[Intraventricular schwannoma: a case report]. / Schwannome intraventriculaire: à propos d'un cas.

Ventricular schwannomas are very uncommon. We report such a tumor in the right lateral ventricle of a 16-year-old young man. The various etiopathogenic hypotheses are discussed.

[Evaluation of neuro-oncology information for French speaking patients on the Internet]. / Evaluation de l'information sur Internet destinée aux patients francophones en neuro-oncologie.

OBJECTIVE: Internet has become the first place where patients go to when seeking information about their disease. Little is known about the type and the quality of the medical information available on French-speaking websites, especially in the field of neuro-oncology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of these sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We entered six key words "glioblastome", "méningiome", "métastase cérébrale", "neurinome de l'acoustique", "adénome à prolactine" and "lymphome primitif cérébral" into 2 different search engines and, for each key word, the first fifty websites were reviewed using the tool "DISCERN", and with the help of two neuro-oncologists, we rated their content in terms of quality and comprehension. RESULTS: On 612 websites only 110 (18%) contained information that proved to be somewhat useful to patients. The average score for quality was 32, which is considered to be <>. According to our scoring system, 1.8% of websites were found to be "excellent", 11.8% "good", 24.5% "fairly good", 15.4% "average", 32.7% "poor" and 13.6% "very poor". Just over 50% of the websites were found to be clear. The study also showed that the order in which these websites were ranked in the search engine, their affiliation, their target or who financed them had little impact on quality. The websites were more likely to be of high quality if they were managed by doctors and had bibliographical references as well as a date indicating a recent website's update. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study shows that the search for medical information on the Internet is time consuming and often disappointing: very few websites provide information that is both clear and exhaustive. However, we also found that very few websites contained information that was seriously inaccurate. Given the growing popularity of the Internet, patients could certainly benefit from a high quality French speaking website that would specialize in cerebral tumors, as well as from a neuro-oncological portal that would take them to selected websites as it would save time and would be a guarantee for quality.

Atopic myelitis: a clinical, biological, radiological and histopathological diagnosis.

We describe a young patient with an unusual intramedullary lesion filled with eosinophils. The 21-year-old man developed chronic myelitis without optic neuritis or signs of systemic or infectious disease. A spinal biopsy was conducted because of the progressive extension and pseudo-tumoural aspect of the lesion. Histopathological analysis of the biopsy specimen revealed a severe inflammatory process with macrophages and numerous eosinophils. The eosinophil count in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were normal. Clinical, laboratory and radiological data did not correspond with the usual causes of eosinophilic myelitis. Abnormal mite antigen-specific IgE levels and features similar to Japanese cases of atopic myelitis suggested an allergic origin. Despite normal total IgE levels, this case may be the second case of atopic myelitis reported in a Caucasian patient. Striking differences with the first reported case are the absence of a typical history of atopy and normal total IgE levels. This case highlights that atopic myelitis should be considered in myelopathy occurring in Caucasian patients even in the absence of hyperIgEaemia.

Unusual growth within a meningioma (leukemic infiltrate).

Intracranial meningiomas are generally slow-growing neoplasms. Symptoms depend on their critical intracranial location. The authors describe a case of rapidly enlarging meningioma that became symptomatic as a result of invasion by leukemic cells at the time of a blastic crisis in the context of chronic myeloid leukemia. Infiltration of an intracranial meningioma by cells from extracranial malignant neoplasms is a rare event. Even though central nervous system (CNS) or meningeal involvement is common in some hematologic malignancies, this is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of invasion of an intracranial meningioma by leukemic cells.

Hemorrhagic arachnoid cyst with third nerve paresis: CT and MR findings.

We report the CT and MR appearance of a nontraumatic hemorrhagic arachnoid cyst presenting with a third nerve paresis in a 37-year-old man. The cyst, located in the left suprasellar area, contained a fluid-blood level with stigmata of subacute hemorrhage on both CT and MR studies.

Unusual location of an intracranial chondroma.

We describe the MR findings in a case of chondroma arising from the falx. At MR imaging, the mass appeared well defined, lobulated, hypointense to isointense on T1-weighted images, and very heterogeneous with marked hyperintense areas on T2-weighted images. After contrast administration, this tumor enhanced slightly on delayed images.

Cervical epidural pseudotumor and multifocal fibrosclerosis. Case report and review of the literature.

The authors present the case of a 45-year-old man suffering from progressive quadriplegia due to an expansive C3-T2 epidural mass. Neuropathological examination demonstrated pseudotumor tissue. The patient had had an orbital pseudotumor 5 years before admission, and other systemic manifestations of an idiopathic inflammatory disease were discovered. This case is extremely rare. Nine cases of multifocal fibrosclerosis with central nervous system involvement are described in the literature. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of a cervical epidural pseudotumor. Modern imaging has made the diagnosis of such an entity possible, and it is important for the neurosurgeon to consider this syndrome because the combination of surgery and systemic medical therapy can ensure a long-term survival with good quality of life.

Unusual occipitoatlantal fracture dissociation with no neurological impairment. Case report.

The authors describe an unusual case of a complex traumatic fracture-dissociation injury of the craniovertebral junction, which the patient survived with no neurological damage. This case featured the rare combination of an avulsion of both the right occipital condyle and clivus and a fracture of the left lateral mass of the atlas. Because of the craniocervical ligament injury and the slight anterior occipitoatlantal dislocation, the lesion was considered to be unstable and was treated successfully with a cervical collar. The authors emphasize that thin-slice computerized tomography scanning with multiplanar reconstructions is essential to visualize these fractures, whereas magnetic resonance imaging is useful to assess soft tissues.

Axillary schwannoma masquerading as cervical radiculopathy.

A 58-year-old woman, suffering from radicular-like pain in the left arm for 3 years, presented an entirely negative cervical imaging. Careful clinical examination disclosed Tinel's sign in the axilla. This clinical finding led to further investigation of this region. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging disclosed a small tumour highly suggestive of a schwannoma. Surgical exploration and microscopic examination confirmed a diagnosis of schwannoma located on the radial trunk of the left brachial plexus. After tumour excision, the patient had immediate relief of pain without sensitive or motor sequelae. No recurrence has been observed after 3 years.

Anterior cervical interbody fusion with hydroxyapatite graft and plate system.

OBJECT: In cases of spondylosis or spine trauma, cervical interbody grafts are sometimes required after anterior discectomy. To avoid morbidity related to the harvesting of iliac crest bone, numerous materials have been developed such as allografts, methylmethacrylate, biocompatible osteoconductive polymer, and coralline grafts or cages. Some of these materials, however, are inefficient for fusion or are associated with specific complications. Conversely, hydroxyapatite (HA) grafts have numerous advantages. For example, their mechanical properties provide adequate load resistance and their porosity allows infiltration by newly formed bone, leading to complete fusion. The authors studied the results of using HA grafts combined with plating in patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomy. METHODS: Fifty-four patients underwent 68 cervical interbody fusion procedures in which an HA graft and plating were used. Indications for surgery were radiculopathy (caused by soft-disc herniation or spondylosis) in 46 cases, spondylotic myelopathy in two cases, and spinal trauma in six cases. Postoperatively the patients were followed for a mean of 24.6 months. Patients underwent radiography to evaluate fusion, intervertebral disc height, and the degree of lordosis. Clinically, excellent or good results (based on the Odon classification) were demonstrated in 91% of patients who presented with radiculopathy. Complete interbody fusion was achieved in 99% of all cases. Preoperative kyphotic deformities were corrected in all cases after surgery. Intervertebral disc height was maintained throughout follow up. Surgery-related morbidity was low; only one patient suffered from a permanent dysphagia. Graft deterioration was observed in 13 cases and two graft fractures occurred but without adversely affecting fusion. There were no cases of graft extrusion. CONCLUSIONS: Hydroxyapatite grafts are very efficient in achieving cervical fusion, maintaining intervertebral disc height, and restoring lordosis. When combined with the placement of a cervical plate, immediate stability is achieved and graft displacement is prevented.

[Papilloma of the choroid plexus of the lateral ventricle without generalized hydrocephalus]. / Papillome du plexus choroïde du ventricule latéral sans hydrocéphalie généralisée.

A benign papilloma of the choroid plexus of the left lateral ventricle is found in a five-month old infant. An important dilatation of the isolated occipital horn is observed, without generalized enlargement of the ventricles. The clinical signs are limited to a moderate macrocephaly with deviation of head and eyes to the left. The absence of global hydrocephalus is rather exceptional in such cases, where overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid, in an amount proportional to the tumoral mass, is generally admitted. Nevertheless, the literature offers no absolute proof of the role of oversecretion alone in the origin of hydrocephalus, whilst an eventual obstruction of the circulatory pathways and resorption areas of the C.S.F. must be kept in mind. The absence of hydrocephalus, in the present case, suggests that the subarachnoid spaces and arachnoid villi remained patent.

[Streptococcus milleri subacute spinal cord abscess. Apropos of a case]. / Abcès médullaire subaigu à Streptococcus milleri. A propos d'un cas.

Since 1830, more than eighty cases of spinal cord abscesses have been reported. In half of these cases, it was unfortunately a post-mortem diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) now gives new possibilities in the diagnosis and treatment of this rare pathology. We report here a case of cervical spinal cord abscess due to Streptococcus milleri. The clinical and laboratory findings, the MRI features, the pathogenicity of the offending pathogen and the surgical approach are discussed and compared with the data from the literature. The functional course was unexpectedly favourable in this patient. MRI allows prompt diagnosis and a precise localisation of the suspected abscess. Rapid surgical drainage is a critical prognostic factor for effective management of spinal cord abscess.

[Spontaneous hematoma of the cerebellum]. / L'hématome spontané du cervelet.

Forty spontaneous cerebellar hematomas have been observed in 39 patients whose age ranged from 13 to 82 years, 26 being older than 60. Arterial hypertension is the most frequent aetiological factor. Amongst the other causes, vascular malformations, which may also be present in older people, anticoagulant therapy, metastatic tumor, sepsis were found; one case remained unsolved. Diagnosis is no longer a challenge since the introduction of C.T. scan, whilst M.R.I. may give most valuable informations concerning aetiology, especially when a vascular malformation is present. In this study, the influence of the hematoma size and of hydrocephalus on consciousness was demonstrated; development of hydrocephalus is favoured by the size and by a rather median location of the hematoma. In the future, M.R.I. should give better precisions concerning an eventual extension of the hemorrhage to the brainstem. The purpose of surgical treatment is twofold: alleviating brainstem compression and correcting hydrocephalus; yet, divergent opinions have been put forward in retrospective studies, concerning evacuation of the hematoma and drainage of hydrocephalus. In this series, direct attack doesn't seem to be indicated in hematomas less than 3.5 cm diameter, unless a causal lesion has to be removed. The ideal moment for hematoma evacuation is, finally, dictated by the clinical status and its evolution; however, the authors prefer, if possible, to delay it for at least 48 hours. Amongst the 39 patients, 14 deceased; of the 25 survivors, 19 were autonomous, 7 being nearly asymptomatic, 6 patients remained handicapped. Consciousness is a main prognostic factor, whilst coma in the first hours has a clearly unfavourable significance.

Sacral reflex latencies in tethered cord syndrome.

We performed electrophysiologic evaluation in three adult patients with diagnosis of tethered cord syndrome confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. In addition to lower motor neuron lesion signs in the lumbar and sacral myomeres we noticed shortened latencies for the H and bulbocavernosus reflexes. H reflex latencies ranged from 23.3 to 26.0 ms; bulbocavernosus reflex latencies ranged from 18.2 to 20.2 ms. The low location of the conus medullaris accounts for the shortening of the monosynaptic H reflex and for a part of the shortening of the polysynaptic bulbocavernosus reflex, anoxia of the conus being probably another important factor. In the absence of previous description of alternative pathology accountable for such a shortening, our observations suggest that shortened sacral reflex latencies might be specific of the tethered cord syndrome.

Treatment by aspiration of brain abscesses.

Sixteen patients, with a total of 18 abscesses, were treated by aspiration and systemic antibiotic therapy, to which antiepileptic prophylaxis and corticosteroids were added. Diagnosis of the abscesses and monitoring of their evolution relied principally upon computed tomography; this technique was also used per-operatively when aspirating small abscesses. Bacteriological examinations were positive in all our cases and a polymicrobial flora was found in half of these. One or, eventually, two aspirations within the same week were sufficient, in most cases, to promote healing. Nevertheless, in three patients, the abscesses, however sterilized, did not show any volume reduction, probably because of adhesions to the dura mater, of a large part of the abscess surface area. One patient died from concomitant cardiac disease and one patient remained seriously disabled. Epilepsy was observed as a sequela, in six patients. This study emphasizes the role of neuroradiological and bacteriological examinations, whilst surgery may be restricted, in most cases, to a simple aspiration.

[Pituitary apoplexy of a gonadotrophinoma and TRH/GnRH tests. Literature review]. / Apoplexie hypophysaire d'un gonadotrophinome et test au TRH/GnRH. Revue de la litterature.

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare but sometimes dramatic complication of pituitary tumors. We report the case of a 64-year-old man with a macroadenoma who complained of a sudden and intense headache after a dynamic TRH (200 micrograms) and GnRH (100 micrograms) test. Two days later, he presented an acute ophthalmoplegia with fever and deteriorating consciousness. Emergency CT scan showed contrast hypofixation compatible with necrosis of the adenoma. Surgical, tumoral decompression resolved quickly almost all symptoms. Immunohistochemical study of the tumor confirmed the diagnosis of gonadotropinoma. Several similar cases of pituitary apoplexy occurring after TRH or GnRH tests have been described the last ten years. As this test may sometimes confirm the diagnosis of gonadotropinoma, it should be performed with caution in cases of clinically non functioning pituitary macroadenoma.

Whipple's disease confined to the central nervous system.

We report a 49-year-old woman with a left parietal lesion, shown on CT and MRI as an isolated ring-enhancing mass. The diagnosis of cerebral Whipple's disease was made by brain biopsy; there were no gastrointestinal symptoms nor periodic-acid Schiff-positive inclusions in the jejunal mucosa. This case illustrates atypical Whipple's disease, confined exclusively to the central nervous system.

Cervical spinal cord injury in sapho syndrome.

Cervical spinal fracture and pseudarthrosis are previously described causes of spinal cord injury (SCI) in patients with spondylarthropathy. SAPHO (Synovitis Acne Pustulosis Hyperostosis Osteitis) syndrome is a recently recognized rheumatic condition characterized by hyperostosis and arthro-osteitis of the upper anterior chest wall, spinal involvement similar to spondylarthropathies and skin manifestations including palmoplantar pustulosis and pustular psoriasis. We report the first case of SAPHO syndrome disclosed by SCI related to cervical spine ankylosis.