Characteristics of Recurrent Congenital Sinus Pericranii: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Characteristics and Management of Dilated Mastoid Emissary Veins: A Case Report and Literature Review

INTRODUCTION

The mastoid emissary vein (MEV) describes a transosseous connection between the sigmoid dural venous sinus and the suboccipital venous plexus. In cases of outflow stenosis or malformation, the MEV may become dilated and a source of pulsatile tinnitus (PT) amenable to treatment. We describe a case of PT secondary to MEV treated successfully via endovascular coil embolization and conduct a systematic review of the literature.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review without meta-analysis of studies involving management of dilated MEV on January 14, 2022, and describe a case of PT secondary to an enlarged MEV treated via coil embolization.

RESULTS

A total of 13 studies were selected for full review. Reports identified MEV presenting as PT in 60% (12 of 20) of cases, intraoperative hemorrhage in mastoid surgery in 15% (3 of 20), a compressive scalp mass in 10% (2 of 20), and thrombophlebitis, facial swelling, or an incidental finding in 5% (1 of 20) each. Forty-five percent (9 of 20) underwent treatment, with all experiencing symptom resolution or improvement. Surgery included transvenous coil embolization in 33.3% (3 of 9), flap reconstruction in 22.2% (2 of 9), and surgical packing, ligation, and thrombectomy in 11.1% (1 of 9) each. Dilated MEV was reported concurrently with impeded drainage pathways in 35% (7 of 20) of reports.

CONCLUSIONS

Dilated MEV has been reported as an etiology of pulsatile tinnitus and appears amenable to treatment via open and endovascular means. Endovascular coil embolization appears to offer effective symptom resolution, however, available literature exists only in case reports and small series. Further investigation is highly warranted.

Imaging Spectrum of Calvarial Abnormalities

Calvarial abnormalities are usually discovered incidentally on radiologic studies or less commonly manifest with symptoms. This narrative review describes the imaging spectrum of the abnormal calvaria. The extent, multiplicity, and other imaging features of calvarial abnormalities can be combined with the clinical information to establish a final diagnosis or at least narrow the differential considerations. Prior trauma (congenital depression, leptomeningeal cysts, posttraumatic osteolysis), surgical intervention (flap osteonecrosis and burr holes), infection, and inflammatory processes (sarcoidosis) can result in focal bone loss, which may also be seen with idiopathic disorders without (bilateral parietal thinning and Gorham disease) or with (Parry-Romberg syndrome) atrophy of the overlying soft tissues. Anatomic variants (arachnoid granulations, venous lakes, parietal foramina) and certain congenital lesions (epidermoid and dermoid cysts, atretic encephalocele, sinus pericranii, and aplasia cutis congenita) manifest as solitary lytic lesions. Other congenital entities (lacunar skull and dysplasia) display a diffuse pattern of skull involvement. Several benign and malignant primary bone tumors involve the calvaria and manifest as lytic, sclerotic, mixed lytic and sclerotic, or thinning lesions, whereas multifocal disease is mainly due to hematologic or secondary malignancies. Metabolic disorders such as rickets, hyperparathyroidism, renal osteodystrophy, acromegaly, and Paget disease involve the calvaria in a more diffuse pattern. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ^©RSNA, 2021.

Surgical Management of Sinus Pericranii With Crouzon Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Sinus pericranii (SP) is a rare vascular malformation which connects the intracranial dural sinuses to the extracranial venous drainage system. Although the majority of SP cases are caused by trauma, some of them are congenital. Furthermore, a few SP cases have been reported in association with craniosynostosis. The authors' objective is to discuss the surgical management of SP with Crouzon's syndrome in children.

METHODS

Three-Dimensional reconstruction with enhanced CT scan was used for evaluate the condition of SP with Crouzon's syndrome in all 4 cases. Two cases with small single-hole defect on skull were only treated by cranioplasty with distraction osteogenesis. In the management of the other 2 SP patients with large skull defect, titanium mesh was used for compression of dilated venous sinus to inhabit filling and promote shrinking.

RESULT

Four cases of SP with Crouzon's syndrome were treated in the authors' department. With cranioplasty with distraction osteogenesis only, 2 patients with single-hole skull defect experienced SP spontaneous involution at 4 to 6 months postoperatively. With titanium mesh compression, SP with large skull defect shrank significantly without clinical recurrence, but long-term follow-up was still in need.

CONCLUSION

For small single-hole skull defect in SP patient with Crouzon's syndrome, the only application of cranioplasty for decreasing intracranial pressure can promote SP spontaneous involution. 3D printed titanium mesh compression renders a safe and efficient approach for SP with large skull defect. Long-time follow up and further accumulation of cases may establish the efficacy of the authors' management.

A Simple Surgical Technique for Pediatric Sinus Pericranii: Intraoperative Manual Compression of a Major Shunting Point

INTRODUCTION

Sinus pericranii is a vascular anomaly with extra- and intracranial venous connections. Sinus pericranii is categorized into 2 groups according to its contribution to the normal venous circulation. The accessory type sinus pericranii, which does not contribute to the normal major venous circulation, can be managed. Despite several proposed operative maneuvers, a standardized technique is yet to be established to control intraoperative bleeding.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 2-week-old neonate underwent examination of a subcutaneous mass in the parieto-occipital region. The subcutaneous mass had a major venous connection to the superior sagittal sinus on ultrasonography. The subcutaneous mass was partially thrombolized on magnetic resonance imaging and was minimally enhanced on computed tomography venography. The subcutaneous mass seemed not to contribute to the normal venous circulation. Surgical removal of the subcutaneous mass was performed due to its increased size at the age of 1 year and 3 months. While subcutaneous mass was detached from the scalp, the major venous connection was manually compressed, and minor venous connections were easily detected. The intraoperative bleeding was controllable. The pathological diagnosis was sinus pericranii. The patient is now followed up in the outpatient clinic. No recurrence was seen 18 months after the surgery.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

Intraoperative hemostasis is essential while sinus pericranii is detached from the cranium. Hemostatic agents such as bone wax or absorbable gelatin and heat coagulation seem to be useful. However, complicative hemorrhage concerning to the preceded technique has been also reported. As seen in our case, to detect minor shunting points between the sinus pericranii and the intracranial veins, the major venous connection was manually compressed. Intraoperative manual compression of a major venous connection of sinus pericranii can be an option to manage intraoperative bleeding.

Combined treatment of surgery and sclerotherapy for sinus pericranii

Sinus pericranii is a rare vascular anomaly characterized by abnormal venous communication between the inner and outer regions of the cranial cavity. Here, we report a case of sinus pericranii and venous malformations in the right periorbital region of a 2-year-old girl. Radiologic findings showed venous malformations in the right parietal region communicating with the superior sagittal sinus in the intracranial region. There were notable improvements following surgical resection for the abnormal venous lesions and several sclerotherapies. Presence of a bluish and pulsating mass on the scalp, which showed bruit on auscultation, may indicate sinus pericranii, which should be included in the differential diagnosis.