Spontaneous chronic subdural hematoma of the posterior fossa: A case report.

Background: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSH) in the posterior fossa is extremely rare and only a few cases have been reported in the literature. We report a case of CSH in the posterior fossa successfully treated with a single burr hole surgery. Case Description: A 66-year-old woman who underwent anticoagulation therapy and was suffering, in the past 3 weeks from headache, vertigo, and gait ataxia. Screening with magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated infratentorial CSH on the right cerebellar hemisphere. Coagulation was normalized and the hematoma was evacuated through a burr hole irrigation. The symptoms resolved completely within a few days. Postoperative computed tomography showed a normal postoperative appearance and resolution of hematoma. She was discharged 1 week later without any neurological deficits. Conclusion: CSH in the posterior fossa is an extremely rare condition. Due to the limited number of reports, the optimal treatment is yet unknown. In cases with coagulation disorders, less invasive and early treatment should be considered. More studies are needed to define the best management for this pathology and cases must be individualized according to each patient's particularities.

Ventricular empyema associated with severe pyogenic meningitis in COVID-19 adult patient: Case report.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic raised global attention especially due to the severe acute respiratory symptoms associated to it. However, almost one third of patients also develop neurological symptoms. The aim of the present study is to describe the case of a previously health adult that evolved cerebral ventricular empyema in the IV ventricle during COVID-19 infection treatment. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 49-year-old man with COVID-19 developed pneumonia caused by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. After treating adequate treatment, sedation was switched off without showing appropriate awakening. Brain CT was performed with evidence of communicating hydrocephalus. External ventricular shunt (EVD) was implant with intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid suggestive of meningitis with a positive culture for oxacillin-sensitive Staphylococcus hominis. Twenty days after EVD, meningitis treatment was finished and with 2 negative cultures, conversion to ventriculoperitoneal shunt was performed. In the following week, during the evaluation of the patient in intensive care, quadriplegia and absence of spontaneous respiratory movement were evidenced, just maintaining head movement. Brain MRI was performed with a diagnosis of ventriculitis associated with pus collections on the IV ventricle. The patient underwent microsurgical drainage removal of the shunt, with a positive intraventricular collection culture for Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, without improvement in the neurological condition. After 14 weeks of hospitalization, the patient died. CONCLUSION: It is well known that COVID-19 has potential to directly attack and cause severe damage to the central nervous system; however, ventricular empyema is an extremely rare life-threatening complication.

Brain Metastasis of Wilms Tumor in Adult.

BACKGROUND: Wilms tumor is a rare renal tumor in adults. To the best of our knowledge, only a small number of cases of brain metastasis have been reported in the literature. We report the case of a 29-year-old female with headache and dizziness, with a parietal mass and pathologic diagnosis of Wilms tumor metastasis. CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient was admitted with a 3-month history of lumbar pain and 2 months of progressive headache associated with dizziness. Abdomen magnetic resonance imaging showed a renal mass. Post nephrectomy, the neurologic signs worsened and a head magnetic resonance imaging presented in the right parietal lobe, convexity, heterogeneous lesion with little perilesional edema. The patient underwent a complete surgical resection with success. The adjuvant treatment was chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Few cases of brain metastasis of Wilms tumor exist in the literature. Surgical management is considered in cases with intracranial hypertension or focal signs. The adjuvant treatment options are immunotherapy and chemotherapy.

Brain metastasis of Merkel cell carcinoma - A rare case report.

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine skin tumor. In our knowledge, only 30 cases of brain metastasis were reported in literature. The authors report a case of 57-year-old male with elevated intracranial pressure signs, which a frontal mass with pathological diagnosis of MCC. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 57-year-old male was admitted with a 3-month history of progressive headache, associated with nausea and dizziness. The magnetic resonance imaging showed a left frontal lobe, parasagittal, and nodular lesion with perilesional edema. The patient underwent complete surgical resection with success. The adjuvant treatment was radiotherapy and chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: In our knowledge, there is a little number of cases of MCC reported in literature. Surgical management is considered in cases with intracranial hypertension or focal signs. The adjuvant treatment options are immunotherapy and radiotherapy.

Orbital Schwannoma: Case Report and Review

Orbital schwannomas are rare, presenting a rate of incidence between 1 and 5% of all orbital lesions. Their most common clinical symptoms are promoted by mass effect, such as orbital pain and proptosis. The best complementary exam is the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which shows low signal in T1, high signal in T2, and heterogeneous contrast enhancement. The treatment of choice is surgical, with adjuvant radiotherapy if complete resection is not possible. We report the case of a 24-year-old male patient with orbital pain and proptosis, without previous history of disease. The MRI showed a superior orbital lesion compatible with schwannoma, which was confirmed by biopsy after complete resection using a fronto-orbital approach.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Caused by Cerebellopontine Angle Tumors: Surgical Series

Introduction Cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumors represent an important cause of persistent and refractory trigeminal neuralgia (TN). It is believed that between 1 and 9.9% of the cases of patients presenting with TN painful manifestation are caused by space-occupying lesions. Objective The objective of the present study is to describe the clinical and surgical experience of the operative management of patients presenting with secondary type TN associated with CPA tumors. Method An observational investigation was conducted with data collection from patients with secondary type TN associated with CPA tumors who were treated with surgical resection of the space-occupying lesion and decompression of the trigeminal nerve from January 2013 to November 2016 in 2 different centers in the western region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Results We operated on 11 consecutive cases in which TN was associated with CPA during the period of analysis. Seven (63.6%) patients were female, and 4 (36.4%) were male. Seven (63.6%) patients presented with right-side symptoms, and 4 (36.4%) presented with left-side symptoms. After 2 years of follow-up, we observed that 8 (72.7%) patients showed a complete improvement of the symptoms, with an excellent outcome, and that 3 (27.3%) patients showed an incomplete improvement, with a good outcome. No patient reported partial improvement or poor outcome after the follow-up. There was no operative mortality. Conclusion Cerebellopontine angle tumors represent an important cause of TNandmust be included in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with refractory and persistent symptoms. Surgical treatment with total resection of the expansive lesion and effective decompression of the trigeminal nerve are essential steps to control the symptoms.

Clival SubduralHematoma after Drainage of Concomitant Intracranial and Spinal Cord Subdural Hematomas ­ Rare Case Report

Concomitant traumatic spinal cord and intracranial subdural hematomas associated with a retroclival hematoma are very uncommon. Their pathophysiology is not totally elucidated, but one hypothesis is the migration of the hematoma from the head to the spine. In the present case report, the authors describe the case of a 51-year-old man presenting with headache, nauseas and back pain after a head trauma who presented with intracranial and spinal cord subdural hematomas. Drainage was performed but, 1 week later, a retroclival subdural hematoma was diagnosed. The present paper discusses the pathophysiology, the clinical presentation, as well as the complications of concomitant traumatic spinal cord and intracranial subdural hematomas associated with a retroclival hematoma, and reviews this condition.

Ruptured Bilateral Pericallosal Artery Aneurysm in Mirror Position: Case Report

Introduction Pericallosal artery (PA) aneurysms represent 2 to 9% of all intracranial aneurysms, and their management remains difficult. Objective The aim of the present study is to describe the case of an adult woman with subarachnoid hemorrhage and bilateral PA aneurysm in mirror position. Case Report A 46-year-old woman was referred to our institution 20 days after a sudden severe headache. She informed that she was treating her arterial hypertension irregularly, and consumed 20 cigarettes/day. The patient was neurologically intact at admission. A non-contrast computed tomography (CT) on the first day of the onset of the symptoms revealed hydrocephaly and subarachnoid hemorrhage (Fisher III). An angio-CT/digital subtraction arteriography showed bilateral PA aneurysms in mirror position. The patient was successfully treated with surgery via the right interhemispheric approach (because the surgeon is right-handed); the surgeon performed the proximal control with temporary clipping, and introduced an external ventricular drain at the end of the surgery. The patient was discharged on the fourth postoperative day without any additional neurological deficits or ventricular shunts. Conclusion Ruptured PA aneurysm is a surgically challenging aneurysm due to the many anatomical nuances and risk of rebleeding. However, the operativemanagement of ruptured bilateral PA aneurysms is feasible and effective.

Aneurysm of the Fenestrated Basilar Artery: Case Report and Literature Review

Introduction Aneurysms of the vertebrobasilar junction are rare, but when present, they are often associated with fenestration of the basilar artery. Frequently, the endovascular treatment is the first choice due to the complex anatomy of the posterior fossa, which represents a challenge for the open surgical treatment alternative. Case Report A 47-year-old man was admitted to the emergency unit with headache, diplopia, neck pain and mental confusion. The neurological exam showed: score of 15 in the Glasgow coma scale (GCS), no motor or sensitivity deficit, palsy of the left sixth cranial nerve and Hunt-Hess grade III. The computed tomography (CT) scan showed subarachnoid hemorrhage (Fisher III) and hydrocephalus. The patient was submitted to ventricular-peritoneal shunt. A diagnostic arteriography was performed with 3D reconstruction, which showed evidence of fenestration of the basilar artery associated with aneurysm in the right vertebrobasilar portion. An aneurysm coil embolization was performed without complications. The patient was discharged 19 days later maintaining diplopia, with paralysis of the left sixth cranial nerve, but without any other complaints or neurological symptoms. Discussion Fenestration of the basilar artery occurs due to failure of fusion of the longitudinal neural arteries in the embryonic period, and it is associated with the formation of aneurysms. The endovascular treatment is the first choice and several techniques are described, including simple coiling, balloon remodeling, stent-assisted coiling, liquid embolic agents and flow diversion devices. The three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA) is an extremely helpful tool when planning the best treatment course. Conclusion Fenestrated basilar artery aneurysms are rare and complex vascular diseases and their treatment improved with the advent of the 3D angiography and the development of the endovascular techniques.

Introdução Aneurismas da junção vertebrobasilar são raros, mas quando presentes, geralmente estão associados à fenestração da artéria basilar. Frequentemente, o tratamento endovascular é a primeira opção devido à complexidade da anatomia da fossa posterior, o que representa um obstáculo para a alternativa de tratamento com cirurgia aberta. Relato de Caso Um homem de 47 anos de idade deu entrada na unidade de emergência com cefaleia, diplopia, dor no pescoço e desorientação. O exame neurológico mostrou: 15 pontos na escala de coma Glasgow (ECG), ausência de déficit motor ou de sensibilidade, paralisia do sexto nervo craniano I esquerdo, Hunt-Hess grau III. A tomografia computadorizada apresentou hemorragia subaracnoidea (Fisher grau III) e hidrocefalia. O paciente foi submetido a shunt ventricular-peritoneal. A arteriografia diagnóstica foi feita com reconstrução 3D, que comprovou fenestração da artéria basilar associada a aneurisma na porção vertebrobasilar direita. Realizamos embolização do aneurisma com molas, sem complicações. O paciente recebeu alta 19 dias depois, mantendo diplopia, paralisia do sexto nervo craniano esquerdo, sem outras complicações ou sintomas neurológicos. Discussão A fenestração da artéria basilar ocorre devido à falência da fusão das artérias neurais longitudinais no período embrionário e está associada à formação de aneurismas. O tratamento endovascular é a primeira opção e várias técnicas são descritas, incluindo simples embolização, remodelagem por balão, embolização assistida com stent, agentes embólicos líquidos e dispositivos de desvio de fluxo. Para planejar o melhor tratamento, angiografias rotacionais 3D são extremamente úteis. Conclusão Aneurismas de artéria basilar fenestrada são doenças vasculares raras e complexas, e seu tratamento foi aprimorado com o advento de angiografias 3D e desenvolvimento de técnicas endovasculares.

Intradural Schwannoma Exacerbating the Symptoms of Degenerative Lumbar Stenosis: Case Report

Introduction Schwannoma is a common intradural slow-growing, benign and encapsulated tumor that originates from the myelin sheaths of the nerve fibers. However, a lumbar schwannoma complicating the symptoms of spinal stenosis is an extremely rare association. Aim To describe the case of a woman presenting a lumbar schwannoma in association with spinal stenosis. Case Report A 53 year-old female was referred to neurosurgical evaluation due to the worsening of a lumbar pain that was irradiating to the left inferior leg along the anterolateral surface. A neurological examination revealed motor deficits for extension of the left leg and attenuation of the left patellar reflex. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed lumbar spinal stenosis due to flavum ligament hypertrophy and disc herniation in the L3L4 and L4L5 segments, and an expansive lesion with homogeneous contrast enhancement occupying the left neuroforamen of the L3L4 segment. The patient underwent surgical resection of the tumor and decompression of the stenotic segments with posterior screw instrumentation from L3 to L5. She presented an uneventful recovery and significant improvement of the lumbar pain, and was still free of symptoms 6 months after surgery. An anatomopathological examination defined the tumor as a schwannoma (Grade I ­ World Health Organization [WHO]). Conclusion The present study highlights that lumbar schwannoma is a possible etiology complicating the symptoms of patients with previous lumbar spinal stenosis. It is important to treat both pathologies to improve the patients' symptoms.

Introdução O schwannoma é um tumor intradural comum, benigno, de crescimento lento e encapsulado que se origina da bainha de myelina das fibras nervosas. No entanto, a presença de um schwannoma lombar complicando os sintomas de estenose do canal medular é uma associação extremamente rara. Objetivos Descrever o caso de uma paciente portadora de schwannoma lombar exacerbando os sintomas de estenose do canal lombar. Relato de Caso Uma mulher de 53 anos de idade foi encaminhada para avaliação neurocirúrgica devido a relato de piora dos sintomas de dor lombar que irradiavam preferencialmente para o membro inferior esquerdo na sua face antero-lateral. O exame físico neurológico revelou a presença de déficit motor para a extensão do membro inferior esquerdo e redução do reflexo patelar esquerdo. A imagem de ressonância magnética mostrou a presença de estenose do canal lombar devido à hipertrofia do ligamento amarelo e herniações discais nos segmentos L3L4 e L4L5. Além disso, o estudo radiológico também evidenciou a presença de uma lesão expansiva ocupando o neuroforamen de L3L4 com captação homogênea do meio de contraste. A paciente foi submetida à ressecção cirúrgica do processo neoplásico e descompressão do canal medular com artrodese através de instrumentação dos segmentos L3L4L5 via posterior em um único ato operatório. A paciente apresentou uma recuperação pós-operatória adequada e mantém-se assintomática em segmento clínico seis meses após o procedimento cirúrgico. O estudo anatomo-patológico e imuno-histoquímico definiu o processo expansivo como schwannoma (Grau I da OMS). Conclusão O presente estudo destaca que o schwannoma lombar é uma possibilidade etiológica para os pacientes portadores de estenose do canal lombar que apresentam piora progressiva dos sintomas ou novos déficits neurológicos. É importante tratar as duas patologias para que o paciente obtenha melhor resultado clínico no controle dos sintomas.

Factors predicting the outcome following surgical treatment of mesial temporal epilepsy due to mesial temporal sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) is the most common disease found in an epilepsy surgery series. Early age of onset, a history of febrile convulsions, epileptiform discharges on EEG, duration of epilepsy, number of generalized seizures and severity of psychiatric disorders are possible prognostic factors in patients with MTS. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to review the clinical, semiotic, psychological, electrophysiological and neuroradiological researches and relate their findings to the prognosis of patients with MTS who underwent anteromedial temporal lobectomy (ATL). METHODS: Of 1,214 patients evaluated for surgery in the epilepsy Center of Faculdade de Medicina de São Jose do Rio Preto (FAMERP), a tertiary Brazilian epilepsy center, 400 underwent ATL for MTS. Examinations and clinical data were analyzed and compared with the Engel Outcome Classification. RESULTS: Of all the items analyzed, the MRI showed the greatest influence on patient outcome. As for the clinical evaluation and pathological antecedents, age at surgery, epilepsy duration, perinatal insults, family history of epilepsy, febrile seizures, neuropsychological abnormalities and presence of generalized tonic-clonic seizure all had statistical significance. CONCLUSION: In order to identify the most appropriate candidates for ATL, it is very important to consider the prognostic factors associated with a favorable outcome for counseling patients in daily practice.

Microsurgical treatment of patients with refractory epilepsy and mesial temporal cavernous malformations: Clinical experience of a tertiary epilepsy center.

BACKGROUND: Mesiotemporal cavernous malformation can occur in 10-20% of patients with cerebral cavernomas and are frequently associated with refractory. METHODS: A retrospective investigation was performed in the epilepsy clinic of a Brazilian tertiary referral epilepsy center, from January 2000 to March 2012. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients were included in the study. Thirteen patients (62%) evolved to Engel I; 5 (24%) to Engel II, 2 (10%) to Engel III, and 1 (5%) to Engel IV. We observed that 10 (48%) patients with 12 years or less of epilepsy duration evolved to Engel I and 1 (5%) to Engel II; whereas from a total of 10 patients with epilepsy duration of more than 12 years, 3 (30%) evolved to Engel I and 7 (70%) to Engel II, III, or IV (P < 0.001 [bilateral]; P1 ≠ P2). CONCLUSION: Postsurgical seizure outcome for temporal lobe epilepsy associated with mesiotemporal cavernomas is very satisfactory.

Longer epilepsy duration and multiple lobe involvement predict worse seizure outcomes for patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy associated with neurocysticercosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the surgical outcomes of temporal lobe epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS) and neurocysticercosis (NCC). METHODS: A retrospective investigation of patients with TLE-HS was conducted in a tertiary center. RESULTS: Seventy-nine (62.2%), 37 (29.1%), 6 (4.7%), and 5 (3.9%) patients were Engel class I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Fifty-two (71.2%) patients with epilepsy durations ≤ 10 years prior to surgery were seizure-free 1 year after the operation compared to 27 (50.0%) patients with epilepsy durations > 10 years (p = 0.0121). Forty-three (72.9%) patients with three or fewer lobes affected by NCC were seizure-free one year after the operation, and 36 (52.9%) patients with more than three involved lobes were seizure-free after surgery (p = 0.0163). CONCLUSIONS: Longer epilepsy durations and multiple lobe involvement predicted worse seizure outcomes in TLE-HS plus NCC patients.

Longer epilepsy duration and multiple lobe involvement predict worse seizure outcomes for patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy associated with neurocysticercosis / Longa duração de epilepsia e envolvimento de múltiplos lobos são fatores preditivos de pior controle das crises convulsivas em pacientes com epilepsia refratária do lobo temporal associada a neurocisticercose

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the surgical outcomes of temporal lobe epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS) and neurocysticercosis (NCC). Methods A retrospective investigation of patients with TLE-HS was conducted in a tertiary center. Results Seventy-nine (62.2%), 37 (29.1%), 6 (4.7%), and 5 (3.9%) patients were Engel class I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Fifty-two (71.2%) patients with epilepsy durations ≤ 10 years prior to surgery were seizure-free 1 year after the operation compared to 27 (50.0%) patients with epilepsy durations > 10 years (p = 0.0121). Forty-three (72.9%) patients with three or fewer lobes affected by NCC were seizure-free one year after the operation, and 36 (52.9%) patients with more than three involved lobes were seizure-free after surgery (p = 0.0163). Conclusions Longer epilepsy durations and multiple lobe involvement predicted worse seizure outcomes in TLE-HS plus NCC patients.

RESUMO Objetivo Investigar o resultado cirúrgico da epilepsia do lobo temporal associada à esclerose hipocampal (TLE-HS) e neurocisticercose (NCC). Métodos Estudo retrospectivo realizado em um centro de epilepsia. Resultados Cinqüenta e dois pacientes (71,2%) com 10 anos ou menos de epilepsia antes da cirurgia tornaram-se livres de crises após um ano da operação, enquanto que 27 (50,0%) com mais de dez anos tornaram-se livres de crises após a cirurgia (p = 0,0121). Quarenta e três pacientes (72,9%), com três ou menos lobos afetados pela NCC tornaram-se livres de crises após um ano de operação, enquanto que 36 pacientes (52,9%) com mais de três lobos envolvidos estavam livres de crises após a cirurgia (p = 0,0163). Conclusão A duração mais longa da epilepsia e o envolvimento de múltiplos lobos prevê pior resultado após a cirurgia para TLE-HS mais NCC.

Gross-total resection of temporal low grade gliomas is a critically important factor in achieving seizure-freedom / A ressecção total de gliomas temporais de baixo grau é um importante fator no controle das crises convulsivas

Objective To present a surgical series of patients with low grade temporal gliomas causing intractable epilepsy, focusing on long-term seizure outcome.Method A retrospective study was conducted with patients with temporal low-grade gliomas (LGG).Results Sixty five patients with were operated in our institution. Males were more affected than females and the mean age at surgery was 32.3 ± 8.4 (9-68 years). The mean age at seizure onset was 25.7 ± 9.2 (11-66 years). Seizure outcome was classified according with Engel classification. After one year of follow up, forty two patients (64.6%) were Engel I; seventeen (26.2%) Engel II; four (6.2%) Engel III and two (3.1%) Engel IV. Statistically significant difference in seizure outcome was obtained when comparing the extension of resection. Engel I was observed in 39 patients (69.6%) with total resection and in only 3 (33.3%) patients with partial resection.Conclusion Gross-total resection of temporal LGGs is a critically important factor in achieving seizure-freedom.

Objetivo Apresentar uma série cirúrgica de pacientes com gliomas temporais de baixo grau, causando epilepsia de difícil controle.Método Estudo retrospectivo de pacientes com diagnóstico de glioma temporal de baixo grau temporais.Resultados 65 pacientes com foram operados em nossa instituição. A média de idade de início das crises foi de 25,7 ± 9,2 (11-66 anos). Após um ano de acompanhamento, quarenta e dois pacientes (64,6%) estavam Engel I; dezessete (26,2%) Engel II; quatro (6,2%) Engel III e dois (3,1%) Engel IV. Houve diferença estatisticamente significativa no resultado do controle das crises quando se compara a extensão da ressecção. Engel I foi observada em 39 pacientes (69,6%) com a ressecção total e em apenas 3 (33,3%) pacientes com ressecção parcial.Conclusão A ressecção total de glioma temporal de baixo grau temporais é um fator extremamente importante no controle das crises.

Gross-total resection of temporal low grade gliomas is a critically important factor in achieving seizure-freedom.

OBJECTIVE: To present a surgical series of patients with low grade temporal gliomas causing intractable epilepsy, focusing on long-term seizure outcome. METHOD: A retrospective study was conducted with patients with temporal low-grade gliomas (LGG). RESULTS: Sixty five patients with were operated in our institution. Males were more affected than females and the mean age at surgery was 32.3 ± 8.4 (9-68 years). The mean age at seizure onset was 25.7 ± 9.2 (11-66 years). Seizure outcome was classified according with Engel classification. After one year of follow up, forty two patients (64.6%) were Engel I; seventeen (26.2%) Engel II; four (6.2%) Engel III and two (3.1%) Engel IV. Statistically significant difference in seizure outcome was obtained when comparing the extension of resection. Engel I was observed in 39 patients (69.6%) with total resection and in only 3 (33.3%) patients with partial resection. CONCLUSION: Gross-total resection of temporal LGGs is a critically important factor in achieving seizure-freedom.

Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor in a Child: Case Report / Tumor teratóide rabdóide atípico emuma criança: relato de caso

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) is a rare and aggressive type of embryonal tumor of the central nervous system (CNS) occurring in childhood. The present study aims to describe the case of a 16-year-old girl who presented with an occipital mass lesion that was diagnosed as ATRT.We present a brief review of the current knowledge of the treatment of this rare neoplasm. A previously healthy 16-year-old girl was referred after two episodes of partial complex seizure 2 weeks before admission. MRI showed a right parieto-occipital lesion with homogeneous contrast-enhancing and significant surrounding brain edema. The patient underwent uneventful surgical resection of the lesion and was discharged home on the fifth postoperative day. Pathologic examination revealed it to be ATRT. The patient was referred to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. After 6 months of follow-up, the patient remains free of seizure and disease progression. ATRT is a rare and aggressive disease. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment may improve the patient's prognosis and quality of life.

O tumor teratoide rabdoide atípico (TTRA) é um tipo de neoplasia rara, com comportamento maligno, que atinge o sistema nervoso central (SNC) de crianças. O objetivo do presente estudo é relatar o caso de uma paciente de 16 anos de idade admitida no nosso serviço com uma lesão occipital que revelou tratar-se de TTRA em estudo anatomopatológico. Uma paciente previamente hígida foi admitida no nosso serviço referindo ocorrência de dois episódios de crises convulsivas nas últimas 2 semanas. A ressonância magnética de crânio mostrou a presença de lesão occipital direita com captação homogênea do meio de contraste. A paciente foi submetida a cirurgia de ressecção da lesão expansiva sem intercorrências. A análise histopatológica e imuno-histoquímica revelou tratar-se de TTRA. A paciente foi encaminhada para a realização de quimioterapia e radioterapia complementares ao tratamento cirúrgico. Após 6 meses de seguimento ambulatorial, a paciente encontra-se assintomática, sem recorrência das crises convulsivas e/ou progressão radiológica da doença. TTRA é uma doença rara e agressiva. Com isso, diagnóstico e tratamento antecipados podem aprimorar prognóstico e qualidade de vida dos pacientes.

Prognosis Factors in Patients with Spinal Cord Trauma / Fatores de prognóstico em pacientes com trauma raquimedular

Objective Analyze the predictors of prognosis in patients with spinal cord trauma (SCT) in a tertiary hospital. Method Study prospective with 321 patients. The analysis focused on patient-related data, cause of accident, anatomical distribution, neurologic status, associated injuries, length of hospital stay, and in-hospital complications/mortality. Results The SCT was more common in men, but women older than 50 years presented a higher risk than men of the same age. Automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, and gunshots resulted in more injuries associated. The cervical spine involvement was directly related to an increase in the number of associated injuries, complications, and mortality. Already, the neurologic status ASIA-A was associated with an increase in the number of complications, length of stay, and mortality. Conclusion The predictive factors of prognosis in these patients included age, sex, cause of injury, anatomic distribution, and neurologic status.

Objetivo Analisar os preditores de prognóstico em pacientes vítimas de trauma raquimedular (TRM) em um hospital terciário. Método Estudo prospectivo com 321 pacientes. A análise foi direcionada aos dados relacionados aos pacientes, causa do acidente, distribuição anatômica, status neurológico, lesões associadas, tempo de permanência hospitalar e complicações e mortalidade no hospital. Resultados O TRM foi mais comum em homens, mas mulheres com idade superior a 50 anos apresentaram mais risco que homens da mesma faixa etária. Ferimento por arma de fogo, acidentes automobilísticos e de motocicleta resultaram em maior número de lesões associadas. O trauma na coluna cervical foi diretamente relacionado

Shorter epilepsy duration is associated with better seizure outcome in temporal lobe epilepsy surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of patient's age and seizure onset on surgical outcome of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). METHOD: A retrospective observational investigation performed from a cohort of patients from 2000 to 2012. RESULTS: A total of 229 patients were included. One-hundred and eleven of 179 patients (62%) were classified as Engel I in the group with < 50 years old, whereas 33 of 50 (66%) in the group with ≥ 50 years old group (p = 0.82). From those Engel I, 88 (61%) reported epilepsy duration inferior to 10 years and 56 (39%) superior to 10 years (p < 0.01). From the total of patients not seizure free, 36 (42%) reported epilepsy duration inferior to 10 years and 49 (58%) superior to 10 years (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Patients with shorter duration of epilepsy before surgery had better postoperative seizure control than patients with longer duration of seizures.