Preoperative assessment of the individual anatomy of the superior petrosal vein complex using balanced fast field echo magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Here, we sought to examine the validity and reproducibility of balanced fast field echo (bFFE) for assessing superior petrosal vein (SPV) complex (SPVC) anatomy. METHODS: Preoperative bFFE or equivalent scans and operative videos were studied and directly compared with regard to the individual anatomical features of SPVCs and their relation to the operative field. The anatomical details of the bFFE findings of the non-operated side (group 2) of all 50 patients were then reviewed, including the presence of petrosal-galenic anastomosis, and finally compared to the operated SPVCs (group 1). RESULTS: A complete correlation between bFFE and intraoperative findings was observed in 62% of cases and had a significant correlation with 3 Tesla magnet strength and higher pixel bandwidth (rbis = - 0.47; p = 0.005). The sensitivity and specificity of bFFE magnetic resonance imaging were 93.7 and 95.2%, respectively, for detecting an SPV disturbing the operative field, and 97.3% and 95% for a disturbing tributary, respectively. Each group had 50 SPVCs, with a total of 70 and 64 SPVs, 10 and 11 general SPVC configurations, as well as 29 and 28 different individual anatomical variations in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Both groups had 1-3 SPVs with a similar distribution of frequencies [Chi-square (4) = 27.56; p = 0.0145 (Fisher's exact test)]. The similarity of the general configurations was not statistically significant. The same four predominant configurations constituted 80% of the SPVCs in each group. The vein of the cerebellopontine fissure was most frequently found in 86% and 88% of cases, and a petrosal-galenic anastomosis was seen in 38% and 40% of groups 1 and 2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Individual SPVC variations are extensive. Good quality bFFE or equivalents are feasible for preoperative SPVC assessments. However, methods improving vascular visualization are recommended.

Prevalence of Fecal Incontinence in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: A Prospective Evaluation of 100 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a frequent disease in elderly patients. The main symptoms are gait disturbance, urine incontinence, and cognitive decline. Fecal urgency and incontinence are described as rare additional symptoms; however, no exact numbers are known. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of fecal disturbances in NPH patients. METHODS: Patients who presented to our department with confirmed diagnosis of NPH between January and December 2021 were interviewed prospectively about fecal function. Additionally, the extent of gait disturbance, cognitive decline, ventriculomegaly (EvansIndex), disproportionate enlarged subarachnoid space hydrocephalus (DESH presence), age, gender, and length of history were documented. In those who were operated with a hydrocephalus shunt postoperative development of stool incontinence was followed up. RESULTS: One hundred patients were evaluated (67 males, 33 females, medium age 77.5 years, medium Evans Index: 0.37; 87 with disproportionate enlarged subarachnoid space hydrocephalus). 97 patients showed gait disturbance, 84 cognitive decline, and 87 bladder dysfunctions. 78 patients had the complete Hakim triad. 32 patients complained about fecal incontinence (20 with urge incontinence, 12 with complete incontinence). Twenty nine patients were shunted, of which 17 (57%) recovered completely, 9 (31%) partially, and 3 (10%) did not show any change. CONCLUSIONS: Fecal urgency and incontinence is a frequent finding in NPH (32%) and is essential for the quality of life. In the general population, fecal incontinence in elderly is found in up to 15%. The more than two-fold higher prevalence in NPH patients and the high percentage of postshunted improvement suggests that NPH causes often directly fecal disturbance.

How to define CSF overdrainage: a systematic literature review.

PURPOSE: Overdrainage (OD) is one of the most frequent complications related to drainage of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). It is mostly associated with valve-bearing shunt systems but should probably be considered as a risk factor in any type of CSF diversion procedure. There is extreme variation in the reported incidence of OD due to the lack of consensus on defining criteria and an unclear perception of the pathophysiology. Hence, OD is probably underreported and underestimated. The objective of this paper was to establish a definition of OD, based on a systematic review of the literature. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in MEDLNE and EMBASE. Studies providing a definition or a description of diagnostic findings related to OD in ventriculoperitoneal shunt treated hydrocephalus were included. Non-English titles, abstracts and manuscripts were excluded. Extracted descriptions were graded into five groups (class I-V studies) based on how precise the terminology used to describe OD was. Class I studies were included for further analysis and characteristics of OD were extracted. The quality of included descriptions was assessed by a clinical expert panel. RESULTS: A total of 1309 studies were screened, 190 were graded into groups, and 22, which provided specific definitions or descriptions of OD, were graded as class I studies. We extracted 32 different characteristics consistent with OD (e.g., clinical symptoms, radiological signs, and syndromes). CONCLUSION: There was an overall agreement that CSF overdrainage following implantation of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt in a mixed pediatric and adult population is characterized as a persistent condition with clinically manifestations as postural dependent headache, nausea, and vomiting and/or radiological signs of slim ventricles and/or subdural collections.

What Radiologists Should Know About Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. / Was der Radiologe über den Normaldruckhydrozephalus wissen muss.

BACKGROUND: Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a disease in elderly patients and one of the most common causes of treatable dementia. It occurs frequently with microangiopathy and Alzheimer's disease, so that differential diagnosis plays an important role. This is crucially determined by imaging findings. Therapy consists of cerebrospinal fluid drainage through a shunt, which should be performed as early as possible to improve the chances of success. METHOD: This report is based on a summary of the relevant literature that has been reviewed in PubMed with reference to epidemiology, symptoms, pathophysiology, diagnostics, and therapy. The results were supplemented by the joint guidelines of the German Society of Neurology and the German Society of Neurosurgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The understanding of the pathophysiologic changes leading to normal pressure hydrocephalus has expanded significantly in recent years to include concepts explaining relevant comorbidities. Diagnosis is based on radiological and clinical indicators, although accurate differentiation with respect to comorbidities is not always possible. A high response rate to treatment can be achieved by good patient selection. Positive prognostic markers for therapeutic success include Disproportionately Enlarged Subarachnoid Space Hydrocephalus (DESH), short disease duration, predominant gait disturbance, and few comorbidities. KEY POINTS: · Normal pressure hydrocephalus mainly affects patients older than 65 years of age with high comorbidity rate for microangiopathy and Alzheimer's disease. · Radiologic findings play an important role in the diagnosis and follow-up after shunting. · The earlier a shunt is placed, the better the outcome. CITATION FORMAT: · Illies T, Eckert B, Kehler U. What Radiologists Should Know About Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2021; 193: 1197 - 1206.

Case Report of Cerebellar Endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a disorder in women which is characterized by extrauterine manifestations. We describe a case of cerebellar endometriosis in a 39-year-old woman who underwent posterior fossa decompression multiple times without establishing a correct diagnosis. Her neurologic status progressively worsened due to chronic hydrocephalus and brainstem compression by cysts. Late in the clinical course, histology from the cyst wall was taken that revealed endometriosis with clear cells and positive immunohistology for progesterone and estrogen receptors. Treatment with gestagens was started but did not improve the patient's status. In patients with chronic recurring intracranial cysts and hydrocephalus, cerebral endometriosis should be considered.

Individual variations of the superior petrosal vein complex and their microsurgical relevance in 50 cases of trigeminal microvascular decompression.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the understudied anatomical variations of the superior petrosal vein (SPV) complex (SPVC), which may play some role in dictating the individual complication risk following SPVC injury. METHODS: Microvascular decompressions of the trigeminal nerve between September 2012 and July 2016. All operations utilized an SPVC preserving technique. Preoperative balanced fast field echo (bFFE) magnetic resonance imaging, or equivalent sequences, and operative videos were studied for individual SPVC anatomical features. RESULTS: Applied imaging and operative SPVC anatomy were described for fifty patients (mean age, 67.18 years; female sex and right-sided operations, 58% each). An SPVC component was sacrificed intentionally in 6 and unintentionally in only 7 cases. Twenty-nine different individual variations were observed; 80% of SPVCs had either 2 SPVs with 3 or 1 SPV with 2, 3, or 4 direct tributaries. Most SPVCs had 1 SPV (64%) and 2 SPVs (32%). The SPV drainage point into the superior petrosal sinus was predominantly between the internal auditory meatus and Meckel cave (85.7% of cases). The vein of the cerebellopontine fissure was the most frequent direct tributary (86%), followed by the pontotrigeminal vein in 80% of SPVCs. Petrosal-galenic anastomosis was detected in at least 38% of cases. At least 1 SPV in 54% of the cases and at least 1 direct tributary in 90% disturbed the operative field. The tributaries were more commonly sacrificed. CONCLUSIONS: The extensive anatomical variation of SPVC is depicted. Most SPVCs fall into 4 common general configurations and can usually be preserved. BFFE or equivalent sequences remarkably facilitated the intraoperative understanding of the individual SPVC in most cases.

Revision surgery following CSF shunt insertion: how often could it be avoided?

BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt revision surgery represents a huge social and economic burden. Few studies, however, have evaluated shunt revision surgeries in the context of their avoidability, and existing data are from paediatric populations. Using ratings from an expert panel, we classified avoidable and unavoidable shunt revisions in a mixed cohort of CSF-shunt patients. METHODS: In a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained, single-centre database, we identified all shunt systems implanted for the first time over a 10-year period (2007-2016) and all subsequent revision surgeries with a follow-up of at least 1 year. A panel of five expert shunt surgeons classified each revision surgery as avoidable or unavoidable. Rates of each were calculated and correlated with clinical data. RESULTS: Of 210 revision surgeries (314 patients, mean age, 49.9 years; mean follow-up, 4.2 years), the panel judged 114 as unavoidable (54.3%) and 96 (45.7%) as avoidable. Level of surgeon education correlated with these rates, but even in the most experienced hands, 12.5% of revisions were classified as avoidable. Avoidable revisions occurred significantly earlier than unavoidable interventions (mean; 112 and 448 days, respectively) after the index surgery. CONCLUSION: Rates of avoidable shunt revision surgery are alarmingly high, even in experienced hands. Avoidable revisions occur significantly earlier, predominantly within the first 3 months after the index surgery.

PROSAIKA: a prospective multicenter registry with the first programmable gravitational device for hydrocephalus shunting.

OBJECTIVE: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) overdrainage is a major problem in shunt therapy for hydrocephalus. The adjustable gravitational valve proSA allows for the first time a targeted compensation for overdrainage in the upright position without interfering with the differential pressure valve. To evaluate benefit, safety and reliability, the multicenter prospective registry PROSAIKA was conducted in 10 German neurosurgical centers. METHODS: Between March 2009 and July 2010, 120 hydrocephalic patients undergoing first time shunt implantation or shunt revision using proSA entered the study. 93 patients completed the 12 months follow-up. RESULTS: Hydrocephalus symptoms were improved in 86%, unchanged in 9% and deteriorated in 3%. In 51%, the proSA opening pressure was readjusted one or several times to treat suspected suboptimal shunt function, this resulted in clinical improvement in 55%, no change in 25%, and deterioration in 20% of these patients. The 1 year censored proSA shunt survival rate was 89%. Device related shunt failure was seen in two cases. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first clinical report on the implantation of the adjustable gravitational valve proSA with a follow-up of 12 months in a substantial number of patients. Irrespective of different hydrocephalus etiologies and indications for shunt surgery, the overall results after 12 months were very satisfying. The high frequency of valve readjustments underlines the fact that preoperative selection of the appropriate valve opening pressure is difficult. The low number of revisions and complications compared to other valves proves that proSA implantation adds no further risk; this valve is reliable, helpful and safe.

Ventriculocisternostomy versus ventriculoperitoneal shunt in the treatment of hydrocephalus: a retrospective, long-term observational study.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was the retrospective analysis of long-term data on endoscopic ventriculocisternostomy versus ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement in the treatment of hydrocephalus. METHODS: A total of 159 patients were included in the study. One hundred and twenty-three patients received a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, whereas 36 patients were treated with an endoscopic procedure. Only patients with a postoperative observation period of at least 3 years were included in the analyses of the long-term data. In addition to general patient and operation data, the number and frequency of perioperative complications (infections, dysfunctions) and the frequency and type of necessary revision operations were collected. RESULTS: The average observation period was 69 months for both groups. The risk of operative revision was significantly elevated in the shunt group despite a comparable observation period. Whereas 86.11% of the endoscopy group did not require an operative revision, that only applied to 68.85% of the shunt group. The complication rate was 42.7% in the shunt group per procedure, which was clearly higher than in the endoscopy group at only 9.4%. CONCLUSION: The risk of operative revision and/or complications is significantly lower in the endoscopic ventriculocisternostomy group compared to the ventriculoperitoneal shunt group. Given the appropriate indication, endoscopic ventriculocisternostomy is thus the treatment of choice.

Predictors of subsequent overdrainage and clinical outcomes after ventriculoperitoneal shunting for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about variables associated with overdrainage complications and neurofunctional and health-related quality of life outcomes in idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) patients after shunt surgery. OBJECTIVE: To identify candidate demographic and disease-specific predictors of overdrainage and patient-related outcomes, allowing for more personalized care of patients with iNPH. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of the dataset of the SVASONA study, a multicenter randomized trial comparing gravitational and conventional gravitational valves for treating iNPH. We evaluated the association between baseline items and the incidence of overdrainage, using different endpoint definitions. RESULTS: We identified only a few variables associated with a possible increased risk of overdrainage. Apart from using conventional rather than gravitational valves, longer duration of surgery and female sex were associated with a higher risk of clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of overdrainage (hazard ratio: 1.02, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.04 and 1.84, 95% confidence interval: 0.81-4.16). The occurrence of clinical symptoms of overdrainage, and the need for exchanging a programmable by a gravitational valve may adversely affect disease-specific outcomes like the Kiefer score. CONCLUSION: Few, if any, baseline and treatment characteristics may be helpful in estimating the individual risk of complications and clinical outcomes after shunt surgery for iNPH. Patients should be informed that longer surgery for any reason may increase the risk of later overdrainage. Also, women should be counseled about a sex-associated increased risk of the development of clinical symptoms of overdrainage, although the latter cannot be distinguished from a generally higher prevalence of headaches in the female population.

Safety and efficacy of gravitational shunt valves in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a pragmatic, randomised, open label, multicentre trial (SVASONA).

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether gravitational valves reduce the risk of overdrainage complications compared with programmable valves in ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt surgery for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). BACKGROUND: Patients with iNPH may benefit from VP shunting but are prone to overdrainage complications during posture changes. Gravitational valves with tantalum balls are considered to reduce the risk of overdrainage but their clinical effectiveness is unclear. METHODS: We conducted a pragmatic, randomised, multicentre trial comparing gravitational with non-gravitational programmable valves in patients with iNPH eligible for VP shunting. The primary endpoint was any clinical or radiological sign (headache, nausea, vomiting, subdural effusion or slit ventricle) of overdrainage 6 months after randomisation. We also assessed disease specific instruments (Black and Kiefer Scale) and Physical and Mental Component Scores of the Short Form 12 (SF-12) generic health questionnaire. RESULTS: We enrolled 145 patients (mean (SD) age 71.9 (6.9) years), 137 of whom were available for endpoint analysis. After 6 months, 29 patients in the standard and five patients in the gravitational shunt group developed overdrainage (risk difference -36%, 95% CI -49% to -23%; p<0.001). This difference exceeded predetermined stopping rules and resulted in premature discontinuation of patient recruitment. Disease specific outcome scales did not differ between the groups although there was a significant advantage of the gravitational device in the SF-12 Mental Component Scores at the 6 and 12 month visits. CONCLUSIONS: Implanting a gravitational rather than another type of valve will avoid one additional overdrainage complication in about every third patient undergoing VP shunting for iNPH.

On the method of a randomised comparison of programmable valves with and without gravitational units: the SVASONA study.

OBJECTIVE: The supremacy of low-pressure valves (LPV) in the therapy of patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) has been proven by the Dutch NPH study. The downside of LPVs is the high rate of overdrainage complications. In the meantime gravitational units have been developed with the objective of minimising overdrainage complications. Do these gravitational units allow the same favourable outcomes as in the Dutch NPH study without overdrainage complications? The goal of this prospective randomised controlled multicentre trial is to compare the rate of overdrainage complications after shunt surgery with programmable valves with or without a gravitational unit. METHOD: Patients suspected with iNPH with gait ataxia and one or two other symptoms of Hakim's triad and enlarged ventricles on CT or MRI underwent a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) infusion test, CSF tap test and/or continuous ICP measurement in seven experienced centres. If iNPH was diagnosed the patients were randomised to receive a ventriculoperitoneal shunt with a programmable valve with or without a gravitational unit. The patients were followed up for 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. The primary hypothesis of the study was that programmable valves with gravitational units will reduce the rate of overdrainage from 25% to 10%. The outcome measured by iNPH-specific outcome scales (Kiefer score, Black grading scale) and the generic quality of life (short form 12, SF12) was defined as the secondary endpoint. To detect the hypothesised difference in the incidence of overdrainage with a type I error of 5% and a type II error of 20%, correcting for multiple testing and an anticipated drop-out rate of 10%, we planned to enrol 250 patients. To ensure safety and efficacy we performed a planned interim analysis halfway. RESULTS: The study design has been found to be effective with regard to the primary hypothesis. CONCLUSION: The design of the SVASONA study was developed to be able to confirm the primary hypothesis. Thus, the method of the study should solve the dilemma of the Dutch NPH study by the randomised comparison of LPVs with and without gravitational units.

Reduction of shunt obstructions by using a peel-away sheath technique? A multicenter prospective randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: Shunt obstructions may partly be caused by brain debris, which intrude into the ventricular catheter during ventricle puncture. Avoiding contact between the catheter and brain tissue, by using a peel-away sheath, should reduce the number of shunt failures caused by obstruction. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a randomized, prospective multicenter study. METHODS: 201 patients from 6 different neurosurgical centers in Germany receiving a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt were included in this study. Of these, 177 patients completed a 1-year follow-up period. Surgery was randomized in a 1 to 1 fashion, such that out of 177 procedures, 91 were performed using a peel-away sheath and 86 were performed without. The rate of surgical re-interventions and shunt obstructions within a 12-month period was recorded. RESULTS: Within 1 year post-surgery, 17 shunt obstructions (9.6%) leading to shunt revisions were recorded. However, no difference was found between surgeries performed using a peel-away sheath (9.9%) or not (9.3%). The overall shunt infection rate was 2.8% and the shunt revision rate for overdrainage was 3.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The theoretical advantages attributed to the use of a peel-away sheath to introduce a ventricular catheter could not be confirmed in this randomized study, suggesting that the proposed role of brain debris in shunt obstructions may be overestimated.

Pulmonary hypertension after ventriculoatrial shunt implantation.

OBJECT: Ventriculoatrial (VA) shunts inserted for the treatment of hydrocephalus are known to be a risk factor for pulmonary hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of pulmonary hypertension among adult patients with VA shunts. METHODS: All patients who had received a VA shunt at one of two institutions between 1985 and 2000 were invited for a cardiopulmonary evaluation. The investigation included a thorough history taking, clinical examination, echocardiography, and pulmonary function testing including diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Pulmonary hypertension was defined as systolic pulmonary artery pressure>35 mm Hg at rest. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 86 patients, of whom 38 (44%) could be examined. The patients' mean age was 47.1±18.4 years; the median interval between shunt insertion and cardiopulmonary evaluation was 15 years (range 5-20 years). Of the 38 patients, 20 (53%) had Doppler velocity profiles of tricuspid regurgitation that were adequate for the estimation of pulmonary artery systolic pressure. Doppler-defined pulmonary hypertension was observed in 3 patients (8%), 2 of whom underwent right heart catheterization. Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension was confirmed in both patients, and medical therapy, including anticoagulation, was started. The VA shunt was removed in both cases and replaced with a different type of device. Pulmonary function tests revealed a restrictive pattern in 15% and typical obstructive findings in 9% of patients. In 30% of patients the DLCO was less than 80% of predicted, and blood gas analysis showed hypoxemia in 6% of patients. No significant differences in pulmonary function tests were noted between the patients with and without echocardiographic evidence of pulmonary hypertension. However, patients with pulmonary hypertension had significantly lower DLCO values. CONCLUSIONS: The authors detected pulmonary hypertension by using Doppler echocardiography in a significant proportion of patients with VA shunts. It is therefore recommended that practitioners perform regular echocardiography and pulmonary function tests, including single-breath DLCO in these patients to screen for pulmonary hypertension to prevent hazardous late cardiopulmonary complications.

Development of pulmonary hypertension in adults after ventriculoatrial shunt implantation.

BACKGROUND: The insertion of ventriculoatrial (VA) shunts for the treatment of hydrocephalus is thought to be associated with the development of pulmonary hypertension in adults. OBJECTIVES: It was the aim of this study to describe the frequency and the clinical spectrum of pulmonary hypertension in adults with VA shunts. METHODS: Patients with pulmonary hypertension were retrospectively evaluated from January 1999 to December 2006. RESULTS: Among the 575 patients with pulmonary hypertension, 6 (mean age 42.5 +/- 8.3 years) were identified as having received a VA shunt. Mean pulmonary artery pressure for these patients was 53.3 +/- 14.9 mm Hg. The interval between shunt placement and the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension was 9-27 years (median 16.5). While ventilation perfusion scans showed multiple bilateral perfusion defects in all patients, chest CT or pulmonary angiography demonstrated pulmonary thromboembolism in only 2 of the 6 patients. These 2 patients subsequently underwent pulmonary endarterectomy. Another patient required heart-lung transplantation because of severe pulmonary hypertension; lung histology showed prominent eccentric medial hypertrophy and intimal proliferation without evidence of thromboembolism. Contrary to earlier reports, outcomes were generally good, with a 100% survival rate for the first 8 years following diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Severe pulmonary hypertension can develop in adult patients with VA shunts. Therefore, clinicians should consider pulmonary hypertension as a potential cause for respiratory symptoms in patients who have received VA shunts.

Frontoethmoidal encephalocele with ocular leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. Case report.

The authors present the case of a 2-year-old boy who was born with a small bulging mass in the middle frontonasal area and hypertelorism. In the neonatal period he suffered from a continuous lacrimal secretion mistaken for recurrent conjunctivitis. Cranial computerized tomography scanning and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a frontoethmoidal encephalocele associated with an ocular leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. One-stage repair of the encephalocele, along with correction of hypertelorism and bone grafting of the forehead, was performed with good result. During a 2-year follow-up period no neurological deficits appeared.

Hydrocephalus therapy: reduction of shunt occlusions using a peel-away sheath.

In order to avoid shunt occlusions through particles of brain parenchyma a new procedure was used. Conventionally during ventricle puncture brain tissue may intrude into perforating holes of the ventricular catheter and subsequently shunt dysfunction may occur. By using a peel-away sheath the ventricular catheter can be protected during puncture. The conventional technique (n=90) was compared with the peel-away sheath technique (n=20) in a retrospective analyses in regard to shunt revisions during a 1-year period. Shunt revision was done in 18% (16/90) within 1 year using the conventional technique, respectively, 5% (1/20) using the peel-away sheath technique. Although criteria for statistical significance were not reached these data are worth to be mentioned. A randomised prospective study is initiated and the key features are presented.

Atypical delayed intracranial haematoma following stereotactic biopsy of a right parietal anaplastic oligodendroglioma.

The history of a 73-year-old woman with an anaplastic oligodendroglioma is presented, in whom cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and brain single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) revealed an intracerebral lesion 17 months before, which was misinterpreted as cerebral infarction. Stereotactic biopsy confirmed the diagnosis, but 4 days after biopsy an unexpected fatal subdural and intraparenchymal bleeding occurred on the biopsy site. Neuroradiological aspects in the differential diagnosis of cerebral lesions as well as the role of small silent postbiopsy haematoma concerning further clinical deterioration are discussed.