abducens nerve palsy. It had totally disappeared by 6 months. CONCLUSION: When the tumor origin is just within the spacious cavernous sinus rather than more posterior in the narrow dural tunnel of Dorello's canal, successful preservation of the nerve function is possible postoperatively through a thorough knowledge of the membranous anatomy and careful preoperative study of the radiographic findings.     

Giant cavernous hemangiomas: report of three cases

Giant cavernous hemangiomas occur very rarely, and little has been reported about their behavior. In this case report three cavernous hemangiomas with a diametric measure between 6 cm and 7 cm and distinct features will be described. A 36-year-old female patient presented with headache and nausea. A CT scan disclosed a large circumscribed tumor with strong contrast enhancement in the temporo-parieto-occipital region of the right cerebral hemisphere and extension into the right cerebellar hemisphere. A 35-year-old woman was admitted to our emergency ward with a generalized seizure and a dilated pupil. The CT scan showed an extensive left frontal lesion containing a substantial hyperintense part, suspicious for hemorrhage. A 3-year-old girl was admitted with generalized seizure and progressively declining consciousness. A large left frontotemporal paraventricular multi-cystic lesion was encountered on the CT scan. All three patients were operated on. Two recovered very well. In the case of the 3-year-old girl stable disease was reached. Giant cavernomas do not differ from average-sized cavernomas in clinical, surgical or histopathological presentation but may differ radiologically. However, the possible diagnosis of cavernoma can be overlooked, due to their size and possible differential diagnosis.