Late complications of cochlear implant: a case report of necrotizing meningoencephalitis similar to a CPA tumor.

OBJECTIVE: Report a case of localized necrotizing meningoencephalitis as the cause of functional hearing loss after cochlear implant (CI) surgery. CASE REPORT: A 12-year-old with bilateral CI presented to our quaternary center due to severe functional hearing loss after 11 years since left ear CI surgery. CT with contrast was conducted showing a CPA tumor-like mass. Pre-operative computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed at the age of 1 year showed no inner ear abnormalities and in particular no evidence of a tumor in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). CONCLUSION: Following removal of the CI and the mass, histopathological, immunohistochemical and cultural examinations revealed a necrotizing meningoencephalitis, with the CI electrode as the focus.

ASYMPTOMATIC SHUNT FRACTURE IN A PATIENT WITH HISTORY OF TUBERCULOUS MENINGOENCEPHALITIS: A CASE REPORT.

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is the most frequently performed procedure in patients with hydrocephalus, but can cause seri¬ous complications. Shunt fractures, is a rare complication of VP shunt and can be damage for patient. The question of whether asymptomatic patients should or should not be operated on remains to be answered. The authors report a case of a pediatric patient who had an asymptomatic shunt fracture with a history of tuberculous menin¬goencephalitis (TBM). We report the case of a 7-year-old girl with a shunt fracture and a history of hydrocephalus due to TBM. She presented to the hospital in 2021 without symptoms of increased intracranial pressure and was fully conscious. Three weeks later, the patient experienced a gradual loss of consciousness. The result of the examination revealed that the hydrocephalus had become larger than before the operation in 2015. The peritoneal shunt had completely migrated into the peritoneal cavity. An emergency shunt revision was performed at the left Kocher point. After the operation, the patient regained consciousness and lived life without any complications. Although the decision to re-operate in an asymptomatic patient with a shunt fracture is debatable, shunt revision should be con¬sidered. Early revision of the shunt fracture does not pose a serious hazard to the patient.

[Complications of purulent meningoencephalitis in children].

An analysis of 19 cases of meningoencephalitis was made in infants aged under one year old. The disease was complicated by chronic subdural hematomas in 11 patients and by hydrocephalus in 8 patients. The article presents the strategy, treatment results and diagnostic procedures volume. Based on their work, the authors made a conclusion that meningoencephalitis required an emergency neurosurgical interference in order to avoid complications in convalescence period.

[FEATURES OF OTOGENIC INTRACRANIAL COMPLICATIONS AT THE PRESENT STAGE].

A retrospective analysis of treatment was made in 127 adult patients with acute and chronic otitis media complicated by suppurative-inflammatory pathology of the brain. Purulent meningitis was revealed in 52 (40.9%) of hospitalized patients. Meningoencephalitis was often diagnosed in the cases of acute otitis media (15.4%) and in cases of chronic otitis (22.7%). The otogenic brain abscess was detected in 13.5% of otitis media cases and it was noted to be twice frequent (33.3%) in cases of purulent otitis media. The patients 124 (97.6%) have been operated. An extended mastoidotomy and antromastoidotomy were performed in the acute purulent otitis media. An extended radical operation on the ear was applied in case of chronic otitis media. Performance of craniotomy and complete removal of the abscess using modern systems of neuronavigation showed a higher clinical efficacy as compared with transtemporal approach during sanitizing intervention on the ear including the opening and abscess drainage in surgery of otogenic abscesses of the brain.

Necrotizing meningoencephalitis in a large mixed-breed dog.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 4-year-old 26-kg (57.2-lb) spayed female Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix was evaluated because of a 24-hour history of cluster seizures. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Neurologic examination revealed altered mentation and multifocal intracranial signs; MRI was performed. The MRI findings included multifocal, asymmetric forebrain lesions affecting both the gray and white matter, an area suggestive of focal necrosis, and loss of corticomedullary distinction. A midline shift and caudal transtentorial herniation were noted, suggestive of greater than normal intracranial pressure. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Because the dog's clinical signs worsened despite medical treatment and additional evidence of increased intracranial pressure, bilateral craniectomy and durectomy were performed. Histologic evaluation of a brain biopsy specimen revealed bilateral and asymmetric areas of necrosis in the subcortical white matter and adjacent gray matter. At the periphery of the necrotic areas, there was increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and Virchow-Robin spaces were expanded by CD3+ lymphocytes. Results of immunohistochemical analysis of brain tissue were negative for canine distemper virus, Neospora canis, and Toxoplasma gondii. These clinical, imaging, and histopathologic findings were compatible with necrotizing meningoencephalitis. The dog's neurologic status continued to worsen following surgery. Repeated MRI revealed ongoing signs of increased intracranial pressure, despite the bilateral craniectomy. The owners elected euthanasia. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To the author's knowledge, this is the first report of necrotizing meningoencephalitis in a large mixed-breed dog. Necrotizing meningoencephalitis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in dogs other than small or toy breeds that have signs suggestive of inflammatory disease.

Late complication of the frontobasal trauma.

The injuries of the frontobasal region are always a great challenge to a surgeon, especially the management of bone defects of the frontal region. The authors present a patient with late, 33-year postaccident complication, which had been surgically treated, and whose frontal bone defect had been reconstructed with methyl methacrylate. Clinical examination and computed tomography confirmed signs of previous operation and presence of an infection and alloplastic material. Specific for this case was challenge to manage chronic infection and reestablish integrity of the skull in the frontal region. Out of a variety of autogenous or alloplastic materials, and considering the extent of bone defect and previous episodes of treatment aimed at aesthetic and functional results with good prognosis, we opted for reconstruction of the frontal region defect with combined titanium mesh impregnated with the hydroxyapatite cement.

[Cryptococcus Neoformans Var. Gattii meningoencephalitis with cryptococcoma in an immunocompetent patient successfully treated by surgical resection].

Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection, which mainly invades the lungs and central nervous system. In Japan, most cases of cryptococcosis are caused by Cryptococcus neoformans(C. neoformans). Until now, only three cases which the infectious agent was Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii(C. gattii)have been reported. As compared with cryptococcosis caused by C. neoformans, which is often observed in immunocompromised hosts, cryptococcosis caused by C. gattii occurs predominantly in immunocompetent hosts and is resistant to antifungal drugs. Here, we report a case of refractory cerebral cryptococcoma that was successfully treated by surgical resection of the lesions. A 33-year-old man with no medical history complained of headache, hearing disturbance, and irritability. Pulmonary CT showed a nodular lesion in the left lung. Cerebrospinal fluid examination with Indian ink indicated cryptococcal meningitis, and PCR confirmed infection with C. gattii. C. gattii is usually seen in the tropics and subtropics. Since this patient imported trees and soils from abroad to feed stag beetles, parasite or fungal infection was, as such, suspected. Although he received 2 years of intravenous and intraventricular antifungal treatment, brain cryptococcomas were formed and gradually increased. Because of the refractory clinical course, the patient underwent surgical resection of the cerebral lesions. With continuation of antifungal drugs for 6 months after the surgeries, Cryptococcus could not be cultured from cerebrospinal fluid, and no lesions were seen on MR images. If cerebral cryptococcosis responds poorly to antifungal agents, surgical treatment of the cerebral lesion should be considered.

Pregnancy complicated by recurrent brain abscess after extraction of an infected tooth.

BACKGROUND: Odontogenic infections are quite common and, in unusual cases, can extend beyond the oral cavity with potentially life-threatening complications. CASE: A 35-year-old woman, G3P0020, underwent extraction of an infected left maxillary third molar tooth at 19 3/7 weeks of gestation and later presented with mental status changes. Computed tomography revealed left pterygoid muscle abscess, which progressed to brain abscess. She underwent multiple partial lobectomies to drain her recurrent brain abscess. The pregnancy continued until term, and she underwent a cesarean delivery. CONCLUSION: Brain abscess is a rare but life-threatening complication of pregnancy. This case illustrates the potential complications after extraction of an infected tooth in pregnancy.

[Pott's puffy tumor - severe course of a sinusitis]. / Pott's puffy-Tumor - Schwerer Verlauf einer Sinusitis.

The disease pattern <> describes a local frontal-bone osteomyelitis that arises from an external infection with consecutive sub-periostal expansion. Symptoms may develop slowly or not at all with a mostly indolent protuberance on the patient's forehead. Symptomatic illness often indicates secondary morbidities. Here, we present a complicated case with intracranial dissemination.

Cryptococcus gattii meningoencephalitis in an immunocompetent person 13 months after exposure.

A 53-year old immunocompetent Swiss female is described who developed severe meningoencephalitis due to infection with Cryptococcus gattii 13 months following exposure on Vancouver Island, Canada. Diagnosis was based on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination, i.e., positive India-ink staining, positive latex particle agglutination, and positive culture. Species identification was performed by growth on L-canavanine-glycine-bromthymol blue medium and by sequencing of the intergenic and internal transcribed spacer regions of the rRNA genes. After initial therapy with fluconazole by which the patient did not improve, therapy was changed to amphotericin B and flucytosine and later to high-dose fluconazole and amphotericin B. Despite long-term treatment and external drainage of the CSF, the patient's condition improved only slowly. The patient was discharged after 132 days of hospitalization.

Idiopathic granulomatous encephalitis mimicking malignant brain tumor.

Idiopathic granulomatous encephalitis is a rare disorder of unknown etiology, undetermined treatment, and often grave prognosis. This article describes a 4-year-old female who presented with a single focal febrile convulsion followed a few weeks later by right-sided hemiparesis. A huge infiltrative cerebral mass tumor was found which proved to be a granuloma on histologic study. Despite a thorough evaluation, including tissue studies and search for an infectious agent, no etiology could be identified, and the final diagnosis was idiopathic granulomatous encephalitis. Recurrent resections and high-dose steroid treatment failed to control the process, and the patient died of disease 6 months after presentation. Evaluation and treatment of idiopathic granulomatous encephalitis should be aggressive, and the possibility of chemotherapy and perhaps even radiotherapy should be considered if there is no response to steroids.

[Pachymeningoencephalitis: case report].

A 59-year-old man presented with generalized convulsion. MR imaging demonstrated a homogeneously enhanced dural lesion infiltrating the parenchyma in the right parietal region. He had no history of sinusitis and the lesion a resembled malignant tumors, so surgical treatment was performed. The histopathological studies showed pachymeningitis extending to the cerebral parenchyma, so the diagnosis of pachymeningoencephalitis was made. After the operation, the patient had no neurological deficits and anticonvulsant therapy was continued. We report the third case of idiopathic local pachymenigoencephalitis that we could range extensively in the world. The clinical features and pathogenesis are discussed.

Meningoencefalitis post estapedotomía: análisis de un caso clínico / Repeated episodes of meningoencephalitis after a stapedotomy: report of one case

Bacterial meningitis of otological origin is caused by the pass of bacteria from a suppurated otitis to the central nervous system. Patients subjected to otological surgery have a higher risk of contracting it. We report a 30 years old female with a history of non progressive long lasting hear loss in the left ear, that suffered two episodes of bacterial meningitis after being subjected to a stapedotomy. Temporal CAT scan revealed a malformation of the inner ear. An exploratory tympanostomy showed a perilymphatic fistula that was repaired.

Aqueductal stenosis 9 years after mumps meningoencephalitis: treatment by endoscopic third ventriculostomy.

INTRODUCTION: Hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis following mumps meningoencephalitis is a rare condition, reported only in 16 cases in the literature. The pathogenetic role of the mumps virus in inducing aqueductal stenosis has been demonstrated experimentally in animal models and clinically proven in a few cases. Although obstructive in nature, the post-infectious etiology raises the question as to whether third ventriculostomy is the appropriate treatment. PATIENT: We report a case of hydrocephalus due to pure aqueductal stenosis occurring in an 11-year-old boy who suffered from mumps meningoencephalitis 9 years previously. The boy was successfully treated by endoscopic third ventriculostomy. CONCLUSIONS: The present case offers further evidence of the purely obstructive nature of the hydrocephalus induced by paramyxovirus meningoencephalitis, even if it did occur several years after the infectious disease. The pathogenesis of mumps-induced hydrocephalus and the rationale of treatment are discussed, and the literature is reviewed.

[Repeated episodes of meningoencephalitis after a stapedotomy. Report of one case]. / Meningoencefalitis post estapedotomía. Análisis de un caso clínico.

Bacterial meningitis of otological origin is caused by the pass of bacteria from a suppurated otitis to the central nervous system. Patients subjected to otological surgery have a higher risk of contracting it. We report a 30 years old female with a history of non progressive long lasting hear loss in the left ear, that suffered two episodes of bacterial meningitis after being subjected to a stapedotomy. Temporal CAT scan revealed a malformation of the inner ear. An exploratory tympanostomy showed a perilymphatic fistula that was repaired.

[Cause-effect relationship in combination of purulent intracranial processes with ENT diseases]. / O prichinno-sledstvennykh sviaziakh pri sochetanii gnoinykh vnutricherepnykh protsessov s zabolevaniiami LOR-organov.

36 case histories were analyzed. The patients had purulent intracranial processes combined with inflammation of the paranasal sinuses and ear. Cause-effect relationships in development of the above diseases are considered. It was found that paranasal and auricular inflammation combined with purulent intracranial processes do not cause always the latter. The ENT diseases may develop not only in parallel with purulent intracranial pathology, but also as its complication. It is shown that post-mortem hyperdiagnosis exists of ethmoidal and sphenoid inflammation as a cause of purulent intracranial processes.

Idiopathic granulomatous meningoencephalitis presenting as an intracranial tumor.

A 2-year-old girl presented with a single episode of generalized seizure. Magnetic resonance imaging examination showed an intracranial mass with a diameter of 2.5 cm in the right parieto-occipital region of the cerebrum. These clinicoradiological findings were suggestive of intracranial tumor. Histologically, fibroblastic proliferation of storiform pattern was noted, associated with epithelioid granulomas. The etiological pathogens for the granulomas could not be detected even though investigation of special histochemical staining, immunohistochemical study and DNA analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by polymerase chain reaction technique was performed. On electron microscopic examination, the area appearing as a storiform pattern consisted of fibroblasts showing much dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum and slender tappering cytoplasmic processes without cellular junctional complex. No organisms were identified in the granulomatous area of the lesion. From those findings the diagnosis as idiopathic granulomatous meningoencephalitis was made.