RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Closure of the ventral dura mater of the thoracic spinal cord is challenging because it requires both avoiding spinal cord damage and obtaining sufficient working space in an anatomically narrow area. We report a case of superficial siderosis (SS) due to chronic bleeding from a thoracic ventral dural defect in which we preformed dural repair using as a simple sutureless method and obtained good results. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 75-year-old man complained of slowly progressive gait, speech, and hearing disturbances over 5 years. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed SS in the brain and the spinal cord and a dural defect ventral to the spinal cord at the T2 level. Neurological examination revealed bilateral cerebellar ataxia and mild motor weakness in left iliopsoas muscle. T2 and T3 hemi-laminectomy was performed in the prone position. Transdurally, a dural defect on the ventral side of the spinal cord and a fluid-filled space beyond it could be observed. With endoscopic assistance, a blood clot in the space was confirmed. For dural closure, we performed a simple manipulation using a collagen-based dural graft. The graft was cut into pieces, softened with saline, and simply packed into the space with minimal strain on the spinal cord despite the narrow space. The postoperative clinical course was uneventful. Postoperative MRI at 1 year showed the space had disappeared. CONCLUSION: In patients with SS, sutureless dural closure using a collagen-based dural graft allows for effective, minimally invasive dural closure, even for thoracic ventral lesions.
RESUMEN
Angiocentric glioma (AG) is an extremely rare tumor that often develops in adolescents. Awake surgery for AG occurring in the eloquent area has not been reported to date. We report a case involving a right-handed 15-year-old boy with AG. He presented with a first-time generalized tonic-clonic seizure and was rushed to the local hospital. CT of the head indicated a left frontal low-density mass with no calcification. He was subsequently referred to our hospital. Comparison with a CT scan obtained two years prior due to mild head trauma indicated that the lesion showed a trend toward enlargement. The lesion was located in the anterior and lateral portions of the primary motor cortex, and MRI showed homogenous hypointensity on T1-weighted and hyperintensity on T2-weighted images. Contrast-enhanced MRI showed a linear contrast effect. The patient underwent awake surgery with successful intraoperative brain mapping and total resection, and brain function was preserved. Pathological analysis revealed AG. He returned to his normal life and has shown no recurrence without additional treatment for 2 years. Thus, awake surgery for complete tumor resection while preserving brain function is effective and safe even in adolescents with AGs.