Expansion diverticulum of the suprapineal recess causing cerebellar ataxia. A case report

Third ventricular diverticulum of the suprapineal recess can be a rare and confounding complication of chronic hydrocephalus: A case report with 2-year follow-up

PURPOSE

Chronic hydrocephalus is rarely seen in developed countries due to the widespread availability of CT scans for diagnosis and early treatment. In developing countries, it is more frequently encountered along with its rare complication of diverticulum formation.

METHODS

We report a case of a previously healthy 6 year old girl who presented with a 10 day history of headache, 3 day history of drowsiness and a single episode of generalized tonic clonic seizures. We review the literature on such cases and include imagining studies at follow up.

RESULTS

A CT scan done outside our hospital had been reported to be demonstrating a posterior fossa arachnoid cyst with resultant obstructive hydrocephalus. We first placed an external ventricular drain and performed an MRI of the brain to further characterize the lesion. It was again reported as an arachnoid cyst but on further scrutiny it was appreciated that it was in fact a third ventricular diverticulum of the suprapineal recess. She underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement which led to resolution of the hydrocephalus as well as the diverticulum.

CONCLUSION

These diverticulae develop secondary to ventricular rupture in the setting of chronic untreated hydrocephalus. This pathology was first described in 1940 and over the years its identification has decreased due to a much lower incidence of chronic untreated hydrocephalus.

Obstructive Hydrocephalus in Newborn Due to Cerebral Atrium Diverticulum Formation: Complete Resolution After Subdural Hematoma Evacuation

BACKGROUND

Cerebral atrium diverticula are focal enlargements of the ventricular system that may develop in the presence of persistent intracranial hypertension, but they are rarely described in cases of acute intracranial hypertension. Here we present a unique case of obstructive hydrocephalus in a newborn due to the formation of a cerebral atrium diverticulum compressing the ventricular system.

CASE DISCUSSION

A preterm 38-week-old boy was born with urgent caesarian section due to severe hydrocephalus. Magnetic resonance imaging showed the presence of a subacute right subdural hematoma with secondary obstructive hydrocephalus. The cystic lesion was characterized as a right ventricular atrium diverticulum. The child underwent urgent burr-hole evacuation of the right subdural hematoma with complete regression of the obstructive hydrocephalus and right atrial diverticulum.

CONCLUSION

Cerebral atrium diverticula are rare focal dilatations of the ventricular system, and their radiologic diagnosis may be challenging. Accurate diagnosis of atrial diverticula and understanding of the underlying physiopathology is mandatory to establish the appropriate operative strategy.

Tectal glioma presenting with clinical triad of obesity, amenorrhea and central cord syndrome with radiological pentad of hydrocephalus, empty sella, suprapineal diverticula, Chiari and syrinx

BACKGROUND

Tectal gliomas (TG) are slow-growing tumors and generally present with features of increased intracranial pressure.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We describe an unusual case of a young girl who presented with clinical triad of obesity, primary amenorrhea and central cord syndrome. The radiology unveiled a pentad of hydrocephalus, empty sella, suprapineal recess diverticulum, secondary Chiari malformation and cervical syringomyelia, masking a relatively obscure tectal plate glioma. She was subjected to endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). All of her symptoms improved after ETV and the tumor is being followed up. The possible pathogenesis of such a highly atypical clinico-radiological presentation is described.

CONCLUSION

This unusual syndromic presentation of tectal glioma without clinical features of increased intracranial pressure is probably due to increased compliance of third ventricular walls, and is relieved with ETV.