Radical resection of trigeminal schwannoma at the cerebellopontine angle with support of the digital robotic exoscope Synaptive Modus V system: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE AND PATIENT CONCERNS: We report on a 67-year-old woman who experienced drowsy mental status, facial numbness, and hearing loss on the right side; the symptom gradually worsened over the last 4 years. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 4.8 × 1.8 × 2.6 cm lesion located in the right cerebellopontine angle. INTERVENTIONS: She underwent surgery with the retrosigmoid suboccipital approach and support from the digital robotic exoscope Synaptive Modus V system. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case that used the robotic exoscope system in Vietnam, and also in Asia. DIAGNOSIS: We performed radical resection of the tumor, the surgery position and the pathology result concluded the diagnosis was trigeminal schwannoma. OUTCOMES: After 30 months of follow-up, she fully recovered and the magnetic resonance imaging showed radical resection of the tumor. LESSONS: The aim of this study is to share our experience with the robotic exoscope system, which can improve optical field and image resolution, hence creating an opportunity for surgery that otherwise is impossible. The application of this robotic exoscope system is a breakthrough in neurosurgery in developing countries, such as Vietnam.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy induce tension pneumocephalus in a patient with ventriculoperitoneal shunt: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION AND PATIENT CONCERNS: We report on a 45-year-old woman who has a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS), experienced drowsy mental status, with hypesthesia and hemiplegia on the left side. Ten days ago she underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Computed tomography revealed tension pneumocephalus, with severe compression on the right side of the brain. INTERVENTIONS AND DIAGNOSIS: She underwent 2 surgeries, the first surgery was to place a subdural drainage catheter, however, the pneumocephalus relapsed after withdrawing the catheter, and the later surgery was to replace the new VPS. OUTCOMES: After replacing the VPS, the patient recovers completely after 10 weeks of follow-up. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of LC-induced tension pneumocephalus in a patient with VPS. The purpose of this study is to share our experience, with the hypothesized mechanism being the retrograde air through the VPS valve because of high abdominal pressurization. We recommend noting the existence of the VPS when the LC or any abdominal laparoscopy is performed. The VPS should be clamped during any laparoscopic procedure until complete depressurization. Furthermore, all patients with VPS who have neurological deterioration after abdominal laparoscopy should be treated as having the diagnosis of a tension pneumocephalus. These patients need emergency surgery to replace VPS and set the valve for high-pressure, which can result in a quick and complete recovery.