Endoscopic treatment of convexity arachnoid cysts

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the endoscopic treatment of cerebral hemisphere convexity arachnoid cyst.

Methods

Eight cases of hemisphere convexity arachnoid cyst treated with cyst–ventricular or cisternal endoscopic approach in September 2007 to March 2011 were retrospectively recruited. The clinical symptoms, radiological findings, surgical indications, surgical approach, complications, and follow-up studies were analyzed.

Results

All patients showed convexity arachnoid cysts adjacent to the ventricles or cisternal. After treatment, all patients showed decrease in size of the cysts (100 %), with preoperative symptoms disappeared in six patients and improved in two cases. In one case, postoperative subdural effusion was found without symptoms reported.

Conclusion

Endoscopic surgery is ideal for treatment of arachnoid cysts adjacent to the ventricles or cisternal.     

Cavum septum pellucidum and obstructive hydrocephalus.

Five patients presented with symptoms related directly to pressure effects from their cavum septum pellucidum with persistent or intermittent obstructive hydrocephalus. The most characteristic presenting symptoms were intermittent postural headache and postural loss of consciousness. If cysts of the cavum septum pellucidum are symptomatic and stereotactic cyst puncture or fenestration are ineffective, ventriculoperitoneal shunting should be carried out before resorting to more radical excision of the cyst.     

Stereotactic neurosurgery in children and adolescents

Between March 1992 and January 1998, 100 stereotactic procedures were carried out in our Stereotactic Department. Of these, 24 were performed on patients under 18 years of age, 22 of them under a local anaesthetic and sedation. The ages of these patients ranged between 4 months and 18 years. The stereotactic procedures carried out were: 15 cerebral biopsies, 5 iodine-125 implants, 4 implantations of Rickham reservoirs with ventricular catheter, with additional holes to establish a connection between the cyst content and the ventricular system (internal drainage): 2 of these patients had arachnoidal cysts in the pineal region, 1 a thalamic neuroepithelial cyst and 1 a cystic craniopharyngioma, with excellent control of hydrocephalus. All cerebral biopsies were positive, including 3 in which brain stem tumours were detected. Of the 5 patients treated by brachytherapy, 4 had pilocytic astrocytomas and 1 an anaplastic astrocytoma. The sites of the tumours for which implants were used were the thalamus in 4 cases, and the basal ganglia (corpus striatum) in 1. In only 2 cases was there some transistory morbidity, and mortality was nil. The stereotactic procedures in this varied group were well tolerated, with low morbidity and mortality rates, which proves that this method is effective and safe for patients. It can also be used for the diagnosis of brain stem tumours. Midline cysts can also be treated by means of internal drainage with catheters (a minimally invasive form of surgery). Received: 6 November 1998     

CT／MRI结合立体定向手术临床应用

目的 探讨立体定向手术在颅内病变诊断和治疗中的应用价值.方法 回顾性分析20例立体定向手术,其中脑出血引流8例,脑深部病灶活检5例,脑室穿刺3例,囊性病变抽吸4例.结果 20例立体定向手术均顺利完成,无严重并发症发生.5例活检均证实为胶质瘤,另12例经治疗后症状得到缓解,其余3例继续专科治疗.结论 立体定向手术定位准确,安全可靠,是一种有效的治疗方法.     

Stereotactic procedures in neurosurgery – indications and results of 71 cases

Summary CT- or MRI-guided stereotactic procedures should be a standard in a modern neurosurgical unit. Analysing 71 cases the indications and results of stereotactic neurosurgery are presented. In 53 patients stereotactic serial biopsies of different intraaxial lesions were performed, in 5 patients a spontaneous haemorrhage of the basal ganglia was removed by lysis with r-tPA. In 3 patients suffering from hydrocephalus due to diencephalic cysts a cystventricular shunt device was implanted. In 3 patients an intracerebral abscess was aspirated and drained. A stereotactic guided craniotomy and excision of small deep-seated lesions was performed in 6 cases. The accuracy of stereotactic tumour biopsies was 88.7 % in our series, in accordance to other authors. The stereotactic aspiration and drainage of an intracerebral abscess provides accurate localization and minimal cortical damage and offers the possibility of intracavitary application of antibiotics. The stereotactic internal shunt implantation seems to be an alternative approach in the treatment of diencephalic cysts due to its minimal invasiveness and low operative risk. The aspiration of basal ganglia haematomas with insertion of an external drainage allows the lysis of the haematoma with r-tPA or urokinase. With stereotactic guidance small, deep-seated intraaxial lesions can be well localized and removed.      

Neuroendoscopic surgery of intracranial cysts in adults

OBJECTS: The purpose of this study was to describe the indications, surgical techniques and postoperative outcome of neuroendoscopic interventions in a heterogeneous group of intracranial cystic pathologies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1992 and 2003, 127 patients with symptomatic intracranial cysts and cystic tumours underwent neuroendoscopic treatment in our department. In 22 patients indication for surgery was colloid cysts, in 9 patients pineal cysts and in 3 patients cavum vergae cysts. Twelve arachnoid cysts, 10 cystic craniopharyngiomas, 2 Rathke's cleft cysts and 69 malignant cystic tumours were operated on. The patients' mean age was 45 years and their clinical presentations varied from typical signs of increased intracranial pressure to focal neurological deficits. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-seven patients with intracerebral cystic space-occupying lesions were operated on using stereotactic frameless or frame-based endoscopic techniques. There was no operative mortality. The operative morbidity was 3.1% including 1 memory deficit due to fornix injury, 1 hemiparesis due to postoperative haematoma after lesion biopsy, 1 aseptic meningitis and 1 subdural fluid collection. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic interventions enable neurosurgeons to manage intracranial cystic lesions. Via the same approach, the obstructed CSF pathways may be restored and consequently the increased intracranial pressure diminishes. With the aid of stereotactic guidance or a neuronavigation system, access to the lesion can be gained rapidly and with high accuracy.     

Primary intracranial arachnoidal cysts

Sixty-seven cases (41 males and 26 females) of arachnoidal cysts in children under 11 years are reported. About 53% of cases were diagnosed before 1 year of life. Thirty-one (42.2%) were supratentorial (interhemispheric 9, temporal fossa 10, convexity 5, sylvian fissure 3, supra- and/or retrosellar 4); 31 (46.2%) infratentorial (supra- and/or retrocerebellar 22, foramen of Magendie 3, quadrigeminal cistern 5, pontocerebellar 1); 5 (7.5%) supra-and infratentorial. Macrocephaly was the presenting symptom in 48 cases (71.5%). Associated features were frequent: cranial asymmetry in 24; aqueductal stenosis in 10; agenesis of corpus callosum in 8; deficient cerebellar lobullation in 4; Chiari I malformation in 2; neurofibromatosis type 1 with dysgenetic zones of the brain in 1; arteriovenous malformation in 1. Diagnosis was made at autopsy in six cases in the days before computed tomography and magnetic resonance: three patients had a cyst in the supra-and retrocerebellar midline; two had a cyst in the quadrigeminal cistern and the sixth was a rare case with the cyst passing from the posterior fossa to the left lateral ventricle through a hole in the basal surface of the brain. Small and some middle-sized cysts were not treated. Big and some middle-sized cysts were usually treated by cysto- and/or ventriculoperitoneal shunts. Arachnoidal cysts of the quadrigeminal cistern usually present with aqueductal stenosis and have to be treated with ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Craniotomy and fenestration of the cysts were performed in some cases with good results. The average mental level of these children is usually moderately low.     

胶样囊肿的内窥镜处理

目的：评价脑内窥镜治疗三脑室胶样囊肿的价值和直视下手术的经验。方法：使用硬质神经内窥镜，利用立体定向方法置入神经内窥镜或采用徒手导入内窥镜，并利用关节臂来固定。胶样囊肿采用穿刺针先穿透，随后用显微剪刀扩大开口，吸除囊肿内容物并热凝残壁。结果：平均随访１８．５个月（１０～２８个月），１０例在术后ＭＲＩ复查显示囊肿全部吸除。除２例术前有记忆丧失外，其余病例术前的症状全部消失。结论：三脑室胶样囊肿在内窥镜下处理是一种首选的外科治疗方法     

计算机体层摄影立体定向在神经外科的应用

目的:应用CT立体定向术对脑深部及功能区的病变进行病理学诊断和治疗.方法:自1990年以来采用CT立体定向技术对68例脑深部和功能区的颅内囊性肿瘤进行了定向病检,排除囊液,瘤腔内放置Omaya管和瘤腔胶体磷酸铬内放疗,功能区脑脓肿定向排脓,脑深部病灶定向病检.结果:31例囊性颅咽管瘤经12～66个月随访,25例(80.7%)瘤腔持续消失,3例较前显著缩小,3例瘤实质增大;7例囊性胶质瘤中,2例25～38个月无复发,5例13个月后相继复发;3例囊性转移癌虽在6～18个月内死亡,但颅内放疗病灶无复发;5例功能区脑脓肿全部治愈而无明显后遗症.22例脑深部病灶20例获得病理学诊断,全组无严重并发症和无死亡率.结论:CT立体定向瘤腔内放疗对治疗脑深部和功能区囊性为主的肿瘤应为首选的治疗方法.     

内镜开窗治疗有症状的透明隔囊肿

目的 总结内镜开窗治疗有症状的透明隔囊肿的手术技巧与效果.方法 回顾性分析36例采用内镜开窗治疗有症状的透明隔囊肿病人的临床资料,其中采用纵裂-胼胝体入路1例,术前CT定位、枕外侧钻孔经侧脑室三角区入路8例,立体定向引导、额外侧钻孔经侧脑室额角入路27例.结果 所有病人均完成内镜下囊肿开窗操作,透明隔囊肿张力消失,本组无复发和死亡病例.32例随访3个月～7年,病人术前症状明显缓解或消失28例,症状无缓解4例.术后发生并发症4例,其中颅内感染2例,永久性轻偏瘫2例.结论 对有症状的透明隔囊肿,内镜下囊肿单侧壁开窗是一种较为合理的处理方式.立体定向或导航引导经侧脑室额角入路手术更可靠、安全.     

脑室及室周囊性病变的病因探讨与治疗对策

目的 本文探讨我院采用内窥镜治疗的26例脑室及脑室旁囊性病变的病因,以期在临床上对此类病变有进一步的了解,同时对患者的正确治疗提供新的思路.方法 总结了2007年1月至2012年6月期间我科收治26例脑室及脑室旁囊性病变患者,其临床表现主要有头晕、头痛、恶心、呕吐等颅高压症状,也有癫痫、言语或肢体活动障碍.除一例行脑室-腹腔分流术之外,患者均行内窥镜手术治疗.结果 所有26例患者中蛛网膜囊肿或脑室先天性囊肿13例,囊虫病9例,肿瘤4例.结论 脑室囊性占位性病变的发原病因较多,内窥镜可以发现影像及其他检查未明确的病变.所以作者认为在脑室系统囊性疾病的治疗中,有条件者尽量采用内窥镜手术或探查,以明确病因诊断,有利于正确治疗患者.     

Symptomatic supratentorial arachnoid cysts in children

This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical and radiologic long-term outcome of symptomatic primary arachnoid cysts in pediatric patients. Thirty-three children, ranging from 2 months to 17 years of age (mean age, 6 years) were treated. Craniotomy and fenestration of the cyst were used for temporal fossa and midline cysts in 24 patients (73%); later, two patients required shunt placement. Shunting device implantation was performed for cerebral convexity cysts in nine patients (27%), and two patients required a subsequent craniotomy and fenestration of the cyst. Four patients (12%) required additional surgery because of clinical progression rather than for cyst enlargement. Eleven patients (33%) experienced a cyst reduction of more than 50% compared with the original size on imaging studies. There was a significant correlation with the alleviation of symptoms (P < 0.005), regardless of the treatment used. Complete alleviation of symptoms was achieved in all patients after treatment, regardless of cyst reduction. Long-term follow-up of 70 +/- 9.3 months demonstrated no recurrence of symptoms or progressive enlargement of the arachnoid cyst in all children.     

影像学引导的立体定向活检在脑疾病诊断中的价值 (附50例临床分析)

目的探讨影像学引导的立体定向活检手术在神经科临床表现及影像学检查不典型病例诊断中的应用价值。方法安装CRW立体定向框架,采用螺旋CT薄层扫描与多层图像三维重建技术,对50例临床表现及影像学检查不典型的患者施行立体定向脑组织活检手术,其中:额叶深部病灶7例,颞叶7例,顶枕叶8例,鞍区4例,丘脑和基底节区9例,第三脑室后部3例,小脑半球4例,颅内多发性病灶(病灶2~7个不等)8例。结果50例患者均得到明确的病理诊断及相应的治疗,病理诊断结果:星形细胞瘤12例(其中I级4例,I~Ⅱ级2例,Ⅱ级2例,Ⅱ~Ⅲ级2例,Ⅲ级2例),胶质母细胞瘤3例,脑胶质瘤病1例,室管膜瘤1例,生殖细胞瘤l例,松果体母细胞瘤2例,恶性淋巴瘤2例,脑白质营养不良1例,线粒体脑病1例,脑囊虫病2例,脱髓鞘改变(白质多发性硬化)5例,炎性肉芽肿10例,脑变性疾病4例,转移瘤5例。诊断成功率达100%,未出现因活检手术而造成的出血、偏瘫等严重并发症。结论影像学引导的立体定向活检手术对于神经科临床表现及影像学检查不典型病例,快速获得明确的病理学诊断,制定相应的治疗方案,是一种安全、可靠的手段,对脑疾病的诊断治疗具有重要的应用价值。     

Differential diagnosis and origin of epithelial cysts in the central nervous system--report of seven cases and review of literature

Seven cases of epithelial cysts are presented with special reference to histological findings. Differential diagnosis and origin of the cysts are also discussed. Two are autopsy cases and 5 are surgical cases. Median age of the patients is 41 years. Three cysts are in the posterior fossa, 1 in the supratentorial region, 1 in both infra- and supratentorial regions and 2 in the spinal canal. On light microscopy, the type of cell lining the cyst wall and the presence of cilia and PAS-positive cells are studied. All cyst walls were lined by a single layer of cuboidal to columnar epithelium. Cilia was seen in 1 and PAS-positive cells were found in 5 out of 7 cases. On electron microscopy of the 4 cases available for study, continuous basement membrane and microvilli were observed in all cases. Coating material covering microvilli was noted in 2 cases. According to these histological findings, these cysts are classified as follows: 1 multiloculated cyst, 1 (respiratory) epithelial cyst, 3 (enterogenous) epithelial cysts, 1 ependymal lined cyst and 1 neuroectodermal cyst. Various non-neoplastic cystic lesions are found in the central nervous system, such as arachnoid cyst, ependymal cyst, colloid cyst, choroid epithelial cyst, neurenteric cyst, and Rathke's cleft cyst. Although histological difference between arachnoid cyst and other epithelium-lined cysts is relatively clear, the precise discrimination between other cystic lesions is difficult and controversial. Some authors have considered these cysts as a neuroectodermal origin because of their histological similarity with choroid plexus or ependyma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

囊性颅咽管瘤内置管囊小剂量多次化疗的疗效观察

目的探索神经外科综合治疗位于视丘下部附近区域的囊性颅咽管瘤之方法。方法选择16例囊性或以囊性为主的颅咽管瘤,在CT介导立体定向内窥镜下切除部分囊壁或肿瘤实质,排除囊液减压后囊内置入Ommaya管,术后经反复抽吸囊液,并反复注入小剂量博来霉素30～40次。结果16例经治疗后视力、视野障碍明显好转,7例有颅内压增高者术后缓解。CT显示瘤腔缩小,无手术死亡,术后视丘下部功能紊乱反应轻。14例获随访2～3年,临床症状明显改善。结论该疗法安全、简便、有效,是采用微侵袭神经外科手段治疗颅咽管瘤的有效方法,有一定的临床应用价值。     

Intramedullary neurenteric cyst of the conus medullaris without associated spinal malformation: a case report and review of the literature

Spinal neurenteric (NE) cysts are rare congenital anomalies that may occur either alone or in the context of a complex malformative disorder. They are usually intradural-extramedullary lesions. Intramedullary NE cysts not associated with other congenital anomalies are very rare and only a few cases have been reported in the conus medullaris region. Intramedullary neurenteric cysts not associated with other spinal anomalies are very rare especially in the conus medullaris region. MRI is useful to define the cyst and the osseous anomalies associated with this lesion. The goal of treatment of an intramedullary neurenteric cyst is total excision at the first operation, if possible. Life-long follow-up with annual MRI is recommended due to the risk of cyst recurrence. We report an intramedullary NE cyst of the conus medullaris without associated malformation and the relevant literature is briefly reviewed.     

The stereotactic biopsy diagnosis of focal intracerebral lesions in AIDS patients

Focal intracerebral lesions were biopsied stereotactically in 23 adult HIV-infected patients, the main indication for which was the failure to respond to anti-toxoplasma treatment. A cerebral disease was the initial or main complaint in 19 of them. In 22 of 25 stereotactic approaches, a clear-cut morphological diagnosis could be established (9 primary brain lymphoma, 7 necrotizing toxoplasma encephalitis, 5 progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, 1 HIV encephalitis, 3 unspecific tissue changes). In 7 of 8 deceased patients, autopsy confirmed the bioptical diagnosis. The high diagnostic yield was related to the strategy of the stereotactic method and the sample size (3 to 4 consecutive samples along the stereotactic track including the marginal zones, 1 cm long tissue cylinders). Formalin fixation and paraffin embedding of the samples provide the possibility of serial sections and special stainings (immunohistochemistry, in-situ hybridization) and kill the HIV. Stereotactic brain biopsy is a highly accurate diagnostic tool to ascertain the nature of focal intracerebral lesions in selected AIDS patients.     

The pathology of extracranial scalp and skull masses in young children

OBJECTIVE: Extracranial subcutaneous masses involving the scalp and/or skull in young children are uncommon lesions that get excised by the neurosurgeon. Although the most common reported lesion is the dermoid cyst, our experience suggests that the spectrum of pathology in these lesions can present diagnostic challenges to the pathologist. MATERIAL: We reviewed 30 consecutive extracranial masses from 29 patients between July 1998 and June 2003. METHOD: Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections were reviewed in all cases, and immunohistochemistry was performed in select cases. RESULTS: Twenty-three were within the scalp, 5 involved the scalp and skull and 2 were within the limits of the inner and outer tables of the skull. There were 8 dermoid cysts, 2 epidermoid cysts, 6 post-traumatic lesions including 3 calcified cephalhematomas and 3 pseudocysts, 5 vascular lesions including 3 capillary hemangiomas, 1 venous angioma and 1 lymphangioma, 2 cases of cranial fasciitis and 1 case each of benign teratoma, deep granuloma annulare, benign fibrous histiocytoma, congenital melanocytic nevus, hamartoma with ectopic meningothelial elements, cutaneous hyalinised ectopic meningioma and a meningocele with a fibrohistiocytic reaction. No lesions have recurred or exhibited malignant features. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical pathologists and neuropathologists should be aware that the differential diagnosis of "lumps and bumps on babie's heads" is quite varied and can be histologically challenging.     

Endoscopic approach to arachnoid cyst

A prospective study of 36 consecutive patients with congenital arachnoid cysts treated endoscopically is reported. There were 15 female and 21 male patients. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 12.3 years (10 days to 38 years). Arachnoid cysts were located in the suprasellar region in 16 patients, the sylvian fissure in 11, the quadrigeminal cistern in 4 and the posterior fossa in 5. Endoscopic fenestration was combined with cysto-peritoneal shunting for 6 temporal cysts and with ventriculo-peritoneal shunting in 1 suprasellar cyst. Mean postoperative follow-up was 4.2 years (range 1–8 years). Follow-up imaging studies showed that 28 arachnoid cysts (77.8%) were obliterated after endoscopic procedures. Long-term clinical results were good in all patients, although the cysts of 8 patients were not reduced in size. There was no mortality or morbidity. We conclude that endoscopic procedures may be a promising alternative to microsurgical operations or shunting for the treatment of arachnoid cysts. Received: 30 December 1998     

CT立体定向囊腔内放疗治疗囊性颅咽管瘤

目的：研究治疗囊性颅咽管瘤最佳治疗方法。方法：对３４例囊性颅咽管瘤进行ＣＴ立体定向囊腔内胶体磷酸铬内放疗。结果：全部病例经手术排除囊液后临床症状迅速改善，经囊腔内放疗后１２～６６个月随访，ＣＴ扫描显示２８例（８２．５％）瘤腔持续消失，３例（８．８％）瘤腔显著缩小，症状持续改善。３例（８．８％）分别于１９、２５、３６个月后因瘤实质部分增大，症状恶化而相继死亡。无手术死亡率和严重并发症。结论：ＣＴ立体定向囊腔内放疗治疗囊性颅咽管瘤十分安全、有效，应作为治疗囊性颅咽管瘤首选的方法。