Pituitary metastases: presentation and outcomes from a pituitary center over the last decade.

PURPOSE: Highlight and characterize manifestations, diagnostic/management approaches and outcomes in a contemporary cohort of patients with pituitary metastases (PM) from a large European pituitary center-over 10 years. METHODS: Retrospective review of PM cases between 1/2009 and 12/2018. Clinical, laboratory, imaging data at PM detection and during follow-up were analysed. RESULTS: 18 cases were identified (14 females; median age at diagnosis 61.5 years). Most common primary malignancies were lung (39%) and breast (32%). Most frequent presenting manifestation was visual dysfunction (50%). Gonadotrophin, ACTH, TSH deficiency were diagnosed in 85%, 67%, 46% of cases, respectively; diabetes insipidus (DI) was present in 17%. 33% of cases were detected during investigation for symptoms unrelated to PM. PM management included radiotherapy (44%), transsphenoidal surgery (17%), transsphenoidal surgery and radiotherapy (6%) or monitoring only (33%). One-year survival was 49% with median survival from PM detection 11 months (range 2-47). CONCLUSIONS: In our contemporary series, clinical presentation of PM has evolved; we found increased prevalence of anterior hypopituitarism, decreased rates of DI and longer survival compared with older literature. Increased availability of diagnostic imaging, improvements in screening and recognition of pituitary disease and longer survival of patients with metastatic cancer may be contributing factors.

The crucial role of imaging in determining the approach to glomus tympanicum tumours.

Glomus tumours are rare vascular tumours arising within the lateral skull base, infratemporal fossa and upper neck. When they are confined to the middle ear cleft, they are termed glomus tympanicum tumours. Traditionally tympanicum tumours have been treated surgically and their removal has generally been regarded as quite straightforward. Our experience with these lesions however, is that they fall into two distinct categories, those with and those without hypotympanic involvement. This distinction can be determined by high resolution CT scanning in coronal and axial planes. Mesotympanic tumours are indeed typically straightforward in their removal and can be approached by a transcanal route. Hypotympanic extension requires additional evaluation by MRI, and a more extensive surgical approach. In this paper, we present our management approach based on a series of nine cases. We conclude that determining the tumour extension preoperatively by using modern imaging techniques is essential in planning the surgery.

Patulous Eustachian tube obliteration using endovascular coils: a novel technique.

BACKGROUND: Patulous Eustachian tube is a distressing condition characterised by chronic patency of the Eustachian tube and its failure to close. Patients typically present with symptoms of autophony and aural fullness. In patients requiring surgical intervention, a variety of different procedures have been demonstrated (both transtympanic and endonasal), with limited success. Evidence of the effectiveness of a number of surgical interventions is limited to small case series only. OBJECTIVE: This paper describes a novel treatment for patulous Eustachian tube using a 3 mm VortX Diamond endovascular coil.Case reportA transnasal endoscopic approach was adopted, with cannulation of the Eustachian tube orifice using a Relieva sinus guide suction tube from a balloon sinuplasty set. The coil was deployed 1.5 cm deep into the Eustachian tube. Post-operative imaging was used to confirm correct positioning. Regular follow up was arranged. The patient reported complete resolution of her symptoms. CONCLUSION: The technique has so far proved highly effective and minimally invasive. It will be employed in more patients to fully establish its effectiveness in treating patulous Eustachian tube.

Cerebellopontine angle arachnoid cysts in adult patients: what is the appropriate management?

Arachnoid cysts can occur at different intracranial sites, including the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). The incidence of arachnoid cysts is 1 per cent of all intracranial lesions. Recent advances in MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan techniques have led to CPA arachnoid cysts being more frequently diagnosed and with a higher degree of certainty. The need for further understanding of their natural history as well as for the development of a management rationale has been highlighted with this increased rate of diagnosis. We present a series of five adult patients with different clinical presentations attributed to CPA arachnoid cysts. These lesions have a characteristic location in the posterior-inferior aspect of the CPA below the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves. These cysts did not show change in size on repeated MRI scan and the patients' symptoms did not progress over the period of follow up. Our findings would support a conservative management approach to the majority of these cysts.

Imaging of giant tumours involving the anterior skull base.

Tumours involving the anterior skull base are a challenge in diagnosis and treatment. They may arise from the bony skull base itself, intracranially or from the sinonasal tract and orbit. It is often difficult to determine the site of origin of giant tumours as anatomical boundaries are frequently breached. Accurate imaging evaluation is useful in planning treatment and may help in the differential diagnosis. We review those CT and MRI features of giant anterior cranial fossa tumours which may be helpful in identifying a pre-operative diagnosis.

Case report: ossification of the thoracic ligamenta flava in a Caucasian: a rare cause of myelopathy.

Ossification of the ligamenta flava is rare and has been described almost exclusively in Japanese people. We present a case in which ossification of the thoracic ligamenta flava caused compressive myelopathy in a Caucasian.

The incidence of sinusitis in patients with multiple sclerosis.

A retrospective study was performed to assess the incidence of sinus disease in patients with MS. The MRI scans of 108 patients referred to a regional Neurosciences Unit with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis were examined. There were 71 females and 37 males with an age range of 22 to 67 years (mean: 39.7 years). The sagittal and axial images were reviewed and the degree of sinus disease noted. This was graded as absent, minimal, polypoid and pansinus. Fifty-seven patients (53%) had disease, the most common sinus involved was the maxillary followed by the ethmoid, frontal and sphenoid. Thirty-six patients had bilateral disease affecting the ethmoid sinuses most commonly. Three patients had fluid levels and four patients had retention cysts. The incidence of sinus disease is higher than in some other studies of normal populations.

An unusual cause of nasal septum perforation.

We present a case where the use of magnetically held earring clips in the nose led to an unfortunate series of events resulting in perforation of the nasal septum.

Computed tomography evidence of dental restoration as aetiological factor for maxillary sinusitis.

Maxillary sinusitis due to dental causes is usually secondary to periodontal disease or periapical infection and is commonly associated with mucosal thickening of the floor of the maxillary antrum. Computed tomography (CT) is currently the modality of choice for evaluating the extent of disease and any predisposing factors in patients with symptoms of chronic maxillary sinusitis, but it is unable to diagnose dental disease reliably. The presence of restorative dentistry is, however, easily seen at CT and is associated with both periapical and periodontal disease. We aimed to determine whether its presence at CT may predispose to maxillary sinusitis, and in particular to focal mucosal thickening of the sinus floor characteristic of dental origin. Three hundred and thirty maxillary sinus CT images in 165 patients were reviewed for the presence of restorative dentistry in the adjacent teeth, focal maxillary sinus floor mucosal thickening, any maxillary sinus disease (including complete opacification, air fluid levels, diffuse mucosal thickening, focal mucosal thickening) and evidence of a rhinogenic aetiology (osteomeatal complex pathology, mucosal thickening in other sinuses). One hundred and ninety two sinuses adjacent to restorative dentistry and 178 sinuses not adjacent to restorative dentistry were analysed. Focal floor thickening both with, and without, evidence of a rhinogenic aetiology, was significantly more common adjacent to restorative dentistry. Maxillary sinus disease overall was no more common adjacent to restorative dentistry. This work demonstrated that the presence of restorative dentistry predisposes to focal mucosal thickening in the floor of the maxillary sinus and its presence should prompt clinical and radiographical assessment to exclude dental disease as a source of chronic maxillary sinusitis.

Parapharyngeal abscess secondary to an external auditory meatus foreign body.

Parapharyngeal abscess is not an uncommon condition and may be due to spread of infection from acute tonsillitis or dental disease or secondary to perforating injury of the pharynx. We present a case report of a patient with an external auditory meatus foreign body who developed a parapharyngeal abscess.

Syringomyelia and bilateral vocal fold palsy.

This is a case of a 35-year-old who had complained of noisy breathing for 15 years, and had been on treatment for 'chronic asthma'. She presented to the Accident and Emergency department with an acute episode of difficulty with breathing, and on admission was found to have stridor and bilateral abductor vocal fold palsy. Further workup revealed a syringomyelia with an associated Chiari type 1 malformation. It is important to consider the above diagnosis in the differential of young adults with breathing difficulties. A discussion of syringomyelia, Chiai malformations and bilateral vocal fold palsy follows.

Incidental paranasal sinus inflammatory changes in a British population.

A retrospective study was carried out to determine the prevalence of abnormality in the paranasal sinuses in a British population having magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for neurological signs and symptoms. The T2-weighted scans of 130 patients were studied. Abnormalities in the paranasal sinuses show as high signal on the T2-weighted scans and thus are clearly seen. Abnormalities included mucosal thickening, fluid levels, sinus opacification and retention cysts/polyps. Of the patients studied, 49.2 per cent showed one or more abnormality. Mucosal thickening was the most common abnormality noted and the ethmoid sinuses the most commonly affected.

Intracranial complications of sinusitis: the need for aggressive management.

Sinus-induced intracranial sepsis can represent a genuine medical and surgical emergency. We review 12 cases presenting to our hospitals over a five-year period. Nine were male and three were female with an age range of 16 to 74 years (mean 35.5 years). Four patients had their sinusitis diagnosed prior to admission and eight did not. Nine patients had bilateral sinus disease, the most common sinus involved was the frontal followed by the ethmoid, maxillary and sphenoid. Neurosurgical drainage was via a craniotomy in seven cases and burr hole in three. Nine patients underwent sinus surgery and three did not. Of the nine who had sinus surgery three had frontal drainage, four fronto-ethmoidal and two trans-sphenoidal drainage. The most common organism was Streptococcus milleri. Our series confirms that sinus-induced intracranial sepsis is a serious problem needing early diagnosis and aggressive treatment. We would recommend a high index of suspicion of sinusitis in patients with intracranial infection.

The crucial role of imaging in detection of facial nerve haemangiomas.

Facial nerve haemangioma is a rare benign neoplasm accounting for 0.7 per cent of all tumours involving the temporal bone. The diagnosis of a facial nerve tumour is often missed or delayed. Early diagnosis is imperative as it influences the eventual outcome for facial nerve function. Prognosis is related to the size of the tumour, the severity and the duration of pre-operative paralysis. The definitive diagnosis of a facial nerve tumour rests exclusively with high resolution imaging of the temporal bone using enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and thin-sectioned computed tomography (CT). This case emphasizes the crucial role that high quality imaging can play in the diagnosis of facial nerve tumours, and elegantly illustrates the imaging features of facial nerve haemangiomas.

Maffucci's syndrome: clinical and radiological features of a rare condition.

Maffucci's syndrome is a rare congenital non-inherited condition, characterized by multiple enchondromata, cutaneous haemangiomata and more recently spindle-cell haemangioma-endotheliomata. It is associated with an increased risk of malignancy including intracranial chondrosarcomas. Early diagnosis is crucial; screening patients with Ollier's disease is recommended. The treatment of choice for these intracranial cartilaginous tumours is complete surgical excision but this is often difficult to achieve due to difficult access and relationships with neurovascular structures. An alternative treatment is proton-beam therapy. We report a case of Maffucci's syndrome; illustrating the typical clinical and radiological features as well as the known complications of the condition.

Chronic cerebrospinal fluid leak into skull base causing intramedullary osteolysis.

We present the rare case of a 74-year-old woman with extensive intramedullary osteolysis of the petroclival skull base straddling both sides of the basi-occiput and basi-sphenoid. She presented with clinical features of recurrent spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) otorrhoea despite three previous attempts at repair of the CSF leak. Recent advances in imaging techniques enable accurate radiological diagnosis of skull base lesions. We performed T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images, a fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence MR, and a diffusion scan to study the characteristics of the skull base pathology. This revealed extensive osteolysis, with cystic spaces within the clivus and the petrous pyramid extending also to the basi-occiput. The leak was sealed using the technique of subtotal petrosectomy with obliteration of the eustachian tube and blind pit closure of the ear canal. The patient has been followed up for six months with no recurrence of symptoms.

Early diagnosis and treatment of Ramsay Hunt syndrome: the role of magnetic resonance imaging.

We present the case of a 47-year-old woman with left otalgia, rotatory vertigo, sensorineural hearing loss and acute facial nerve palsy. An enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed discrete enhancement of the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves in the left internal auditory canal as well as of the labyrinth. This appearance was compatible with that in Ramsay Hunt syndrome and acyclovir was started prior to the appearance of any vesicular eruption. The diagnosis was subsequently confirmed serologically. She regained full facial function but the sensorineural hearing loss persisted. The literature pertaining to the role of the MRI in acute facial palsies is reviewed.

CT assessment of jugular foramen dominance and its association with hand preference.

Three hundred and seven normal CT scans of the head were prospectively analysed to assess jugular foramen dominance. After assessment, hand preference was elicited. Of these, 276 were right-handed and 31 were left-handed. Of the right-handed patients: 180 had a larger jugular foramen on the right; 63 had a larger jugular foramen on the left; and in 33 no difference could be discerned. Of the left-handed patients: 11 had a larger jugular foramen on the right; 16 had a larger jugular foramen on the left; and in four no difference could be discerned. The results suggested a significant association between jugular foramen dominance and hand preference.

Identification of the normal jugular foramen and lower cranial nerve anatomy: contrast-enhanced 3D fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition MR imaging.

SUMMARY: Conventional imaging protocols are unable to visualize the intraforaminal/canalicular segments of the lower cranial nerves (IX-XII). On the basis of previous successful demonstration of individual cranial nerves within the cavernous sinus by constructive interference in steady-state MR imaging, we describe the use of contrast-enhanced 3D fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition MR imaging to demonstrate normal in vivo intraforaminal and canalicular segments of cranial nerves IX-XII in 10 patients by using a standardized imaging protocol.