Radiological evaluation of the localization of sympathetic ganglia in the cervical region.

PURPOSE: To determine local variations of cervical sympathetic ganglia (CSG) according to vertebral levels on preoperative neck magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by designating carotid artery (CA) as the standard landmark at the center, in attempts to prevent injury to CSG in the anterior-anterolateral approaches performed in the cervical spinal region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The retrospective study reviewed neck MRI images of 281 patients, of which the images of 231 patients were excluded from the study based on the exclusion criteria. As a result, the MRI images of the remaining 50 patients were included in the study. The circumference of carotid artery (CA) was divided into eight equal zones with CA defined as the standard landmark at the center. High-risk zones were determined based on the anterior-anterolateral approaches. RESULTS: At C1 level, a superior ganglion was located on the right side in 32 (64%) and on the left side in 30 (60%) patients. At this level, it was most commonly located in Zone 6. Middle ganglion was observed most frequently at C3 level, which was detected on the right side in 17 (34%) and on the left side in 17 (34%) patients. At this level, it was most commonly located in Zone 2. CONCLUSION: Variations in the localizations of superior and middle cervical ganglia should be taken into consideration prior to surgical procedures planned for this region. This study sheds light on high-risk zones in the surgical site and could guide surgeons to better understand the location of cervical sympathetic ganglia before surgical planning.

Isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy due to a jugular foramen schwannoma.

Introduction - Although the involvement of the hypoglossal nerve together with other cranial nerves is common in several pathological conditions of the brain, particularly the brainstem, isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy is a rare condition and a diagnostic challenge. Case presentation - The presented patient arrived to the hospital with a history of slurred speech and an uncomfortable sensation on his tongue. Neurological examination showed left-sided hemiatrophy of the tongue with fasciculations and deviation towards the left side during protrusion. Based on the clinical and MRI findings, a diagnosis of hypoglossal nerve schwannoma was made. Discussion - Hypoglossal nerve palsy may arise from multiple causes such as trauma, infections, neoplasms, and endocrine, autoimmune and vascular pathologies. In our case, the isolated involvement of the hypoglossal nerve was at the skull base segment, where the damage to the hypoglossal nerve may occur mostly due to metastasis, nasopharyngeal carcinomas, nerve sheath tumors and glomus tumors. Conclusion - Because of the complexity of the region's anatomy, the patient diagnosed with hypoglossal nerve schwannoma was referred for gamma knife radiosurgery.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in children: report of three cases.

PURPOSE: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a condition characterized by varying degrees of headache, nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, focal neurologic deficit, and seizures due to severe systemic hypertension. The knowledge of secondary hypertension in children is most commonly due to renal abnormalities, suggesting that the leading cause of PRES in childhood is renal diseases. METHODS: Three pediatric patients who developed PRES due to various underlying renal diseases were reviewed. RESULTS: The etiology of hypertension of our patients was all renal problems including atrophic kidney, hydronephrosis secondary to reflux nephropathia, nephrotic syndrome, and acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. While two of them had typical of the parieto-occipital and frontoparietal involvement, the other had brain stem involvement. All of the patients were recovered by the control of high blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Primary involvement of the brain stem is rare in children. PRES should be taken into account, especially in children with renal disease in the appropriate clinical settings.

Cerebral atrophy in a vitamin B12-deficient infant of a vegetarian mother.

In developed countries, vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency usually occurs in children, exclusively breastfed ones whose mothers are vegetarian, causing low body stores of vitamin B12. The haematologic manifestation of vitamin B12 deficiency is pernicious anaemia. It is a megaloblastic anaemia with high mean corpuscular volume and typical morphological features, such as hyperlobulation of the nuclei of the granulocytes. In advanced cases, neutropaenia and thrombocytopaenia can occur, simulating aplastic anaemia or leukaemia. In addition to haematological symptoms, infants may experience weakness, fatigue, failure to thrive, and irritability. Other common findings include pallor, glossitis, vomiting, diarrhoea, and icterus. Neurological symptoms may affect the central nervous system and, in severe cases, rarely cause brain atrophy. Here, we report an interesting case, a 12-month old infant, who was admitted with neurological symptoms and diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency.

The Angiographic and Clinical Follow-up Outcomes of the Wide-Necked and Complex Intracranial Aneurysms Treated With LVIS EVO-Assisted Coiling.

BACKGROUND: The Low Profile Visible Intraluminal Support EVO (LVIS EVO) is a self-expandable braided stent, which was recently introduced for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Full visibility of the stent and a relatively high metal coverage ratio are the unique features of the LVIS EVO. OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety, efficacy, and midterm durability of LVIS EVO stent-assisted coiling for the treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: The endovascular databases were reviewed to identify patients treated with LVIS EVO-assisted coiling. The technical success and immediate clinical/angiographic outcomes were assessed. Periprocedural and delayed complications were evaluated. The follow-up angiographic/clinical outcomes were investigated. The preprocedural/follow-up neurological statuses were assessed with the modified Rankin Scale. RESULTS: One hundred three aneurysms in 103 patients (63 females) with a mean age of 54.9 ± 11.3 years were included. The mean maximum sac diameter was 6.2 ± 2.9 mm. The procedural technical success rate was 100%. Immediate postprocedural angiography showed complete occlusion in 77.7%. The mean duration of the angiographic follow-up was 8.8 ± 3.6 months. Follow-up angiography showed complete aneurysm occlusion in 89% of the 82 patients with angiographic follow-up. Recanalization was observed in 7.3% of 82 patients. Two patients (2.4%) required retreatment. In addition, 8.7% of the patients had at least 1 complication, and 2.9% of the patients developed a permanent morbidity. All patients had mRS scores ≤2. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that SAC with LVIS EVO is a relatively safe, efficient, and durable treatment for wide-necked and complex intracranial aneurysms.

Giant intradiploic calvarial abscess of posterior fossa behaving progressive mass lesion.

A unique case of a large intradiploic abscess involving posterior fossa osseous structures is reported. A 16-year-old boy presented with a hard mass in the calvarium of posterior fossa region, fever and confusion. Radiological examination revealed an intradiploic collection with compression to cerebellum, fourth ventricle and brain stem, resulting in syringomyelia in cervical and thoracic spinal cord. After drainage and resection of the abscess wall, closure of a round dural defect was performed. The medical history of the patient and the intraoperative observations support the contention that the abscess in the reported case was a result of chronic and subclinical process of an intraosseous infection. The features concerned with diagnosis, differential diagnosis and pathogenesis of this rare entity are discussed.

Thermomechanical Modeling of Microstructure Evolution Caused by Strain-Induced Crystallization.

The present contribution deals with the thermomechanical modeling of the strain-induced crystallization in unfilled polymers. This phenomenon significantly influences mechanical and thermal properties of polymers and has to be taken into consideration when planning manufacturing processes as well as applications of the final product. In order to simultaneously capture both kinds of effects, the model proposed starts by introducing a triple decomposition of the deformation gradient and furthermore uses thermodynamic framework for material modeling based on the Coleman-Noll procedure and minimum principle of the dissipation potential, which requires suitable assumptions for the Helmholtz free energy and the dissipation potential. The chosen setup yields evolution equations which are able to simulate the formation and the degradation of crystalline regions accompanied by the temperature change during a cyclic tensile test. The boundary value problem corresponding to the described process includes the balance of linear momentum and balance of energy and serves as a basis for the numerical implementation within an FEM code. The paper closes with the numerical examples showing the microstructure evolution and temperature distribution for different material samples.

A case of May-Thurner syndrome with inconsistent radiological and surgical findings.

May-Thurner syndrome is the result of compression of the left common iliac vein between the right common iliac artery and the overlying vertebrae. In this case report, we describe an 11-year-old boy presenting with swelling of the left lower extremity. An iliac MR venography showed compression of the left proximal iliac vein between the vertebra and the left iliac artery. In surgery, it was seen that the left common iliac vein was connected to the postero-inferior part of the inferior vena cava, and it was compressed between the right common iliac artery and the columna vertebralis, which was inconsistent with the radiological findings. An interposition of the great saphenous vein graft between the left common iliac vein and the inferior vena cava was made, with a successful outcome. Our case is interesting in that it showed inconsistent findings between the radiological images and surgery.

Pelvic retroperitoneal angioleiomyoma mimicking a uterine mass.

Angioleiomyoma (vascular myoma) is a rare type of leiomyoma originating from smooth muscle cells and containing thick-walled vessels. There are only a few cases of retroperitoneal angioleiomyoma reported in the literature. Herein, we present the ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging and histopathological findings of an asymptomatic patient with a pelvic retroperitoneal angioleiomyoma which radiologically mimicked a uterine mass.