Malignant schwannoma in the posterior tibial nerve

Our group have studied a patient affected by a malignant schwannoma in the posterior tibial nerve. Schwannomas are uncommon neoplasms that originate from the Schwann cells of the peripheral nerves: the most common forms are benign. Malignant transformation is rarer. The therapy is surgical and the operation undertaken, if possible, should be the amputation. Alternatively, where amputation is not possible due to the specific localisation or due to patient refusal, the alternative must be the largest and most radical excision possible.     

Does Meningitis Stop CSF Rhinorrhea following Lateral Skull Base Surgery?

In cases of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea following lateral skull base surgery, fibrosis and fibrin formation resulting from meningitis has been postulated as a mechanism of spontaneously resolving the CSF leak. This study was undertaken to explore any possible relationship between the cessation of CSF leak and meningitis. A retrospective study at a tertiary referral center of 232 consecutive patients was performed. Out of a total of 232 procedures, 29 patients developed CSF rhinorrhea, of whom 7 subsequently developed meningitis. Bacteria were isolated in CSF obtained at lumbar puncture in 5 cases, with the CSF analysis in the remaining 2 cases suggesting aseptic meningitis. Conservative treatment failed to stop the CSF rhinorrhea in 6 of 7 cases. In this study, the development of meningitis did not appear to aid in the resolution of the CSF rhinorrhea. We conclude that surgical intervention should not be delayed in the expectation that meningitis and conservative interventions may promote CSF leak resolution.     

超声乳化技术辅助显微手术切除脊髓腹侧及腹外侧神经鞘瘤

目的 探讨超声乳化技术在椎管内脊髓腹侧及腹外侧神经鞘瘤切除术中的应用价值.方法 应用日本SONOPET MODEL UST-2001超声乳化吸引系统,采用后入路方法,结合显微手术切除40例椎管内脊髓腹侧及腹外侧神经鞘瘤.结果 术中全部病例均在超声乳化技术辅助下行肿瘤全切除,术中视野暴露清晰,椎板切除范围可控,无继发损伤发生,出血量为50～150 mL,平均出血量70 mL,术中均未输血,术后病理诊断证实为神经鞘瘤,术前后MR影像展示证实肿瘤全切除,术后所有患者神经功能均有明显恢复,住院天数8～12 d,平均10 d,随访3月～4年,无脊柱不稳、根痛、复发等现象.结论 后入路椎管内脊髓腹侧及腹外侧神经鞘瘤采用超声乳化技术辅助显微手术技术切除,是一种十分有效而安全的手术方法,特别是在骨窗形成和肿瘤全切除上,无物理性挤压、旋转撕脱伤及高温灼伤,且减少术中出血量,确保脊柱的稳定,避免术后疼痛,能充分达到微创的手术效果.     

Desmoplastic malignant melanoma presenting with orbital involvement

Desmoplastic malignant melanoma (DMM) is a rare variant of spindle cell melanoma. We report a case of DMM of the forehead secondarily involving the orbit. The diagnosis was based on light microscopic features, including prominent peripheral cell nest formation and spindle cell fascicles in densely collagenous stroma. Immunohistochemical studies showed strong uniform staining for S100 antigen throughout the tumour. It was negative for HMB 45, smooth muscle actin, desmin, cytokeratins and Type IV collagen. Electron microscopy showed neither melanosomes nor myelin figures. The clinical and histological characteristics of desmoplastic malignant melanoma, and its differential diagnosis of malignant schwannoma, are discussed. DMM has a poor prognosis, since it tends to invade deeply, recur locally and metastasise readily.     

Image features of two rare mediastinal tumors: schwannoma of intrathoracic phrenic nerve and clear cell chondrosarcoma of the rib

The current report focuses on two patients of the same age who presented similar appearances on initial anteroposterior chest images. Follow-up images showed superoanterior and superoposterior mediastinal lesions. The first patient with noninvasive cystic thymoma was suspected before surgery, while the pathologic diagnosis was intrathoracic phrenic nerve schwannoma. The second patient was with an asymmetric, dumbbell-shaped paravertebral tumor over T3 and T4 on the left side. The preoperative…     

RETROPERITONEAL SCHWANNOMA: A CASE SERIES AND REVIEW

Schwannomas account for only a small percentage of retroperitoneal tumours. Presentation is typically varied and non-specific and pre-operative diagnosis is difficult. Herein are described five cases of retroperitoneal schwannoma. Presentation was varied, ranging from abdominal pain, abdominal mass, obstructed labour or an incidental finding. All patients had either an abdominal computed tomography scan and/or ultrasound performed. Pre-operative biopsy either by fine needle aspiration (in one patient) or core biopsy in two patients was unhelpful. In four patients with smaller tumours, complete excision was possible with no apparent long-term morbidity and no clinical evidence of recurrent tumour with follow up from 3.5 months to 11 years. For the largest tumour, complete surgical excision was not attempted as it would have entailed significant morbidity.     

超声乳化技术辅助显微手术切除脊髓腹侧及腹外侧神经鞘瘤

目的 探讨超声乳化技术在椎管内脊髓腹侧及腹外侧神经鞘瘤切除术中的应用价值.方法 应用日本SONOPET MODEL UST-2001超声乳化吸引系统,采用后入路方法,结合显微手术切除40例椎管内脊髓腹侧及腹外侧神经鞘瘤.结果 术中全部病例均在超声乳化技术辅助下行肿瘤全切除,术中视野暴露清晰,椎板切除范围可控,无继发损伤发生,出血量为50～150 mL,平均出血量70 mL,术中均未输血,术后病理诊断证实为神经鞘瘤,术前后MR影像展示证实肿瘤全切除,术后所有患者神经功能均有明显恢复,住院天数8～12 d,平均10 d,随访3月～4年,无脊柱不稳、根痛、复发等现象.结论 后入路椎管内脊髓腹侧及腹外侧神经鞘瘤采用超声乳化技术辅助显微手术技术切除,是一种十分有效而安全的手术方法,特别是在骨窗形成和肿瘤全切除上,无物理性挤压、旋转撕脱伤及高温灼伤,且减少术中出血量,确保脊柱的稳定,避免术后疼痛,能充分达到微创的手术效果.     

Iatrogenic diaphragmatic hernia due to laparoscopic gastric banding

A patient developed a huge diaphragmatic hernia following laparoscopic gastric banding. Almost the entire stomach was incarcerated within the left chest. Segmental necrosis of the greater curvature of the stomach necessitated partial gastrectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. The etiology, diagnosis and treatment of this previously undescribed complication of laparoscopic gastric banding are addressed in relation to the present case.     

Schwann cell invasion of the conus medullaris: case report

As Schwann cells possess regenerative capabilities there is intense interest concerning their role in central nervous system (CNS) regeneration. We report on a case of an intramedullary schwannoma involving the conus medullaris and spinal cord above it. We discuss the possible origin of these cells and the mechanisms by which these cells may invade the CNS. We offer imaging and discuss experimental studies to support our hypothesis. This case concerns a 48-year-old man, who presented with a 6-month history of bilateral lower extremity weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an intramedullary tumour extending from the conus to T11. At operation, following laminectomy and durotomy, a schwannoma was dissected free from the conus. Total gross resection of tumour was achieved. The patient made an uneventful and full recovery. This case shows that Schwann cells can invade the CNS. Manipulation of the transitional zone astrocytic barrier may offer a potential avenue for Schwann cells to enter the CNS in pathological states.