Surgical corridors for congenital aural atresia with otogenic cerebellar abscess and lateral sinus thrombosis.

The following is a case report of an adolescent with mental retardation who had congenital aural atresia with contralateral congenital facial palsy. She developed multiple intracranial complications (cerebellar abscess and lateral sinus thrombosis) due to cholesteatoma. We managed her in a multidisciplinary approach. This report discusses case management, emphasising the meticulous intraoperative steps taken in identifying the landmarks and precautions adopted to avoid postoperative facial palsy and other complications.

Does measurement of the jugular foramen diameter on MRI help to differentiate transverse sinus thrombosis from unilateral transverse sinus hypoplasia?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The transverse sinus (TS) is a frequent location of cerebral venous thrombosis. However, unilateral TS hypoplasia is a frequent variation and radiological imaging pitfall in the diagnosis because it may mimic unilateral TS thrombosis. The purpose of this study is to find a cutoff value for bilateral jugular foramen (JF) diameter ratios on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for differentiating TS thrombosis from TS hypoplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed magnetic resonance venography results for 174 patients with reduced unilateral TS caliber resulting from either unilateral thrombosis (80 patients) or unilateral hypoplasia (94 patients). We calculated the ratio by proportioning the diameter of the JF ipsilateral to the TS with caliber reduction to the diameter of the contralateral JF. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the ratios between thrombosis and hypoplasia groups, and the cutoff value was calculated by receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: The ratio of bilateral JF diameters was lower in patients with hypoplasia than those with thrombosis (P < .01). The cutoff value to determine the diagnosis of TS hypoplasia with maximum accuracy was 0.638, with a sensitivity of 91.3% and specificity of 64.9%. CONCLUSION: In equivocal cases, calculating the cutoff value by proportioning the diameter of JF ipsilateral to the TS with caliber reduction to the contralateral JF seems to be an efficient, quick, and straightforward method and valuable aid to differentiate TS thrombosis from TS hypoplasia.

Otogenic Lateral Sinovenous Thrombosis in Children: A Case Series from a Single Centre and Narrative Review.

AIM: We aimed to describe otogenic lateral sinovenous thrombosis (OLST), a rare, potentially life-threatening complication of otomastoiditis. METHODS: Children diagnosed with OLST in a tertiary-care Hospital from 2014 to 2019 was retrospectively selected. Clinical and radiological features, timing of diagnosis, treatment and outcome are reported. RESULTS: Seven children (5 males) were studied. Fever and neurological symptoms (headache, lethargy, diplopia, dizziness and papilledema) were always present. Otalgia and/or otorrhea were found in 6 children; none had signs of mastoiditis. Diagnosis was reached after 7 days (median) from clinical onset. Brain CT-scan was performed in 5 children being diagnostic for 3. Venography-MRI detected OLST and mastoiditis in all cases without parenchymal lesions. Treatment was based on intravenous rehydration, antibiotic and low-molecular weight heparin; acetazolamide was added in 3 children. Mastoidectomy and ventriculoperitoneal-shunting were selectively performed. Patients were discharged after 26 days (median). Follow-up neuroimaging showed sinus recanalization after a median time of 6 months. CONCLUSION: A multidisciplinary approach is needed to optimize diagnostic-therapeutic protocols of pediatric OLST.

Pediatric otitic hydrocephalus: Report of two unusual cases and literature review.

Otitic hydrocephalus (OH) comprises a form of benign intracranial hypertension, which is secondary to otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis (LST). Only a small percentage of the patients with otogenic LST go into developing OH, and this may be associated with the multiplicity of anatomic variations of the cerebral venous drainage pathways. We present two pediatric cases of OH, along with a comprehensive review of the relevant literature. Both cases discussed in this article had concomitantly a rather rare anatomical variation; a high-riding, dehiscent jugular bulb, which might have played a role in the development of their clinical syndrome. The pediatric population with this particular imaging finding should receive special attention. Clinical implications of this concurrence are fitly discussed.

Unilateral Nonvisualization of a Transverse Dural Sinus on Phase-Contrast MRV: Frequency and Differentiation from Sinus Thrombosis on Noncontrast MRI.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Unilateral decreased/nonvisualization of a transverse dural sinus on MRV poses a diagnostic dilemma when gadolinium administration is contraindicated. We determined the frequency of unilateral decreased/nonvisualization of the transverse dural sinus and the performance of pregadolinium MR imaging sequences in diagnosing transverse sinus thrombosis in the presence of unilateral decreased/nonvisualization on phase-contrast MRV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of consecutive 3D phase-contrast MRV (VENC, 30 cm/s) and routine brain imaging (noncontrast sagittal T1, axial T2, FLAIR, DWI, GRE, and postgadolinium 3D-MPRAGE images) performed during a 3-year period for a total of 208 patients. Nonvisualization of a transverse dural sinus was defined as ≥50% nonvisualization of the transverse sinus caliber versus the contralateral side on MRV. Noncontrast imaging findings were considered abnormal when hyperintense signal was present on T2, FLAIR, T1, and DWI, and there were T2* blooming artifacts on GRE and DWI. Postgadolinium 3D-MPRAGE was used to confirm the diagnosis of transverse sinus thrombosis. RESULTS: Nonvisualization of a transverse dural sinus was observed in 72/208 (34.6%) patients on MRV; 56/72 (77.8%) were without transverse sinus thrombosis, and 16/72 (22.2%) patients had transverse dural sinus thrombosis. Nonvisualization of a transverse dural sinus was seen in 56/192 (29.2%) patients without transverse sinus thrombosis and 16/16 (100%) with transverse sinus thrombosis. Abnormal findings on DWI (transverse sinus hyperintense signal or T2* blooming artifact) are 93.8% sensitive and 100.0% specific for transverse sinus thrombosis. Other noncontrast MR imaging sequences ranged from 56.3%-68.8% sensitive and 91.1%-100.0% specific. CONCLUSIONS: Nonvisualization of a transverse dural sinus is a frequent phenomenon on phase-contrast MRV. DWI can be effectively used to exclude sinus thrombosis when nonvisualization of a transverse dural sinus is a diagnostic conundrum on phase-contrast MRV and contrast-enhanced studies are contraindicated.

Tentorial Venous Anatomy: Cadaveric and Radiographic Study with Discussion of Origin and Surgical Significance.

BACKGROUND: Described variations of tentorial venous anatomy impact surgical sectioning of the tentorium in skull base approaches; however, described configurations do not consistently explain postoperative complications. To understand the outcomes of 2 clinical cases we studied the tentorial venous anatomy of 2 cadavers. METHODS: The venous anatomy of the tentorium isolated in 2 uninjected fresh cadaver head specimens with preserved bridging veins was observed by transillumination before and after methylene blue injection of the dural sinuses and tentorial veins. Our findings in cadavers were applied to explain the clinical and radiologic (magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomographic venography) findings in the 2 cases presented. RESULTS: A consistent transtentorial venous system, arising from transverse and straight sinuses, communicating with supra- and infratentorial bridging veins was seen in the cadaver and patient radiography (magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomographic venography). Our first patient had a cerebellar venous infarct from compromise of the venous drainage from the adjacent brain after ligation of a temporal lobe bridging vein to the tentorium. Our second patient suffered no clinical effects from bilateral transverse sinus occlusion due to drainage through the accessory venous system within the tentorium. CONCLUSIONS: Herein, we elaborate on transtentorial venous anatomy. These veins, previously reported to obliterate in completed development of the tentorium, remain patent with consistent observed configuration. The same transtentorial venous system was observed in both cases and provided insight to their outcomes. These findings emphasize the importance of the transtentorial venous system physiologically and in surgical approaches.

Stenting of symptomatic lateral sinus thrombosis refractory to mechanical thrombectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Endovascular mechanical thrombectomy for the treatment of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is not always successful. We present our experience of using self-expanding stents to facilitate effective recanalization of persistent lateral sinus thrombosis refractory to endovascular mechanical thrombectomy. METHODS: Data from patients who underwent endovascular mechanical thrombectomy for the treatment of acute symptomatic cerebral venous sinus thrombosis between August 2015 and July 2018 were evaluated. Patient demographics, procedural techniques, devices used and follow-up outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 14 patients underwent endovascular mechanical thrombectomy during the study period. Of these, stenting of the occluded sinus was performed in five patients with extensive sinus thrombosis after conventional endovascular mechanical thrombectomy. Three of the five patients had a variable degree of venous infarction and/or hemorrhage before treatment. The target lesion was located in the right lateral sinus in all five patients. Due to the length of the involved sinus, two stents were required in one patient and three stents in two patients. The only procedure-related complication was an asymptomatic tearing of the sinus wall in one patient. Stent patency could not be maintained in two patients due to stent buckling within the jugular foramen segment and an inability to maintain antiplatelet medication. Modified Rankin Scale scores at 2-16 months were zero in two patients, one in two patients, and five in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Stenting for the thrombotic occlusion of the lateral sinus is a feasible rescue method to overcome unsuccessful endovascular mechanical thrombectomy. However, currently available stenting systems may be unsuitable for use in the intracranial dural sinus system.

Multimodal Regional Brain Monitoring of Tissue Ischemia in Severe Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Comatose critically ill patients with severe diffuse cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) are at high risk of secondary hypoxic/ischemic insults, which may considerably worsen neurological recovery. Multimodal brain monitoring (MBM) may therefore improve patient care in this setting, yet no data are available in the literature. METHODS: We report two patients with coma following severe diffuse CVT who underwent emergent invasive MBM with intracranial pressure (ICP), brain tissue oximetry (PbtO2), and cerebral microdialysis (CMD). Therapy of CVT consisted of intravenous unfractionated heparin (UFH), followed by endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (EMT). EMT efficacy was assessed continuously at the bedside using MBM. RESULTS: Despite effective therapeutic UFH (aPTT two times baseline levels in the two subjects), average CMD levels of lactate and glucose in the 6 h prior to EMT displayed evidence of regional brain ischemia. The EMT procedure was associated with a rapid (within 6 h) improvement in both CMD lactate (6.42 ± 0.61 4.89 ± 0.55 mmol/L, p = 0.02) and glucose (0.49 ± 0.17 vs. 0.96 ± 0.32 mmol/L, p = 0.0005). EMT was also associated with a significant increase in PbtO2 (22.9 ± 7.5 vs. 30.1 ± 3.6 mmHg, p = 0.0003) and a decrease in CMD glutamate (12.69 ± 1.06 vs. 5.73 ± 1.76 µmol/L, p = 0.017) and intracranial pressure (ICP) (13 ± 4 vs. 11 ± 4 mmHg (p = 004). Patients did not require surgical decompression, regained consciousness, and were discharged from the hospital with a good neurological outcome (modified Rankin score 3 and 4). CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrates the potential utility of continuous bedside MBM in patients with coma after severe brain injury, irrespective of the primary acute cerebral condition. Despite adequate ICP and PbtO2 control, the presence of CMD signs of regional brain cell ischemia triggered emergent EMT to treat CVT, which was associated with a significant and clinically relevant improvement of intracerebral physiology.

Dulaglutide-induced cerebral venous thrombosis in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Though patients with diabetes mellitus are at a high risk of atherothrombotic events, every such event should not be attributed to the disease itself. We present a case of a patient with diabetes with headache and blurring of vision for 3 days. Brain imaging revealed right transverse sinus thrombosis and acute infarct of the right posterior parieto-occipital region, predominantly in the posterior cortical watershed zone. The patient was on subcutaneous dulaglutide for 3 weeks and was having nausea and vomiting. Various causes of cerebral venous thrombosis were ruled out with appropriate laboratory investigations. Finally, cerebral venous thrombosis was attributed to dulaglutide-induced nausea and vomiting which led to severe dehydration.

[Meningitis and septic sinus thrombosis in connection with otitis media].

This is a case report of a 30-year-old female, who presented to the emergency department with headache, nausea and neck pain after five days of otitis media. After lumbar puncture, CT and MRI the patient was treated for meningitis with initial improvement in the clinical state. After four days she developed contralateral neurological symptoms, and after five days she had a seizure. MR-venography showed thrombosis of the lateral dural sinus with venous cerebral infarction. The treatment of intravenously administered antibiotics, mastoidectomy and anticoagulation is discussed and compared with other cases in the literature.

Longitudinal Volume Quantification of Deep Medullary Veins in Patients with Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis : Venous Volume Assessment in Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Using SWI.

PURPOSE: Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) visualizes small cerebral veins with high sensitivity and could, thus, enable quantification of hemodynamics of deep medullary veins. We aimed to evaluate volume changes of deep medullary veins in patients with acute cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) over time in comparison to healthy controls. METHODS: All magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) experiments were executed at 3 T using a 32-channel head coil. Based on SWI and semiautomatic postprocessing (statistical parametric mapping [SPM8] and ANTs), the volume of deep medullary veins was quantified in 14 patients with acute CVST at baseline and the 6­month follow-up, as well as in 13 healthy controls undergoing repeated MRI examination with an interscan interval of at least 1 month. RESULTS: Deep medullary venous volume change over time was significantly different between healthy controls and patient groups (p < 0.001). Patients with superior sagittal sinus thrombosis (SSST) showed a significant decline from baseline to follow-up measurements (9.8 ± 4.9 ml versus 7.5 ± 4.2 ml; p = 0.02), whereas in patients with transverse sinus thrombosis (TST) and healthy controls no significant volume changes were observable. CONCLUSIONS: Venous volume quantification was feasible and reproducible both in healthy volunteers and in patients. The decrease of venous volume in patients over time represents improvement of venous drainage, reduction of congestion, and normalization of microcirculation due to treatment. Thus, quantification of venous microcirculation could be valuable for estimation of prognosis and guidance of CVST therapy in the future.

Iatrogenic Sigmoid Sinus Occlusion Rescued by Graft Repair and Endovascular Thrombolysis.

BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic cerebral venous sinus injury and occlusion may occur during resection of parasagittal meningioma and lateral skull base surgery. The former involves the superior sagittal sinus, and direct surgical repair is associated with good results. Outcome of direct repair of transverse-sigmoid sinus injury is less clear. We present a patient with iatrogenic sigmoid sinus injury in whom direct repair was complicated by subsequent thrombosis that was successfully salvaged by combined endovascular mechanical and chemical thrombolysis. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 60-year-old man with left tentorial atypical meningioma had disease recurrence after 3 excisions. Angiography revealed that the straight sinus and torcular and bilateral transverse sinuses were occluded. He underwent a fourth craniotomy with inadvertent occlusion of the transverse-sigmoid sinus junction. Direct surgical repair was done but was complicated by thrombosis. Mechanical endovenous thrombectomy was done followed by continuous urokinase infusion for 1 week. Digital subtraction angiography performed 7 days after endovascular treatment showed improved venous drainage through the left transverse-sigmoid sinus junction. The patient was ambulatory and fully independent, with no new neurologic deficit. CONCLUSIONS: This case emphasizes the need to preserve every vein, especially when major venous sinuses have been obliterated. Detailed study of high-quality preoperative digital subtraction angiography is extremely important. Venous injury should be repaired immediately whenever possible. Postrepair venous sinus thrombosis may be effectively salvaged by endovascular thrombectomy for rapid recannulation, with or without combined use of continuous in situ thrombolytic therapy.

Safety of Superior Petrosal Vein Sacrifice During Microvascular Decompression of the Trigeminal Nerve.

BACKGROUND: Microvascular decompression (MVD) is a safe and effective treatment for trigeminal neuralgia. Cerebellar venous infarction is a complication associated with surgical sacrifice of the superior petrosal vein (SPV). The SPV intervenes between the trigeminal nerve and the surgeon. Optimal exposure of the cisternal trigeminal nerve, particularly at the brainstem, can be achieved by sacrificing the SPV. We analyzed a cohort of 224 patients to determine the frequency of cerebellar venous infarction. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of records and neuroradiology for patients undergoing trigeminal MVD at the Manchester Skull Base Unit between August 1st 2008 and July 31st 2015. RESULTS: A total of 184 of 224 (82%) patients had coagulation and division of the main stem of the SPV. There were no cases of venous infarction. There was one case of mild, transient, cerebellar symptoms and signs, with no radiologic evidence of venous infarction. This patient had SPV sacrifice at surgery but also had postoperative thrombosis of the transverse sinus. Venous sinus thrombosis affected 5 of 184 (2.7%) patients. A total of 208 of 224 (93%) patients had a good outcome with improvement or resolution of their trigeminal neuralgia at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: The overall rate of venous complications in this study was 2.7%; however, we had no cases of venous infarction in 184 patients who had sacrifice of the SPV. The incidence of venous infarction associated with SPV obliteration during MVD surgery is therefore <0.5%. SPV sacrifice may be used where necessary to optimize visualization of the root entry zone and maximize the chance of effective decompression of the trigeminal nerve.

A Rare Case of Transverse Sinus Venous Thrombosis Simulating Postdural Puncture Headache After Cervical Epidural Injection.

Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is a feared complication related to epidural steroid injections. We report a unique case in which all subjective and objective findings indicated the diagnosis of PDPH. However, the patient failed appropriate conservative and interventional management. Therapeutic failure prompted further investigation to establish the correct diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is a rare, difficult to diagnose, but potentially lethal disorder with nonspecific and variable clinical presentations, including headache and focal neurological deficits. Performing magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance venogram should be considered early, especially in patients who fail to respond to standard interventions for PDPH.

Lateral Sinus Thrombosis: The Importance of the Unaffected Sinus.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracranial hypertension develops in only some patients with lateral sinus thrombosis (LST), for reasons that are unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a possible association between patency of the unaffected sinus and clinical presentation of unilateral LST. METHODS: A computerized search identified patients with LST, hospitalized in Soroka Medical Center. Patients with signs of increased intracranial pressure (iICP) and those with normal intracranial pressure (nICP) were compared. CT venography or MR venography confirmed the diagnosis, located the thrombosis, and determined the dominant lateral sinus (LS). Diameters of the right and left LSs (the occluded and unaffected) were compared to the diameter of the distal superior sagittal sinus (SSS). RESULTS: Of the 50 patients identified, 30 had iICP and 20 nICP. The dominant LS was the right one in 39 (78%) and the left one in 8 (16%); 3 (6%) had equal LS dominance. The dominant sinus was affected in 32 (70%) and the non-dominant in 15 (30%) patients. iICP was detected in 28/32 (81%) of patients with the dominant side affected, and 3/15 (20%) of those with non-dominant thrombotic sinus (P = .002). The unaffected sinus was narrower in iICP patients (size relative to SSS diameter = 43% in iICP vs. 86% in nICP [P = .0002]; size grading, according to Farb's method was 1.86 in the iICP vs. 3.57 in the nICP group [P = .0001]). CONCLUSIONS: Thrombosis was more common in the dominant LS. Unaffected LS patency appears to be associated with the development of increased ICP.

[Diagnosis and treatment of the complications of otitis media in adults. Case series and literature review]. / Abordaje diagnóstico y terapéutico de las complicaciones de la otitis media en el adulto. Serie de casos y revisión de la literatura.

BACKGROUND: The complications of otitis media (intra-cranial and extra-cranial) used to have a high morbidity and mortality in the pre-antibiotic era, but these are now relatively rare, mainly due to the use of antibiotics and the use of ventilation tubes, reducing the incidence of such complications significantly. Currently, an early suspicion of these complications is a major challenge for diagnosis and management. CLINICAL CASES: The cases of 5 patients (all male) are presented, who were diagnosed with complicated otitis media, 80% (4) with a mean age of 34.6 years (17-52). There was major comorbidity in 60% (3), with one patient with diabetes mellitus type 2, and two with chronic renal failure. There were 3 (60%) intra-cranial complications: one patient with thrombosis of the sigmoid sinus and a cerebellar abscess; another with a retroauricular and brain abscess, and a third with meningitis. Of the 2 (40%) extra-cranial complications: one patient had a Bezold abscess, and the other with a soft tissue abscess and petrositis. All patients were managed with surgery and antibiotic therapy, with 100% survival (5), and with no neurological sequelae. The clinical course of otitis media is usually short, limiting the infection process in the majority of patients due to the immune response and sensitivity of the microbe to the antibiotic used. However, a small number of patients (1-5%) may develop complications. CONCLUSION: Otitis media is a common disease in our country, complications are rare, but should be suspected when the picture is of torpid evolution with clinical worsening and manifestation of neurological signs.