Facial nerve neurinoma--report of 2 cases

Two cases of facial nerve neurinoma (VII-Nm) were reported. The first case is a 41-year-old man who had 16 years of history of slowly progressive right facial palsy and hearing disturbance. The tumor originated in horizontal portion of the right facial nerve, and extended epidurally into the middle cranial fossa, as well as medially along the facial canal to the C-P angle. The second case is a 55-year-old man with 16 years of history of progressive right facial palsy which was followed by hearing disturbance. The tumor was found in the vertical portion of the right facial nerve, expanding in the petrous bone. Both tumors were removed surgically. 116 VII-Nm were reported in the literature including our 2 cases. Most were reported in the ENT field, and only 11 cases in the neurosurgical field. Facial palsy or hearing disturbance is the initial symptom, depending on the site of origin in the facial nerve. VII-Nm can originate in any part of the facial nerve. The most common part of origin is the vertical portion where the tumor tends to expand locally, but it may extend extracranially along the facial canal. The tumor which originates in the tympanic portion tends to extend into the middle ear cavity. The tumor originating in the horizontal portion extends to the epidural space in the middle cranial fossa and/or medially along the facial canal. VII-Nm in the cisternal portion of the facial nerve extends to the posterior cranial fossa and produces the signs of C-P angle tumor. Unlike the acoustic neurinoma, VII-Nm is associated with marked facial palsy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Transient femoral nerve palsy associated with a synovial cyst of the hip in a patient with spinal cord injury

We report a case of local compression-induced transient femoral nerve palsy in a 46-year-old man. He had previously undergone surgical release of the soft tissues anterior to both hip joints because of contractures following spinal injury. An MRI scan confirmed a synovial cyst originating from the left hip joint, lying adjacent to the femoral nerve. The cyst expanded on standing, causing a transient femoral nerve palsy. The symptoms resolved after excision of the cyst.     

Neurovascular compression of the abducent nerve causing abducent palsy treated by microvascular decompression. Case report

Isolated abducent palsy is a symptom that can be caused by many different intracranial pathological conditions. In this report the authors describe the case of a patient who suffered isolated abducent palsy resulting from vascular compression of the sixth cranial nerve; surgical treatment consisted of microvascular decompression (MVD). This 56-year-old man presented with short-lasting episodes of a pulling sensation at the lateral side of his right eye associated with intermittent diplopia, followed by a progressive palsy of the abducent nerve and constant diplopia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a neurovascular contact of a dolichoectatic basilar artery with the abducent nerve. The patient underwent surgery consisting of a combined supra- and infratentorial presigmoid approach and subsequent MVD of the abducent nerve. Postoperatively, the abducent nerve palsy resolved within days, and the patient remains free of symptoms with a follow-up time of 4 years. This is the first report of a neurovascular compression of the abducent nerve treated successfully by MVD.     

Deep venous thrombosis and inferior vena cava agenesis causing double crush sciatic neuropathy in Behçet's disease

We report here the case of a 18-year-old young man with Behçet's disease who had suffered deep venous thrombosis of the right femoral and popliteal veins. Consequently, right sciatic nerve injury, drop foot and tightness of the achilles tendon also ensued. The clinical scenario was further challenged by demonstration of the agenetic inferior vena cava and epidural vein dilatations compressing the lumbar nerve roots. To the best notice of the authors, this is the first patient encompassing all these complications in the literature concerning Behçet's disease.     

Asymmetrical bilateral traumatic fracture dislocation of the hip: a report of two cases

We report on two cases of simultaneous asymmetrical bilateral hip dislocation. Both patients were involved in car accidents. The first case is a 23-year-old man who had a bilateral hip dislocation, anterior on the right side and posterior on the left associated with bilateral femoral head fracture. The second case presented the same dislocations of the hips associated with acetabular fracture on the right side. Closed reduction of the hips was performed in both cases. In the first case the femoral head fragments was subsequently removed. In the second case internal fixation of the acetabular fracture was postponed.     

Spinal epidural hematoma following epidural catheter removal during antiplatelet therapy with cilostazol

A 90-year-old man underwent emergency thrombectomy for acute occlusion of the right femoral and popliteal arteries. After an epidural catheter (used for intraoperative/postoperative management) was removed, a spinal epidural hematoma involving the Th12 to L3 areas developed. Emergency removal of the hematoma and decompression of the spinal cord were performed. Possibly, the hematoma had developed due to therapy with an antiplatelet agent, cilostazol, which had been started on the first postoperative day, and due to the removal of the catheter, on the third postoperative day, in addition to the patient's advanced age. This case may be the first report of spinal epidural hematoma associated with both cilostazol and epidural anesthesia. From the time course in this patient, important knowledge of drug actions and follow-up may be gained for determining the timing of catheter removal in a patient receiving antiplatelet therapy with cilostazol.     

Herpes zoster of the right cervical region associated with right facial nerve palsy and hoarseness]

A 69-year-old man was suffering from herpes zoster on his 2nd and 3rd right cervical spinal segments and 3rd branch of the trigeminal nerve. He came to our hospital on his 10th illness day and was treated with continuous cervical epidural block, intravenous infusion of acyclovir for five days, and oral paramethasone and Vitamin B12. Oh his 18th illness day, right facial nerve palsy and hoarseness became clear. His cerebrospinal fluid showed no abnormality except cell count 23 x 3 mm-2. No clear paralysis of vocal cords was detected on laryngoscopy. He was also treated with right stellate ganglion block starting on his 21st illness day. His pain and facial nerve palsy recovered completely by his 68th illness day, but hoarseness continued about two months. The hoarseness might be a result of spread of the disease 1) by cerebrospinal fluid, 2) by contact with the 3rd cervical nerve and vagal nerve via accessory nerve, and 3) direct effect on the vocal cords and the muscles controlling them. Herpes zoster on the head and neck region shows various complications and we should follow its course cautiously.     

Iliacus hematoma and subsequent femoral nerve palsy after penetration of the medical acetabular wall during total hip arthroplasty. Report of a case

Intrapelvic perforation of the medial acetabular wall during total hip arthroplasty is not uncommon but has been associated only rarely with adverse effects. A postoperative iliacus hematoma with secondary femoral nerve palsy occurred in a 61-year-old woman. The patient had been on Coumadin prophylaxis against deep venous thrombosis, but bleeding times were never excessively prolonged. Diagnosis was made by computerized tomographic (CT) scan. Conservative therapy produced resolution of the nerve deficit within eight months. Careful attention to the placement of anchoring drill holes in the acetabulum could have prevented this complication. Iliacus hematoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a femoral nerve palsy in the postoperative total hip patient, particularly if anticoagulation is employed.     

Unilateral drop finger due to cervical spondylosis at the C6/7 intervertebral level

A 64-year-old man who presented right drop fingers without pyramidal signs due to cervical spondylosis is reported. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a high signal intensity change on T2-weighted scans of the spinal cord at the C6/7 intervertebral level. Evoked spinal cord potentials following ulnar nerve stimulation were attenuated at the C6/7 intervertebral level. Compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) following right cervical nerve root stimulation were recorded from the extensor digitorum communis. CMAPs following right C8 nerve root stimulation were evoked with small amplitudes. Small polyphasic CMAPs with prolonged onset latency were recorded following right C7 nerve root stimulation. Simultaneous C7 radiculopathy and C8 segmental spinal cord lesion due to cervical spondylosis at the C6/7 intervertebral level were the causes of drop fingers in the present case. Unilateral drop finger is a clinical symptom commonly associated with posterior interosseus nerve palsy, but mention should be made about cervical lesions causing drop finger. Electromyographic abnormalities of the triceps and first dorsal interosseus muscle were the key findings for differentiating the cause from paralysis of the posterior interosseous nerve.     

Unusual acute hearing loss after gamma knife surgery for a facial schwannoma

A 34-year-old female patient suffering from right-sided facial palsy presented to our hospital. Her hearing range was within normal limits. She had undergone GKS after receiving a diagnosis of facial nerve schwannoma (FNS). On the fourth day after GKS, the patient experienced sudden onset hearing loss on the right side without aggravation of the facial palsy. Intravenous corticosteroids were administered, and her hearing function improved gradually over the course of 15 days. This is the first case report of hyperacute hearing loss after GKS for FNS.     

Percutaneous nephrostomy for unusual complications occurring in patients with ureteral stones: a report of two cases

The first case is a 59-year-old man who had left flank pain and nausea. KUB, excretory urograms and CT scan showed a left ureteral stone at the ureterovesical junction associated with spontaneous rupture of the left renal pelvis. Percutaneous nephrostomy was performed. The ureteral stone was spontaneously discharged on the 4th postoperative day and extravasation of contrast medium from the left renal pelvis disappeared. The second case is a 42-year-old man who was admitted with bilateral flank pain, nausea and vomiting. KUB and excretory urograms showed bilateral hydronephrosis due to small bilateral ureteral stones. Serum BUN and creatinine had risen to 41 and 5.1 mg/dl, respectively, on the day after admission. Percutaneous nephrostomy to the left kidney was performed. BUN and creatinine were normalized immediately and the bilateral ureteral stones were spontaneously discharged by the 9th postoperative day. After the nephrostomy catheters were removed, no complications occurred in either case and KUB and excretory urograms showed normal findings.     

Large facial nerve schwannomas without facial palsy: case reports and review of the literature

Although approximately 30% of facial nerve schwannoma cases present with no facial palsy, a large facial nerve schwannoma extending to the middle and posterior cranial fossa quite rarely presents without facial palsy. The authors encountered two patients with large facial nerve schwannoma who presented with only hearing impairment and no facial palsy. The first patient was a 64-year-old woman who presented with right auditory impairment without facial palsy. MR images demonstrated a dumbbell-shaped tumor in the cerebellopontine angle. Another patient, a 40-year-old woman, also presented with vertigo and right tinnitus without facial palsy. MR images demonstrated a huge tumor expanding into both the posterior cranial fossa and middle cranial fossa. In both cases, intraoperative findings confirmed that the tumors had grown from the facial nerve. Facial nerve schwannoma can be easily diagnosed if detailed neurological evaluations and appropriate neuroimagings are conducted. However, in spite of such huge tumoral size and expanding pattern, the facial nerve function was relatively preserved. Anatomical features of the facial schwannoma are discussed. A tumor extending to the middle and posterior cranial fossa should remind neurosurgeons to consider facial nerve schwannomas even in the absence of facial palsy.     

Cranial nerve palsies due to skull base metastases in patients with prostate cancer: a report of two cases

Two patients with prostate cancer showed cranial nerve palsies due to skull base metastases. Case 1: A 64-year-old man had prostate cancer (T4 N0 M1, Gleason score 7, prostate-specific antigen [PSA] level 372 ng/mL) with multiple bone metastases. Seventy-seven months after initiation of therapy, he had an articulation disorder and palsy of the left side of the tongue, with 12th cranial nerve palsy. Case 2: A 75-year-old man had a prostate cancer (T3b N0 M1, Gleason score 7, PSA level 177 ng/mL) with multiple bone metastases. Sixty-six months after initiation of therapy, he had hearing loss, noise in the right ear, and dizziness, with 8th cranial nerve deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging showed low intensity in the clivus in both cases, and all over the skull in case 2. The first patient was treated with radiation therapy and intravenous steroids at an early date. His symptoms improved.     

Early mortality in 100 consecutive liver resections in 96 patients with benign and malignant liver tumours.

This report describes the mortality in 100 liver resections performed in 96 patients for seven benign and 93 malignant liver tumours. Repeat hepatectomy was performed in four patients who developed recurrences after the first liver resection. Two patients died within 30 days. The first was a 67-year-old man who died on the 2nd postoperative day from cardiac failure. The second was a 69-year-old man who died on the 4th postoperative day with liver failure caused by hepatic vascular ischaemia. There were four other hospital deaths at days 33, 40, 45 and 50. A 65-year-old lady died on day 40 from sepsis caused by small bowel infarction. A 30-year-old man died on the 33rd postoperative day owing to liver failure from accelerated hepatic lymphoma spread. A 71-year-old diabetic lady died on the 45th postoperative day from sepsis caused by an untreated subphrenic abscess. A 65-year-old lady died on day 50 from systemic candidiasis after adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Further reduction in operative mortality could be achieved by better patient selection. Liver resection still remains a major operation, but has become a safe surgical procedure.     

A giant internal carotid-posterior communicating artery aneurysm presenting with atypical trigeminal neuralgia and facial nerve palsy in a patient with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: a case report

BACKGROUND: In cases of internal carotid-posterior communicating artery (IC-PC) aneurysm, involvement of the trigeminal nerve at its root is rare, and facial nerve palsy is even more unusual. CASE REPORT: A large, unruptured IC-PC aneurysm was detected in a 56-year-old man with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), but surgery was not performed because of mild renal dysfunction. Two months later, a sudden, severe headache suggested a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which was ruled out by computed tomography and lumbar puncture. Neurological examination revealed complete oculomotor palsy, atypical trigeminal neuralgia, and facial palsy with gustatory disturbance. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed a partially thrombosed giant aneurysm that directly compressed the trigeminal nerve root, reached the internal auditory canal, and was adjacent to the facial nerve. The neck of the aneurysm was successfully clipped via a subtemporal transtentorial approach. The postoperative course was uneventful, and all neurological symptoms had resolved within 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the prosopalgia in this case was atypical trigeminal neuralgia due to direct compression of the trigeminal nerve root by the aneurysmal sac. A contributory cause was stretching of the oculomotor nerve, which contains sensory afferent inhibitory fibers derived from the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. The facial palsy was of peripheral type and was accompanied by gustatory disturbance. This is the first reported case of facial palsy caused by an IC-PC aneurysm and also a very rare case of an IC-PC aneurysm clipped by a subtemporal transtentorial approach.     

Prolactinoma in a child showing high MIB-1 labeling index: a case report

We report a very rare case of a prolactin secreting pituitary tumor (prolactinoma) which occurred in a 12-year-old boy. The tumor showed an extremely high MIB-1 index. The clinical implication in the postoperative management of childhood prolactinoma is discussed. The patient showed right third nerve palsy, and MRI revealed a pituitary tumor invading the right cavernous sinus. Preoperative hormonal evaluation showed a very high prolactin level (2800 ng/ml). The patient underwent transsphenoidal surgery, and the third nerve palsy disappeared just after the procedure. MIB-1 index obtained by using immunostaining was 18.9%. Postoperative prolactin level remained high (2200 ng/ml), and the patient was treated with 10 mg/day of bromocriptine. Prolactinomas in children with high MIB-1 index show resistance to treatment with bromocriptine. In the postoperative management of a childhood prolactinoma, it should be considered how to control sufficiently high serum prolactin level to expect sexual development while preserving other normal residual pituitary functions. If control with bromocriptine, fails radiation treatment should be adopted with careful observation of the increase in height and the progress of sexual development of the patient.     

Reduction in the incidence of postoperative diaphragmatic paralysis by using a phrenic nerve protector]

A prospective study of a consecutive series of 100 patients in whom a phrenic nerve protector was used during cardiac surgery under CPB demonstrated the existence of one case of postoperative left phrenic nerve palsy and three cases of postoperative right phrenic nerve palsy. Comparison with a previous series taken as the control revealed a very significant reduction in the incidence of left phrenic nerve palsy which decreased from 8% to 1%. The incidence of right phrenic nerve palsy was not significantly decreased which corroborates the role of pericardial cooling in the aetiology of these palsies and the absence of protection of the right phrenic nerve by the system used.     

Hypoplasia of bilateral humeral trochlea associated with bilateral ulnar nerve palsy

We document a case of bilateral ulnar nerve palsy that developed in an 27-year-old Japanese man who had bilateral hypoplasia of the humeral trochlea. Surgical management produced good results regarding the ulnar nerve palsy. The pathogenesis of the nerve paresis in this particular condition is discussed. There have been no reports outside Japan. Whether this deformity occurs only in persons of Japanese extraction or is simply overlooked by foreign surgeons is an interesting question. Received: 17 May 1999     

Femoral nerve injury complicating continuous psoas compartment block

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this case report is to describe a femoral nerve injury after a psoas compartment block (PCB) and to discuss the probable mechanisms of injury and neuron regeneration. To date, this is the first report of severe femoral nerve injury after PCB. CASE REPORT: A 60-year-old, American Society of Anesthesiologists II woman underwent right total knee replacement under general anesthesia and continuous PCB for postoperative analgesia. Postoperatively, she showed signs of severe femoral nerve injury. A physical therapy program and muscle electrical stimulation were instituted and continued for 6 months. The patient recovered completely with no residual motor or sensory deficit and had no other complication. CONCLUSIONS: Severe nerve injuries after regional anesthesia techniques remain infrequent and probably unreported. Our case report suggests that severe femoral nerve injury should be added to the list of reported complications during PCB. This case report is also encouraging because it shows the possibility of a good recovery after such injury.     

Transient simultaneous sciatic and femoral nerve palsy secondary to iliacus and gluteal hematomas following heparinization for pulmonary embolus in a patient with posterior hip dislocation

Sciatic nerve palsy as a result of a posterior hip dislocation has been reported in the literature. Femoral nerve palsy as a result of a iliacus hematoma has also been documented. However, a simultaneous sciatic and femoral nerve palsy occurring after heparinization for a pulmonary embolus in a patient with a posterior hip dislocation has not been reported. This combined nerve palsy was found in a 64-year-old white woman who had been involved in a motor vehicle accident and sustained a posterior hip dislocation. This patient subsequently had a pulmonary embolism, was heparinized, and then developed a large iliacus and gluteal hematoma, resulting in a simultaneous sciatic and femoral nerve palsy. Without treatment, the patient regained motor and sensory of the sciatic nerve in a few days, and a gradual improvement of function of her femoral nerve was evident over several months.