Altaf Ramzan

Subdural Hematomas: An Analysis of 1181 Kashmiri Patients

BACKGROUND We endeavored to analyze patients of subacute and chronic subdural hematomas studied in a 4-year period at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Kashmir, India. METHODS The study was a retrospective analysis of 1181 patients of subdural hematomas. Demographic characteristics, clinico-radiologic features, operative modalities, and outcome were studied. Acute subdural hematomas were excluded from the study. RESULTS The mean age was 60.4 ± 12.4 and males outnumbered females. Chronic subdural collections were more common than subacute subdural hematomas and left side predominated. Two burr holes with closed-system drainage was used in most patients. Incidence of postoperative seizures is very low. Overall recurrence rates were low; however, multilocular hematomas had the highest incidence of recurrence. Morbidity and mortality were 7.53% and 2.96%, respectively. Preoperative neurologic grade correlated with outcome. CONCLUSIONS Subdural hematomas are common in elderly males. Preoperative neurologic grade dictates the outcome. Multilocular hematomas have a higher chance of recurrence. Craniotomy should be reserved for recurrent hematomas, and there may be a scope of craniotomy for multilocular chronic subdural hematomas at the outset. Antiepileptic prophylaxis is not routinely recommended.

Protrusion of a peritoneal catheter through the umblicus: an unusual complication of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt

Abstract Protrusion of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt through the umblicus is one of the rarecomplications of shunt insertion reported in the medical literature. One such case is presented here in a child in whom a VP shunt had been placed for congenital hydrocephalus.

Intradiploic epidermoid causing spontaneous extradural hematoma: case report.

OBJECTIVEA case of an intradiploic epidermoid tumor leading to spontaneous extradural hematoma is reported. Intradiploic epidermoids are not common intracranial tumors. This is the first reported case of intradiploic epidermoid presenting as a spontaneous extradural hematoma. CLINICAL PRESENTATIONThe patient presented with sudden onset of headache and deterioration in the sensorium. A computed tomographic scan revealed a lesion causing erosion of both tables of the calvarium and a mixed intensity extradural hematoma. INTERVENTIONThe patient underwent immediate operation, and evacuation of the hematoma and excision of the tumor were performed. CONCLUSIONIntradiploic epidermoid tumors so rarely present with extradural hemorrhage that prophylactic removal cannot be recommended in all such cases. However, in view of the seriousness of the hemorrhage, prophylactic removal may be recommended, especially if the patient, such as a sportsman, child, or elderly person, is prone to injuries.

Childhood Tubercular Meningitis: An Institutional Experience and Analysis of Predictors of Outcome

Tubercular meningitis constitutes an important cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries, and various factors determine its outcome. We studied demographic and clinical profiles of childhood tubercular meningitis, and identified predictors of outcome. This prospective study was performed in 65 children aged ≤ 18 years, hospitalized with a diagnosis of tubercular meningitis. Boys outnumbered girls. Most patients presented with a poor clinical grade. Headache and vomiting comprised common features. Cerebrospinal fluid was characterized by predominant lymphocytosis. Many patients were diagnosed for Mycobacterium tuberculosis via polymerase chain reaction. Hydrocephalus comprises a common finding via computed tomography. Low Glasgow Coma Scores, seizures, basal exudates, and infarcts predict outcomes. Children with headaches, fevers, and altered sensorium should be investigated promptly for tubercular meningitis. Timely intervention may lead to early diagnoses and reductions in morbidity and mortality.

Apoplexy in sellar metastasis: a case report and review of literature.

Apoplexy in sellar metastasis is very rare with only a few case reports in literature. A case of apoplexy in sellar metastasis from follicular thyroid carcinoma is reported and the literature is briefly reviewed. The patient presented with sudden onset headache and bi-lateral loss of vision following thyroidectomy in a case of follicular carcinoma thyroid with proven sellar metastasis. CT scan showed hyperdense blood in sellar mass suggestive of apoplexy in sellar metastasis. The patient underwent early trans-sphenoidal decompression. Apoplexy in sellar metastasis, although very rare, can be clinico-radiologically indistinguishable from pituitary apoplexy and should be especially considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with known primary neoplastic disease. In view of similar patho-physiological mechanism, sellar metastasis with apoplexy should be managed in a similar manner as pituitary apoplexy.

Elevated skull fractures in pediatric age group: Report of two cases

Elevated fractures of the skull, which are rarely reported in the literature, are always compound, have maximal neurological deficits at presentation and have been reported only in adults. We report two cases of elevated skull fractures in the pediatric age group, one of which was a simple elevated fracture and presented with delayed neurological deterioration. The etiologies were a fall in first case and an animal attack (bear maul) in the second case as reported for the first time. One of the cases presented with delayed onset of left focal hemispheric signs. The first case underwent debridement, duraplasty and reduction of fracture whereas in the second case the bone flap was not replaced immediately because of gross contamination. Both patients had an excellent outcome. Elevated skull fractures are not uncommon in the pediatric age group. Compound elevated skull fractures should be managed early as open depressed fractures. Reduction of a simple elevated fracture presenting with neurological deficits not explained by any other lesion can result in a good outcome.

Histological-subtypes and anatomical location correlated in meningeal brain tumors (meningiomas)

Context: Not enough literature is available to suggest a link between the histological subtypes of intracranial meningeal brain tumors, called ‘meningiomas’ and their location of origin. Aim: The evidence of correlation between the anatomical location of the intracranial meningiomas and the histopathological grades will facilitate specific diagnosis and accurate treatment. Materials and Methods: The retrospective study was conducted in a single high-patient-inflow Neurosurgical Center, under a standard and uniform medical protocol, over a period of 30 years from December 1982 to December 2012. The records of all the operated 729 meningiomas were analyzed from the patient files in the Medical Records Department. The biodata, x-rays, angiography, computed tomography (CT) scans, imaging, histopathological reports, and mortality were evaluated and results drawn. Results: The uncommon histopathological types of meningiomas (16.88%) had common locations of origin in the sphenoid ridge, posterior parafalcine, jugular foramen, peritorcular and intraventricular regions, cerebellopontine angle, and tentorial and petroclival areas. The histopathological World Health Organization (WHO) Grade I (Benign Type) meningiomas were noted in 89.30%, WHO Grade II (Atypical Type) in 5.90%, and WHO Grade III (Malignant Type) in 4.80% of all meningiomas. Meningiomas of 64.60% were found in females, 47.32% were in the age group of 41-50 years, and 3.43% meningiomas were found in children. An overall mortality of 6.04% was noted. WHO Grade III (malignant meningiomas) carried a high mortality (25.71%) and the most common sites of meningiomas with high mortality were: The cerebellopontine angles, intraventricular region, sphenoid ridge, tuberculum sellae, and the posterior parafalcine areas. Conclusion: The correlation between the histological subtypes and the anatomical location of intracranial meningeal brain tumors, called meningiomas, is evident, but further research is required to establish the link.

Sellar-suprasellar tuberculomas in children: 2 cases and literature review.

Sellar and suprasellar tuberculomas are rare. Patients with these lesions usually experience headache, vomiting, and hypofunction of pituitary gland; imaging reveals an enhancing sellar-suprasellar mass. We report 2 rare cases of sellar-suprasellar tuberculomas in children aged 8 and 6 years. One child presented with features of headache and vomiting, and the other presented with posterior pituitary dysfunction. In both cases, imaging revealed sellar-suprasellar masses. Both cases were multidrug-resistant tuberculomas. We discuss sellar-suprasellar tuberculomas, a rare form of neurotuberculosis in the background of an overall increase in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, especially in children.

Intraparenchymal anaplastic meningioma in a child: A rare entity

Brain tumors are not rare in children. The common brain tumors in children are medulloblastomas and craniopharyngiomas. Intraparenchymal meningiomas are very rare. We report a case of intraparenchymal meningioma in a child who was operated with a preoperative impression of a primitive neuroectodermal tumor.

Clinicopathological characteristics of chordoma: an institutional experience and a review of the literature.

AIM To study the clinicopathologic characteristics of chordomas from a single institution. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study is a retrospective analysis of 18 cases of chordomas diagnosed over a period of 5-years at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, from 2006 to 2010. RESULTS The overall mean age of the patients was 46.72 years. Males outnumbered females. Sacrum was the commonest site involved. Histopathologically, the majority of cases were conventional chordoma with four cases of chondroid variety. There was a single case of dedifferentiated chordoma that presented with bone metastasis. Most patients did well after surgery and radiotherapy. One patient had a local recurrence and one patient with dedifferentiated variant died on follow-up. CONCLUSION Though locally aggressive, chordomas are effectively treated with resection and postoperative radiotherapy.