Occipital dermal sinus associated with infectious teratoma in an adult patient affected by Klippel–Feil syndrome: Rare case report and literature review

Breno Nery, Victoria Rodrigues Durand, Rafael De Almeida Rabello, Anna Carolyne Mendes De Oliveira, Eduardo Quaggio, Manoela Marques Ortega, Bruno Camporezi, José Alencar De Sousa Segundo

Date of publication: 22-Mar-2024

Background: The Klippel–Feil syndrome (KFS) is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by the fusion of cervical vertebrae, which may be associated with other malformations, such as dermoid tumors and teratoma. Some theories explain the embryology of these associations. Another condition that may be present is the dermal sinus (DS), communication between intracranial tumors and the subcutaneous tissue, and predisposing infections. This case report aims to describe an association between these three pathologies as well as correlate them from the literature. This report was based on medical records retrospectively reviewed associated with the systematic bibliographical consultation using indexed databases based on inclusion and exclusion methods.

Successful shrinkage of a recurrent partially thrombosed symptomatic large basilar tip aneurysm using a Target 3D Coil

Noriaki Ashida, Atsushi Fujita, Hideya Hayashi, Masashi Higashino, Yusuke Ikeuchi, Hirofumi Iwahashi, Masamitsu Nishihara, Kohkichi Hosoda, Takashi Sasayama

Date of publication: 22-Mar-2024

Background: Standalone coil embolization is often less effective for partially thrombosed intracerebral aneurysms (PTIA) because of the risk of frequent recurrence if the coil migrates into the thrombus. This report describes a case of PTIA at the basilar tip in which simple coil embolization using a Target 3D Coil resulted in sustained remission without recurrence during long-term follow-up.

On the balance beam: facing the challenges of neurosurgical education in the third millennium

Manuel De Jesus Encarnacion Ramirez, Nicola Montemurro, Gerald Musa, Gennady E. Chmutin, Renat Nurmukhametov, Andreina Rosario Rosario, Jesus Lafuente Barza, Stanislav Kaprovoy, Nikolay Konovalov, Dmitry Kudriavtsev, Jeff Natalaja Mukengeshay, Kazadi Kelvin Kalangu, Sichizya Kachinga, Albert Sufianov, Keith Simfukwe, Laura Baeza-Antón, Raja K. Kutty, Nasser M. F. El-Ghandour, Debora Garozzo

Date of publication: 22-Mar-2024

Background: Neurosurgery is one of the most complex and challenging areas of medicine, and it requires an ongoing commitment to education and expertise. Preparing young neurosurgeons with comprehensive education that can allow them to achieve high professional standards is a pivotal aspect of our profession.

Intracranial malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor: A case report and comprehensive literature review

Brandon Michael Wilkinson, Michael A. Duncan, Richard Davila, Brian Nicholas, Harish Babu

Date of publication: 22-Mar-2024

Background: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are rare malignant soft-tissue sarcomas arising from peripheral nerves. Little data exist regarding MPNST originating intracranially. Here, we present a 7th/8th nerve complex MPNST, discuss the treatment strategy and patient outcome, and provide a comprehensive review of existing literature.

Secondary normal pressure hydrocephalus following pituitary apoplexy: A case report

Yusuke Tomita, Shoichi Fukuda, Aiko Kobashi, Yoshihiro Okada, Keigo Makino, Naoya Kidani, Kenichiro Muraoka, Nobuyuki Hirotsune, Shigeki Nishino

Date of publication: 22-Mar-2024

Background: Although secondary normal pressure hydrocephalus (sNPH) can occur in various central nervous system diseases, there are no reports of sNPH caused by pituitary lesions. Herein, we present a unique case of sNPH caused by pituitary apoplexy.

A case report of an unusual cerebral hydatid cyst

Mubasher Ahmed, Abdulaziz A. Basurrah, Zaina Siraj Brinji, Naseem Albargi, Mona Abd EL-Fattah, Omar Alnashiwaaty, Mona Shadad Aljohani, Alaa Alkhotani, Ahmed Adel Farag

Date of publication: 22-Mar-2024

Background: Intracranial hydatid cyst is an exceedingly uncommon condition. Typically, it manifests as hydatid cysts in the liver, lungs, kidney, and spleen. In this report, we present a rare case of a hydatid cyst located in the brain, exhibiting atypical radiological characteristics, and successfully treated with complete microsurgical excision.

Spontaneous thrombosis and calcification of giant cavernous carotid artery aneurysm: A rare case and management insights

Vikas Chandra Jha, Rahul Jain, Vivek Saran Sinha, Nitish Kumar, Gaurav Verma, Nikhil Dhage

Date of publication: 22-Mar-2024

Background: Giant cavernous carotid artery aneurysms (>25 mm) are rare (3–5%), with some prone to spontaneous thrombosis (10–20% complete). We present a unique case of one of the largest aneurysms spontaneously thrombosing and calcifying.

Perspective: How can risks to patients be limited during spine surgeons’ learning curves?

Nancy E. Epstein

Date of publication: 22-Mar-2024

Background: Learning curves (LC) are typically defined by the number of different spinal procedures surgeons must perform before becoming “proficient,” as demonstrated by reductions in operative times, estimated blood loss (EBL), length of hospital stay (LOS), adverse events (AE), fewer conversions to open procedures, along with improved outcomes. Reviewing 12 studies revealed LC varied widely from 10-44 cases for open vs. minimally invasive (MI) lumbar diskectomy, laminectomy, transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), and oblique/extreme lateral interbody fusions (OLIF/XLIF). We asked whether the risks of harm occurring during these LC could be limited if surgeons routinely utilized in-person/intraoperative mentoring (i.e., via industry, academia, or well-trained colleagues).

Surgical treatment of pituitary neuroendocrine tumors with coexisting intracranial lesions: A case series and review of the literature

Rodolfo Villalobos-Diaz, Ricardo Marian-Magaña, Marcos Vinicius Sangrador-Deitos, Rafael Vazquez-Gregorio, Luis Alberto Rodriguez-Hernandez, German Lopez-Valencia, Jorge Fernando Aragon-Arreola, Jorge Armando Lara-Olivas, Gerardo Yoshiaki Guinto-Nishimura, Aldo Gabriel Eguiluz-Melendez, Juan Luis Gomez-Amador

Date of publication: 22-Mar-2024

Background: Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are a diverse group of benign neoplasms that account for a significant proportion of intracranial tumors (13%). The coexistence of PitNET with other intracranial lesions, such as meningiomas and intracranial aneurysms, has been constantly reported in the literature; yet, the pathophysiological mechanisms remain unknown, and the appropriate management is controversial. This study aims to describe the clinical characteristics, surgical treatment, and outcomes of patients with PitNET with coexisting intracranial lesions in a single healthcare center.

Correlation of cerebral microvascular circulation with vital signs in cerebral compression and the validity of three concepts: vasodilation, autoregulation, and terminal rise in arterial pressure

Javad Hekmatpanah

Date of publication: 22-Mar-2024

Background: Vasodilation, autoregulation, and rising arterial pressure are three common concepts in cerebral compression, believed to improve cerebral blood flow to maintain the brain’s nutrition. However, these concepts are unclear, unproven, and based on assumptions. This study aimed to correlate cerebral circulation with alterations of vital signs and to evaluate the above concepts based on physics and hemodynamics.