[Abscess of the posterior cranial fossa. Report of 4 cases]. / Les abcès de la fosse cérébrale postérieure à propos de 4 cas.

The posterior cerebral fossa is an uncommon location for cerebral abscess. In most cases diagnosis is made at the encapsulation stage with the risk of life-threatening tonsillar herniation. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe our experience in the management of four cases of abscess located in the posterior cerebral fossa between January 2000 and December 2004. All patients benefited from clinical examination and radiological study (CT-scan). Surgical treatment performed in all cases consisted of trepano-puncture of the abscess. The minimum duration of post-operative follow-up was 6 months. Mean patient age was 38.75 years. All patients presented infectious syndrome and intracranial hypertension. The male:female sex ratio was 3:1. A history of chronic middle ear otitis was noted in two patients. Diagnosis of abscess in the posterior cerebral fossa was confirmed by CT-scan in 2 cases. Cholesteatoma and triventricular hydrocephaly were noted in 2 cases. All patients benefited from trepano-puncture of the abscess. Bacteriologic study of pus was positive for Staphylococcus aureus in 1 case, and Providencia Sp associated with Bactéroïdes fragilis in another. Second-stage radical mastoidectomy was performed in 2 cases. One patient died. The outcome was favorable in 3 cases. Because of the small size of the posterior cerebral fossa, abscess in that location requires emergency treatment. Delay can be life-threatening due to the risk of obstructive hydrocephaly and tonsillar herniation.

[Cranial and cervical vertebral mycetoma. Report of three cases]. / Le mycétome crânio-cervical. A propos de trois cas.

Mycetomas inflammatory-like tumors presenting as fistulas found in the skin and soft tissues. Inoculation, generally in tropical areas, occurs by skin injury. The foot is the main infection site. Other uncommon infection sites include the cranial and cervical areas which are rare. We present three cases of cranial and cervical mycetoma. Clinical sign were dominated by headache, cervical pain and cervico-occipital tumefaction with formation of pus and granules (red in two cases, black in one). A motor deficit was noted in one patient. Radiographic examinations including CT scan showed extensive mass lesions, associated with bone destruction. Laboratory tests identified Leptospheria senegalensis in one patient and Actinomadura pelletieri in two. A medicosurgical procedure was performed. The course was unfavourable in one patient. Several factors are important for treating such infections: early diagnosis, improvement of the social and economic environment, use of new drugs.

[Epidemiological, clinical and therapeutical study of depressed skull fractures in the neurosurgical department of the gabriel toure hospital: about 72 cases]. / Etude epidemiologique, clinique et therapeutique des fractures embarrures du crane a propos de 72 cas dans le service de neurochirurgie du CHU Gabriel Toure.

INTRODUCTION: Depressed skull fractures are common and frequent among neurosurgical diseases of whose danger stem from the associated intracranial lesions. The aims of this study were to describe the epidemiological characteristics of depressed skull fractures, to determine their etiology, to describe the clinical signs, to highlight the complications and sequelae and to evaluate care management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It was a retrospective and descriptive study from January to December 2013 including 72 patients admitted to the neurosurgical department of the Gabriel Toure hospital. RESULTS: The frequency was 14.7% and the male to female ratio was 13.4. The peak frequency of these injuries occurred in the 16-to 25-year-old age group accounting for 38.9% of cases. Road traffic accidents were the most common causes of depressed skull fractures (59.7%). Neurosurgical treatment was performed in 25 (34.72%) patients and the most common surgical technique performed was the craniectomy in (64%). Infection of the wound was found in 15.3% and the mortality rate was 1.39%. CONCLUSIONS: Depressed skull fractures are a frequent neurosurgical disease in the Gabriel Touré hospital. Young people are most affected and road traffic accidents involving motorbikes are the main cause the fractures. The infection of the wound is a poor prognostic factor. Therefore, an early management is required to expect a good outcome.

INTRODUCTION: Les Fractures embarrures constituent des affections fréquentes en neurochirurgie dont la gravité est liée aux lésions intracrâniennes associées. Les objectifs de ce travail sont les suivants : décrire les caractéristiques épidémiologiques des fractures embarrures du crâne, déterminer les étiologies, décrire les signes cliniques, dégager les complications et les séquelles et évaluer la prise en charge. PATIENTS ET MÉTHODES: il s'agissait d'une étude rétrospective descriptive portant sur 72 malades de janvier à décembre 2013 dans le service de neurochirurgie du CHU Gabriel Touré. La fréquence était de 14,7% avec une forte prédominance masculine (93% des cas). Les jeunes de 16-25 ans étaient les plus touchés soit 38,9%. Les AVP constituaient la principale étiologie avec 59,7% des cas. Le traitement neurochirurgical a été effectué chez 25 patients soit 34,72% et la craniectomie à os perdu était la technique la plus utilisés (64% des cas opérés). L'infection de la plaie a été la complication post opératoire dominante avec 15,3%. le taux de mortalité était de 1,39%.

[Clinical and therapeutical aspects of lumbar stenosis in the gabriel touré hospital: about 24 cases]. / Aspect clinique et therapeutique du canal lombaire a propos de 24 cas enregistres au CHU Gabriel Toure de Bamako.

INTRODUCTION: Lumbar stenosis is a disease caused by a conflict between the neural structures (spinal cord and nerve roots) and spinal structures (bones and ligaments). The objectives of this study were to highlight the frequency, the diagnosis and therapeutics options, and to evaluate the treatment outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It was a retrospective study from January 2012 to December 2012 including 24 patients admitted to the neurosurgical department of the Gabriel Touré Hospital. RESULTS: The frequency of lumbar stenosis was 6.19% of all neurosurgical diseases. The sex-ratio was 0.71. The age ranged from 28 to 81 years with an average of 52 years. The neurogenic claudication was found in 87.5%. The straight leg raising test was positive in 41.7% of cases. The most vertebras involved were L4 and L5. Lumbar disc herniation was associated in 70.83%. Degenerative lumbar stenosis was the most common form, found in 66.67% of cases. Surgical treatment was performed in 29.17% of cases. The outcome was good in 85.6% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Lumbar stenosis is a prevalent disease that occurs typically occurs around 50 years of age. The diagnosis was confirmed by myelography and a post myelographic CT scan. Good outcomes are achieved with both surgical or medical treatments.

INTRODUCTION: Le canal lombaire étroit (C.L.E.) est une pathologie liée à un conflit entre le contenant (ostéo-discoligamentaire) et le contenu (moelle épinière et ses composantes). Les objectifs de ce travail étaient de déterminer la fréquence du CLE, de déterminer les méthodes de diagnostic et de traitement, d'évaluer les résultats du traitement. PATIENTS ET MÉTHODE: Il s'agissait d'une étude rétrospective portant sur 24 cas de canal lombaire étroit colligés entre le 1er Janvier 2012 et le 31 Décembre 2012% dans le service de Neurochirurgie du C.H.U Gabriel Touré. RÉSULTATS: le CLE constitue 6,19% de nos patients opérés. Le sexe féminin prédominait avec 58%. L'âge moyen était 52 ans avec les extrêmes de 28 ans et de 81 ans. La claudication était retrouvée à l'interrogatoire chez 87,5% des cas. le signe de Sonnette était retrouvé chez 41,7% des patients. Les vertèbres L4 et L5 étaient les plus touchés. La hernie discale était associée dans 70 .83%. Le CLE acquis représentait 66,67% des cas, la forme constitutionnelle,25% et celle congénitale, 8,33%. Le traitement a été médical dans 70,83% des cas et chirurgical 29,17%. Les résultats étaient bons dans 85,6%. CONCLUSION: le CLE est une affection fréquente se manifestant vers l'âge de 50 ans. La confirmation du diagnostic était faite par la saccoradiculographie couplée au myéloscanner. Le traitement médical ou chirurgical donne des bons résultats.

[Congenital serous cyst of the orbit with anophthalmos]. / Kyste séreux congénital de l'orbite avec anophtalmie.

The authors reported a case of orbital congenital serous cyst with anophtalmos. It was a third type of Duke Elder classification. Although it looked sporadic, this malformation is hereditary and due to a disharmony between optic cup growth and differenciation. Ultrasonography and scanner could confirm the diagnosis and helped to discard orbital and eyelid angioma and meningocele. After excision, a prosthesis must be adapted in the orbit.

[Intracranial meningiomas. The Dakar experience apropos of 79 cases]. / Méningiomes intracrâniens. Expérience dakaroise à propos de 79 cas.

We report our experience with 79 intracranial meningiomas operated on between 1960 and 1995 in Dakar Senegal. In our geographical region issues concerning diagnosis, therapy and clinical course are still a topic of debate due mainly to the lack of high-performance technical units. All patients were admitted with evident symptoms. The classically described prevalence was not found in this series. Thirty-one cases presented intracranial hypertension with or without a focal syndrome which evidenced a motor deficit in 32 cases and irritative lesions in 24. External bulging of the meningioma was observed in a large number of cases (11.4%). Until 1994, angiography was the only available means of diagnosis. Mortality was high (30 cases) and results depended on delay to surgery, tumor localization and operative conditions. Our results have been improving over the years but cannot be sustained unless the technical unit is upgraded.

[Sciatic nerve in gluteal portion: application of sciatic nerve post injection lesion]. / Le nerf ischiatique à la fesse: application à la "névrite" ischiatique post-injection.

In our regions malaria is endemic and intraguteal injection is a common procedure. One unfortunate complication of that procedure appeared to be a sciatic nerve injury. The purpose of our study was to set up the anatomical feature and basis of this post injection lesion. We performed sciatic nerve gluteal dissection on 10 adults black African fresh cadavers on both side. The pathway of the nerve was 19 times in the subpiriformis canal. Only in one cadaver, the outlet of the nerve was above the piriformis muscle. In each case the pathway is identical with an oblique and vertical portion running down through the ischio-trochanteric channel. The nerve was crossed between its two portions by an arteriole coming from the inferior gluteal artery. The cutaneous projection of the sciatic nerve is distant from the upper lateral quadrant of the buttock. Intra-gluteal injections in this area doesn't damage the nerve. The anatomical variations of this nerve pathway are almost nonexistent. So, other hypothesis of sciatic nerve post injection lesion should be considered. We think that the local toxicity of quinine and its diffusion in the neurovascular gluteal area might explain the nerve lesion. Thus, the intramuscular injections should be replaced by the intravenous or rectal administration in children.

[Genetic and etiologic aspects od spina bifida in Senegal. Apropos of 211 cases collected at the neurosurgical clinic UHC of Fann]. / Aspects génétiques et étiologiques du Spina Bifida au Sénégal. A propos de 211 cas colligés à la Clinique Neurochirurgicale du CHU de Fann.

From 1969 to 1988, 211 cases of spina bifida were collected from the Neurosurgical Clinic at the University Teaching Hospital of Dakar. Cases were reviewed for genetic and environmental factors. There were 103 males (48.81%) and 108 females (51.19%). The most important ethnic group involved were toucouleurs (20.11%). Consanguineous marriages in parents of affected infants were lower than in the general population (62.5% vs 71%). Recurrence has been noted in 4.26% of the cases. There were more fifth-born children affected than expected (16.2% vs 9% p < 0.02). A seasonal and geographic variation of the incidence has also been observed. Infants conceived between November and February appear to be of highest risk (36.16%). The incidence is higher in the north-west and lower in the south-east part of the country. Lower social-economic classes were the most involved. The authors support the hypothesis of multifactorial etiology in Spina Bifida.

[Spinal meningiomas. Apropos of 14 cases]. / Les méningiomes intra rachidiens. A propos de 14 cas.

Fourteen cases of spinal meningiomas were reviewed. There were 5 males and 9 females, with an average age of 40 years who underwent surgical treatment at the Neurosurgical Division of Dakar University Teaching Hospital. The thoracic spine was involved in 10 cases. The location of the tumor in the spinal canal was epidural in 6 cases and subdural in 8 cases. 7 patients (50%) had marked improvement or stabilization: 4 patients died and in 3 cases, a recurrence was noted. The authors emphasize diagnostic difficulties encountered in the epidural forms.

[Child cerebellar meningioma. A case report]. / Le méningiome cérébelleux "intra parenchymateux" de l'enfant: a propos d'un cas.

Meningioma is an uncommon tumor of childhood. In this group, supra tentorial forms predominate. We report the case of a 14 years old boy without any past medical history. He presented headaches, vomiting and cerebellar syndrome. CT scan shows cerebellar tumor, enhanced by contrast and surrounded by edema, looking like tuberculoma. After fail of tuberculosis treatment, the boy is operated by suboccipital approach. Histology and immuno histochemical examination show fibroblastic meningioma. Even if it is rare, meningioma can occur in childhood, without neurofibromatosis disease. It can present many points of likeness with tuberculoma and therefore biopsy is mandatory before tuberculosis drugs giving.

[Pott's spinal cord compression in the child]. / Compressions médullaires pottiques de l'enfant.

Spinal tuberculosis is the first etiology of spinal cord compression in our areas. We are studying the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of Pott's disease. We have collected all children aged from 0 to 15 years admitted for Pott's disease in department of Neurology in CHU Fann SenegaIL from January 1st 1983 to December 31st 1997 spinal tuberculosis. The diagnosis was both clinical and paraclinical. 27 children aged to 2-15 years were hospitalized for Pott's disease. The sex-ratio was equal to 2 in favour of boys. 77.77% of patients were consulted more than a month after the outbreak of the paraplegia. The notion of tuberculous contagion was found in 25.92% of the cases. The main clinical signs were paralysis of the limbs, sensory symptoms and bladder sphincter dysfunction. In 96.29% anomaly of disc and vertebra were recorded, more often affecting two vertebrae. The myelography, performed in 13 patients objectivized an epidural stop in 92.30% of the cases. There was a favorable evolution in 92% of patients under antituberculous chemotherapy. Spinal tuberculosis is an affection cheating all ages and it remains the first etiology of spinal cord compression in our areas. Therefore there is a necessity of primary safety by fighting against tuberculosis what is still in our areas.

[Brain abscess and extracerebral empyema]. / Abcès du cerveau et empyèmes extra cérébraux.

The authors report 80 cases of collected cranio-encephalic suppurations observed in the Neuro Surgical Unit of the University Teaching Hospital of Dakar from 1969 til 1990. 13 cases were necropsy discoveries and 67 cas that were operated consisted of 55 abscesses of the brain and 25 extra-cerebral empyemas. 56 patients were under 20 years of age with an obvious prevalence of male patients. The collected cranio-encephalic suppuration complicated head trauma in 22 cases and was consecutive to an otorhinolaryngeal infection in 10 cases. The typical clinical aspect of progressive installation associated an intracranial hypertension, motor deficit of one side of the body and an epileptic crisis. A brutal beginning was not an exception in 16 cases. This is often in subdural empyemas. Concerning neuroradiology, cerebral angiography still constitutes our method of choice of investigation; echography can only be performed in infants with permeable fontanela, or during post operative surveillance, using the lacuna created by the craniotomy as an acoustic window. Simple puncture and drainage of the cerebral abscess of the classical cutting away in bloc and the utilisation of echography have considerably contributed for the amelioration of post-operative results.

[Evolutive fractures of the skull]. / Les fractures évolutives du crâne.

The growing fractures of the skull rarely complicate head traumatism among infant and new born. 6 cases have been observed out of 552 fractures of the skull (1.09%) during 10 years from 1979 to 1988 at the neurosurgical clinic of Dakar University Teaching hospital. The patients age varies from 8 months to 21 years. The delay between traumatism and the diagnosis of growing fractures ranges from 18 days to 8 years. The primary fracture can be detected by a skull radiography which allows also to follow the evolution. It can be completed by making a translacuna echography, a non invasive method of investigation easily realisable thanks to the existence of a skull lacuna which constitute a real acoustical window. This type of investigation has been worked on deux patients. Essentially porencephalic forms have been noticed (5 cas). Three have been successfully operated out of four patients, two patients have spontaneously performed evolutions towards the stabilisation of the lesions. The prognosis of the affection is tightly linked with the associated brain injuries.

[Chronic subdural hematoma of the adult in Senegal. (Apropos of 118 cases)]. / L'hématome sous dural chronique de l'adulte au Senegal (a propos de 118 cas).

Epidemiological and clinical analysis of a population of 118 cases o adult subdural hematoma in Sénégal led the authors to make some statements. The age histogram has shown a peak after 50 years old; this fact supports the belonging of subdural hematoma to brain aging pathology. Male were more involved than female (101/17). The head trauma is found in 55%, alcoholism in 3.4%, anticoagulating treatment in 1.69%; others etiological factors were discussed. The authors stressed out the swinging of the clinical picture of subdural hematoma which might lead to misdiagnosis; CT scan or cerebral angiography are useful to make the diagnosis. The pathology of subdural hematoma has given rise to a controversial issue. Surgical decompression allowed to get a complete recovery in 64%. The post operated death-rate was 18.75%.

[Cauda equina compression: report of 20 cases]. / Les compressions de la queue de cheval: à propos de 20 cas.

The authors report in a retrospective study, 20 cases of cauda equina compressions operated in the Neurosurgical department of the University Hospital of Dakar. Clinical aspects, aetiologies, and prognosis are discussed. Cauda equina compressions represented 13.2% of all medullar and radicular compressions. Diagnosis was delayed with a mean duration of 11.2 months. Chronic lumbar pain is the main initial sign, diagnosis is made at the state of paraplegia with sphincter dysfunction. Lumbar canal stenosis (40%) and herniated disc (30%) were the most frequent causes, tumors were rare. Surgical treatment gave good results about motor deficit; urinary incontinence is a frequent sequella. The authors emphasize an early diagnosis for prognosis improvement.

[Lumbar canal stenosis: apropos of 64 cases collected at the neurosurgical clinic of the CHU of Dakar]. / Le canal lombaire étroit: à propos de 64 cas colligés à la clinique neurochirurgicale du CHU de Dakar.

From 1980 to 1990, 64 cases of Lumbar canal Stenosis have been recorded and operated on at the neurosurgical clinic. The male sex is prevailing and the breakdown by age groups showed a preponderance of the age sections between 31 and 45 and 46 and 60 years. The sciatic pain was the most frequent starting symptom. As far as the physical signs are concerned, the areflexy of the tendon predominates. The saccoradiculography has established the diagnosis in most of the cases. The laminectomy associated with another technique has permitted to obtain the best result of the treatment. With the advent of the T scan, a better estimation of the lumbar canal will be possible, so as to replace the laminectomy by a more adaptable technique: the remeasurement of the lumbar canal.

[Biometric aspects of the lumbar canal in Senegalese of the African negro race (apropos of 21 autopsy parts)]. / Aspects biométriques du canal lombaire chez le sénégalais de race négro africaine (à propos de 21 pièces autopsiques).

Because of frequency and seriousness of myelo radicular complications of narrow lumbar canal, the authors studied its radiological and anatomical measurements in order to specify the standards for senegalese negro african. For that purpose, they collected samples of 21 lumbosacral spines from new cadavers through medico legal necropsies. Pieces have been first X rayed, then treated. They measured the antero posterior diameter of vertebral corpse, the anterio posterior diameter of vertebral canal, the narrowest transversal diameter of vertebral corpse and the inter pedicular distance. The authors found no significant differences between radiological and anatomical measurements, but the latest changed from one stage to another. The variations also were not important comparatively to standards established by two authors.

[Non-infectious complications of treatment of hydrocephalus by shunt]. / Complications non infectieuses du traitement de l'hydrocéphalie par shunt.

From january 1975 to december 1988, 234 hydrocephalus cases of newborn and infant treated by ventriculo-peritoneal or ventriculo atrial shunt have been studied at Dakar CHU (University Teaching Hospital) neuro-surgery clinic. The non infectious complications of this type of surgical treatment using inert material, have been observed in 52 patients or 22 per cent even though infectious complications can be noted in 34 per cent of the cases. Among these non infectious complications the extra-cranial mechanical are the most frequent. Fistula or subcutaneous collection of CSF (13 cases), cutaneous necrosis (12 cases), shunt material disconnection (9 cases), obstruction (8 cases). Chronic subdural hematoma has been proved rare and cranio-stenosis secondary to drainage, exceptional. The treatment of mechanical complications by simple revision emphasizes the maintenance of shunt material in place contrary to the treatment of infectious complications that occurs almost always the removal of a material already expensive associated with a long standing antibiotic chemotherapy. Successive revisions and reinsertion of material can raise technical difficulties which will lead to delayed infection. Careful technical procedure of shunting constitutes the best mean prevention against these non infectious complications.

[Mycetoma with neurological manifestations. Inherent therapeutic difficulties in these localizations. Apropos of 5 cases]. / Les mycétomes à expression neurologique. Difficultés thérapeutiques inhérentes à ces localisations. A propos de 5 cas.

The authors report five cases of mycetomas with an original localization, cranio-encephalic and vertebro medullary. Four times it concerned a dorsal or cervical mycetoma with deep enlargement responsible for compression of the spinal cord. In the 5th case, scalp infection reached the dura mater. All patients have got histopathological diagnosis. Therapeutic difficulties are evocated about these singular localizations in a pathology for which greater amputation stands as the rule.

[Arachnoid cyst with orbital meningocele: a case report]. / Kyste arachnoidien avec meningocele orbitaire: à propos d'un cas.

Arachnoïd cysts are rare. 1% of cranial neoformation. We report the case of a six years old boy who presented an arachnoid cyst impressive by its compressive phenomena. Present complaint are macrocrania and right orbitary tumor. Tomodensitometry reveal a huge liquid collection which starts from the right cerebellopontine angle to the frontal region and invading the orbital cavity. In addition we have a thalamic fusion Its congenital origin is obvious. The associated malformations seem to be related to an anomaly of the centre line. This case point out the primum movens of malformations which are often complex and whose antenatal diagnosis is rare in our countries