[Abscess of the posterior cranial fossa. Report of 4 cases]. / Les abcès de la fosse cérébrale postérieure à propos de 4 cas.

The posterior cerebral fossa is an uncommon location for cerebral abscess. In most cases diagnosis is made at the encapsulation stage with the risk of life-threatening tonsillar herniation. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe our experience in the management of four cases of abscess located in the posterior cerebral fossa between January 2000 and December 2004. All patients benefited from clinical examination and radiological study (CT-scan). Surgical treatment performed in all cases consisted of trepano-puncture of the abscess. The minimum duration of post-operative follow-up was 6 months. Mean patient age was 38.75 years. All patients presented infectious syndrome and intracranial hypertension. The male:female sex ratio was 3:1. A history of chronic middle ear otitis was noted in two patients. Diagnosis of abscess in the posterior cerebral fossa was confirmed by CT-scan in 2 cases. Cholesteatoma and triventricular hydrocephaly were noted in 2 cases. All patients benefited from trepano-puncture of the abscess. Bacteriologic study of pus was positive for Staphylococcus aureus in 1 case, and Providencia Sp associated with Bactéroïdes fragilis in another. Second-stage radical mastoidectomy was performed in 2 cases. One patient died. The outcome was favorable in 3 cases. Because of the small size of the posterior cerebral fossa, abscess in that location requires emergency treatment. Delay can be life-threatening due to the risk of obstructive hydrocephaly and tonsillar herniation.

[Posterior cranial fossa abscess secondary to cholesteatoma]. / Cholestéatome compliqué d'abcès de la fosse postérieure.

OBJECTIVE: The intra cranial complications of chronic ear disease continue to pose a challenge in Senegal, despite advances in anti microbial therapy. Posterior cranial fossa abscesses are rare and continue to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. We describe the presentation and management of a large cerebellar abscess secondary to cholesteatoma. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 11-year-old female presented with an inflammed fluctuant swelling of the right temporal region with ipsilateral otorrhoea. Examination demonstrated an auto atticotomy, large marginal perforation of the tympanic membrane associated with polyp. A diagnosis of otomastoiditis secondary to cholesteatoma was made. The abscess of the right temporal region was incised and drained and the patient was commenced on broad spectrum antibiotics. However the patients clinical status did not improve and there was a deterioration in her neurological status. CT brain and temporal bones demonstrated a large abscess in the cerebellum. 30 CC of pus were drained through a posterior fossa burr hole by the neurosurgeons. A radical mastoidectomy for extensive cholesteatoma of the right ear was subsequently carried out when the patients condition improved. CONCLUSION: Cerebellar abscess is a life threathning condition. In the presence of complicated chronic ear disease, clinical suspicion must be high as early symptoms and signs may be misleading. A low threshold for the performance of brain imagining will aid early diagnosis and allow prompt definitive treatment.

[Cranioencephalic complications of middle ear cholesteatoma: report of 4 cases]. / Complications infectieuses cranio-encephaliques de l'otite moyenne chronique cholesteatomateuse. A propos de 4 observations.

INTRODUCTION: Cranial and intracranial complications can be observed during middle ear cholesteatoma's evolution. We report our experience of management of infectious cholesteatoma's cranioencephalic complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a three year period, we had consecutively admitted 4 patients with cranioencephalic complications of middle ear cholesteatoma, in the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) department of the university teaching hospital of Dakar. After preoperative investigations with computed tomography scan (CT scan) of brain and temporal bone. The patients had been operated after paraclinic assessment. RESULTS: The finding showed one case of temporal bone otogenic extensive osteomyelitis with multifocal extradural empyema, 3 cases of brain abscess associated with subdural empyema and meningitis in 1 case. For 3 patients (75%), neurosurgical drainage and mastoidectomy were performed, associated with antibiotic treatment. The mastaidectomy was performed in the same time of the surgical procedure or delayed. One patient, with brain abscess, died before surgical intervention. With a follow up of 15 months, we have noticed stable mastoidectomies cavities and no neurological recurrence symptoms. CONCLUSION: These complications can be prevented by early treatment of chronic otitis media diseases. The appropriated management of these complications necessitate collaboration between otorhinolaryngologists and neuro surgeons.

[Cranial and cervical vertebral mycetoma. Report of three cases]. / Le mycétome crânio-cervical. A propos de trois cas.

Mycetomas inflammatory-like tumors presenting as fistulas found in the skin and soft tissues. Inoculation, generally in tropical areas, occurs by skin injury. The foot is the main infection site. Other uncommon infection sites include the cranial and cervical areas which are rare. We present three cases of cranial and cervical mycetoma. Clinical sign were dominated by headache, cervical pain and cervico-occipital tumefaction with formation of pus and granules (red in two cases, black in one). A motor deficit was noted in one patient. Radiographic examinations including CT scan showed extensive mass lesions, associated with bone destruction. Laboratory tests identified Leptospheria senegalensis in one patient and Actinomadura pelletieri in two. A medicosurgical procedure was performed. The course was unfavourable in one patient. Several factors are important for treating such infections: early diagnosis, improvement of the social and economic environment, use of new drugs.

[Subdural empyema complicating acute frontal sinusitis. Four cases report]. / Empyème sous-dural compliquant une sinusite frontale aiguë. A propos de 4 cas.

OBJECTIVE: Subdural empyema is a collected cranioencephalic suppuration between arachnoid and dura meninge space. Subdural empyema occurring after sinusitis is an uncommon but serious complication of paranasal sinus infections. The purpose of this study is to aware the clinician about this condition. MATERIAL ET METHOD: Four young male children had been admitted with expressed fronto-ethmoid sinusitis. The intracranial infection was confirmed by computed tomography scan of brain and sinus. Both drainage of the sinus and intracranial suppuration was performed at the same time surgical procedure and antibiotics administered during 4 weeks. RESULTS: The subdural empyema was localized in the right temporoparietal region in 1 case, in the frontal lobe in the others cases. In 1 case, the frontal subdural empyema was associated with an inerhemispherique collection. One patient underwent a second drainage. Immediate post-operative outcomes were temporally complicated with convulsions and focal neurological deficit, in 1 case. This symptoms had regressed spontaneously. There was no case of death. The functional prognosis was bad, marked by lost vision in 2 cases, which was bilateral in 1 case. CONCLUSION: A high index of suspicion of intracranial extension of sinus infection must recommended neuroradiological investigations. When suppurative collection is confirmed, an appropriated management of the infection between otorhinolaryngologists and neurosurgeons is necessary.

[Cerebral metastasis for the identification of carcinomas of the lung: the use of mulimodality medical images. A case repport]. / Metastase cerebrale revelatrice d'un carinome epidermoide pulmonaire: apport de l'imagerie multinodalite.

INTRODUCTION: Diagnosis of carcinomas of unknown primary site has proved to be difficult for many reasons. PATIENT AND METHODS: In this study, case in which cerebral metastasis is confirmed by biopsy technique with no identified primary site at the onset of treatment is presented here in. RESULTS: The multimolity medical images was used to detect pulmonary hearths compatibles with a malignant histology. Further analysis diagnosed a primitive neoplasm. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates the interest of this technology in medical imagery in the early detection of primitive cancers on which the forecast depends.

[Epidemiological, clinical and therapeutical study of depressed skull fractures in the neurosurgical department of the gabriel toure hospital: about 72 cases]. / Etude epidemiologique, clinique et therapeutique des fractures embarrures du crane a propos de 72 cas dans le service de neurochirurgie du CHU Gabriel Toure.

INTRODUCTION: Depressed skull fractures are common and frequent among neurosurgical diseases of whose danger stem from the associated intracranial lesions. The aims of this study were to describe the epidemiological characteristics of depressed skull fractures, to determine their etiology, to describe the clinical signs, to highlight the complications and sequelae and to evaluate care management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It was a retrospective and descriptive study from January to December 2013 including 72 patients admitted to the neurosurgical department of the Gabriel Toure hospital. RESULTS: The frequency was 14.7% and the male to female ratio was 13.4. The peak frequency of these injuries occurred in the 16-to 25-year-old age group accounting for 38.9% of cases. Road traffic accidents were the most common causes of depressed skull fractures (59.7%). Neurosurgical treatment was performed in 25 (34.72%) patients and the most common surgical technique performed was the craniectomy in (64%). Infection of the wound was found in 15.3% and the mortality rate was 1.39%. CONCLUSIONS: Depressed skull fractures are a frequent neurosurgical disease in the Gabriel Touré hospital. Young people are most affected and road traffic accidents involving motorbikes are the main cause the fractures. The infection of the wound is a poor prognostic factor. Therefore, an early management is required to expect a good outcome.

INTRODUCTION: Les Fractures embarrures constituent des affections fréquentes en neurochirurgie dont la gravité est liée aux lésions intracrâniennes associées. Les objectifs de ce travail sont les suivants : décrire les caractéristiques épidémiologiques des fractures embarrures du crâne, déterminer les étiologies, décrire les signes cliniques, dégager les complications et les séquelles et évaluer la prise en charge. PATIENTS ET MÉTHODES: il s'agissait d'une étude rétrospective descriptive portant sur 72 malades de janvier à décembre 2013 dans le service de neurochirurgie du CHU Gabriel Touré. La fréquence était de 14,7% avec une forte prédominance masculine (93% des cas). Les jeunes de 16-25 ans étaient les plus touchés soit 38,9%. Les AVP constituaient la principale étiologie avec 59,7% des cas. Le traitement neurochirurgical a été effectué chez 25 patients soit 34,72% et la craniectomie à os perdu était la technique la plus utilisés (64% des cas opérés). L'infection de la plaie a été la complication post opératoire dominante avec 15,3%. le taux de mortalité était de 1,39%.

[Clinical and therapeutical aspects of lumbar stenosis in the gabriel touré hospital: about 24 cases]. / Aspect clinique et therapeutique du canal lombaire a propos de 24 cas enregistres au CHU Gabriel Toure de Bamako.

INTRODUCTION: Lumbar stenosis is a disease caused by a conflict between the neural structures (spinal cord and nerve roots) and spinal structures (bones and ligaments). The objectives of this study were to highlight the frequency, the diagnosis and therapeutics options, and to evaluate the treatment outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It was a retrospective study from January 2012 to December 2012 including 24 patients admitted to the neurosurgical department of the Gabriel Touré Hospital. RESULTS: The frequency of lumbar stenosis was 6.19% of all neurosurgical diseases. The sex-ratio was 0.71. The age ranged from 28 to 81 years with an average of 52 years. The neurogenic claudication was found in 87.5%. The straight leg raising test was positive in 41.7% of cases. The most vertebras involved were L4 and L5. Lumbar disc herniation was associated in 70.83%. Degenerative lumbar stenosis was the most common form, found in 66.67% of cases. Surgical treatment was performed in 29.17% of cases. The outcome was good in 85.6% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Lumbar stenosis is a prevalent disease that occurs typically occurs around 50 years of age. The diagnosis was confirmed by myelography and a post myelographic CT scan. Good outcomes are achieved with both surgical or medical treatments.

INTRODUCTION: Le canal lombaire étroit (C.L.E.) est une pathologie liée à un conflit entre le contenant (ostéo-discoligamentaire) et le contenu (moelle épinière et ses composantes). Les objectifs de ce travail étaient de déterminer la fréquence du CLE, de déterminer les méthodes de diagnostic et de traitement, d'évaluer les résultats du traitement. PATIENTS ET MÉTHODE: Il s'agissait d'une étude rétrospective portant sur 24 cas de canal lombaire étroit colligés entre le 1er Janvier 2012 et le 31 Décembre 2012% dans le service de Neurochirurgie du C.H.U Gabriel Touré. RÉSULTATS: le CLE constitue 6,19% de nos patients opérés. Le sexe féminin prédominait avec 58%. L'âge moyen était 52 ans avec les extrêmes de 28 ans et de 81 ans. La claudication était retrouvée à l'interrogatoire chez 87,5% des cas. le signe de Sonnette était retrouvé chez 41,7% des patients. Les vertèbres L4 et L5 étaient les plus touchés. La hernie discale était associée dans 70 .83%. Le CLE acquis représentait 66,67% des cas, la forme constitutionnelle,25% et celle congénitale, 8,33%. Le traitement a été médical dans 70,83% des cas et chirurgical 29,17%. Les résultats étaient bons dans 85,6%. CONCLUSION: le CLE est une affection fréquente se manifestant vers l'âge de 50 ans. La confirmation du diagnostic était faite par la saccoradiculographie couplée au myéloscanner. Le traitement médical ou chirurgical donne des bons résultats.

[Intracranial meningiomas. The Dakar experience apropos of 79 cases]. / Méningiomes intracrâniens. Expérience dakaroise à propos de 79 cas.

We report our experience with 79 intracranial meningiomas operated on between 1960 and 1995 in Dakar Senegal. In our geographical region issues concerning diagnosis, therapy and clinical course are still a topic of debate due mainly to the lack of high-performance technical units. All patients were admitted with evident symptoms. The classically described prevalence was not found in this series. Thirty-one cases presented intracranial hypertension with or without a focal syndrome which evidenced a motor deficit in 32 cases and irritative lesions in 24. External bulging of the meningioma was observed in a large number of cases (11.4%). Until 1994, angiography was the only available means of diagnosis. Mortality was high (30 cases) and results depended on delay to surgery, tumor localization and operative conditions. Our results have been improving over the years but cannot be sustained unless the technical unit is upgraded.

[Calcified brain abscess: a case report]. / Abcès calcifié du cerveau: à propos d'un cas.

Calcified brain abscesses are rare. A huge one is reported. A six years old feale had a fistula at the left frontal region for about three years. Patient was gored by a cow. Three years later Staphylococcus aureus was identified in the pus. The post operative neurological recovery was good.

[Genetic and etiologic aspects od spina bifida in Senegal. Apropos of 211 cases collected at the neurosurgical clinic UHC of Fann]. / Aspects génétiques et étiologiques du Spina Bifida au Sénégal. A propos de 211 cas colligés à la Clinique Neurochirurgicale du CHU de Fann.

From 1969 to 1988, 211 cases of spina bifida were collected from the Neurosurgical Clinic at the University Teaching Hospital of Dakar. Cases were reviewed for genetic and environmental factors. There were 103 males (48.81%) and 108 females (51.19%). The most important ethnic group involved were toucouleurs (20.11%). Consanguineous marriages in parents of affected infants were lower than in the general population (62.5% vs 71%). Recurrence has been noted in 4.26% of the cases. There were more fifth-born children affected than expected (16.2% vs 9% p < 0.02). A seasonal and geographic variation of the incidence has also been observed. Infants conceived between November and February appear to be of highest risk (36.16%). The incidence is higher in the north-west and lower in the south-east part of the country. Lower social-economic classes were the most involved. The authors support the hypothesis of multifactorial etiology in Spina Bifida.

[Spinal meningiomas. Apropos of 14 cases]. / Les méningiomes intra rachidiens. A propos de 14 cas.

Fourteen cases of spinal meningiomas were reviewed. There were 5 males and 9 females, with an average age of 40 years who underwent surgical treatment at the Neurosurgical Division of Dakar University Teaching Hospital. The thoracic spine was involved in 10 cases. The location of the tumor in the spinal canal was epidural in 6 cases and subdural in 8 cases. 7 patients (50%) had marked improvement or stabilization: 4 patients died and in 3 cases, a recurrence was noted. The authors emphasize diagnostic difficulties encountered in the epidural forms.

[Child cerebellar meningioma. A case report]. / Le méningiome cérébelleux "intra parenchymateux" de l'enfant: a propos d'un cas.

Meningioma is an uncommon tumor of childhood. In this group, supra tentorial forms predominate. We report the case of a 14 years old boy without any past medical history. He presented headaches, vomiting and cerebellar syndrome. CT scan shows cerebellar tumor, enhanced by contrast and surrounded by edema, looking like tuberculoma. After fail of tuberculosis treatment, the boy is operated by suboccipital approach. Histology and immuno histochemical examination show fibroblastic meningioma. Even if it is rare, meningioma can occur in childhood, without neurofibromatosis disease. It can present many points of likeness with tuberculoma and therefore biopsy is mandatory before tuberculosis drugs giving.

[Brain abscess and extracerebral empyema]. / Abcès du cerveau et empyèmes extra cérébraux.

The authors report 80 cases of collected cranio-encephalic suppurations observed in the Neuro Surgical Unit of the University Teaching Hospital of Dakar from 1969 til 1990. 13 cases were necropsy discoveries and 67 cas that were operated consisted of 55 abscesses of the brain and 25 extra-cerebral empyemas. 56 patients were under 20 years of age with an obvious prevalence of male patients. The collected cranio-encephalic suppuration complicated head trauma in 22 cases and was consecutive to an otorhinolaryngeal infection in 10 cases. The typical clinical aspect of progressive installation associated an intracranial hypertension, motor deficit of one side of the body and an epileptic crisis. A brutal beginning was not an exception in 16 cases. This is often in subdural empyemas. Concerning neuroradiology, cerebral angiography still constitutes our method of choice of investigation; echography can only be performed in infants with permeable fontanela, or during post operative surveillance, using the lacuna created by the craniotomy as an acoustic window. Simple puncture and drainage of the cerebral abscess of the classical cutting away in bloc and the utilisation of echography have considerably contributed for the amelioration of post-operative results.

[Chronic subdural hematoma of the adult in Senegal. (Apropos of 118 cases)]. / L'hématome sous dural chronique de l'adulte au Senegal (a propos de 118 cas).

Epidemiological and clinical analysis of a population of 118 cases o adult subdural hematoma in Sénégal led the authors to make some statements. The age histogram has shown a peak after 50 years old; this fact supports the belonging of subdural hematoma to brain aging pathology. Male were more involved than female (101/17). The head trauma is found in 55%, alcoholism in 3.4%, anticoagulating treatment in 1.69%; others etiological factors were discussed. The authors stressed out the swinging of the clinical picture of subdural hematoma which might lead to misdiagnosis; CT scan or cerebral angiography are useful to make the diagnosis. The pathology of subdural hematoma has given rise to a controversial issue. Surgical decompression allowed to get a complete recovery in 64%. The post operated death-rate was 18.75%.

[Cauda equina compression: report of 20 cases]. / Les compressions de la queue de cheval: à propos de 20 cas.

The authors report in a retrospective study, 20 cases of cauda equina compressions operated in the Neurosurgical department of the University Hospital of Dakar. Clinical aspects, aetiologies, and prognosis are discussed. Cauda equina compressions represented 13.2% of all medullar and radicular compressions. Diagnosis was delayed with a mean duration of 11.2 months. Chronic lumbar pain is the main initial sign, diagnosis is made at the state of paraplegia with sphincter dysfunction. Lumbar canal stenosis (40%) and herniated disc (30%) were the most frequent causes, tumors were rare. Surgical treatment gave good results about motor deficit; urinary incontinence is a frequent sequella. The authors emphasize an early diagnosis for prognosis improvement.

[Lumbar canal stenosis in Ouagadougou: aetiological, clinical aspects and prognosis regarding 80 cases]. / Le canal lombaire étroit à Ouagadougou: aspects étiologiques, cliniques et pronostiques sur une étude de 80 cas.

The authors report their experience about 80 cases operated for lumbar spinal stenosis. Etiological clinical aspects and prognosis are studied. Lumbar arthrosis (83.8%) is the most frequent aetiology. The mean age is 50.7 years. Men are most affected than women (sex-ratio 2/1). Heavy work has a part to play in the genesis, in effect it tends to low the age of symptomatic stenosis. Lumbar and radicular pains are the most frequent symptoms (82.5%). Neurogenic intermittent claudication is less frequent (65%). Heavy cases with neurologic complications are frequent (32.5%). Surgical results are satisfactory in 74.3% of the cases. The authors insist in the interest of extensive laminectomy, respecting however as much as possible, the structure of stability of the vertebral column.

[Lumbar canal stenosis: apropos of 64 cases collected at the neurosurgical clinic of the CHU of Dakar]. / Le canal lombaire étroit: à propos de 64 cas colligés à la clinique neurochirurgicale du CHU de Dakar.

From 1980 to 1990, 64 cases of Lumbar canal Stenosis have been recorded and operated on at the neurosurgical clinic. The male sex is prevailing and the breakdown by age groups showed a preponderance of the age sections between 31 and 45 and 46 and 60 years. The sciatic pain was the most frequent starting symptom. As far as the physical signs are concerned, the areflexy of the tendon predominates. The saccoradiculography has established the diagnosis in most of the cases. The laminectomy associated with another technique has permitted to obtain the best result of the treatment. With the advent of the T scan, a better estimation of the lumbar canal will be possible, so as to replace the laminectomy by a more adaptable technique: the remeasurement of the lumbar canal.

[Biometric aspects of the lumbar canal in Senegalese of the African negro race (apropos of 21 autopsy parts)]. / Aspects biométriques du canal lombaire chez le sénégalais de race négro africaine (à propos de 21 pièces autopsiques).

Because of frequency and seriousness of myelo radicular complications of narrow lumbar canal, the authors studied its radiological and anatomical measurements in order to specify the standards for senegalese negro african. For that purpose, they collected samples of 21 lumbosacral spines from new cadavers through medico legal necropsies. Pieces have been first X rayed, then treated. They measured the antero posterior diameter of vertebral corpse, the anterio posterior diameter of vertebral canal, the narrowest transversal diameter of vertebral corpse and the inter pedicular distance. The authors found no significant differences between radiological and anatomical measurements, but the latest changed from one stage to another. The variations also were not important comparatively to standards established by two authors.

[Non-infectious complications of treatment of hydrocephalus by shunt]. / Complications non infectieuses du traitement de l'hydrocéphalie par shunt.

From january 1975 to december 1988, 234 hydrocephalus cases of newborn and infant treated by ventriculo-peritoneal or ventriculo atrial shunt have been studied at Dakar CHU (University Teaching Hospital) neuro-surgery clinic. The non infectious complications of this type of surgical treatment using inert material, have been observed in 52 patients or 22 per cent even though infectious complications can be noted in 34 per cent of the cases. Among these non infectious complications the extra-cranial mechanical are the most frequent. Fistula or subcutaneous collection of CSF (13 cases), cutaneous necrosis (12 cases), shunt material disconnection (9 cases), obstruction (8 cases). Chronic subdural hematoma has been proved rare and cranio-stenosis secondary to drainage, exceptional. The treatment of mechanical complications by simple revision emphasizes the maintenance of shunt material in place contrary to the treatment of infectious complications that occurs almost always the removal of a material already expensive associated with a long standing antibiotic chemotherapy. Successive revisions and reinsertion of material can raise technical difficulties which will lead to delayed infection. Careful technical procedure of shunting constitutes the best mean prevention against these non infectious complications.