ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The protocol presents the methodology of a scoping review that aims to synthesise contemporary evidence on the management and outcomes of intracranial fungal infections in Africa. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the Arksey and O'Malley's framework. The research question, inclusion and exclusion criteria and search strategy were developed based on the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome framework. A search will be conducted in electronic bibliographic databases (Medline (OVID), Embase, African Journals Online, Cochrane Library and African Index Medicus). No restrictions on language or date of publication will be made. Quantitative and qualitative data extracted from included articles will be presented through descriptive statistics and a narrative description. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study protocol does not require ethical approval. Findings will be reported in a peer-reviewed medical journal and presented at local, regional, national and international conferences.
Subject(s)
Brain Diseases , Mycoses , Adult , Child , Humans , Africa/epidemiology , Databases, Bibliographic , Research Design , Review Literature as Topic , Brain Diseases/therapy , Mycoses/therapy , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
CASE: "Baastrup's disease" is a relatively common anatomical condition, controversially recognized as a possible cause of back pain but frequently missed by clinicians of different specialties. We present a rare case of Baastrup's disease causing compression to the cauda equina nerves due to the formation of a large pseudotumoral epidural mass. The patient underwent a successful surgical decompression with remarkable improvement in her neurological presentation. The histopathological findings consisted of increased collagen deposition and chondroid metaplasia. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware of possible cauda equina syndrome in rare cases of Baastrup's disease due to pseudotumoral mass compression in the lumbar spine.
Subject(s)
Cauda Equina Syndrome , Cauda Equina , Polyradiculopathy , Cauda Equina/diagnostic imaging , Cauda Equina/pathology , Cauda Equina/surgery , Cauda Equina Syndrome/etiology , Cauda Equina Syndrome/surgery , Decompression, Surgical/adverse effects , Female , Humans , Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery , Polyradiculopathy/etiology , Polyradiculopathy/pathology , Polyradiculopathy/surgeryABSTRACT
We present a case of syringomyelia following retrosigmoid craniectomy and resection of vestibular schwannoma complicated by Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, multiple infections and CSF diversion procedures. We believe this is the first reported case of syrinx formation after this type of surgery. Potential mechanisms by which the syrinx may have developed are discussed.