Cerebrospinal fluid fistula in a patient with chronic constipation related to an autonomic dysfunction and revealed by bacterial meningitis - A case report.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula represents a rare neurosurgical entity that can be defined as a communication between the subarachnoid space and nasal fossa or less commonly the ear cavity. It can be spontaneous without an evident etiology or secondary following a skull base surgery or trauma. The early diagnosis of spontaneous forms remains a challenge as clinical signs (e.g., unilateral rhinorrhea) can be absent or neglected by patients and can result in meningitis. CASE DESCRIPTION: Here, we report the case of a 31-year-old man with chronic constipation complicated by chronic intracranial hypertension, and resulting in rhinorrhea with bacterial meningitis. The etiological assessment of chronic constipation retained an autonomic dysfunction with sympathetic hyperactivity (e.g., pure autonomic failure) as an underlying cause. Beta-2 transferrin testing associated with cerebral magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scan confirmed the diagnosis and localization of the fistula at the cribriform plate. The patient underwent an endoscopic endonasal approach with a repair of fistula. He presented with recurrent rhinorrhea 17 months later which required a surgical revision along with CSF diversion with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. CONCLUSION: Although rare, autonomic dysfunction can result in chronic constipation in young patients, with intermittent or permanent intracranial hypertension, leading to CSF leaks. The early identification and treatment of the underlying etiology may prevent severe complications and improve the management and outcome of CSF fistula patients.

COVID-19 and SARS-Cov-2 Infection: Pathophysiology and Clinical Effects on the Nervous System.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by SARS-Cov-2, resulting in severe acute respiratory syndrome, with high potential of spreading and infecting humans worldwide. Since December 2019, when the virus was identified in humans, the literature on COVID-19 has grown exponentially and extrarespiratory symptoms including neurologic symptoms are increasingly highlighted. METHODS: Given the high and increasing number of publications reporting neurologic involvements of SARS-Cov-2, we thought that providing an update for neurologic complications of COVID-19 would be useful for physicians and especially young trainees in neurology and neurosurgery. Indeed, in this review we discuss several neurologic aspects reported in the literature to date including the evidence and pathways of neuroinvasion in COVID-19 and the main neurologic disorders reported in the literature to date, as well as future perspectives and the potential long-term consequence of current neuroinfection in COVID-19 patients. RESULTS: Currently, there is convincing evidence that SARS-CoV-2, the etiologic agent of COVID-19, can affect the nervous system, with damage and neurologic alterations. These neurologic disorders are grouped into several categories, ranging from nonspecific and moderate symptoms such as headache, myalgia, and hyposmia to severe symptoms including cerebrovascular disease and intracranial infections. Severe neurologic symptoms such as acute cerebrovascular disease occur only in a minority of patients with usual risk factors and are associated with poor outcome. However, most COVID-19 patients exhibit only minor or mild neurologic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Management of COVID-19 patients should include early clinical, radiologic, and laboratory neurologic assessment, with a close follow-up, especially in severe forms. Future studies should assess late and long-term consequences of current COVID-19 patients with neurologic involvement.

Diagnosis, Management, and Outcome in 9 Children with Unilateral Posterior Synostotic Plagiocephaly.

BACKGROUND: Posterior synostotic plagiocephaly represents a rare challenging type of craniosynostosis, often misdiagnosed as a simple posterior positional plagiocephaly. Underdiagnosed forms may result in delayed diagnosis and neurosurgical management, with potential ophthalmologic, cognitive, and aesthetic sequelae in children. METHODS: Here we retrospectively analyzed data of 9 posterior synostotic plagiocephaly infants treated in our center over a 10-year period (January 2000-December 2009). RESULTS: Patients averaged 10 months of age, and there was a clear male predominance (8 males/1 female). Cerebral computed tomography scan was performed in all patients, and the abnormal suture was located at the right side in 7 cases (77.77%). Ipsilateral occipitomastoid bulge and occipital flattening were found in all cases (100%). Posterior ear displacement was found in 7 cases (77.77%), and there was minimal facial asymmetry in 4 cases (44.44%). The ophthalmoscopic examination found a papillary edema grade 1 in 2 cases and grade 2 in 4 cases. There were no deaths or reoperation in our series. All of our patients underwent a neurosurgical correction, with total ophthalmic recovery in all patients with preoperative papillae edema. Eight patients had an early satisfactory aesthetic aspect. Long-term follow-up in treated children found a normal childhood, with no major school dysfunctions and normal social integration. CONCLUSIONS: Interesting findings in our series were male gender predominance and predilection of the right-side synostotic lambdoid suture. We think that early correct diagnosis and appropriate neurosurgical treatment may prevent potential complications such as neurocognitive and aesthetic sequelae in children with posterior synostotic plagiocephaly.

Traumatic cervical spine injury: Short-and medium-term prognostic factors in 102 patients.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic cervical spine injuries (CSIs) can be defined as osteodiscoligamentous lesions and are frequent in the young and active population. These lesions are often associated with significant devastating neurological deficits. Here, we sought to establish short-and medium-term prognostic factors that could help predict future outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 102 adults admitted for traumatic CSI over an 11-year period (January 2004-December 2014). Patients were graded using Frankel scale as exhibiting good or poor outcomes. RESULTS: Two risk factors that significantly predicted results for CSI included original poor Frankel grades (e.g., A and B) and initial neurovegetative disorders (e.g., respectively, P = 0.019 and P = 0.001). However, we did not anticipate that two other risk factors, operative delay and mechanism of trauma, would not significantly adversely impact outcomes. CONCLUSION: Here, we identified two significant risk factors for predicting poor outcomes following CSI; poor initial Frankel Grades A and B and neurovegetative disorders at the time of original presentation.