Papillary meningioma with prominent flow voids.

This report presents an extremely rare case of papillary meningioma with prominent flow voids and increased perfusion parameters on MRI in a 28-year-old male presenting with headache. This knowledge helped the neurosurgeon to minimise intra-operative blood loss and achieve a favourable post-surgical outcome. Contribution: A rare case of papillary meningioma and its differentiating features from typical meningiomas have been discussed considering its implications for management as well as prognostication to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Fulminant acanthamoebic meningoencephalitis in immunocompetent patients: an uncommon entity.

We are reporting two patients of fatal and rapidly progressive amoebic encephalitis in immunocompetent host from poor socioeconomic status. Both these patient had acute neurological worsening preoperatively and did not respond to subsequent surgical decompression. Biopsy report confirmed acanthamoebic cerebral infection.

A Giant Nondural-Based Lumbosacral Clear Cell Meningioma Mimicking Schwannoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Spinal clear cell meningiomas (CCMs) are rare and dural-based lesion usually affecting the younger population. We report the rare case of giant nondural-based spinal CCM mimicking schwannoma and review the literature. A literature search was performed at PubMed and Embase until January 1, 2020. A total of 19 cases of nondural-based spinal CCM was reported. The following relevant data were extracted: authors, publication year, patient and tumor characteristics, treatment, and outcome. The mean age of the presentation was 20.58 years. Twelve (63.16%) were female and seven patients (36.84%) were male. The most common location was lumbosacral region 15 (79%). Fifteen (79%) tumors had cranio-caudal dimension ≤2 vertebral level, and only four (21%) tumors had dimension ≥2 vertebral level. Gross total resection (GTR) was performed in 18 (95%) patients and subtotal resection (STR) in 1 patient. Recurrences were reported in five (26.14%) patients. Four of them showed recurrences within 6 months; earliest at 2.3 months in the patient had undergone STR. Our patient is 19-year-old male diagnosed with a lumbosacral intradural lesion. Craniocaudal dimension is ≥2 vertebral level shows the foraminal extension and vertebral scalloping. GTR is performed. Intraoperatively, the tumor has foraminal extension and shows attachment with right S1S2 nerve root. No dural attachment is found. Six-month follow-up magnetic resonance image shows no evidence of disease. Nondural-based spinal CCMs are extremely rare and should be kept as a differential diagnosis in young patients with giant intradural tumor, and whose radiological features suggesting of schwannoma. It affects young patients and usually involves more than one vertebral level. The chances of recurrences and metastasis are always high even after GTR; hence, close follow-up of the entire neuraxis is warranted.

Infected congenital lumbosacral dermal sinus tract with conus epidermoid abscess: a rare entity.

PURPOSE: Dermal sinus is more commonly associated with intradural dermoid than an epidermoid cyst. Conus epidermoid cyst with dermal sinus is a rare entity. We are presenting a rare case of infected conus epidermoid cyst along with the dermal sinus in an 18-month-old girl presented with flaccid paraparesis with sphincter dysfunction and timely intervention leads to complete recovery. We had searched PubMed for previously reported similar cases and did a case-based review of the literature. CASE REPORT: This 18-month-old girl with discharging lumbosacral sinus with fever since 3 days presented with flaccid paraparesis with sphincter dysfunction. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a large enhancing lesion from L1-S1 along with the dermal sinus tract. Complete excision of the cyst along with the sinus tract, followed by long-term antibiotic therapy. The excision of the infected cyst was done through myelotomy under neuromonitoring, while some part of the capsule densely adherent to the neural tissue was left behind. The patient gradually improved following surgery and motor power of the lower limbs were [Formula: see text] while going home. Histopathology revealed epidermoid cyst with secondary inflammatory tissue. Follow-up MRI of the spine showed excision of the dermal sinus tract and cyst with postoperative changes. At 1-year follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic without any focal deficits. CONCLUSION: Early surgical intervention followed by long-term antibiotic therapy is a must for good functional recovery in patients of an infected dermal sinus tract with associated cyst. While excising cyst through myelotomy, some part of the capsule densely adherent to neural tissue may be left behind. Regular follow-up in the first year of surgery is essential to look for the recurrence of the lesion.

Rapidly growing diffuse neurofibroma of the scalp with calvarial defect in a young woman: A rare entity.

BACKGROUND: A diffuse neurofibroma, a variant of neurofibroma, most commonly occurs in young adults and involves the head and neck. In the absence of neurofibromatosis, associated calvarial defect with these swellings is rarely seen. CASE DESCRIPTION: An 18-year-old woman presented with a history of rapidly progressive painless large swelling over the bilateral parieto-occipital region of scalp. It was soft and boggy with brownish discoloration of overlying skin. Imaging study showed brilliantly enhancing diffuse lesion involving the bilateral parieto-occipital region of scalp and extending into the extradural region. She underwent excision of lesion. Postoperatively, she developed flap necrosis and it was allowed to heal with the secondary intention. The biopsy findings were consistent with neurofibroma. The patient is on regular follow-up, without any evidence of recurrence at 1 year. CONCLUSION: Rapidly growing solitary diffuse neurofibroma is rare in children and adolescents. Preoperative diagnosis may be difficult and surgical treatment needs to be individualized. These patients need regular follow-up for early detection of recurrence.

Hemorrhage in long segment cervical schwannoma; case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Although hemorrhages associated with cervical and thoracic intraspinal schwannomas are typically localized to the subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAH) or subdural hemorrhages (SDH) compartments, rare intratumoral bleeds may also occur. METHODS: In the literature, we found and analyzed multiple factors for 13 cases (e.g., epidemiological, clinical, and pathological) of cervical schwannomas with intratumoral hemorrhages (ITH). We added the 14th case of a 35-year-old female with along segment cervical schwannoma with ITH who presented with acute quadriplegia and respiratory decompensation. RESULTS: These 14 patients averaged 51.77 years of age, 60% were male, and the tumor involved 2.83 segments. The incidence of SAH and ITH was noted in five cases each, while SDH's were very rare. The pathological characteristics were consistent with the diagnosis of cellular schwannomas with S-100 positivity. The clinical outcomes were good (100%) in all the cases, including the one presented (modified McCormick score III). CONCLUSION: Cervical schwannomas with ITH are rare, and the surgical outcomes in such patients are good-excellent (>90%). The histopathology is always of prime importance and decisive in establishing and confirming the etiology of such ITH.

Atypical presentation of extraspinal neurofibroma presenting with acute-onset monoparesis and Horner's syndrome: Case report and review of literature.

The clinical presentation of spinal or extraspinal neurofibroma is radiculopathy or myelopathy, pain, and motor weakness. Extraspinal neurofibroma presenting with acute-onset monoparesis and Horner's syndrome is very rare. We report the case of a 55-year-old female who presented with acute-onset monoparesis of the left upper limb along with left-side drooping of the eyelid. Imaging revealed C6-D2 extraspinal solitary mass lesion lateral to spinous process with bleed without intraspinal component. The patient underwent an anterior cervical approach and excision of the tumor. Final biopsy report was a neurofibroma. At 3-year follow-up, she recovered from motor weakness, and Horner's syndrome subsided. Extraspinal neurofibroma can present with acute bleed, and surgical outcome is superior in early intervention.

Retrobulbar Lymphangioma: A Rare Case Report.

We report a case of biopsy-proven retrobulbar lymphangioma in a 14-year-old girl. She presented with chief complaints of swelling in the left eye for 2 months. The patient underwent imaging evaluation and it was diagnosed as cavernous hemangioma, radiologically. However, later on, the patient underwent surgery, and the specimen was sent for histopathology which revealed it to be a lymphangioma.

Use of intraoperative X-ray to differentiate between reducible versus irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation.

BACKGROUND: The treatment and classification of atlantoaxial dislocations (AADs) remain controversial. Here, we utilized intraoperative X-ray to differentiate between reducible and irreducible AADs. METHODS: Five patients were diagnosed as having irreducible AAD on dynamic and post-traction X-rays. Under general anesthesia, they were placed prone in a neutral position utilizing skeletal traction. The X-rays and motor evoked potential (MEP), were then monitored before, during, and after placing a thumb on the C2 spinous process and pushing it anteriorly to attain reduction. RESULTS: The intraoperative X-ray confirmed reducibility of AAD in four patients; they subsequently underwent a C1-C2 posterior fusion, which maintained that reduction. For the one patient with an irreducible AAD (despite thumb maneuver), an anterior release was required first to attain reduction, followed by posterior C1-C2 fusion. CONCLUSION: Here, we divided irreducible AAD into two categories: a) reducible-utilizing a thumb maneuver to compress/push the C2 spinous process forward with the patient positioned prone and b) irreducible-those who cannot be reduced with this technique. A posterior only approach was sufficient for those with "reducible" AAD, whereas those who could not be reduced required an anterior release followed by posterior fusion.

Can the position of the vertebral artery be predicted on a lateral view X-ray of the craniovertebral junction? A radiological anatomy study.

BACKGROUND: The most feared complication while inserting C2 screws is vertebral artery injury. This article proposes predicting the position of the vertebral artery on a true lateral X-ray of the axis vertebra from the background information acquired from the computed tomography (CT) scan utilizing fluoroscopy. METHODS: Spiral CT scans of 33 C2 vertebrae were performed utilizing a 16-slice CT scanner lateral X-rays of C2 were then obtained before and after painting the vertebral artery grooves with barium. The space available for transarticular and C2 pedicle screw insertion above the vertebral artery groove in the isthmus was then calculated as a ratio for both X-rays and CT scans. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the (mean) ratios calculated by CT scan and X-rays regarding the space available for transarticular and C2 pedicle screw insertion (left side: 0.3894 vs 0.3897; right side: 0.3892 vs 0.3925; P > 0.05). The Kappa test revealed that CT scan and X-ray findings were in agreement in majority of the bones (left side: n = 24, 72.7%, right side: n = 22, 73.3%; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A thorough understanding of a true lateral view X-ray based on background information extracted from three dimensional CT scans helps predict the highest point of the vertebral artery groove. This proves useful for placement of C2 transarticular and pedicle screws during regular "open" and "minimally invasive" spine surgery.

Unusual cause of high cervical myelopathy-C1 arch stenosis.

INTRODUCTION: High cervical myelopathy can be rarely caused by the developmental anomalies of atlas. Patients with C1 arch stenosis can present in early childhood or later in life. In symptomatic patients, posterior decompression at atlas is mandatory. We report the first clinical series of 20 patients of C1 arch stenosis in the English literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is retrospective case series having a cohort of 20 patients with congenital C1 arch stenosis. RESULTS: There were 12 pediatric (age <18 years) and 8 adult patients. Mean age was 22.85 years. Syndromic association was seen in four patients. Following decompressive surgery, these patients noticed a symptomatic improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated C1 arch stenosis is a surgically curable rare cause of high cervical myelopathy and responds well to surgery.

Cerebellopontine Angle Schwannoma and Meningioma in Contiguity: Surgical Implications in Neurofibromatosis.

Concurrent occurrence of brain tumors in the same location is very unusual and has been noted in patients with neurofibromatosis. Two lesions, occurring in close contact but of different histology, are called contiguous tumors. Schwannoma and meningioma are the two common histologies reported to present as contiguous tumor. We present two patients with contiguous tumors in the cerebellopontine angle. The magnetic resonance imaging characteristics in both cases demonstrate important findings that should be identified to raise the possibility of contiguous tumors. We discuss the surgical implications in identifying the facial nerve in this complex tumor morphology and steps we took to preserve function. Variable displacement of the facial nerve in the presence of multiple tumors needs to be kept in mind during surgical management and can be significantly aided by intraoperative monitoring.