World Neurosurg
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Focal cortical dysplasias (FCDs) are highly epileptogenic and frequently associated with medically refractory focal epilepsy. FCDs are frequently located in the frontal lobe, making its complete resection highly challenging when in proximity to the motor cortex. ⋯ A detailed presurgical evaluation, accurate mapping of the functional and dysplastic cortex, and a well-planned tailored and complete surgical resection of the cortical dysplasia can result in a favorable outcome with relatively little risk of postoperative neurologic deficit.
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Infundibular dilations (IDs) are funnel-shaped enlargements located at the origin of cerebral arteries. Neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons are familiar with IDs of the posterior communicating artery, which are relatively common. Other locations, being unexpected sites of IDs, can pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. ⋯ Anterior communicating artery represents a rare location for infundibular dilations. Differential diagnosis between them and true aneurysms can be sometimes challenging, especially when associated with anatomic variants; thus neurosurgeons and radiologists must be aware of these pathologic entities.
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Little literature is available on mechanical thrombus aspiration in acute ischemic stroke with coincident ipsilateral unruptured aneurysm, especially with aneurysm proximal to the occlusion site. In this report, we describe a case of ischemic stroke in a patient with acute occlusion of M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery with coincident ipsilateral internal carotid artery-posterior communicating artery aneurysm who was successfully treated by mechanical clot retrieval using the Sofia (6F) PLUS technique (MicroVention Terumo, Tustin, California, USA). ⋯ Ischemic stroke patients with coincident aneurysm are at increased risk of aneurysmal rupture and should be managed with tailored endovascular strategies. Our case shows that a direct aspiration first pass technique using the Sofia (6F) PLUS catheter provides a safe, effective approach for thrombus aspiration in stroke patients.
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Jarcho-Levin syndrome (JLS) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by different clinical and radiologic findings. The disease was first reported by Jarcho and Levin in 1938, and it was described as the presence of various malformations or abnormal fusion in the thoracic vertebrae and ribs, short trunk, and respiratory distress. ⋯ JLS may affect cells derived from the neural crest located between the neural tube and surface ectoderm. Therefore patients with JLS should be screened for other tumors located in this area.
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Case Reports
CDX2 STAINING DEFINES INTRACRANIAL MATURE TERATOMA WITH DIFFERENTIATION TO COLONIC ADENOCARCINOMA.
Malignant transformation of a mature intracranial teratoma into an adenocarcinoma is an extremely rare event and portends a poor prognosis. The clinical progression, radiographic changes, histopathological findings, and immunohistochemistry findings from these unique cases might provide clues regarding this transformation. Caudal homeobox gene-2 (CDX-2) is a specific and robust marker for colonic adenocarcinomas and can also be used to identify differentiation of mature intracranial teratoma into colonic-type adenocarcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of the use of this specific marker for an intracranial malignancy. ⋯ Malignant transformation of a mature intracranial teratoma portends a poor prognosis. The exact histopathological diagnosis can facilitate treatment of these patients. CDX-2 is a specific robust marker for identifying differentiation of a mature intracranial teratoma into a colonic adenocarcinoma. This positive staining can also be observed in primary colonic and other adenocarcinomas. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of CDX-2 in the diagnosis of an intracranial malignancy. The triangulation of clinical progression, radiographic findings, and histopathological and immunohistochemistry findings provided clues regarding this unique transformation.