Neuroendoscopic fenestration for intracranial unilocular cysts and isolated lateral ventricles: four pediatric cases.

The purpose of treatment for unilocular intracranial cysts (UICs) is to release elevated intracranial pressure. Neuroendoscopic fenestration (NF) is one of the most effective and minimally invasive options for treating UICs, especially in young children; however, the optimal location and number of fenestrations, the necessity of using endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in combination with fenestration, and the course of treatment are not well known. We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records between 2012 and 2019. The patients were studied in terms of sex, age at surgery, preoperative symptoms, cyst localization and size, course of treatment, ventricular diameter, developmental assessment, anatomical location, and the number of fenestrations. There were four eligible patients in the relevant period: two boys and two girls. The median age at the time of surgery was 16 months. With regard to the location of the cysts, there were two cases of cavum velum interpositum (CVI), one case of quadrigeminal cistern, and one case of an isolated lateral ventricle. The most common preoperative finding was an enlarged head circumference. All the patients were treated with NF, including one case of reoperation after open head surgery. Postoperatively, we used the frontal and occipital horn ratio (FOHR) to evaluate the ventricular size. The average reduction in the FOHR was 0.003. In the most recent developmental assessment or examination during the follow-up period, two patients showed normal development, and two patients showed developmental delay. Based on our past experience and reports, we believe that it is recommended to perform two fenestrations for a single cyst. This is because it creates a flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the cyst into normal CSF reflux. For lesions with obstruction of the aqueduct, such as cysts in the quadrigeminal cistern, ETV should be considered if it can be performed safely, in preparation for the worsening of hydrocephalus due to obstruction by enlargement of the cyst.

[Ruptured Aneurysm of an Aplastic or Twig-like Middle Cerebral Artery with Ring Finger Protein 213 Mutation:A Case Report].

Aplastic or twig-like middle cerebral artery(Ap/T-MCA)is a rare congenital anomaly, and several cases of ruptured cerebral aneurysm associated with Ap/T-MCA have been reported. Recently, the association of ring finger protein 213(RNF213)mutations with moyamoya disease has been identified, and the involvement of such mutations in intracranial arterial stenosis lesions other than those of moyamoya disease has been suggested. A 53-year-old woman with headache and nausea was admitted to our hospital. Computed tomography showed a diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage. Cerebral angiography revealed left-sided Ap/T-MCA and two aneurysms in several fine arterioles. We performed trapping of these aneurysms. In the clinical course after surgery, she developed aphasia and mild motor paralysis. The patient was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital. The genetic screening revealed that she carried a heterozygous mutation of RNF213(c. 14429G>A p. R4810K). This is the first report of an association between Ap/T-MCA and RNF213 mutations. In patients with the RNF213 mutation, there is also the possibility of a progression of the intracranial arterial stenosis to other sites. Such patients should be carefully observed after the completion of their treatment.

[Intraoperative Artery Wall Stimulating Electromyography during Microvascular Decompression Surgery to Treat Hemifacial Spasm:A Case Report].

OBJECTIVE: Microvascular decompression(MVD)surgery has been established as a standard treatment for hemifacial spasm. However, because decompression surgery results in unfavorable outcomes in some cases, a more critical monitoring strategy is required. To improve surgical outcome for hemifacial spasms, abnormal muscle response(AMR)has been proposed as a tool for intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring during MVD surgery. Here, we report a single case of surgical MVD monitoring using artery wall stimulating electromyography(AWS-EMG). AWS-EMG was developed as a new monitoring method in addition to AMR. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 60-year-old woman was diagnosed with hemifacial spasm using magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography fusion imaging. We performed MVD surgery using AWS-EMG and AMR. We successfully identified AWS-EMG before decompression and confirmed immediate AWS-EMG loss after decompression. This behavior was consistent with AMR. After surgery, the patient showed no further symptoms of hemifacial spasm. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to AMR, AWS-EMG might be a promising candidate for intraoperative monitoring for patients with hemifacial spasm.