Active SLE disease and damage are associated with and predict greater mortality and damage. The use of validated disease activity and damage metrics is important in the assessment of disease activity and damage and will inform upcoming Canadian recommendations for the assessment of SLE.
The modified inversion recovery sequence and fat-suppressed T2-weighted fast spin-echo sequence provide similar information about the integrity of the rotator cuff tendon.
BACKGROUND
Neurocysticercosis, caused by the larval stage of Taenia solium, affects the cerebral ventricles in 20–30% of cases and may lead to hydrocephalus and other neurological morbidity. Conventional treatment for cysts in the 4th ventricle includes open surgery (suboccipital approach) and neuroendoscopy, with the latter being the option of choice. Stereotactic surgery, minimally invasive, offers a good alternative for this type of deep lesion.
OBSERVATIONS
The authors report the cases of two women, 30 and 45 years old, who presented with headache, dizziness, and ataxia and were diagnosed with 4th ventricle cysticercosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed dilated 4th ventricles (approximately 2.5 cm in both cases, with cystic images inside the ventricular cavity). Both patients were treated with stereotactic surgery via a suboccipital transcerebellar approach. Cyst material was extracted, and the diagnosis was confirmed by pathological examination. The surgeries had no complications and resulted in clinical improvement. Control MRI scans showed reduction of the volume of the ventricle without residual cysts.
LESSONS
Minimally invasive stereotactic surgery provided a safe alternative for 4th ventricle neurocysticercosis cysts, with more benefits than risks in comparison with conventional techniques.
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