Understanding the Pathogenesis of Lateral Supratentorial Neurenteric Cysts in Close Proximity to Other Vascular Pathologies: A Case Report and Review of Embryology.

Several theories have been postulated to explain the embryogenesis of central nervous system (CNS) neurenteric cysts (NCs), but the exact mechanism remains poorly understood. Of those, the neurenteric canal migration hypothesis suggesting endodermal cell migration through the neurenteric canal and settling among ectodermal cells prior to neural tube closure might be the most robust as it explains, in contrast to other hypotheses, the existence of lateral supratentorial lesions, which are extremely rare, compared to their infratentorial counterparts. This mechanism might be supported by past medical history or the coexistence of CNS epidermoid cysts, which are thought to arise due to improper neural tube closure potentially increasing the probability of endodermal migration and subsequent NC development, yet there are no reported cases in the literature. We present a case of a patient with a history of a previously resected intracranial epidermoid cyst, representing three simultaneous pathologies including a laterally based right frontal NC along with a right corona radiata cavernous malformation lesion, and right middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysm. The three lesions were treated microsurgically in one operative session without complications. We discuss the case and review the relevant pathoembryology of laterally based supratentorial NC.

Medical students' reactions to anatomic dissection and the phenomenon of cadaver naming.

The teaching of gross anatomy has, for centuries, relied on the dissection of human cadavers, and this formative experience is known to evoke strong emotional responses. The authors hypothesized that the phenomenon of cadaver naming is a coping mechanism used by medical students and that it correlates with other attitudes about dissection and body donation. The authors developed a 33-question electronic survey to which 1,156 medical students at 12 medical schools in the United States voluntarily responded (November 2011-March 2012). They also surveyed course directors from each institution regarding their curricula and their observations of students' coping mechanisms. The majority of students (574, 67.8%) named their cadaver. Students most commonly cited the cadaver's age as the reason they chose a particular name for the cadaver. A minority of the students who did not name the cadaver reported finding the practice of naming disrespectful. Almost all students indicated that they would have liked to know more about their donor, particularly his or her medical history. Finally, students who knew the birth name of the donor used it less frequently than predicted. The authors found that the practice of naming cadavers is extremely prevalent among medical students and that inventive naming serves as a beneficial coping mechanism. The authors suggest that developing a method of providing students with more information about their cadaver while protecting the anonymity of the donor and family would be useful.