Chiari I malformation with neurogenic hypertension after suboccipital decompression.

Patients with Chiari I malformations have a spectrum of symptoms related to craniocervical structural compression. Neurogenic hypertension has been reported in some patients with this disorder, with resolution of hypertension after suboccipital decompressions in some cases. The pathophysiology of neurogenic hypertension in these patients is thought to be related to ventrolateral medullary compression. The important role of the ventrolateral medulla in blood pressure control has been studied extensively. In this report, we present the case of a pediatric patient diagnosed with a Chiari I malformation who developed hypertension after a suboccipital decompression. We believe that this case demonstrates the important role of the ventrolateral medulla in neurogenic hypertension.

Preoperative trans-arterial embolization of a giant scalp congenital hemangioma associated with cardiac failure in a premature newborn.

Scalp congenital hemangiomas are a rare, but well-known, vascular malformation in infants. These hemangiomas are usually benign, but occasionally these are associated with cardiac complications and disfigurement. Giant hemangiomas that are associated with high-output heart failure require intervention because they have a high mortality rate and do not respond to medical therapy. We report here a case of a premature newborn who was diagnosed with a giant scalp hemangioma associated with cardiac failure. The newborn underwent successful arterial feeder embolization of the superficial temporal artery. He then underwent surgical excision 14 days after embolization. We believe that preoperative embolization of a giant scalp hemangioma in newborns is a safe measure for alleviating underlying cardiac failure and minimizing the risk of intraoperative bleeding.