Klippel-Feil Syndrome with Cervical Diastematomyelia in an Adult with Extensive Cervicothoracic Fusions: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Split cord malformation (SCM) is a developmental disorder that is usually symptomatic and diagnosed in childhood. The majority of these lesions are in the thoracic and lumbar spine, with only 1%-3% of cases found in the cervical spine. This is a case report of a 55-year-old female patient with an unremarkable medical history who presented with neck pain. Upon workup, she was found to have extensive developmental anomalies throughout her cervical and thoracic spine, including an incidentally found type 2 SCM and multiple autofused vertebrae. There are only 6 similar studies published in the literature. There was extensive facet degeneration in her cervical spine, which was suspected to be the etiology of her neck pain. This case illustrates the rare finding of asymptomatic adult cervical SCM and the likely significance of her autofused vertebrae causing accelerated symptomatic facet spondylosis.

Increased Risk of Cerebrovascular Disease Among Patients With Neurofibromatosis Type 1: Population-Based Approach

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Although neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) may be associated with an incompletely understood vasculopathy, relative odds of stroke in this population is not known.

METHODS

Using the 1998 to 2009 US Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we performed a case-control study matching cases of NF1 to controls without such a diagnosis. We then compared the odds of stroke between the 2 groups. We used multivariable logistic regression to adjust for known or suspected confounders.

RESULTS

NF1 was associated with younger mean age at the time of stroke (41 versus 48) and a lower prevalence of stroke risk factors among adult patients. Pediatric patients with NF1, however, were more likely to have hypertension. Patients with NF1 were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with any stroke (odds ratio, 1.2; P<0.0001) than the general population. The odds of intracerebral hemorrhage were greatest among hemorrhagic stroke types analyzed (odds ratio, 1.9; P<0.0001). In the pediatric NF1 population, the odds of intracerebral hemorrhage were more dramatically elevated (odds ratio, 8.1; P<0.0001). The odds of ischemic stroke were also increased with NF1 in the pediatric (odds ratio, 3.4; P<0.0001) but not in the adult population.

CONCLUSIONS

When compared with the general population, the odds of any type of stroke are significantly increased for patients with NF1, both adult and pediatric. This risk is most notable for hemorrhagic strokes although it is also increased for ischemic strokes in children. Physicians should be aware of the increased risk of stroke in this population, and consider stroke as a potential cause of new neurological symptoms.

Outcomes of hospitalization in pregnant women with CNS neoplasms: a population-based study

Managing a CNS neoplasm during pregnancy presents complex challenges, and population-based studies are lacking. We designed a retrospective cohort study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) to investigate pregnancy outcomes in women with CNS neoplasms. We constructed a logistic regression model for maternal mortality, preterm labor, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and Caesarean delivery, controlling for age, comorbidities, and demographic characteristics. We identified 379 malignant brain tumors, 437 benign brain tumors, and 44 spine tumors among 19 million pregnancy-related admissions from 1988 through 2009. Malignant brain tumors were associated with maternal mortality (odds ratio [OR], 143), preterm labor (OR, 3.4), and IUGR (OR, 2.9). Benign brain tumors were associated with preterm labor (OR, 2.3). A diagnosis of hyperemesis gravidarum was more common in malignant (OR, 2.2) and benign (OR, 2.8) brain tumors. Compared with the general population, Caesarean delivery was more frequent for malignant (OR, 6.4) and benign (OR, 2.8) brain tumors and spine tumors (OR, 3.9). Admission without delivery was more common for malignant (OR, 8.6) and benign (OR, 4.3) brain tumors and spine tumors (OR, 3.8; P < .05 for all outcomes). Thirty-three percent of all hospitalizations involved neurosurgical procedures, but pregnancy complications were not significantly more likely to occur in surgical patients. In conclusion, malignant brain tumors were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, and CNS neoplasms were associated with higher rates of Caesarean delivery. Additional research is needed to improve understanding of obstetric risk in these patients and to assist with treatment, counseling, and monitoring during delivery.

Dural scalp and intracranial hemangiomas causing hydrocephalus and venous sinus thrombosis in an infant

Cutaneous scalp hemangiomas may herald the presence of occult intracranial hemangiomas. A previously healthy 4-month-old girl presented with a bleeding scalp hemangioma, a bulging fontanel, and anemia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed hydrocephalus along with multiple intracranial hemangiomas. These lesions compressed the jugular foramina, resulting in venous sinus thrombosis involving the right transverse sinus, the left sigmoid sinus, and the torcular herophili. The patient had no family history of phakomatoses or other genetic abnormalities. A thrombophilia work-up result was unremarkable. The patient was treated with prednisolone (10 mg twice daily) and low molecular weight heparin (1 mg/kg/dose) twice daily. This treatment decreased the size of her cutaneous and intracranial hemangiomas and led to the resolution of her venous sinus thromboses and hydrocephalus. Innocuous scalp hemangioma in an infant may herald more concerning intracranial pathology, which can be treated effectively if diagnosed with appropriate imaging studies.