Journal of Neurological Surgery Reports最新文献

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a rapidly growing malignancy with a propensity for extensive local invasion. Multimodal therapy, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, is the standard approach to treatment, but the optimal sequence and combination of these modalities are uncertain. Induction chemotherapy is being increasingly utilized based on recent reports that show better outcomes for patients who respond to chemotherapy and the ability to determine further course of treatment. We present a unique case of a patient with locally advanced SNUC that did not respond to induction chemotherapy and a review of the available literature relating to the management of this rare malignancy.

Objective  Sphenoid wing meningiomas (SWMs) can present surgical challenges, in that they are often obscured by overlying brain, encase critical neurovascular structures, and obliterate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cisterns. While brain retraction can enable access, its use can have potentially deleterious effects. We report the benefits and outcomes of the criteria we have developed for use of cerebrospinal diversion to perform retractorless surgery for SWMs. Design  Technical report. Setting  Yale School of Medicine and Yale New Haven Hospital. Participants  Between May, 2019 and December, 2020, ten consecutive patients were included who met the presented criteria for SWM surgery with preoperative lumbar drain (LD) placement. Main Outcome Measures  Length of hospital stay, surgical complications, and extent of resection. Results  We have developed the following criteria for LD placement in patients with SWMs such that LDs are preoperatively placed in patients with tumors with one or more of the following criteria: (1) medial location along the sphenoid wing, (2) vascular encasement resulting in obliteration of the optic carotid cistern and/or proximal sylvian fissure, and/or (3) the presence of associated edema. CSF release, after craniotomy and sphenoid wing removal, allowed for optimization of exposure, leading to the maximal safe extent of tumor resection without brain retraction or any complications. Conclusions  Preoperative LD placement is effective in allowing for maximal extent of resection of SWMs and may be considered in cases where local CSF release is not possible. This technique is useful in those tumors located more medially, with encasement of the vasculature and/or associated with edema.

Isolated spinal artery aneurysms are a rare cause of intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A 49-year-old female presented with severe headache. Initial imaging showed SAH and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), but no clear source of bleeding was identified. One week into being observed in the intensive care unit, she reported another severe headache. Computed tomography head showed more SAH and IVH. A second angiogram revealed a ruptured small anterior spinal artery (ASA) aneurysm at the craniocervical junction. She underwent a C1-2 fusion followed by an endoscopic endonasal transodontoid approach and wrapping of the ASA aneurysm. At 2 years' follow-up, there was no sign of aneurysm growth or rerupture. This is the first reported case of an endoscopic endonasal transodontoid approach to an aneurysm.

Epidermoid tumors (ET) are slow-growing masses where malignant transformations occur extremely rarely. Malignant transformation warning signs are the rapid-onset, progression, and recurrence of symptoms. The radiologic evidence for malignant transformation is contrast enhancement with rapid growth, observed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography scans. Here, we provide a case report of a 68-year-old woman with a long-standing history of left-sided cerebellopontine angle ET who presented with a recent worsening of symptoms, and MRI observation of new ET contrast enhancement. Surgical re-exploration and histopathologic confirmation are mandatory in this setting of recent symptom worsening and MRI observation of rapid mass growth.

Introduction  A 63-year-old male presented with visual loss and left eye proptosis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a left orbital tumor, measuring 1.4 cm × 0.9 cm. The patient underwent left frontotemporal craniotomy to perform a biopsy of the tumor. During the postoperative period, the patient developed the first episode of a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Case Summary  Computed tomography of the brain showed hypodensity of the bilateral basal ganglia and thalami with associated edematous white matter hypodensity of bilateral temporo-occipital lobes compatible with atypical posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). The patient received antiepileptic medication and was observed for clinical seizure. One week later, computed tomography of the brain showed the reversible process of PRES. The pathology report revealed diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Following pathological diagnosis, the patient received treatment with whole-brain radiotherapy. Conclusion  This is the first reported case of atypical PRES associated with orbital lymphoma following craniotomy for the purpose of tumor biopsy. Early detection as well as seizure and blood pressure control, is essential for the proper treatment of PRES.

Objective  Present a case of squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone (SCCTB) arising in a 61-year-old female with a prior history of cholesteatoma and persistent otologic symptoms and review the current literature regarding this disease presentation. Setting  Tertiary academic center. Patient  A 61-year-old female with a history of left ear cholesteatoma for which she had undergone surgery 54 years prior. The patient presented with a persistent history of otorrhea since first surgery and developed exacerbation of symptoms just prior to presentation at our department. The clinical picture was highly suspicious of cholesteatoma recurrence. However, the biopsy was consistent with squamous cell carcinoma. Intervention  Surgical debulking of the lesion was followed by a brief course of radiation therapy later halted by the patient due to side effect intolerance. Conclusion  SCCTB may arise from cholesteatoma. A high index of suspicion for SCCTB should be maintained in patients with a prior history of cholesteatoma and evidence of a temporal bone mass with persistent otologic symptoms.