[Lipoblastoma of the subtemporal fossa]

Le lipoblastome est une tumeur bénigne rare, formée d'adypocytes immatures associés à la présence d'une matrice myxoide, de septas fibreux, et d'une architecture lobulaire. Il survient généralement chez le nourrisson et l'enfant. Cette tumeur touche dans la majorité des cas les tissus sous-cutanés des extrémités et du tronc. Elle est extrèmement rare au niveau de la tète et du cou. Un total de moins de 100 cas a été rapporté précédemment dans la littérature.

Horizontal gaze palsy with progressive scoliosis in a Moroccan family

Horizontal gaze palsy with progressive scoliosis (HGPPS) is a rare clinical condition characterized by a combination of horizontal gaze palsy, pendular nystagmus and scoliosis. Only a few cases have been previously described in the literature. Our observations serve to document the first cases in Morocco.

[Birth-related retinal hemorrhages in the newborn: incidence and relationship with maternal, obstetric and neonatal factors. Prospective study of 2,031 cases]

PURPOSE

To assess the prevalence, morphology and distribution of retinal hemorrhages in healthy newborns and their relationship to neonatal, maternal and obstetrical factors, and to determine their natural history.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The present study prospectively included 2,031 consecutive healthy newborns. Indirect ophthalmoscopy was performed within 24 hours after birth in all newborns. Infants with retinal hemorrhages were reexamined weekly until the hemorrhage resolved. Annual ophthalmologic follow-up was also scheduled in these children. Neonatal, maternal and obstetric parameters were analyzed in all newborns and compared between newborns with retinal hemorrhages and those without retinal hemorrhages.

RESULTS

31.8 % of newborns exhibited retinal hemorrhages. 72.6 % of hemorrhages were bilateral. They tended to be localized around the optic discs and in the posterior pole, but their distribution was variable. Retinal hemorrhages were of variable shapes. The prevalence of retinal hemorrhages was higher in newborns delivered with vacuum-assisted extraction (38 %, P<0.001), intermediate during normal vaginal delivery (32.6 %, P<0.001) and lower with cesarean section (20.8 %). Comparative analysis between elective cesarean section and emergency cesarean showed a higher incidence of retinal hemorrhages in the emergency cesarean group (P=0.006). On multivariate analysis, vacuum-assisted delivery was the only factor associated with a higher prevalence of retinal hemorrhages in newborns (P=0.045). Two thirds of hemorrhages had disappeared by one week after birth. Retinal hemorrhages had resolved in all newborns within four weeks.

CONCLUSION

Birth-related retinal hemorrhages are common (1/3 of our newborns). Vacuum-assisted delivery is the main risk factor in this study. All hemorrhages resolved by one month of age. These findings may help in differential diagnosis with shaken baby syndrome.

Misdiagnosed spontaneous intracranial hypotension complicated by subdural hematoma following lumbar puncture

Introduction

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is an infrequent cause of secondary headache due to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hypovolemia.

Objective

To describe a case of headache revealing spontaneous intracranial hypotension complicated by subdural hematoma following lumbar puncture.

Observation

A 34-year-old man presented with acute postural headache. The first cerebral computed tomography scan was normal. Lumbar puncture showed hyperproteinorachy at 2 g/L with six lymphocytic cells. The headache became very intense. At admission, clinical examination was normal. Ophthalmological examination did not show any abnormalities. Encephalic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed bilateral subdural hematoma with tonsillar descent simulating Chiari type I malformation. After surgical drainage and symptomatic treatment, the patient was discharged with no recurrence.

Conclusion

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is associated with simple clinical presentation, orthostatic headache, and characteristic MRI findings. Misdiagnosed, it leads to unnecessary procedures.

[Bone odontoideum: about a case and review of the literature]

L'os odontoideum ou apophyse odontoïde mobile est une malformation rare de la charnière cervico-occipitale (MCCO) qui met en jeu le pronoctic vital et fonctionnel par le risque de compression de la junction bulbo-médullaire. Nous rapportons le cas d'un patient âgé de 22 ans, victime d'un traumatisme cervical à l’âge de 2 ans, chez qui cette affection a été révélée par des torticolis récidivants, puis par l'installation d'une tétraparésie. Bien qu'une symptomatologie déficitaire soit fréquemment révélatrice, la notion de cervicalgie récidivante (même isolée) doit attirer l'attention. Le bilan fait appel aux clichés radiographiques dynamiques, à la TDM et l'IRM. L’étiopathogénie reste méconnue congénitale ou traumatique. Le traitement est chirurgical chez les patients symptomatiques et repose sur l'arthrodèse et l'ostéosynthèse postérieure, tandis que chez les sujets asymptomatiques une simple surveillance est préconisée. Un diagnostic et un traitement précoces permettent d'obtenir une stabilisation et une amélioration clinique dans la majorité des cas.

Diagnostic and management of pediatric brain stem abscess, a case-based update

PURPOSE

Authors report their experience of a pediatric brain stem abscess with a literature review.

METHODS

A 2.5-year-old girl first displayed bacterial otitis 3 months before admission. Diagnosis of brain stem abscess was delayed, despite plethoric neurological signs. She complained of right hemiparesis, headache, squint, dysphagia, and false way inhalation pneumopathy. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed presence of an abscess in the pons, prompting for a microsurgical pus aspiration. Postoperative course was regular with a total neurological recovery. Clinical and radiological screening showed progressive regression of the pontine lesion after 4 months, despite persistence of a mild contrast enhancement. Present case is the 18th pediatric brain stem abscess reported in literature.

RESULTS

Mean age of occurrence is 8.1 ± 4 years (range 0.75-16) without gender predominance. High morbidity is typical and essentially involves motor functions. The most common clinical signs are raised intracranial pressure, motor limbs deficit, and cranial nerve palsies. Fever was found in 10 out of 18 cases (56%). Three patients received conservative medical treatment. Three patients underwent stereotactic aspiration and 12 others underwent microsurgical aspiration or excision. No mortality was reported since the eighties. However, morbidity is still high.

CONCLUSION

High clinical index of suspicion is necessary to improve functional outcome. Stereotactic-guided or microsurgical aspiration are still good therapeutic options. The rarity of pediatric brain stem abscesses and the need of optimal management make this case-based update very peculiar.

Brown-Sequard-type myelopathy due to cervical disc herniation associated with severe carotid stenosis prompting rapid combined corpectomy and carotid endarterectomy under deep anticoagulant therapy

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

The risk of stroke because of carotid retraction during an anterior cervical spine surgery as well as the risk of bleeding complications after an anterior cervical corpectomy under deep anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy is a surgical issue poorly addressed in the literature.

PURPOSE

To describe the feasibility and safety of a simultaneous carotid endarterectomy and anterior corpectomy and fusion under deep anticoagulation in a patient with a cervical spinal cord compression and a severe carotid artery stenosis.

STUDY DESIGN

Case report.

METHODS

The authors describe the case of a 79-year-old man who had a 1-month history of progressive pain in the neck and left arm, associated with progressive weakness in the left arm and leg. He also presented a history of coronaropathy and bilateral severe carotid stenosis for which he was receiving a regimen of antiplatelet therapy.

RESULTS

The cervical magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a C4-C5 disc herniation migrating down to C5. His condition worsened rapidly during hospitalization prompting a rapid decompression. Given the necessity of a C5 corpectomy and the risk of stroke during anterior cervical spine surgery, it was therefore decided to undertake the surgical procedure under efficient anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy. A combined endarterectomy and spinal decompression and fusion were then performed. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient recovered neurologically.

CONCLUSIONS

This case suggests that such a combined carotid endarterectomy and cervical corpectomy with fusion under anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy is feasible. However, even if the unique clinical presentation of our patient led us to undertake such a surgical strategy, therapeutic decision in patients presenting with both severe carotid stenosis and cervical spinal cord compression should rely on a case-by-case analysis.

Successful treatment of a giant isolated cerebral mucormycotic (zygomycotic) abscess using endoscopic debridement: case report and therapeutic considerations

BACKGROUND

Cerebral mucormycosis without rhino-orbital or systemic involvement is an extremely rare condition mostly associated with parenteral drug abuse.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We report the case of a 42-year-old woman who presented with hemiparesis of the left side and altered mental status. Neuroradiologic workup demonstrated an inflammatory lesion involving the right basal ganglia. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrated features consistent with a pyogenic abscess. Computed tomography-guided stereotactic biopsy led to the diagnosis of cerebral mucormycosis. Parenteral AMB-L treatment was conducted, but the patient worsened clinically, presenting with a complete hemiplegia, and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans demonstrated a voluminous abscess formation. Then, under stereotactic guidance, a surgical endoscopic debridement of the abscess cavity associated with the placement of an Ommaya reservoir was performed. Systemic and intralesional treatment with AmB associated with an adjunctive immune therapy was conducted. At 3-year follow-up, the patient had recovered partially from her left hemiplegia, allowing her to walk without help, and cerebral MRI scans showed complete resorption of the abscess.

CONCLUSION

Our good results suggest that surgical endoscopic debridement associated with intravenous and intracavitary antifungal therapy might be valuable in treating voluminous deep-seated mucormycotic lesions.

[Os odontoideum: clinical and radiological aspects]

Few reports of os odontoideum have been made. We report two cases where this affection was revealed by cervical pain and hemiparesis in one case and acute tetraparesis in the other. Patients with os odontoideum usually present with neurological signs, but some have only cervical pain and some others remain asymptomatic. Radiological exams, including radiograms, cervical scanner and MRI lead to the diagnosis. Different surgical treatment can be proposed to symptomatic patients. Prophylactic surgical treatment is not indicated.

[Uveitis during the course of sarcoidosis in a child: difficult diagnosis of a case]

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic granulomatous disorder affecting young adults. It is very unfrequent in children. The authors report the case of an 11-year-old boy with a history of a pulmonary affection who was referred from the department of paediatrics for red eyes. Ocular examination disclosed phlyctenular keratoconjunctivitis, ocular dryness, posterior uveitis and choroidal granulomas confirmed by fluoresceinic angiography. The diagnosis of pulmonary, ganglionnary and ocular sarcoidosis was made. The authors recalled the clinical particularities of sarcoidosis in childhood and emphasized the difficulties of the differential diagnosis between sarcoidosis and tuberculosis.

[Ocular abnormalieis associated with cutaneous hyperelasticity and joint hypermobility. A report of three observations]

Connective tissues disorders are various and characterized by skin hyperelasticity, joint hypermobility and easy bruising. Ocular abnormalities predominate in type VI Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan disease, brittle cornea, Lobstein syndrome. We report three cases of patients with presumed Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The diagnosis was clinical and could be confirmed by histological findings in two cases. We expose various ocular involvements in this syndrome and insist that biochemical tests are helpful to make the diagnosis.

[Cranial vault chondroma: a case report and literature review]

Intracranial chondromas are unusual tumors, which most commonly arise from cartilage rets in the synchondrosis at the base of the skull. They are most likely found in the sellar and parasellar regions, usually located extradurally. In rare instances, these tumors originate from the dura mater of the convexity. In these cases their neuroradiological features may mimic other intracranial tumors. We present the case of a 50-year-old male presenting a large parasagittal tumor originating in the frontal convexity. MRI-scans revealed a cavitated tumor strongly enhanced after gadolinium infusion mimicking a parasagittal meningioma. There was no obstruction of the superior sagittal sinus as shown by cerebral angiogram. Total excision was achieved and the postoperative course was uneventful. No complementary treatment was therefore considered. The histological examination diagnosis was chondroma. Radiological workup performed at four years follow-up did not reveal any recurrence of the lesion. Pathogenic, clinico-radiological and therapeutic issues are discussed and the literature reviewed.

Are the destructive neurosurgical techniques as effective as microvascular decompression in the management of trigeminal neuralgia?

BACKGROUND

There are no randomized controlled trials comparing TC, PTGC, and MVD for idiopathic TN at a single institution using quality criteria. The aim of the study was to assess the long-term outcome (efficiency and morbidity) of treated patients with one of these techniques in the same institution.

METHODS

The authors present a retrospective study of 165 consecutive patients from 1983 to 2004. The inclusion criteria were drug-resistant idiopathic TN and intolerance to medical treatment. Three groups were set up according to the techniques used: group I (n = 73), treated by TC; group II (n = 41), treated by PTGC; group III (n = 51), treated by MVD. The main judgment criterion was pain relief. The second judgment criterion was morbidity. chi(2) or Fisher exact test, Kaplan-Meier, and log-rank were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The 3 groups were homogeneous according to age, duration of evolution, and pain topography. Concerning sex, groups I and II were different (women, 58%; vs. 37%; P = .021). The immediate efficiency for the 3 groups was, respectively, 96%, 94%, and 95% (NS). At 6 years follow-up, 70%, 77%, and 72% of the patients, respectively, remained pain-free (NS). As determined by the Kaplan-Meier survival curve, there was no difference between the 3 groups (log-rank, P = .867). Hypoesthesia was more frequent for PTGC (89%).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, we did not find MVD to be more effective than the other techniques. However, it had the lowest long-term complication rate, which is a strong argument in choosing this technique as the initial procedure for young and healthy patients. Percutaneous techniques, however, are still recommended in specific circumstances.

[Double localization of a cerebral germinoma. Case report]

A germinoma located in both the pineal and suprasellar regions remains rare. The clinical expression can be polymorphic, although brain imaging reveals specific signs. We report the case of a 16-year-old boy who presented with diabetes insipidus of six months' standing, associated with visual loss and Parinaud's syndrome. Brain MRI showed a tumor in both the pineal and suprasellar regions. A stereotaxic biopsy targeting the infundibular growth confirmed the diagnosis of ectopic germinoma, which was successfully treated by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The incidence of bifocal germinoma, its clinical and radiological characteristics as well as the therapeutic strategies to adopt are discussed.

[Infected cervical epidural Ewing's sarcoma (case report)]

INTRODUCTION

Ewing's sarcoma is a relatively rare osseous malignant tumour. The age of onset is generally in the youth. Epidural localisation of the malignant osseous tumour Ewing's sarcoma is exceptional. Only 29 cases were reported in surgical literature including only one infected case.

OBSERVATION

We report a case of a 24 years old patient who displayed a complete flaccid tétraplégia with T1 sensitive level. Spinal cord MRI documented a cervical posterior epidural process with peripheric gadolinium enhancement. Patient was operated in emergency. A C6 and C7 laminectomy allowed complete tumour resection with its purulent intratumoural collection revealed during the operation. A total tumour removal was performed. The immediate postsurgical evolution was remarkable, with a quasi complete recovery in the upper limbs.

DISCUSSION

Firstly described by James Ewing in 1921, the spinal epidural locations of the Ewing's sarcoma are rare without specific clinical signs generally presenting as a radiculo-medullary compression. Our case is the second infected epidural Ewing sarcoma reported in the literature. However the cause remains unexplained. For this spinal epidural extraosseous tumour, X-ray radiography failed to show any osseous lesions. On MRI, the usually found aspect is a T1 and T2 isosignal with gadolinium enhancement.

CONCLUSION

Through our observation, we underlined the scarcity of this pathology in the cervical epidural localization and the association with infection. We also emphasized on the complete removal, in order to give the best functional and vital outcome.

[Neuroretinitis, Parry-Romberg syndrome, and scleroderma]

INTRODUCTION

Progressive hemifacial atrophy (Parry-Romberg syndrome) is a rare entity characterized by severe hemifacial atrophy affecting subcutaneous tissue. Its clinical manifestations are mainly neurological and ocular. The most common ocular finding is enophthalmos with eyelid modifications (ptosis, retraction, atrophy). Neuroretinitis remains a rare symptom in this affection. We report here a new case.

CASE REPORT

A 22-year-old woman with progressive hemifacial atrophy (Romberg syndrome) is reported. The atrophy had begun 10 years before. At time of presentation, she was suffering from blurred vision in her left eye. She presented with mild enophthalmos associated with eyelid atrophy and loss of cilia. Biomicroscopic examination showed bilateral vitreitis and a typical spectrum of neuroretinitis in her left eye. There was no heterochromia. General examination revealed atrophy of the right part of her body. Etiological investigations showed the presence of antinuclear antibodies and a positive Rose-Waaler latex test without an inflammatory syndrome. Corticotherapy was proposed (1 mg/kg/day) with good progression.

DISCUSSION

The authors report a new case of progressive hemifacial atrophy (Parry-Romberg syndrome). They emphasize the rarity of this disease, its etiology, which remains controversial, the diversity of its ophthalmologic manifestations, and its relations with scleroderma and autonomic nervous system disorders are discussed. Acute neuroretinitis remains rare and its pathogeny is unknown.

Traitement endovasculaire de l'hypertension intracrânienne bénigne étiquetée « idiopathique ». Analyse de huit cas consécutifs

INTRODUCTION

Optic nerve sheath fenestration or ventricular shunting are classically proposed after failure of medical treatment. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is caused by venous sinus obstruction in an unknown percentage of cases. Recently, endoluminal venous sinus stenting was proposed as an alternative treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Between September 2003 and December 2004, eight consecutive patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension underwent MRI venography and direct retrograde cerebral angiography.

RESULTS

There were five females and three males aged 22 to 55 years. All patients had vision disorders. The cerebrospinal fluid pressure ranged from 27 to 45 mmHg with normal composition. All patients presented at least one sinus stenosis. Endovascular stenting of the stenotic venous sinus was performed under intravenous heparin administration. Anti-platelet therapy was administered for 3 months post treatment. Intra-sinus pressures were invariably reduced by stenting. Mean follow-up was 18 months. All patients improved clinically. The cerebrospinal fluid pressure had normalized at 3-month follow-up in all patients. In all patients, multidetector row CT-angiography or MRI venography was performed at 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-up and demonstrated the patency of the stent.

DISCUSSION

The importance of venous sinus disease as a cause of idiopathic intracranial hypertension is probably underestimated. Patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension should be evaluated with direct retrograde cerebral venography and manometry. In patients with venous sinus lesions, treatment by an endoluminal venous sinus stent is a safe and effective alternative for amenable lesions.

[Wolfram syndrome: four case reports]

Wolfram syndrome, also known as DIDMOAD syndrome, is a rare disease characterized by the association of diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, optic atrophy and deafness. The ophthalmologic findings are largely dominated by optic atrophy. Through four cases and a literature review, the authors describe the ophthalmologic findings in this disease and its clinical and genetic aspects.

[Open globe injuries in children: retrospective study of 62 cases]

The open globe injuries in children are frequent and serious accidents. The purpose of this study is to investigate the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics and the visual outcomes of this accident. A retrospective study was conducted on 62 cases in the Ophthalmology department between January 2001 and December 2005. The mean age of admission was 7.5 years. Fifty-one patients were males and twelve were females. Open globe injuries occurred most frequently in the street. The wounds involved the cornea in 66.1% of the cases. There was iris hernia in 30 cases, hyphema in 20 cases and traumatic cataract in 15 cases; in 8% of the cases a foreign body was detected. Final visual acuity was 0.5 or better in 28%. This finding emphasizes that educative measures should be taken into consideration in order to prevent this accident.

Métastase cervico-dorsale tardive d’un adénocarcinome thyroïdien opérée par cervicotomie antérieure

Metastasis from a thyroid adenocarcinoma is a rare entity with high mortality. We describe an unusual case in a woman displaying tetraparesis due to a late cervico-dorsal metastasis operated on via a simple anterior cervicotomy. Outcome was good at eighteen months follow-up. The histological diagnosis was follicular adenocarcinoma. The development of a vertebral metastasis from a thyroid adenocarcinoma 11 years after the treatment of the primitive cancer is rare. The anterior cervico-dorsal location in this patient required decompression via an anterior approach. Surgical treatment of the tumor and spinal stabilization were possible via a simple anterior cervicotomy which allowed adequate access to the third thoracic vertebra, without sternotomy or thoracotomy.