Spontaneous subdural effusion in a hospitalized Covid-19 patient: Case report.

Subdural effusions (SE) have already been associated with several viruses, but there are few associations with Covid-19 reported to date, and all of them had one thing in common: the presence of superimposed bacterial rhinosinusitis. Here we describe the case of a 76-year-old male patient that was transferred to our center due to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and developed a SE during hospital stay. He presented sensory level impairment during hospitalization, but an initial Head CT scan showed no alterations. A new CT scan performed six days later evidentiated a bilateral SE. The patient had a cardiorespiratory arrest during the night of the same day, resulting in death. Covid-19 as a direct cause of subdural effusion (positive Covid-19 PCR in subdural fluid) has never before been reported in the literature, and, unfortunately, it was not possible to rule out or confirm this phenomenon in our case due to the rapid evolution of the clinical picture. However, our case clearly differs from the literature as the patient did not show any signs of sinus disease or intracranial hypotension, and the possible causes of the effusion boil down to spontaneity and the direct action of Covid-19 in the CNS and subdural space.

Intracranial hemorrhage and Covid-19: A retrospective analysis of 1675 hospitalized Covid-19 Brazilian patients.

Objective: The present study seeks to overcome the lack of data on Covid-19 associated intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in Brazil. Methods: This is a retrospective, single-center case series of consecutive patients. It is a subanalysis of a larger study still in progress, which covers all neurological manifestations that occurred in patients admitted between March 1st, 2020 and June 1st, 2022, with active SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by polymerase chain reaction test. All patients with non-traumatic ICH were included. Results: A total of 1675 patients were evaluated: 917 (54.75 %) had one or more neurological symptoms and 19 had non-traumatic ICH, comprising an incidence of 1.13 %. All patients had one or more risk factors for ICH. The presence of neurological manifestations before the ICH and ICU admission showed a statistically significant relationship with the occurrence of ICH (X2 = 6.734, p = 0.0095; OR = 4.47; CI = 1.3-15.4; and FET = 9.13; p = <0.001; OR = 9.15; CI = 3.27-25.5 respectively). Conclusion: Our findings were largely congruent with the world literature. We believe that the assessment of risk factors can accurately predict the subgroup of patients at increased risk of ICH, but further studies are needed to confirm these hypotheses.

Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage after Cranioplasty in a Patient with Sinking Flap Syndrome.

Decompressive craniectomy has been increasingly used in recent decades for the treatment of uncontrollable intracranial hypertension caused by trauma, malignant strokes, cerebral venous thrombosis, among others. Sinking flap syndrome (SFS) is a rare complication characterized by neurological deterioration after craniectomy. Here, we report the case of a 73-year-old female patient who presented with disorientation, lip rhyme deviation to the right and left hemiparesis after cardiac catheterization. In view of the presence of a malignant stroke, as well as the willingness of the family members to make a total investment to save the patient's life, decompressive hemicraniectomy was indicated. Subsequently, due to occasional headache attacks, nausea and vomiting, in addition to progressive depression of the subcutaneous flap, the possibility of SFS was suggested and cranioplasty was indicated, which occurred without perioperative intercurrences. Although the patient maintained a stable neurological status, a post-surgical computed tomography (CT) scan of the head showed a right intraparenchymal hemorrhagic lesion, associated with parenchymal expansion and midline deviation. To the best of our knowledge, intraparenchymal hemorrhages are not common complications after performing cranioplasty, and additional studies are needed to understand the reasons why this occurs. The mechanisms responsible for this type of injury are not well understood, but involve reperfusion damage and loss of brain compliance. Despite representing an uncommon complication, post-cranioplasty hemorrhage can cause severe morbidity to the patient, and early diagnosis and intervention are of great importance in these cases.

Cystic Adenoid Carcinoma of Lacrimal Gland.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is an uncommon malignant tumor that accounts for less than 5% of head and neck cancers. ACC is characteristic for its indolent nature and its propensity for late distant metastases. Late diagnosis, tendency to perineural invasion, periosteal infiltration and local recurrence are factors of poor prognosis. Although studies still discuss the ideal treatment, the initial therapy consists of surgical resection, followed by postoperative radiotherapy.

Trombose de seio sigmoide secundária a fístula liquórica espontânea para osso temporal: um relato de caso / Sigmoid sinus thrombosis secondary to spontaneous temporal bone cerebrospinal fluid fistula: a case report

A fístula liquórica para o osso temporal constitui um evento raro que decorre da comunicação anormal entre o espaço subaracnóideo e as células da mastoide, permitindo que o líquido cefalorraquidiano flua para as porções pneumatizadas do osso temporal. Tem como consequência a hipotensão intracraniana espontânea, caracterizada por perda de líquor e pela manifestação clínica de cefaleia ortostática. Acredita-se que a hipotensão intracraniana espontânea crie condições hemodinâmicas favoráveis à ocorrência de trombose venosa cerebral, uma desordem potencialmente fatal e de difícil diagnóstico, visto a inespecificidade de sinais clínicos e sintomas. Dessa forma, é pertinente atentar para a possibilidade de trombose venosa cerebral em pacientes com fístulas liquóricas, especialmente quando houver mudança do padrão da cefaleia, que passa de ortostática a intensa e contínua.

Temporal bone cerebrospinal fluid fistula is a rare event that results from abnormal communication between the subarachnoid space and the mastoid cells, allowing the cerebrospinal fluid to flow into the pneumatized portions of the temporal bone. It leads to spontaneous intracranial hypotension, characterized by loss of cerebrospinal fluid and orthostatic headache as a clinical manifestation. Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is believed to create favorable hemodynamic conditions to the occurrence of cerebral venous thrombosis, a potentially fatal disorder of difficult diagnosis given the nonspecific clinical signs and symptoms. Therefore, it is pertinent to consider the possibility of cerebral venous thrombosis in patients with cerebrospinal fluid fistulas, especially when there is a modification in the headache pattern from orthostatic to intense and continuous pain.

Trigeminal Ophthalmic Branch Schwannoma: Case Report and Literature Review

Schwannomas are the fourth most common primary neoplasms affecting the brain and cranial nerves. Central lesions commonly arise from sensory nerve roots, and a common intracranial site is the vestibular branch of the 8th nerve (>85%). We present the case report of a patient who has a schwannoma extending from the pterygopalatine fossa to the orbit, complaining about facial pain in the trajectory of the trigeminal ophthalmic branch. Schwannomas represent 1 to 2% of all neoplasms of the orbit, and trigeminal schwannomas are extremely rare, accounting for less than 0.5% of all intracranial tumors.

Paracoccidioidomycosis in the Central Nervous System

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemicmycosis caused by the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis fungus, which is endemic in Latin America. Brazil is the country with the highest number of cases. The affection of the central nervous system (CNS), a potentially fatal condition, occurs in 12% of the cases. The following forms of presentation are identified:meningeal, which is unusual;meningoencephalitic; and pseudotumoral, the latter two being more frequent. Imaging tests are essential for the diagnosis, but the histological identification of the fungus is required for confirmation of the pathology. The clinical picture depends on the neuraxial location.We present a case of amale rural worker, with expansive lesions in the CNS compatible with paracoccidioidomycosis.

Cerebellar Dysplastic Gangliocytoma: Case Report

Lhermitte-Duclos disease (LDD), or cerebellar dysplastic gangliocytoma, is a rare type of cerebellar tumor, from unknown origin. Patients can be asymptomatic for several years, but there are usually imprecise neurological signs for long periods.

Brain Tuberculoma as a Differential Diagnosis of Single Intracranial Lesion: Case Report

Tuberculosis (TB) of the central nervous system (CNS) is considered one of the most severe forms of presentation of the disease. Although only 1% of TB cases involve the CNS, these cases represent around between 5 and 15% of extrapulmonary forms.1,2 Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most frequent form of CNS TB. The granulomas formed in the cerebral tuberculoma may cause hydrocephalus and other symptoms indicative of a CNS mass lesion. In the absence of active TB or TBM, the symptoms may be interpreted as indicative of tumors.3,4 The prognosis is directly related to the early diagnosis and proper treatment installation.5 We report the case of a patient with intracranial hypertension syndrome, expansive mass in the parieto-occipital region, accompanied by a lesion in the rib, initially thought to be a metastatic lesion, although posteriorly diagnosed as a cerebral tuberculoma.

Bilateral Transverse Sinus Angioplasty for the Treatment of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension ­ Case Report and Literature Review

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a disease characterized by an increase in intracranial pressure, without presence of parenchymal lesions or hydrocephalus that justify it. Over 90% of cases there is association with stenosis of the dural venous sinuses. It is characterized by headache, tinidus, nausea, vomiting and visual disturbances. Initial treatment is clinical and when it fails there is indication of invasive procedures, among them shunts and fenestration of the optic nerve sheath. Angioplasty of dural venous sinuses, when indicated, has shown an alternative with better results and less complications. We report a case of a female patient, with 27 years old, diagnosed with IIH and bilateral transverse sinus stenosis, which was treated by bilateral stenting and total resolution of symptoms. Besides describing the case we review the literature about the subject.

Suprasellar Germinomas: 2 Case Reports and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Germinomas are rare malignant central nervous system tumors, a type of germ cell tumor, according to the 2016 World Health Organization Classification of Brain Tumors. Most of these tumors develop along the midline, most often from the pineal gland, followed by tumors arising in the suprasellar cisterns. Suprasellar germinomas commonly manifest with diabetes insipidus, visual impairment, and hypothalamic-pituitary failure. We present a literature review from the PubMed database and report 2 cases of suprasellar germinomas. CASE DESCRIPTION: Both pediatric patients presented with progressive visual loss; one did not show endocrinologic impairment, and the other presented with hypothyroidism, diabetes insipidus, and generalized edema. Magnetic resonance imaging showed expansive suprasellar masses in both cases, confirmed as germinomas at histopathologic examination. The patients were treated with the same surgical approach, although their outcomes were different because of endocrinologic and post surgical complications. CONCLUSIONS: Suprasellar germinomas are highly curable lesions when diagnosed early. The treatment remains controversial and should be individualized, but the association of chemotherapy and radiotherapy allows reduce adverse effects and shows great results.

Intratumoral Bleeding in a Vestibular Schwannoma

Vestibular schwannomas (VSs) account for 70% of all tumors of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). Their clinical presentation is often insidious, with progressive hearing loss and involvement of other cranial nerves. Spontaneous hemorrhage in those tumors is very unusual, and generally presents with acute clinical features such as nausea, vomiting, headache and altered consciousness, usually with marked dysfunction of the cranial nerve involved, and with new deficits of neighboring cranial nerves. Asymptomatic patients are extremely rare. We present a case report of an incidental VS with asymptomatic bleeding, which evolved to death after surgery.

Schwannomas vestibulares (SVs) são responsáveis por cerca de 70% de todos os tumores do ângulo pontocerebelar. Sua apresentação costuma ser insidiosa, com perda auditiva progressiva e envolvimento de outros nervos cranianos. Hemorragia espontânea nesses tumores é incomum, e geralmente apresenta-se agudamente, com náusea, vômitos, cefaleia e alterações de consciência, normalmente com disfunção importante dos nervos cranianos envolvidos e com novos déficits dos nervos próximos. Pacientes assintomáticos são extremamente raros. Apresentamos um relato de caso de um SV incidental com sangramento assintomático que evoluiu para o óbito após cirurgia.

Supratentorial Atypical Rhabdoid Teratoid Tumor ­ A Case Report

Atypical rhabdoid teratoid tumors (ARTTs) are rare embryonic tumors, usually localized in the posterior fossa and diagnosed in children under 3 years-old. The treatment includes surgical resection, radio and chemotherapy, and the prognostic is unfavorable, with an average median survival of 1 year. We present the case of a 3-year-old patient, with history of headache and vomiting, followed by absence seizures, temporal automatism, syncope accompanied by sialorrhea and sphincteric loss succeeded by a postictal period. Surgical excision was performed and the anatomopathological study confirmed ARTT. The ARTTs are embryonic tumors, a category in which medulloblastoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) represent the most common central nervous system (CNS) malignancies in childhood.

Tumores teratóides rabdóides atípicos (TTRA) são tumores embrionários raros, geralmente localizados na fossa posterior e diagnosticados em crianças com menos de 3 anos de idade. O tratamento inclui ressecção cirúrgica, radio e quimioterapia. Contudo, o prognóstico é desfavorável, com uma sobrevida média de 1 ano. Apresentamos o caso de um paciente de 3 anos de idade, com quadro de cefaléia e vômitos, companhados por automatismo temporal e perda de consciência, seguidos por período pós-ictal. A ressonância nuclear magnética (RNM) do encéfalo evidenciou lesão frontal compatível com tumor intra-axial, efeito de massa local e invasão do corpo caloso. Foi realizada excisão cirúrgica, e o estudo anatômico-patológico confirmou TTRA. Os TTRA são tumores embrionários, categoria na qual o meduloblastoma e os tumores neuroectodermais primitivos representam as malignidades mais comuns no sistema nervoso central de crianças.

Olfactory Groove Schwannoma ­ A Case Report and Literature Review

Olfactory groove schwannomas (OGSs) are rare benign tumors of the anterior skull base region. Considering the lack of Schwann cells in the optic and olfactory nerves, their origin remains enigmatic. Despite the precursor cell, total resection of the lesion is curative, as long as the histopathological features of the tumor are compatible with schwannoma. We report the case of a 32-year-old woman, addicted to crack, who was brought to the hospital presenting with cognitive dysfunction after being physically assaulted, whose neuroimaging revealed a large extra-axial mass in the subfrontal sagittal region. The presentation, immunohistochemical markers and histogenesis are discussed in the present study, along with a literature review.

Spinal Neurocysticercosis: A Rare Variant of a Common Parasitic Infection

Neurocysticercosis is the most common parasitic infection affecting the central nervous system, usually involving the brain parenchyma, intracranial subarachnoid space, or ventricular system. In rare cases, there is involvement of the spine (vertebral, epidural, subdural, arachnoid, or intramedullary). Even in endemic regions, this variant is rare, with an incidence below 5% of all patients. The diagnosis is made based on the symptoms, which can be very unspecific, imaging and CSF analysis, with biopsy as a possibility. Treatment is usually curative, but important deficits can develop, due to compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots, arachnoiditis, or meningitis. We present the case of a patient who developed this entity, with poor clinical scenario, and review the literature on the topic.

Neurocisticercose é a infecção parasitária mais comum afetando o sistema nervoso central, geralmente envolvendo o parênquima cerebral, espaço subaracnóide intracraniano ou sistema ventricular. Em raros casos, há envolvimento da coluna vertebral, espaços epidural e subdural, aracnoide, ou intramedular. Mesmo em áreas endêmicas, esta variante é rara, com incidência abaixo de 5% entre todos os pacientes. O diagnóstico é feito com base nos sintomas, que podem ser bastante inespecíficos, neuroimagem e análise do líquor, sendo a biópsia uma possibilidade. O tratamento geralmente é curativo, porém importantes déficits podem se desenvolver, devido à compressão da medula espinhal ou raízes nervosas, aracnoidite ou meningite. Relatamos o caso de um paciente que desenvolveu esta entidade, com sintomatologia escassa, e revisamos a literatura sobre este tópico.

Intracranial Mature Teratoma: A Case Report

Teratomas are the most common type of Germ Cell Tumors (GCTs). GCTs are classified as extragonadal, if there is no evidence of a primary tumor in neither the testicles, nor in the ovaries. Intracranial Mature Teratomas are tumors with a very low incidence, and clear male predominance. We present the case of a 21 year-old female patient, with a history of two seizures 15 days prior to admission, without any abnormalities upon physical examination. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) performed at the admission evidenced an expansive, heterogeneous lesion in the frontal lobe, hypointense on T1-weighted images, hyperintense on T2-weighted images, and restriction on the diffusion imaging and ADC-mapping. The patient underwent microsurgical resection, and it was possible to achieve a near-total resection. During surgery, a welldefined capsule was identified, which was removed after adequate debulking. Tissues resembling hair were taken from inside the lesion. The patient recovered well, without any neurological deficits, and no further intervention was necessary. The authors aim to describe this rare pathology and their option for a surgical approach.

Os teratomas são o tipo mais comum de Tumores de Células Germinativas (TCG). TGC são classificados como extragonadais, quando não há evidências de um tumor primário em nos testículos, ou nos ovários. Os Teratomas Maduros Intracranianas são tumores com uma incidência muito baixa, e com uma predileção pelo sexo masculino. Nós apresentamos o caso de uma paciente, feminina, 21 anos de idade, com história de dois episódios de convulsões tônico-clônicas generalizadas, 15 dias antes da admissão, sem nenhum déficit focal ao exame físico. A Ressonância Magnética realizada na chegada mostrou uma lesão sólida, expansiva, grande e heterogênea, hipointensa em T1, e hiperintensa em T2, com restrição a difusão e ADC-mapping. Foi realizado uma cirurgia, e foi possível obter uma ressecção quase total. Havia uma cápsula bem definida, a qual foi removida após adequada redução do volume tumoral. Dentro da lesão foi encontrado tecido semelhante a cabelo. A paciente se recuperou bem, e foi dado alta sem novos déficits neurológicos, não foi realizado mais nenhuma intervenção, e ela está sendo acompanhada regularmente. Os autores visam descrever essa patologia rara e sua opção por uma abordagem cirúrgica.

MRI-based radiation-free method for navigated percutaneous radiofrequency trigeminal rhizotomy.

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUND/STUDY AIMS: Percutaneous radiofrequency trigeminal rhizotomy (RTR) is a standardized treatment for trigeminal neuralgia, yet it has been associated with serious complications related to the cannulation of the foramen ovale. Some of these complications, such as carotid injury, are potentially lethal. Neuronavigation was recently proposed as a method to increase the procedure's safety. All of the techniques described so far rely on pre- or intraoperative computed tomography scanning. Here we present a simple method based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (radiation free) used to target the foramen ovale under navigation guidance. PATIENTS/MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed nine patients who had undergone navigated percutaneous RTR based solely on preoperative MRI and compared them with 35 patients who underwent conventional RTR guided by fluoroscopy. We analyzed immediate and late outcome and categorized the results into pain free, > 70% pain reduction, and persistent pain. We also compared groups in terms of the duration of the procedure and the complication rates. Here we describe the navigation method in detail and review the anatomical landmarks for target definition. RESULTS: The duration of the surgical procedure was similar in both groups (32.1 in the standard technique versus 34.5 minutes with navigation; p = 0.5157). There was no significant difference between groups regarding pain reduction at the immediate (p = 1.0) or late follow-up (p = 0.6284) time points. Furthermore, no serious complications were observed in the navigated group. CONCLUSIONS: We present a simple radiation-free method for neuronavigation-assisted percutaneous RTR. This method proved to be safe and effective, and it is especially recommended for young, inexperienced neurosurgeons.

Perfuração intestinal e extrusão de catéter de derivação ventrículo-peritoneal via anal / Bowel Perforation and extrusion of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt through the anus

Derivação Ventrículo-Peritoneal (DVP) é um dos procedimentos mais frequentemente realizados para o tratamento dehidrocefalia. Entretanto, mesmo sendo tecnicamente simples e bem conhecido, existem várias complicações graves que podemocorrer, sendo a perfuração intestinal uma delas. Esta complicação é rara, especialmente entre adultos e geralmente ocorredentro do primeiro ano após o procedimento cirúrgico. Esta pode ainda, ser agravada, tanto por infecção, do sistema nervosocentral ou sistêmica, quanto por aumento da pressão intracraniana devido ao mau funcionamento do sistema de drenagem. Oquadro clínico geralmente oligossintomático muitas vezes torna o diagnóstico difícil, sendo necessário o uso de múltiplos examescomplementares. Existem também inúmeras dúvidas quanto à fisiopatologia e fatores predisponentes para esta complicação.Ainda, devido à sua baixa incidência, sendo descrita, em sua maioria, através de relatos de caso ou pequenas séries, não existeconsenso para seu ideal manejo. O tratamento varia desde abordagens menos invasivas, preservando os componentes da DVP,até a retirada completa de todos os componentes e uso de antibióticos de amplo espectro. Relatamos um caso de perfuraçãointestinal e extrusão de cateter de DVP através do ânus em um paciente adulto, tardiamente, discutindo os dados da literaturasobre este assunto.