RESUMEN
Background: Enterothecal fistulas are pathological connections between the gastrointestinal system and subarachnoid space. These rare fistulas occur mostly in pediatric patients with sacral developmental anomalies. They have yet to be characterized in an adult born without congenital developmental anomaly yet must remain on the differential diagnosis when all other causes of meningitis and pneumocephalus have been ruled out. Good outcomes rely on aggressive multidisciplinary medical and surgical care, which are reviewed in this manuscript. Case Description: A 25-year-old female with history of a sacral giant cell tumor resected via anterior transperitoneal approach followed by posterior L4-pelvis fusion presented with headaches and altered mental status. Imaging revealed that a portion of small bowel had migrated into her resection cavity and created an enterothecal fistula resulting in fecalith within the subarachnoid space and florid meningitis. The patient underwent a small bowel resection for fistula obliteration, and subsequently developed hydrocephalus requiring shunt placement and two suboccipital craniectomies for foramen magnum crowding. Ultimately, her wounds became infected requiring washouts and instrumentation removal. Despite a prolonged hospital course, she made significant recovery and at 10-month following presentation, she is awake, oriented, and able to participate in activities of daily living. Conclusions: This is the first case of meningitis secondary to enterothecal fistula in a patient without a previous congenital sacral anomaly. Operative intervention for fistula obliteration is the primary treatment and should be performed at a tertiary hospital with multidisciplinary capabilities. If recognized quickly and appropriately treated, there is a possibility of good neurological outcome.
RESUMEN
Cholesterol granulomas (CGs) are benign lesions resulting from an inflammatory reaction to cholesterol and hemosiderin. These masses most often arise within the temporal bone or nasal sinuses; intracerebral CGs are extremely rare. In this report the authors present an unusual case of a CG arising within the lateral ventricle. The patient presented with transient hemiparesis and numbness. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a cystic partially enhancing midline mass within the right lateral ventricle, expanding the ventricle and displacing the septum pellucidum. The patient underwent an interhemispheric, transcallosal resection of the lesion. Microscopic examination revealed a granulomatous inflammatory lesion containing cholesterol clefts, macrophages, and hemosiderin. Embedded within the granulomatous response were foci of tiny cystlike structures lined by nonciliated flattened cuboidal epithelium, consistent with the diagnosis of CG. To the authors' knowledge this is the first reported case of CG presenting as an intraventricular mass. The origin of this lesion is unclear, but it may relate to prior traumatic brain injury. The authors describe the presentation, imaging findings, histopathological characteristics, and surgical treatment of this rare lesion and related pathological entities.