Pediatric extra-axial glioblastoma with bone invasion leading to a subcutaneous mass: A case report.

Background: Pediatric glioblastoma multiforme (p-GBM) is an exceptionally rare and aggressive brain tumor, with even fewer reported cases with radiographic and intraoperative characteristics that mimic those of extra-axial lesions, often posing a diagnostic challenge. Despite advancements in imaging technologies, the diagnosis of GBM can still be intricate, relying primarily on histopathological confirmation. Case Description: We present a unique case of a 15-year-old female who presented to our hospital with a new-onset focal-to-bilateral tonic-clonic seizure described as clonic movements of her left hemicorps; on clinical examination, a subcutaneous mass was evident in the right parietal region. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a sizable extra-axial enhancing mass measuring 9 cm, located in the right parieto-occipital region with notable bone invasion. Moreover, the intraoperative findings revealed an extra-axial mass attached to the dura. Total en bloc resection was achieved. The histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme. Subsequently, the patient underwent adjuvant radiotherapy in conjunction with temozolomide chemotherapy. Postoperatively, she exhibited clinical improvement and remained stable throughout the 6-month follow-up period. Conclusion: We present the first case of extra-axial p-GBM in a young patient, which remarkably led to the destruction of the bone and finally resulted in a sizable parietal subcutaneous lesion in the absence of prior surgery or radiation.

Stab injury to the lumbar spine without neurological involvement in a child.

Background: Stab wound injuries are extraordinary in the child, the thoracic and lumbar spine are the most observed. Patient could be asymptomatic and it could lead to a neurological deficit. Case Description: We report a case of a 15-year-old boy victim of a stab wound injury with a knife. He was neurologically intact but the local examination showed blood and clear fluid. The patient underwent surgery and the knife was removed with the reparation of a dural tear. Conclusion: Stab wound injuries in child are very rare, the management is clear if there is compression, bleeding or cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and the prognosis depends on the symptoms.

Meningiomas in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis of individual patient data.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiological, prognostic, and therapeutic features of child and adolescent meningioma are poorly defined. Clinical knowledge has been drawn from small case series and extrapolation from adult studies. This study was done to pool and analyse the clinical evidence on child and adolescent meningioma. METHODS: Searches of PubMed, Medline, and Embase identified 35 case series of child and adolescent meningioma completed over the past 21 years. Individual patient data were obtained from 30 studies via direct communication with investigators. Primary outcomes were relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival. Prognostic variables were extent of initial surgery, use of upfront radiotherapy, age, sex, presence of neurofibromatosis, tumour location, and tumour grade. RFS and overall survival were analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and multivariable Cox regression models. FINDINGS: From a total of 677 children and adolescents with meningioma, 518 were eligible for RFS analysis and 547 for overall survival analysis. Multivariable analysis showed that patients who underwent initial gross-total resection had better RFS (hazard ratio 0·16, 95% CI 0·10-0·25; p<0·0001) and overall survival (0·21, 0·11-0·39; p<0·0001) than those who had subtotal resection. No significant benefit was seen for upfront radiotherapy in terms of RFS (0·59, 0·30-1·16; p=0·128) or overall survival (1·10, 0·53-2·28; p=0·791). Patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) had worse RFS than those without neurofibromatosis (2·36, 1·23-4·51; p=0·010). There was a significant change in overall survival with time between patients with NF2 compared with those without neurofibromatosis (1·45, 1·09-1·92; p=0·011); although overall survival was initially better for patients with NF2 than for those without neurofibromatosis, overall survival at 10 years was worse for patients with NF2. Patients with WHO grade III tumours had worse RFS than those with WHO grade I (3·90, 2·10-7·26; p<0·0001) and grade II tumours (2·49, 1·11-5·56; p=0·027). INTERPRETATION: Extent of initial surgical resection is the strongest independent prognostic factor for child and adolescent meningioma. No benefit for upfront radiotherapy was noted. Hence, aggressive surgical management, to achieve gross-total resection, is the initial treatment of choice. In the event of a subtotal resection, repeat resection is recommended to achieve maximum extirpation. Close observation is warranted for patients who have a subtotal resection or who have WHO grade III tumours. Patients without neurofibromatosis should have a minimum 10-year follow-up, whereas patients with NF2 should be considered a special risk category, necessitating life-long follow-up. FUNDING: None.

Subdural Empyema Complicating a Giant Fronto-Ethmoidal Osteoma.

Osteomas of the paranasal sinuses rarely lead to intracranial manifestations. We present an unusual case of a giant frontal sinus osteoma leading to subdural empyema formation. Determine the origin and the optimal surgical approach of these unusual lesions by analyzing giant osteomas of the frontal and ethmoidal sinuses in the literature. We report a rare case of giant frontoethmoidal osteoma with intracranial extension in a 34-year-old man, revealed by seizures. Neuroradiological studies revealed frontoparietal subdural empyema associated to a large osteoma in the right frontal sinus. The patient underwent surgical evacuation of the empyema and resection of the osteoma in one stage operation of decompressive craniotomy. The patient recovered very well after surgery and postoperative antibiotic therapy. This case represents in the literature only the third-reported case of subdural empyema complicating frontoethmoidal osteoma. The surgical treatment options, including open surgery techniques and endoscopic approaches, as well as pathogenesis are discussed according to the relevant literature.

ATRT of lateral ventricle in a child: A Rare Tumor at a Very Rare Location.

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RTs) of infancy are highly malignant central nervous system neoplasms that are most commonly seen during the first 2 years of life with limited therapeutic options. To date, only two cases have been described in the lateral ventricle. A 4-year-old boy presented with a 4-month history of increased intracranial pressure. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a huge intraventricular tumor, occupying the entire temporal horn and the body of the left lateral ventricle. The boy was operated through a left temporal transventricular approach with gross total removal of the lesion. The histopathological diagnosis was an AT/RT. The infant underwent adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The 1-year MRI of control showed a local recurrence of the tumor. Then after, Gamma Knife radiosurgery was performed because of the small volume and the deep location of the lesion. At the 3-month follow-up, the MRI showed a significant growth of the tumor volume, and the child was given additional adjuvant chemotherapy. Unfortunately, he died 9 months later. AT/RT of the lateral ventricle is a very rare tumor in children, associated with a poor prognosis in spite of multimodal treatment. Gamma knife surgery (GKS) was rarely reported as a treatment modality of AT/RT. The aim of this work is to discuss about the rarity of this tumor and the best treatment strategy to improve prognosis.

Spinal Arteriovenous Fistulas of the Filum Terminale: Case Report and Literature Review.

Spiinal arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) are an uncommon cause of myelopathy that require a high degree of suspicion to diagnose. Treatment strategies have not yet been established. Only a few cases of AVFs of the filum terminale (FT) have been reported. In this review, we describe clinical presentation, imaging, and treatment options for this rare type of spinal AV shunt. A 43-year-old male patient presented with progressive low back pain and paraparesis with gradually worsening bilateral foot paresthesias and sphincter dysfunction. He underwent magnetic resonance imaging, which revealed a hypersignal in the thoracolumbar cord and angiography diagnosed a microfistula of the FT. Surgery was preferred over endovascular treatment and we realized an L5 laminectomy to open the dura mater and found a hypertrophic FT. After identifying the fistula which was closely related to cauda equina, and dissecting the root from the fistula, a permanent clip was placed on the proximal part of the arterialized vein. Surgery was uneventful, and 6 months postoperatively, the patient has fully recovered. FT AVFs although rare should be considered as a differential diagnosis of progressive paraparesis, and successful surgery through clipping relies on the angioarchitecture of the shunt and the clinical manifestations of the patient.

Malignant transformation six months after removal of intracranial epidermoid cyst: a case report.

Intracranial epidermoid cysts are uncommon benign tumors of developmental origin; malignant transformation of benign epidermoid cysts is rare, and their prognosis remains poor. We report a case of squamous cell carcinoma arising in the cerebellopontine angle. A 52-year-old man presented with left facial paralysis and cerebellar ataxia. He had undergone total removal of a benign epidermoid cyst six months previously. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a heterogeneous and cystic lesion in the left cerebellopontine angle with hydrocephalus. The cyst wall was enhanced by gadolinium. He underwent ventricle-peritoneal shunt and removal again; the histopathological examination revealed a squamous cell carcinoma possibly arising from an underlying epidermoid cyst. This entity is being reported for its rarity. The presence of contrast enhancement at the site of an epidermoid cyst combined with an acute, progressive neurological deficit should alert the neurosurgeon to the possibility of a malignant transformation.

Spinal intradural extramedullary hydatidosis: report of three cases.

OBJECTIVE: Spinal hydatid cyst is a serious form of hydatid disease affecting fewer than 1% of all patients with hydatid disease. We report 3 healthy patients who presented with progressive paraparesis attributed to a histologically proven intradural hydatid cyst. METHODS: There were 2 children (1 boy, 1 girl) and 1 adult with a mean age of 12 years. The median follow-up duration was 16 months. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging was performed in the 3 patients, and an anatomic and topographical diagnosis of the intradural hydatid cyst was made. RESULTS: Magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed cystic lesions with peripheral contrast enhancement. Surgery was performed through laminectomy, complete resection was achieved, and antihelminthic treatment with albendazole 10 mg/kg-1 per day for 6 months was included in the postoperative treatment. The patients improved after surgery with normal motor function. CONCLUSION: This localization is rare and serious, but its prognosis is excellent if diagnosis is made early enough and surgery is performed in time to prevent cyst rupture.