Endonasal Endoscopic Pituitary Adenoma Resection in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Technical Report

Introduction The endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach (EETA) is routinely used to treat sellar and suprasellar tumors. It provides safe and direct access to tumors in these locations, with wide visualization of anatomical landmarks and great surgical results. With the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the high risk of transmission involved, various surgical procedures cannot be postponed due to their emergency. Case Report A 62-year-old female presented in the previous two months with headaches, followed by bilateral severe visual loss. In 2016, she was submitted to subtotal resection of a non-secretorymacroadenoma. Because of the progressive visual deficits, the EETA was used to the resect the pituitary adenoma. Technical Note We developed a low-cost adaptation to the surgical fields, covering the patient's head and superior trunk with a regular surgicalmicroscope bag with a tiny slit to enable the endoscope and surgical instruments to enter the nose, thus protecting the personnel in the operating room from the aerosolization of particles. This makes surgery safer for the surgical team and for the patient. Conclusion In view of the lack of literature on this subject, except for some reports of experiences from some services around the world, we describe the way we have adjusted the EETA in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bilateral extradural haematoma after acute ventricular over-drainage.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular over-drainage is a common complication of dysfunctional ventriculoperitoneal devices. Subdural haematomas are usually the most common lesions associated with that complication. Such lesions may arise after ventricular collapse and bridging veins disruption that follows over-drainage, thus contributing to distortion of brain parenchyma, increased intracranial hypertension and neurological decline. More rarely, extradural haematomas may also be observed after ventricular shunt hyperfunction and may result in rapid neurological decline unless a surgical procedure can be promptly performed. CASE: This study reports the case of a 38-old-woman who presented supratentorial hydrocephalus and developed bilateral extradural haematomas after the placement of a ventricular shunt device. Both haematomas were surgically approached and the dysfunctional shunt device was replaced. CONCLUSION: Extradural haematomas may develop precociously after ventricular over-drainage. Surgical treatment is mandatory and must include not only the evacuation of haematoma, but also the replacement of dysfunctional shunt to prevent further recurrence. The pathophysiology of extradural haematomas consequent of ventricular over-drainage and the possible use of a programmable valve to prevent these lesions are briefly discussed.

Interhemispheric chronic subdural haematoma: case report and brief review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Chronic subdural haematoma usually arises from a traumatic acute haemorrhage in the subdural space, frequently causing mass effect and consequent neurological decline. This lesion is mainly found over the cortical convexity and its evolution and surgical approach has been extensively studied. Nevertheless, inter-hemispheric chronic subdural haematoma is considered a rare lesion. AIM AND CASE REPORT: This study reported a case of traumatic acute interhemispheric subdural haematoma, initially asymptomatic, and its evolution to a chronic symptomatic lesion, as well as the surgical approach employed. A brief review of the literature is presented with a discussion of the therapeutic options.

Bilateral cortical atrophy after severe brain trauma and extradural homatoma

We report the case of a severe head injured 43-year old male patient with a large extradural hematoma, Glasgow Coma Scale 3 and dilated fixed pupils. Patient was promptly submitted to surgical evacuation of the lesion, but remained in persistent vegetative state in the post-operative time. Head computed tomography scans performed before surgery, and at early and late post-operative periods comparatively revealed extreme bilateral cortical atrophy. Late consequences of severe head trauma drastically affect the prognosis of patients, being its prevention, and neuroprotection against secondary injury still a therapeutical challenge for neurosurgeons.

Relatamos o caso de um paciente de 43 anos, com traumatismo cranioencefálico grave, com grande hematoma extradural, Escala de Coma de Glasgow 3 e pupilas fixas e dilatadas. O paciente foi prontamente submetido à evacuação cirúrgica da lesão mas permaneceu em estado vegetativo persistente no período pós-operatório. As TC de crânio realizadas antes da cirurgia e nos períodos pós-operatórios precoce e tardio revelaram comparativamente extrema atrofia cerebral bilateral. As conseqüências tardias do traumatismo craniano grave afetam drasticamente o prognóstico dos pacientes, sendo sua prevenção, e a neuroproteção contra a injúria secundária ainda um desafio terapêutico para os neurocirurgiões.

Bilateral cortical atrophy after severe brain trauma and extradural homatoma.

We report the case of a severe head injured 43-year old male patient with a large extradural hematoma, Glasgow Coma Scale 3 and dilated fixed pupils. Patient was promptly submitted to surgical evacuation of the lesion, but remained in persistent vegetative state in the post-operative time. Head computed tomography scans performed before surgery, and at early and late post-operative periods comparatively revealed extreme bilateral cortical atrophy. Late consequences of severe head trauma drastically affect the prognosis of patients, being its prevention, and neuroprotection against secondary injury still a therapeutical challenge for neurosurgeons.

Intramedullary spinal cysticercosis simulating a conus medullaris tumor: case report.

Cysticercosis is an endemic condition in many developing countries. Although it is the most common parasitic disease of the central nervous system, cysticercal involvement of the spinal cord is rare. It may occur as intradural extramedullary, intramedullary, intramedullary associated with intradural-extramedullary or as the vertebral presentation. We report the case of a 53-year-old woman who presented with low back pain of acute onset and no other symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an intramedullary cyst of the conus medullaris region which, at pathological examination, was diagnosed as a cysticercal cyst. She refused anticysticercal agents and steroids postoperatively. After an eight-year follow-up, the patient performs the activities of her daily living with no difficulties, and annual spinal MRIs show no residual signs of the disease. Clinical, pathophysiological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of spinal cord intramedullary cysticercosis are discussed.

Intramedullary spinal cysticercosis simulating a conus medullaris tumor: case report

Cisticercose é uma doença endêmica em vários países em desenvolvimento. Embora seja a doença parasitária mais freqüente do sistema nervoso central, o acometimento medular por cisticercos é raro. Pode ocorrer nas formas intradural extramedular, intramedular isolada, intramedular em associação com intradural extramedular, além da forma vertebral. Relatamos o caso de mulher de 53 anos de idade que se apresentou com dor lombar de início agudo, sem outros sintomas. Ressonância magnética (RM) identificou imagem cística na região do cone medular que, no estudo histopatológico, foi diagnosticada como cisticerco. A paciente recusou tratamento pós-operatório com anti-helmínticos e corticosteróides. Após oito anos de seguimento, a paciente exerce suas atividades quotidianas sem dificuldades, e estudos de RM anuais não mostram sinais de doença residual. Aspectos clínicos, fisiopatológicos, diagnósticos e terapêuticos da cisticercose intramedular são discutidos.

Pseudoaneurisma traumático de ramo frontal da artéria temporal superficial: relato de caso / Traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the superficial temporal arteri frontal branch: case report

Pseudianeurismas da artéria temporal superficial são raros. A etilogia mais frequente é a traumática e o tratamento de escolha, cirúrgico. Relata-se um caso de pseudianeurisma traumático, parcialmente trombosado, do ramo frontal da artéria temporal superficial esquerda em paciente do sexo masculino, vítima de acidente automobilístico com traumatismo craniencefálico grave, 14 dias antes do surgimento da lesão. O diagnóstico, sugerido por meio da história clínica, exame físico, ultra-sonografia e ressonância magnética, foi seguido de ressecção cirúrgica. Aspectos clínicos, diagnósticos e terapêuticos relacionados são discutidos.