Primary bulbo-medullary glioblastoma in a child: case report.

Glioblastoma (GBM) of the spinal cord represents a rare entity in children and account for less than 1% of all central nervous system (CNS) cancers. Their biology, localization, and controversial treatment options have been discussed in a few pediatric cases. Here, we report a case of primary spinal cord glioblastoma in a 5-year-old girl having the particularity to be extended to the brainstem. This tumor has been revealed by torticollis and bilateral brachial paresis. The patient underwent subtotal resection; unfortunately, she died in reanimation 1 week later by severe pneumopathy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case in the literature reporting this particular localization in a child. Beyond their dismal prognosis, we discuss the rarity of the disease and describe the peculiar characteristics, management, and prognosis of this rare tumor in pediatric oncology. This case appears to be unusual for both the histological type and the extension to brain stern.

Cervical spinal extradural meningioma: Case report.

Extradural meningiomas account for approximately 7% of all spinal meningiomas and are most commonly located in the thoracic spine. Although rare, they should be included in the differential diagnosis of an extradural contrast-enhancing mass. Prognosis depends greatly on the extent of surgical resection. If considered safe, complete resection should be attempted to decrease the risk of recurrence. We report a case of spinal epidural meningioma diagnosed in an elderly woman complaining of right cervicobrachial pain of several years duration, associated with diffuse paresthesia and permanent numbness of her right index finger. The surgical removal of the tumor was incomplete because of the deep lateral extension of the lesion.

[Stab injury to the cervical cord: report of three cases]. / Traumatismes par coup de couteau de la moelle cervicale: à propos de trois cas.

Retrospective review of the value of MR in the evaluation of stab injuries to the cervical cord in three patients admitted to our hospital. The mean patient age was 25 years old. Clinical examination showed hemiparesis in the first 2 cases and a Brown-Sequard syndrome in the third patient. Cervical spine radiographs showed no bony lesion. MR showed cord contusions for the first two patients with associated epidural hematoma in the second case, and cord laceration for the third case. MR of the cervical spine should be obtained in all patients with suspicion of cord injury following stab injury to the neck in the absence of bony lesion on plain radiographs or CT, even in the absence of neurological symptoms at the time of admission.

Reversible deficit affecting the perception of tone of a human voice after tumour resection from the right auditory cortex.

We report on a young woman operated for a ganglioglioma involving the right auditory cortex (AC), presenting with auditory seizures. Despite a normal pre-operative examination, a specific post-operative disorder affecting the perception of a human voice occurred. The patient was unable to recognise the tone of familiar voices while she recognised the expressed content. A temporal lobectomy for recurrence was performed two years later. The patient recovered from the voice perception deficit. This report shows that (1) a discrete site within the AC is specifically involved in the perception of tone of the human voice (2) functional compensation is possible.

MRI findings in spinal cord penetrating injury: three case reports.

Stab wounds of the spinal canal are rare and constitute an uncommon cause of spinal cord injury. They are usually responsible for an immediate neurological deficit that requires emergency therapeutic management to minimize the extent of neurological deficit and to prevent further loss of neurological function. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to evaluate damage to the spinal cord, including contusions, hematoma and compression of extramedullary origin. We report the MRI findings in three patients admitted for spinal canal penetrating injury with neurological symptoms.