Bacteriological features of infectious spondylodiscitis at Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital of Rabat.

To review the bacteriological features of infectious spondylodiscitis and provide recommendations for the initial therapy which remains empirical in our context. Retrospective study including patients diagnosed with spondylodiscitis over a period of 4 years (2006-2009) at the Rabat Military Teaching Hospital. During the study period, we analysed 30 cases: the mean age was 49.9 years and 21 cases (70%) were male. The patients were predominantly hospitalized in neurosurgery department (15/30) followed by rheumatology department (10/30). The site of infection was lumbar in 21 cases (21/30), dorsal in 7 cases (7/30). 26 cultures were positive of which 19 (19/26) were monomicrobial. Tuberculosis (TB) was implicated in 10 cases (10/30) including 4 cases in association with common organisms (Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Corynebacterium species). Brucella melitensis was isolated in 1 case. Infections caused by pyogenic bacteria were isolated in 15 cases of which 12 (12/15) revealed simple organisms including Gram-positive cocci in 9 cases (9/12) with 3 cases of S. aureus and Gram-negative bacilli in 3 cases (3/12) with 2 cases of P. aeruginosa. Blood cultures carried out for 16 patients were positive in 7 cases. The anatomopathologic exams carried out for 20 patients found in 6 cases epithelioid granulomata and giants cells with caseous necrosis in total concordance with TB culture. TB is the most frequent cause of spondylodiscitis in Morocco. Our study found the same frequency for non-specific and specific germs. Empirical treatment must take into account S. aureus and M. tuberculosis.

Textiloma: an uncommon complication of posterior lumbar surgery.

A surgical sponge or cotton swab that is inadvertently left behind in a surgical wound eventually becomes a "textiloma". Such foreign material (also called "gossypiboma") can cause a foreign-body reaction in the surrounding tissue. Textiloma is mostly asymptomatic in chronic cases, but can be confused with other soft-tissue masses. Therefore, it is important to be aware of patients who present with a paraspinal soft-tissue mass and unusual or atypical symptoms. Imaging is helpful for arriving at the correct diagnosis. Here, we describe a case of textiloma in which the patient presented with low-back pain 6 years after laminectomy and lumbar discectomy. Spinal computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a mass lesion in the posterior paravertebral region.

[Nasoethmoidal psammomatoid cemento-ossifiying fibroma with intraorbital extension]. / Fibrome cémento-ossifiant psammomateux nasoéthmoïdal à extension orbitaire.

INTRODUCTION: Psammomatoid cemento-ossifying fibroma (PCOF) is a rare benign fibro-osseous lesion. It affects the maxilla, the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and the ethmoid. It is slow-growing, progressive, and benign but it can be locally extended and mimic a malignant tumor. OBSERVATION: We report the unusual case of a 36-year-old woman with a nasal and ethmoid PCOF with orbital and endocranial extension. The tumor was revealed by exophthalmia and nasal obstruction. The diagnosis was proven histologicaly on biopsies. The treatment was transfacial surgery. There was no recurrence 1 year later. DISCUSSION: Intraorbital and endocranial extension of PCOF are rare aggressive behaviours. Histologically, the differential diagnosis is difficult between fibrous dysplasia or psammomatoid meningioma. Complete surgical excision is necessary to prevent recurrence.

Influence of cranial morphology on the location of chronic subdural haematoma.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between cranial morphology and location of a chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) in patients with and without intracranial vault asymmetry. METHOD: The study was conducted in 110 consecutive adult patients who underwent surgery for CSDH. The relationship between the following variables and CSDH was studied: sex, age, past medical history, history of trauma, interval between head injury and symptoms, clinical presentation, location of the CSDH, symmetry of the frontal and occipital intracranial vault on the CT scan and/or MR images, surgical treatment and outcome. Throughout the analysis, p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. FINDINGS: The frontal cranial vault was symmetrical in 48 patients (43.6%) and asymmetrical in 62 patients (56.4%). CSDH was more commonly bilateral in patients with a symmetrical frontal cranial vault than those with an asymmetrical shape (41.7% vs 17.7% and this difference is statistically significant (p = 0.01). In 62 patients with an asymmetric frontal skull vault, the CSDH was bilateral in 11 patients. In the remaining 51 patients, the CSDH was located on the same side of the most curved frontal convexity in 34 patients and on the side of the less curved frontal convexity in 17 patients. The occipital cranial vault was symmetrical in 44 patients (40%) and asymmetrical in 66 patients (60%). CSDH was more commonly bilateral in patients with a symmetrical occipital cranial vault than those with an asymmetrical one (40.9% vs 19.7%) and this difference was also statistically significant (p = 0.019). In 66 patients with an asymmetric occipital skull vault, the CSDH was bilateral in 13 patients. In the remaining 53 patients, the CSDH located on the same side of the most curved occipital convexity in 39 patients and on the side of the less curved occipital convexity in 14 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Frontal and occipital intracranial vault morphology provides valuable information about location of CSDH. Bilateral CSDH is common in patients with symmetrical frontal and occipital cranial vault. In asymmetrical cranium, CSDH usually locates on the same side of the most curved frontal or occipital convexity. Identification of this relationship can be very useful to elucidate the origin and the pathogenesis of CSDH.

Metallic foreign body in the sphenoid sinus after ballistic injury: a case report.

Paranasal sinus injuries by foreign bodies have a lower incidence compared with facial injuries. Among them, penetrating maxillofacial injuries to the sphenoid sinus and skull base remain rare. We report the case of a 41-year-old man who presented with, after a missile-related maxillofacial injury, a metallic foreign body enclosed within the sphenoid sinus with carotid-canal fracture. Angiographic evaluation showed a mass in the right internal carotid artery. The foreign object was successfully extracted through a transmaxillary sublabial approach with a good outcome. We discuss the extensive preoperative evaluation and interdisciplinary management of this unusual injury.

Combined epidural and intracerebral hematomas after evacuation of bilateral chronic subdural hematoma.

Bleeding after surgery for chronic subdural hematoma far from the operative site is a rare phenomenon with possibly serious consequences. We report a case of combined epidural and intracerebral hemorrhage immediately after evacuation of bilateral chronic subdural hematoma. The epidural hematoma was evacuated by emergency craniotomy, but the deep parenchymal hematoma was treated conservatively. The patient recovered progressively with a good outcome. Approximately 30 cases of chronic subdural hematomas complicated by intracerebral hematoma were previously reported, but only seven cases of epidural hematoma. These complications could be avoided if slow, gradual decompression is used during surgery. Clinicians should suspect its occurrence without delay when a postoperative neurological deterioration is demonstrated. Possible mechanisms are discussed.

Cystic schwannoma of the cauda equina mimicking hemangioblastoma.

Cystic schwannoma is highly unusual and intraspinal involvement seems to be even more rare. We report a case of intradural lumbar-cystic schwannoma in a 50-year-old man who presented with chronic low-back pain and sciatalgia, which were initially related to a bulging disc. Diagnosis of a tumor origin was suspected two years later on MRI as a hemangioblastoma. The lesion was histologically confirmed to be a schwannoma. Only eight cases of spinal schwannoma with large cyst have been previously reported. Cystic schwannoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lumbar intradural-cystic lesion.

[Cerebellar mutism after removal of a vermian medulloblastoma in an adult]. / Mutisme cérébelleux après ablation d'un médulloblastome vermien chez un adulte.

Cerebellar mutism is a rare postoperative phenomenon that generally occurs in children after resection of a cerebellar mass lesion. A 22-year-old man developed cerebellar mutism after posterior fossa surgery for a mass lesion in the vermis. Histological examination showed a medulloblastoma. The tumor was totally removed via a suboccipital approach. The patient developed mutism on the first postoperative day, which persisted for two weeks. Thereafter, this condition gradually improved. Although pathophysiology and the anatomical substrate of cerebellar mutism still remain unclear, it is important that neurosurgeons be aware of this syndrome after posterior fossa surgery in adults. This phenomenon usually has a self-limiting course and a favorable prognosis for resolution within the first three months.

[Intradiploic epidermoid cyst of the occipital bone]. / Kyste épidermoïde intradiploïque de l'os occipital.

BACKGROUND: A rare case of intradiploic epidermoid cyst of the occipital bone is described and recent literature, which emphasizes the radiological evaluation and surgical treatment of this lesion is reviewed. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 56-year-old female patient complained of headache and occasional episodes of vertigo for one year. Computed tomographic scan and magnetic resonance imaging were performed. The patient underwent occipital right craniotomy followed by total removal of the cyst and its capsule. RESULT: The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged 4 days later. CONCLUSION: A review of the literature shows that intradiploic epidermoid cyst of the occipital bone is rare. Correct radiological assessment and complete excision of this lesion and its capsule provides complete recovery.

Utility of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube assay for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in Moroccan children.

SETTING: The utility of interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs), such as the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) test, in diagnosing active tuberculosis (TB) in children is unclear and depends on the epidemiological setting. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of QFT-GIT for TB diagnosis in children living in Morocco, an intermediate TB incidence country with high bacille Calmette-Gurin vaccination coverage. DESIGN: We prospectively recruited 109 Moroccan children hospitalised for clinically suspected TB, all of whom were tested using QFT-GIT. RESULTS: For 81 of the 109 children, the final diagnosis was TB. The remaining 28 children did not have TB. QFT-GIT had a sensitivity of 66% (95%CI 5277) for the diagnosis of TB, and a specificity of 100% (95%CI 88100). The tuberculin skin test (TST) had lower sensitivity, at 46% (95%CI 3360), and its concordance with QFT-GIT was limited (69%). Combining QFT-GIT and TST results increased sensitivity to 83% (95%CI 6992). CONCLUSION: In epidemiological settings such as those found in Morocco, QFT-GIT is more sensitive than the TST for active TB diagnosis in children. Combining the TST and QFT-GIT would be useful for the diagnosis of active TB in children, in combination with clinical, radiological and laboratory data.

Cavernous hemangioma of the parietal bone. A case report.

Intraosseous cavernous hemangiomas are a rare finding in the calvarium. It is a benign tumors arising from the intrinsic vasculature of the bone. We report one case observed in a 31 year-old female, presented with a progressive left parietal mass. A plain X-ray of the skull and cranial CT-scan showed a osteolytic lesion in the left parietal bone. Surgery consisted of total resection of the lesion and cranioplasty. The postoperative course was uneventful. Histological study revealed a cavernous hemangioma of the diploe. In view of this observation and the literature review, clinical; radiological and therapeutic aspect of this rare entity are discussed.

Thoracic epidural hemangiopericytoma. Case report.

Hemangiopericytoma is an uncommon mesenchymal neoplasm that rarely affects the spinal canal. We report a case of thoracic epidural hemangiopericytoma in a 39-year-old man with symptoms of spinal cord compression studied by myelo-computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Total resection was followed by complete recovery. Postoperative radiotherapy was performed. The clinical, radiological, and histological findings of epidural spinal hemangiopericytoma are reviewed in the light of relevant literature

[Brainstem tuberculomas: two cases]. / Tuberculomes du tronc cérébral.

We report two cases of brainstem tuberculomas with favorable outcome after medical treatment alone. Tuberculomas should be suspected in all cases presenting space-occupying lesions of the brainstem.

[Optochiasmatic tuberculoma: complication of tuberculous meningitis. Report of a case and review of the literature]. / Tuberculome optochiasmatique: complication d'une méningite tuberculeuse. A propos d'un cas et revue de la littérature.

Optochiasmatic tuberculomas are rare and have a poor prognosis if not diagnosed early and treated adequately. We report the case of 4-year-old boy who presented a chiasmatic tuberculoma after tuberculous meningitis revealed by progressive visual failure. Cerebral gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a chiasmatic and a brainstem ringlike enhancing lesions. Outcome was favorable with antituberculosis therapy and corticosteroids. Are recalled the diagnostic aspects, notably the neuroradiological findings, in this particular localisation of tuberculosis with a review of the similar thirty-three cases reported in the literature.

[Dermoid cyst of the conus medullaris revealed by chronic urinary retention. Contribution of imaging]. / Kyste dermoïde du cône médullaire révélé par une rétention chronique d'urine. Apport de l'imagerie.

We report a case of congenital dermoid cyst of the conus medullaris without associated dysraphic lesion treated surgically. An 18-year-old man had a one-year history of bladder sphincter disorders and more recent acute renal failure with urinary tract infection. The diagnosis of intramedullary tumor was provided by myelo CT and MRI confirmed by histology. At 10-month follow-up, the postoperative course was good.

Cerebellar liponeurocytoma (lipomatous medulloblastoma).

Liponeurocytoma (lipomatous medulloblastoma) is an uncommon clinicopathologic entity. We report a case of cerebellar liponeurocytoma in an adult and attempt to better characterize this uncommon lesion. A 43-year-old woman presented with symptoms and signs of increased intracranial pressure and cerebellar dysfunction. CT and MRI showed a heterogeneous well-circumscribed mass in the left cerebellar hemisphere with hydrocephalus. Complete surgical excision of the tumor was accomplished through a suboccipital craniotomy. Pathological examination with immunohistochemical study revealed a medulloblastoma with neuronal, astrocytic and lipomatous differentiation. Postoperative radiation therapy was given. After surgery, the patient was followed up for a 16 month-period; symptoms improved dramatically and no evidence of tumor recurrence was found. Careful analysis of the histopathological and immunohistochemical studies correctly identifies liponeurocytoma (lipomatous medulloblastoma). To our knowledge, only 16 cases have been reported. Although this lesion appears to have a better prognosis than the conventional form of adult medulloblastoma, complete surgical removal with postoperative radiation therapy is recommended.

[Traumatic false aneurysms of intracranial artery]. / Les faux anévrismes artériels traumatiques intracrâniens.

The authors report a case of intracranial traumatic aneurysm at young a 21 years old patient. He presented with recurrent epistaxis 3 months after craniofacial trauma. An aneurysm of the left carotid artery was diagnosed at cerebral angiography. Endovascular treatment was performed with favorable outcome. In spite of their rarity, posttraumatic intracranial aneurysms should be suspected in patients with recent or remote history of trauma, even minor, presenting with secondary clinical deterioration, in order to carry out emergent angiographic exploration, before contemplating definitive surgical or endovascular treatment.