World Neurosurg
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Case Reports
Dural Tuberculoma Mimicking Meningioma: A Clinico-radiological Review of Dural En-Plaque Lesions.
Tuberculosis has long been a major health concern in developing countries and now has troubled developed world as well, owing to increase in patients with human immunodeficiency virus and immigration. Central nervous system tuberculosis accounts for approximately 1% of cases of tuberculosis. The pathologic presentation is varied, with intraparenchymal tuberculomas and pachymeningitis being the most common. Being a great mimicker, it simulates numerous diseases radiologically, and this is best realized when atypical forms are encountered. Here an atypical case of dural en-plaque tuberculoma is presented with comprehensive review of dural en-plaque lesions with their differentiating features. ⋯ Tuberculoma en-plaque is an unusual entity characterized by a plaque-like meningitic process without exudation. It is easily confused with meningiomas as can other dural-based lesions comprising benign to malignant neoplastic, infectious, and granulomatous lesions. A preoperative diagnosis is imperative to differentiate it at least from neoplastic lesions, which are usually curable with surgical intervention in contrast to tuberculosis, which needs only optimal chemotherapy in most of the cases. Knowledge of differentiating imaging features, in corroboration with clinical history and high index of suspicion, helps in a proper preoperative diagnosis and optimal patient treatment.
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Moyamoya disease often is treated by revascularization surgery. In this report, we are the first to describe a case of moyamoya disease that repeatedly showed a transient subcortical low intensity (SCLI) on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance images postoperatively. ⋯ The mechanisms of transient SCLI on FLAIR images remain unclear, but this finding appears to be associated with a postoperative transient neurologic deterioration.
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Cerebral cavernous malformations are more common than generally thought, affecting approximately 1 in every 250 adults. Most of these lesions are asymptomatic or have a relatively benign course, but a small minority behave aggressively and present with recurrent episodes of symptomatic hemorrhage. A safe and effective medical treatment option for the management of this latter group would be useful. Propranolol has recently been shown to be effective in the treatment of infantile hemangioma, a close pathologic counterpart of cavernous malformations. These results suggest a potential role for propranolol treatment in the management of patients with symptomatic cavernous malformations. ⋯ Propranolol may offer a safe and effective treatment for patients who have cavernous malformations with symptomatic hemorrhage. Additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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Case Reports
Treatment of Pediatric Traumatic Intracranial Pseudoaneurysm using Endovascular Covered Stent: Three Case Reports.
Pediatric traumatic intracranial pseudoaneurysm (TIPA) is a relatively rare clinical entity resulting from blunt, penetrating, or iatrogenic head trauma. The diagnosis, management, and prognosis of patients with pediatric TIPA is not well understood. Surgical craniotomy for TIPA is a high-risk operation. Advancements in minimally invasive technology have allowed for endovascular reconstruction of TIPA. ⋯ In this study, the use of the Willis covered stent was associated with favorable prognoses in 3 patients with TIPA. No major complications were encountered during follow-up. The Willis covered stent appears to be a viable therapeutic modality in these patients. A definitive prognosis assessment will necessitate prospective clinical trials with longer duration of follow-up.
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Decompressive craniectomy (DC) for traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be used in 2 completely different situations: primary and secondary DC. Although intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring has proved to be helpful in guiding therapy for head injuries, its role after primary DC is not well analyzed. The aim of this study was to elucidate the relationship between ICP monitoring and outcomes in patients undergoing primary DC for TBI. ⋯ Our data suggest that ICP monitoring after primary DC for head-injured patients significantly decreases in-hospital mortality and should be implemented in neurocritical care to ensure the highest chances of surviving TBI.