Eduardo Areitio

Meningiomas of the posterior fossa

Clinical and surgical results in 38 cases of posterior fossa meningiomas are presented. All cases have been diagnosed and operated upon during the last 12 years in this department. We have identified five locations for these tumors: cerebellopontine angle, cerebellar convexity, tentorium, peritorcular, and clivus. Clinical features of these tumors and their surgical management are described. Sixty-eight percent of the cases presented have been diagnosed by computed tomography scan. All cases were operated upon with a 15.78% postoperative mortality; 36.85% of the patients remained symptom-free; 26.32% suffered mild neurological deficits; and 21.05% suffered severe neurological deficits. Total resection had been accomplished in 84.22% of the cases. Computed tomography scans allow earlier and more accurate diagnosis of these tumors, which in our opinion has modified the surgical results for the better. We discuss our findings and compare them with other published articles.

Meningioma of the anterior part of the third ventricle

SummaryThe authors report the clinical features, radiological findings, and surgical management in a case of meningioma of the anterior part of the third ventricle in a 59-year-old woman. The unusual fact in our patient compared with the other reported cases is that she never developed symptoms or signs of increased intracranial pressure. A review of the literature is presented. Ours is the second case in which CT scan has been used in the diagnosis.

Subdural tension pneumocephalus after posterior fossa operation: Is the inverted bottle phenomenon the only causative factor?

A case of subdural tension pneumocephalus after a posterior fossa operation performed in the sitting position is presented. The mechanism for air entering into the intracranial compartment and the factors leading to symptomatic increase of intracranial pressure are discussed.

Accidental stab wound of the cervical spinal cord from in front.

SummaryAn unusual case of damage to the cervical spinal cord due to a non-missile penetrating injury through an anterior route in a nine-year-old boy who fell from a bicycle is reported. There was a cerebrospinal fluid leak that lasted for two days. Clinical picture was that of incomplete Brown-Séquard syndrome and flaccid paresis of the extensor muscles of the left elbow and wrist. Treatment was conservative, with a very good functional recovery. To our best knowledge there is no myelographically documented case report of such a lesion in the literature.

Glial cysts of the cerebellum

Abstract Two cases of nontumorous glial cysts of the cerebellum are presented. This rare entity, perhaps a degenerative form of cerebellar astrocytoma, must be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions of the cerebellum.

Direct communication between the lateral ventricle and the frontal sinus as the cause of CSF rhinorrhea in aqueductal stenosis.

SummaryA case of rhinorrhoea due to direct communication between the ventricular system and the frontal sinus in a case of adult aqueductal stenosis is reported. The mechanism of production is discussed. After reviewing the literature, the treatment of this condition is outlined.