The posterior fossa syndrome (PFS) is a well-known clinical consequence of posterior fossa surgery that has only been reported in a limited number of cases with a nontumoral etiology. It consists of transient cerebellar mutism, behavioral abnormalities and personality changes. We describe a 12-year-old child who developed transient cerebellar mutism associated with behavioral and emotional symptoms following rupture of a vermis arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Following the stroke, the girl experienced a 24-hour symptom-free interval. After that, she became mute and her emotional state was characterized by severe anxiety, irritability and withdrawal. After 3 days, mutism resolved and dysarthria became apparent. Two weeks after stroke, the AVM was surgically removed and the postoperative course was uneventful. This case is the first reported in which the PFS occurred after focal nonsurgically induced cerebellar damage.
✓ The authors describe the case of a patient with an intracranial capillary hemangioma, and they review the recent literature on intracranial capillary hemangiomas with special attention to their differential diagnosis and management.The only sign in this 7-week-old boy was head enlargement. There were no neurological deficits, and imaging revealed a large intracranial lesion in the right temporal fossa. The results of biopsy confirmed the diagnosis, and, after endovascular embolization, the entire lesion was resected.The incidence of intracranial capillary hemangioma is very low but may be underestimated. In the present case, the size of the tumor prompted surgical treatment. The natural behavior of extracranial capillary hemangiomas, however, suggests that a conservative approach with follow-up and steroid therapy may also be considered.
Background. Obtaining intra-operative watertight closure of the dura is considered important in reducing post-operative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a fibrin sealant as an adjunct to sutured dural repair to obtain intra-operative watertight closure in cranial neurosurgery. Methods. This randomized, controlled multicenter study compared a fibrin sealant (EVICEL Fibrin Sealant [Human]) to sutured dural closure (Control). Subjects underwent supratentorial or posterior fossa procedures. Following primary dural repair by sutures, the closure was evaluated for intra-operative CSF leak by moderately increasing the intracranial pressure. If present, subjects were randomized to EVICEL or additional sutures (2:1 ratio), stratified by surgical approach. Following treatment, subjects were successful if no CSF leaks were present during provocative challenge. Safety was assessed to 30 days post-surgery, including incidence of CSF leakage. Results. One hundred and thirty-nine subjects were randomized: 89 to EVICEL and 50 to Control. Intra-operative watertight closure was achieved in 92.1% EVICEL-treated subjects versus 38.0% controls; a treatment difference of 54.1% (p < 0.001). The treatment differences in the supratentorial and posterior fossa strata were 49.1% and 75.7%, respectively (p < 0.001). The incidence of adverse events was similar between treatment groups. No deaths or unexpected serious adverse drug reactions were reported. CSF leakage within 30 days post-operatively was 2.2% and 2.0% in EVICEL and control groups, respectively. In addition, 2 cases of CSF rhinorrhoea were observed in the EVICEL group. Although not associated with the suture line where EVICEL was applied, when combined with the other CSF leaks, the observed leak rate in the EVICEL group was 4.5%. Conclusions. These results indicate that EVICEL is effective as an adjunct to dural sutures to provide watertight closure of the dura mater in cranial surgery. The study confirmed the safety profile of EVICEL.
Statistical analysis emphasizes the important role of external neurolysis in the treatment of peripheral peroneal nerve entrapment. Therefore, external neurolysis at the fibular head should be regarded as a very effective and safe procedure in patients with foot drop secondary to weight loss.
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