[Differential diagnosis between melanotic schwannoma of gasserian ganglion and metastatic melanoma of middle cranial fossa].

We present a case of a rare tumor--melanotic schwannoma of trigeminal nerve root and gasserian ganglion. Differential diagnosis between metastatic melanoma and melanotic schwannoma (MS) is associated with serious difficulties and high responsibility. Metastatic melanoma is a high grade tumor while most MS are benign lesions with good outcome. By the date 105 cases of these tumors are described in the world literature, 3 of them originated from trigeminal nerve root and gasserian ganglion. MS predominantly occur in relatively young patients, they are characterized by presence of Carney's complex and psammomatous bodies and absence of primary focus. MS and metastatic melanoma have similar appearance on MRI due to presence of melanin granules. Indirect signs evident for MS include cystic structure and dumbbell-shaped growth. Metastatic melanoma of cranial nerves is more typical in people older than 40, primary focus in the face in the zone of innervation of affected nerve is common. In case of absence of the listed features differential diagnosis is based on immunohistochemical analysis and electron microscopy of tissue samples.

Macrometric and micrometric study of sexual dimorphism in foramina of middle crania fossa of adult Nigerians / Estudio macrométrico y micrométrico del dimorfismo sexual en foramina de la fosa craneal media en nigerianos adultos

We have measured the longitudinal, transverse diameters of optic canal, foramen rotundum, foramen ovale, foramen spinosum, to serve as a handy guideline to surgeons, to enhance the accuracy of sexing the cranium for anthropometric/medico-legal studies and for comparative analyses of values of the Nigerian population with those of the Caucasians. A total of 100 adult dry skulls 81 male, 19 female from departments of Anatomy of some Nigerian Universities were used. Automatic vernier caliper with a precision of 0.1mm was used. Data analysis was performed with Graph Pad Prism 3.0. A comparison was made of the means of the dimension using Student's T-test and analysis of variance. Sizes of foramina were not significantly different from that of Caucasians Our results show significant sexual dimorphism in the following parameters, the right transverse diameter of the FR in males was found to be significantly different from the females at p<0.05, there was a significant difference between the means of the left and right sides of the foramen ovale. The distance between right ovale and spinosum in males and females was found to be significantly different in both sexes. The effect of side on longitudinal diameter of foramen ovale FO of males showed a significant difference between the means of the left and right sides of the foramen ovale. A comparism of the distance between left optical canal and foramen rotundum showed a significant difference between the values obtained for males and the females at p< 0.05.

Hemos medido el diámetro longitudinal y transversal del canal óptico, agujero redondo, el agujero oval, agujero espinoso, para que sirva como una guía útil para los cirujanos, para mejorar la exactitud de la determinación del sexo del cráneo para estudios antropométricos y médico-legales y para realizar análisis comparativos de valores de la población de Nigeria con los de la raza blanca. Fueron utilizados 100 cráneos adultos secos 81 cráneos masculinos, 19 femeninos de los departamentos de Anatomía de algunas Universidades de Nigeri. Se utilizó un calibrador vernier automático con una precisión de 0,1 mm. Los datos fueron analizados con el gráfico Pad Prism 3.0. Se realizó una comparación de los medios de la dimensión utilizando T de Student y el análisis de la varianza. Los tamaños de los agujeros no fueron significativamente diferentes de la de los caucásicos. Nuestros resultados muestran dimorfismo sexual significativo en los siguientes parámetros, el diámetro transversal del derecho de FR en los hombres resultó ser significativamente diferentes de las hembras con una p <0,05, hubo una diferencia significativa entre las medias de los lados izquierdo y derecho del foramen oval. La distancia entre la derecha y oval espinoso en hombres y mujeres resultó ser significativamente diferente en ambos sexos. El efecto de lado en el diámetro longitudinal del foramen oval DE de los hombres mostraron una diferencia significativa entre las medias de los lados izquierdo y derecho del foramen oval. Una comparación de la distancia entre el canal izquierdo y agujero redondo óptica mostró una diferencia significativa entre los valores obtenidos para los machos y las hembras de p <0,05.

Spindle cell carcinoma of the external auditory meatus with intracranial extension: histological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic evaluation.

We present a case of squamous spindle cell carcinoma of the external auditory meatus in a 38-year-old man. The tumour was extended to the inner ear, the temporal bone, the middle cranial fossa and the meningo-cerebral tissue. The surgical intervention of temporo-occipital craniotomy removed most of the neoplasia. At pathologic examination, the tumour showed an undifferentiated spindle cell pattern. Immunohistochemistry with a large antibody panel found a weak positivity only to EMA. The diagnosis was made when the electron microscopy showed rare junctional structures and tonofilaments.