Preoperative evaluation of neurovascular relationships for microvascular decompression: Visualization using Brainvis in patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia.

OBJECTIVE: A precise and accurate evaluation of neurovascular relationships in patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (ITN) scheduled for microvascular decompression is necessary. Thus, we constructed and evaluated a fusion imaging technique combining multi-source heterogeneous imaging data from three-dimensional magnetic resonance (MR) and computerized tomography venoangiography (CTV), which enabled use of virtual reality to preoperatively assess the neurovascular relationships, in patients with ITN scheduled for microvascular decompression. METHODS: A single-center observational study. In total, eight patients with ITN scheduled for microvascular decompression were included. Patients underwent three-dimensional MR imaging with time-of-flight (TOF) and fast imaging employing steady state acquisition (FIESTA) sequences and CTV before microvascular decompression. A fusion imaging technique, combining MR-TOF, MR-FIESTA, and CTV images, was used to construct a three-dimensional model with information regarding the facial and auditory nerves, brain tissue, skull, arteries and veins. The positions of the trigeminal nerve and the responsible vessels were observed. The agreement between intraoperative neurovascular compression findings and preoperative evaluation results, and the duration required to determine the neurovascular relationships, were evaluated. RESULTS: The neurovascular relationships as determined with the fusion imaging technique were consistent with intraoperative neurovascular compression findings in all patients. Moreover, the assessment duration was significantly shorter with the fusion imaging technique than with the three-dimensional MR (P<0.05). The rate of an accurate assessment was significantly higher with the fusion imaging technique than with three-dimensional MR (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The fusion imaging technique is a useful tool for the diagnosis and decision-making process based on neurovascular relationships in patients with ITN scheduled for microvascular decompression.

Trigeminal neuralgia associated with cerebellar pial arteriovenous fistula: A case report.

RATIONALE: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is frequently associated with compression at the root entry zone of the trigeminal nerve by an aberrant loop of an artery, tributaries of the petrosal vein, tumors, aneurysm, and vascular malformation. TN associated with a cerebellar pial arteriovenous fistula (PAVF) has not been described previously. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 65-year-old man presented with right-sided TN. Cerebral angiography revealed a right cerebellar PAVF and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a mixed compression of the petrous vein complex and anterior inferior cerebellar artery at the right trigeminal nerve. DIAGNOSIS: Due to the patient's symptoms, radiographic findings, he was diagnosed with TN and PAVF. INTERVENTIONS: Coiling combined with use of the liquid embolic agent Onyx was used for the complete embolization of the fistula. OUTCOMES: Complete relief of the pain was achieved 3 months after endovascular treatment, and the patient has remained pain-free during 2 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment with a combination of coils and Onyx embolization is an effective approach for complete resolution of rarely occurring TN caused by mixed venous and arterial compressions associated with cerebellar PAVF.

Multiple Intracranial Aneurysms Caused by Myxoma: Case Report and Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE: We present a case of multiple myxoma-related intracranial aneurysms and reviewed the recent relevant literature to investigate their natural course and develop a reasonable treatment algorithm. METHODS: We have reported a new case of multiple myxoma-related intracranial aneurysms and performed a search of current studies (2001 to the present) in PubMed. The keywords used were as follows (single words or combinations): neoplastic aneurysm, oncotic aneurysm, aneurysm, and myxoma. Only patients with multiple aneurysms resulting from cardiac myxoma and with adequate follow-up information pertinent to the analysis were included. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients, including our present patient, were studied. Of the 41 patients, 28 had received conservative treatment as the primary choice. Most lesions (n = 22) were stable during follow-up, except for 3 in which aneurysm evolution was observed. A total of 8 patients had undergone microsurgery, including aneurysm resection in 3, aneurysm clipping in 2, clipping followed by resection in 2, and aneurysm trapping in 1. Endovascular treatment was performed in 2 patients. Radiation therapy was used in 1 patient, and the parent artery proved to be occluded at the 1-year follow-up examination. A combination of chemotherapy and microsurgery was used in 1 patient. All the cases that had been managed aggressively were stable during further follow-up. CONCLUSION: The prognosis was good for most patients with multiple myxoma-related intracranial aneurysms, and most myxoma-related aneurysms were stable. Conservative treatment and routine follow-up are recommended for most patients. However, for patients with evolving or ruptured aneurysms, invasive treatment, including open surgery and endovascular treatment, should be considered.

Cranioplasty Using Polymethylmethacrylate Cement Following Retrosigmoid Craniectomy Decreases the Rate of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak and Pseudomeningocele.

OBJECTIVE: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak frequently occurs after retrosigmoid craniectomy. The present study investigated the effects of cranioplasty using polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement to reduce the incidence of CSF leak following retrosigmoid craniectomy as compared with the autologous bone flap combined with titanium plates. METHODS: Two hundred forty-three patients underwent surgeries via retrosigmoid approach for microvascular decompression or tumor resection. Of these, 107 patients underwent craniotomy, and incomplete cranioplasty was performed with autologous bone flap fixed with titanium plates, while 136 patients underwent craniectomy and complete cranioplasty was performed with PMMA cement. Variables including the incidence of CSF leak, pseudomeningocele formation, wound infection, rejection reaction were compared retrospectively based on the clinical data between the 2 groups. RESULTS: In the autologous bone group, 9 patients had postoperative CSF leaks, and 11 patients had pseudomeningoceles, while 3 CSF leaks and 2 pseudomeningoceles were found in the PMMA group. Statistical analysis showed that PMMA significantly decreased the incidence of postoperative CSF leaks (P = 0.03) and pseudomeningocele formation (P = 0.002). Wound infections were observed in 2 and 1 patients between the autologous bone and PMMA group, respectively, which did not differ significantly (P = 0.58). None of the patients in both groups developed a rejection reaction of artificial materials. CONCLUSIONS: Complete cranioplasty with PMMA cement following retrosigmoid craniectomy could decrease the incidence of CSF leak and pseudomeningocele formation as compared with the autologous bone flap combined with titanium plates. Thus, PMMA cement is preferable for bone reconstruction with excellent biocompatibility and without increasing the rate of wound infection.

A rare case of deep cerebral venous thrombosis secondary to traumatic epidural hematoma: Case report.

RATIONALE: Deep cerebral venous thrombosis (DCVT) is a rare disease, but always results in poor prognosis. PATIENT CONCERNS: We reported a 79-year-old female with coma after traumatic brain injury (TBI). DIAGNOSIS: The epidural hematoma was first diagnosed on non-contrast computerized tomography (CT). The hypodense areas in bilateral thalami and basal ganglia on reexamination CT highly indicated the suspicion of DCVT. Finally, the appearance of thrombosis of the vein of Galen on the computed tomography venography (CTA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) confirmed the diagnosis. INTERVENTIONS: The patients received surgery to remove the epidural hematoma. After that, she was treated with oral anticoagulation agent (low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), 180 Axal U/kg 24 h) for 4 weeks, shifted by oral warfarin (2.5 mg qd) for 4 weeks. OUTCOMES: The hypodense areas in bilateral thalami and basal ganglia have been largely reversed. At the time of 6 months after surgery, the patient could take care of herself. LESSONS: If the CT shows hypodense areas in bilateral thalami and basal ganglia, a diagnosis of DCVT should be suspected once the patients could not recover from the treatment of primary diseases.

A rare case of angiosarcoma with skull masses and erythropenia and thrombocytopenia: A case report and review of literature.

RATIONALE: Primary splenic angiosarcoma (PSA) is a rare, fatal neoplasm originating from sinusoidal vascular endothelial cells, and usually metastasizes and almost always has a poor prognosis. Surgical excision is the main treatment of this highly malignant disease. PATIENT CONCERNS: We reported a special case of a 68-year-old female who had a 6-month history of scalp masses. DIAGNOSIS: The patient was found to have 2 skull masses on computed tomography (CT). Laboratory findings revealed erythropenia and thrombocytopenia. Enhanced abdomen magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple masses in liver and spleen. The pathological result of the skull masses was revealed to be metastatic angiosarcoma. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent surgical excision of skull masses, and no subsequent radiotherapy or chemotherapy was done. OUTCOMES: The patient died due to dyscrasia at August 12, 2015, with a survival of nearly 1 month. LESSONS: We highlight the importance for clinicians to be aware of this rare neoplasm, and to consider it in the differential diagnosis when encountering a skull mass. Early confirmation and treatment may improve the prognosis.