NMC case report journal最新文献

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) in posterior fossa is rare, and its pathogenesis and treatment remain unclear. In this study, we report a case of a patient with CSDH in the posterior fossa who was taking warfarin and underwent middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization successfully. A 59-year-old man taking warfarin for a mechanical aortic valve presented with a complaint of hearing impairment. He then developed headaches and was referred to our hospital after the previous physician identified CSDH above and below the left tentorium cerebelli on computed tomography (CT). We conducted MMA embolization with n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate while continuing anticoagulation therapy. Right after the day of the surgery, symptoms of hearing impairment and right hemiplegia immediately improved. He was discharged after 10 days of hospitalization and was able to walk independently. His symptoms disappeared 20 days after surgery. There was no recurrence 100 days after surgery. In this study, we experienced a case of a CSDH in the posterior fossa that was clinically improved by MMA embolization. MMA embolization is a useful option for nonspecific CSDH without interruption of warfarin therapy.

Spinal cord solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs), previously known as hemangiopericytoma (HPC), represent exceedingly rare neoplasms. Strategies for their management, such as appropriate follow-up duration, remain controversial due to their propensity for recurrence despite extended periods of quiescence. We report a 51-year-old male presenting with new-onset back pain and gait disturbances, who had undergone gross total resection (GTR) of an SFT within the thoracic spinal cord 19 years ago. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine revealed recurrent tumors at the T7 level within the spinal cord. Subsequent resection achieved GTR. A comprehensive literature review was undertaken to assess the benefits of different resection extents (gross total removal (GTR) vs. subtotal removal (STR)), adjuvant radiation therapy, and the optimal duration of postoperative follow-up. Since 1960, 46 cases, including the present one, have reported recurrent spinal SFT/HPC following GTR and STR. Statistical analyses demonstrated that neither the type of resection nor adjuvant radiation therapy significantly impacted median recurrence-free survival in this cohort. Given their unpredictable behavior, meticulous lifelong follow-up following successful resection appears crucial for managing these tumors effectively.

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) associated with a primitive trigeminal artery variant (PTAV) is a rare condition that causes severe facial pain. We report the case of an 81-year-old woman presenting with right facial pain. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed an aberrant artery originating from the cavernous portion of the right internal carotid artery (ICA), coursing laterally around the posterior clinoid process and running toward the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) territory, suggesting a PTAV. Although the pain subsided with carbamazepine, liver dysfunction developed; microvascular decompression was performed. Transposition of the PTAV in a lateral direction revealed a marked indentation at the root of the right trigeminal nerve. The PTAV was surgically transposed laterally and fixed to the pyramidal bone surface using a Teflon sling, whereas the proximal part was fixed downward to the brainstem. There was immediate facial pain relief, following surgery. We reviewed 27 cases of TN associated with PTA or PTAV reported in the literature, which showed that the average age of onset was similar to our case, at 56.5 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:2.85. The proportion of patients with PTAV with V2 region affected was highest (91.3%), with PTAV (AICA) being the most common aberrant blood vessel (40.7%). In cases of TN associated with PTA or PTAV, it is crucial to identify blood vessels that are compressing or contacting the nerve and transpose these arteries from the nerve. It is also critical to plan movement direction in order to prevent ischemia of perforators to the brainstem or internal auditory artery.

Intracranial pseudoaneurysm is a rare entity. Pseudoaneurysm can change its shape dynamically, and the optimal treatment must be selected on the basis of the individual situation. Due to the fragility of the pseudoaneurysm wall, surgical intervention can be difficult. Moreover, a middle cerebral artery-lenticulostriate artery bifurcation aneurysm is uncommon. Surgical intervention carries a risk of ischemic complications in perforating branches. We treated a 43-year-old woman with cardiopulmonary arrest due to a subarachnoid hemorrhage. A right middle cerebral artery-lenticulostriate artery bifurcation aneurysm was detected, which was suspected to be a pseudoaneurysm. The aneurysmal shape changed dynamically, probably because of thrombus formation and resolution. Delayed cerebral vasospasm was also observed. A simple coil embolization was performed initially on day 13 after onset, but early recanalization was observed on day 26, and a second coil embolization was carried out with good obliteration on day 34. The patient subsequently had mild left hemiparesis and mild cognitive dysfunction. After 4 months of rehabilitation, the hemiparesis resolved. Angiography 6 months after onset showed that good obliteration was maintained. For this rare complex condition of a pseudoaneurysm and middle cerebral artery-lenticulostriate artery bifurcation aneurysm, tailored endovascular treatment may be a feasible option.

A 59-year-old woman, after surgery for cubital tunnel syndrome, developed complex regional pain syndrome in her right upper limb. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) electrodes were placed at the C2-C5 level. A conventional low-frequency tonic stimulation was carried out, which attenuated pain. However, 4 years later, left-sided motor weakness and tolerance to SCS therapy occurred. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed epidural granulation tissue around the electrodes that severely compressed the cervical cord. We surgically removed the granuloma, which attenuated motor weakness. A histological examination showed that an allergic reaction to platinum or the insulator appeared responsible for fibrosis.

The number of penetrating brain injuries (PBI) is low, and the materials of PBI, including bullets, nails, chopsticks, wood, and missiles, vary widely. We report a case in which a nail penetrated the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) and advanced between the cerebral falx but was managed favorably. A 25-year-old male was bruised by a nail gun falling on his head, triggering the ejection of a 3-inch nail into his head. He presented with no symptoms other than mild bleeding and head pain. The patient did not notice the nail injection. Computed tomography (CT) and angiogram revealed that the nail entered parallel to the midline in the interhemispheric fissure through SSS, and there was no intracranial hemorrhage. A bilateral frontoparietal craniotomy was performed with the nail left fixed to the skull. After confirming that the cerebral falx enveloped the entire length of the nail, we extirpated it and sealed the entrance to the SSS. The patient recovered with no neurological deficits, and postoperative images confirmed preservation of the antegrade venous return of the SSS. We observed a case of nail penetration in the SSS. It was essential to perform a thorough imaging examination and the extraction under direct observation using a microscope.

Traumatic pseudoaneurysms of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) are rare and have a poor prognosis due to their high risk of rupture. This study presents a case of a 53-year-old man who experienced rupture of an MMA pseudoaneurysm 10 days after craniotomy for an acute subdural hematoma caused by a blunt head injury. He also had an accompanying temporal bone fracture extending to the skull base. Initial imaging showed no evidence of cerebrovascular injury. The rupture resulted in a temporal hemorrhage with intraventricular extension that caused acute hydrocephalus. Digital subtraction angiography showed that the pseudoaneurysm was located just below the right temporal bone fracture. Coil embolization of the aneurysm was performed and complete occlusion was achieved. His hydrocephalus was addressed with placement of an external ventricular drain, which was later converted to a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. There was no rebleeding and he was transferred to a convalescent hospital. Traumatic MMA pseudoaneurysms usually develop several days after injury and are thus not present on imaging immediately after injury. Aggressive treatment is warranted due to their poor prognosis.

The hanger reflex is an automatic head rotation movement. When individuals wear a wire clothes hanger on the head to compress the frontotemporal region, the head spontaneously rotates toward the compressed side. The device to induce the hanger reflex was first developed for treating rotation-type cervical dystonia, followed by the development of a device for anterocollis-type cervical dystonia. However, there is a lack of comprehensive clinical reports on hanger reflex treatments, especially for anterocollis-type dystonia. We present the case of anterocollis that completely resolved after hanger reflex treatment without any other invasive treatment. In the treatment, patients wear the device on their heads for 30 min once per day. Hanger reflex treatment is an easy, simple, noninvasive, and inexpensiveness approach that may be considered the first choice for cervical dystonia.

Hyperekplexia is a rare neurological disorder that is characterized by an excessive startle response to unexpected stimuli. Recently, heterogeneous causative genes have been identified. Most cases are diagnosed during the neonatal period from hypertonia or stiffness. Adult cases are relatively rare and can cause severe head injury, but they are often misdiagnosed, typically as epilepsy or psychiatric disorders, due to the rarity of the pathology. This report describes a genetically confirmed case of hyperekplexia in an adult with head trauma, highlighting the features of head trauma and discussing potential pitfalls in the diagnosis of adult patients with hyperekplexia.

In Japan, the number of autopsies has steadily decreased. Therefore, postmortem imaging methods have positioned as valuable supplemental or complementary tools in autopsy procedures. We clinicians are increasingly faced with the need to infer cause of death from postmortem imaging findings. We report computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of a 41-year-old man who committed suicide by hanging. CT revealed fractures of the left superior horn of the thyroid cartilage. Head MRI showed high signal intensity in the basal ganglia on the T₁-weighted image and high-intensity rims along the cerebral cortex on the diffusion-weighted image; however, these were considered normal postmortem changes. There were no significant findings in the heart, major blood vessels, or abdominal organs. The contents of the stomach were minimal, and no tablets or other evidence suggestive of drug overdose were identified. Traumatic changes were not observed. Based on the scene and his circumstances, it was speculated that he died by hanging and an autopsy was not performed. This case highlights the importance of understanding normal postmortem brain imaging changes to estimate the true cause of death.