[Deep cerebral venous system thrombosis: report of two cases]. / Thrombose veineuse cerebrale profonde: à propos de deux observations.

We report two cases of cerebral deep venous thrombosis in female adults. The first patient presented with headaches and confusion 20 days postpartum. Deep cerebral internal venous thrombosis was suspected based on the CT scan showing bilateral hypodensity in the thalamus and internal capsules. The diagnosis was confirmed on cerebral angiography. The patient was treated but died within 3 weeks of the onset of symptoms. The second patient had no obvious predisposing factors. She presented with confusion and fever. The diagnosis was strongly suggested by the CT scan, which showed spontaneous high density in the deep venous system associated with bilateral hypodensities in the thalamus and internal capsules. Venous MR angiography revealed obliteration of internal cerebral veins and the great vein of Galen. Ten days after appropriate therapy, the patient recovered completely.

Intrasphenoidal rathke cleft cyst.

Symptomatic Rathke cleft cysts (RCC) are reported in the sellar and suprasellar regions, but no case of sphenoidal RCC has been reported. We report a case of sphenoidal RCC in a 41-year-old man. The lesion was revealed by headaches and diplopia. Symptoms disappeared transiently after a spontaneous rhinorrhea but relapsed 4 months later. MR imaging showed a cystic sphenoidal lesion, isointense on T1-weighted images (WI) with peripheral gadolinium enhancement and hyperintense on T2 WI. The patient underwent surgery through a transrhinoseptal approach. The wall of the sphenoid sinus was paper-thin. The cyst contained a motor-oil-like fluid and communicated widely with the nasal fossa. Its wall was partially extracted. Symptoms and signs ceased after surgery. MR imaging performed 1 year later showed the disappearance of the sphenoidal cyst. Embryological origin of RCCs is discussed. The hypothesis of a continuum between the different epithelial cystic lesions of the sellar and parasellar region is discussed. Imaging has an important impact on the diagnosis; nevertheless, the specific characterization remains difficult.

[Presentation of a cavernous angioma with an oculomotor nuclear syndrome: a case report]. / Syndrome nucléaire du nerf oculomoteur commun révélateur d'un cavernome mésencéphalique.

INTRODUCTION: The nuclear syndrome of the oculomotor nerve, first described in 1981, is characterized by ipsilateral third nerve palsy and elevation paresis of the contralateral eye. CASE REPORT: A 59-year-old man suddenly developed diplopia and headache. Neurological examination showed nuclear ophthalmoplegia of the left third nerve without any other neurological abnormality. MRI findings demonstrated a typical, popcorn-like, smoothly circumscribed left posterior lesion. Surgical resection was not performed because of the deep localization. Spontaneous bleeding developed. CONCLUSION: This neuro-ophthalmological complication of a cavernous angioma, as seen in our patient, has rarely been described in the literature. The clinical presentation and anatomic elements of the nuclear oculomotor syndrome are discussed. This exceptional localization provides a useful illustration of anatomoclinical correlations.

[Imaging of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis]. / Imagerie de la xanthomatose cérébrotendineuse.

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis is a rare lipid storage disorder due tocaused by an autosomal recessive inherited defect of the hepatic mitochondrial sterol 27 hydroxylase. It's characterized by accumulation of cholestanol and cholesterol in many tissues, in particular tendons and brain, with tendon xanthomas, juvenile cataracts, and neurological abnormalities. MR imaging showed typical bilateral and symmetrical involvement of the dentate nuclei. Early and long- term treatment may improve neurologic function. The authors present a case of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis and describe ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance findings.

[Plasmocytoma of the skull base revealing multiple myeloma]. / Plasmocytome de la base du crâne révélant un myélome multiple.

We report a case of sphenoidal plasmocytoma in a 57-year-old male revealing multiple myeloma. MRI showed a tumor located in the sphenoid sinus with local extension. Diagnosis was made by histology after transsphenoidal resection. We discuss the imaging features of plasmocytomas and review the principal differential diagnoses.

[Balò's concentric sclerosis in a North-African patient]. / Sclérose concentrique de Balò chez un patient nord-africain.

INTRODUCTION: Balo's concentric sclerosis is a rare variant of multiple sclerosis described by Balo in 1928. It is characterized by alternating rings of demyelination and spared myelin. CASE REPORT: We report a case of Balo's concentric sclerosis diagnosed by the typical MRI findings of concentric rings of demyelination. Medullar and brain localisation were found and clinical course was good under intravenous corticosteroids. CONCLUSION: MRI provides the best diagnostic information for Balo's concentric sclerosis, allowing early diagnosis and treatment.

Imaging features of spinal epidural cavernous malformations.

Cavernous angioma or cavernoma is a vascular malformation that may affect any area in the neuraxis. Epidural location is very rare and therefore seldom considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal cord compression. We report two cases of epidural cavernous angiomas. The first case is a solitary and purely epidural dorsal cavernous angioma without foraminal expansion or bone modification causing spinal cord compression in a 35 year old woman. The second case is a solitary epidural dorsal cavernous angioma with foraminal extension causing spinal cord compression in a 56 year old woman. Histological confirmation is available for both cases. We describe the MRI features of this lesion insisting on its differential diagnosis on imaging.

[Spontaneously hyperdense intracranial epidermoid cyst]. / Kyste épidermoïde intracrânien spontanément hyperdense.

Intracranial epidermoid cysts are relatively rare tumors. These cysts are generally nearly isodense to CSF at CT and nearly isointense to CSF on T1W and T2W MR imaging. Spontaneously hyperdense epidermoid cysts are exceptional. We report the case of a 12-year-old girl with a spontaneously hyperdense epidermoid cyst of the posterior fossa presenting with focal neurological symptoms. The diagnosis was confirmed at histological examination.

[Idiopathic granulomatous hypophysitis: clinical apppearance and imaging]. / Hypophysite granulomateuse idiopathique: aspects cliniques et radiologiques.

Idiopathic granulomatous hypophysitis is a chronic inflammation of the pituitary gland. It is a rare occurrence and is diagnosed only on pathologic examination. We report a case of a 23-year-old female patient presenting with polyuria and polydipsia associated with a pituitary failure and hyperprolactinemia. MRI study showed a space occupying lesion of the pituitary gland with a marked enhancement after gadolinium injection. Pituitary biopsy was consistent with the diagnosis of idiopathic granulomatous hypophysitis. The aim of this work is to discuss the different clinical and radiological aspects of the disease with a special emphasis on differential diagnosis.

Nasu-Hakola disease in two Tunisian siblings: new radiological findings.

We report radiological features of a biopsy-proven early infantile form of Nasu-Hakoka disease in two Tunisian sisters with new bony and cerebral findings.

[Extensive malignant schwannoma of the sciatic nerve. Contribution of imaging techniques]. / Schwannome malin étendu du sciatique. Apport de l'imagerie.

The authors reports a case of malignant schwannoma of sciatic nerve. Clinically, this tumor was manifested by a progressive tumefaction of the leg, and moderate pain, without functional signs. The origin of the sciatic nerve has been suspected by computed tomography, because its location, the vascular contacts, and the lesion's extension. Biopsy leads to confirm the nerve tumor, and precised the histologic type: malignant schwannoma. Local, regional and general extension did not premise treatment.

[Value of cerebral tomodensitometry in Behcet's disease with neurological manifestations (50 cases)]. / Apport de la tomodensitométrie cérébrale au cours du neuro-Behçet (à propos de 50 cas).

The authors report a retrospective study of 50 CT Scan made for patients suffering from Behçet's disease with neurological manifestations. Neuro-Behçet can affect all the central nervous system structures with particular predilection to the brain stem, internal capsula and basal brain ganglia. The authors emphasize on the importance of CT Scan for the diagnosis, the severity evaluation of the neurological impairment and for the Neuro-Behcet's prognosis.

[Pulmonary sequestration in an infant]. / Séquestration pulmonaire chez un nourrisson.

A case of intralobar pulmonary sequestration in an infant is reported. The lesion presented as recurrent bronchopulmonary infections. The chest film showed a density in the right lower lobe, in which air-filled images and air-fluid levels developed rapidly. Aortography demonstrated systemic blood supply to the lesion from three arteries stemming from the thoracic aorta. The pathological study of the operative specimen confirmed the diagnosis. Postoperative outcome was satisfactory.

[Lipoma of the corpus callosum. 3 case reports and review of the literature]. / Lipome du corps calleux. A propos de trois cas et revue de la littérature.

Lipoma of the corpus callosum is a rare congenital intracranial tumor. Although only 153 cases had been reported as of March 1992, the incidence of this tumor is underestimated (some cases are unpublished and others are asymptomatic). Three cases of lipoma of the corpus callosum diagnosed in children are reported herein. These tumors may be either discovered fortuitously in an asymptomatic patient or responsible for manifestations of which the most common are seizures, headache, and mental disorders. Diagnosis rests on imaging techniques. The main investigation is computed tomography which discloses a mass composed of fat, with or without peripheral calcifications, and also identifies any other malformations such as dysgenesis of the corpus callosum.

[Osteoid osteoma of the spine. Radiological study of 21 cases]. / Ostéomes ostéoïdes du rachis. Etude radiologique de 21 cas.

Spinal osteoid osteomas are rare. We report 21 cases, that have been studied and treated since 1985. The tumor affects young people, who are less than 25 years old. The pain is the most common sign. Diagnosis is difficult, but can be made by radiology. X ray sometimes enables to suspect the diagnosis. Scintigraphy shows a focus hyperfixation more suggestive. Computed tomography enables the diagnosis by showing a bony lacuna surrounded by osteosclerosis. Moreover, computed tomography localizes very well the nidus of the osteoid osteoma, and guides the surgical treatment. Since computed tomography, other techniques like angiography and tomography are less used for diagnosis.