Engin Kara

Posterior cranial fossa morphometry in symptomatic adult Chiari I malformation patients: comparative clinical and anatomical study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The cerebellar tonsillar herniation occurring in Chiari malformation Type I (CMI) mainly results from overcrowding of a normally developing hindbrain within a primary small posterior cranial fossa (PCF) due to an anomaly in the embryological development of the occipital bone. In the present study, the lengths of PCF parameters were studied in adult CMI patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS The authors retrospectively examined 15 adult patients with CMI. Multiple measurements were made on magnetic resonance images (MRIs). The results were compared with the findings in 25 controls and 30 dry skulls. RESULTS Length of the neural structures did not significantly differ between the CMI and the control groups. The average length of the basiocciput was significantly shorter in the CMI group as compared with the control group. The mean length of the supraocciput was significantly shorter and the average diameter of the foramen magnum was significantly longer in the CMI group when compared to the control group and dry skulls. CONCLUSIONS The morphometric data suggest that, in CMI, a hypoplastic occipital bone, possibly due to the paraxial mesodermal defect of the parachordal plate, causes overcrowding in PCF, which contains the normally developed neural structures.

Anatomical variations of the foramen magnum, occipital condyle and jugular tubercle.

AIM The foramen magnum (FM) is a unique and complex anatomical region. The occipital condyle (OC) and jugular tubercle (JT) are the main bony structures which obscure the anterolaterally situated lesions of the FM.The aim of this study was to revisit the anatomy of the FM region and assess variations of the surrounding structures. MATERIAL AND METHODS Observations, on thirty dry skulls (dried specimens, 60 sides) and ten formalin-fixed cadaveric heads with perfused vessels, were carried out to define the microsurgical anatomy of the FM region. Morphometric analysis and variations of the FM, OC, JT and hypoglossal canal (HC) were noted. Radiological assessment (3D-computed tomography) of the OC, JT, HC were also conducted on dry skulls. RESULTS The short and long OC were demonstrated in 5% and 33% of the specimens, respectively. Flat formation of the JT was determined in 10% and tall JT was found in 23% of the specimens. The comparison of the anatomical measurements and the correspondent radiological mean values did not achieve statistical significance. CONCLUSION The OC and JT are the main bony prominences obstructing the anterolateral surface of the brainstem. Neurosurgeons should be familiar with variations of the structures surrounding the FM in order to perform the safest and widest exposure possible.

Abnormal MRI in a patient with ‘headache with neurological deficits and CSF lymphocytosis (HaNDL)’:

A 27-year-old woman was admitted to the Emergency Department with right upper-extremity numbness and mild weakness followed by a bifrontal throbbing headache for 30 min, which was similar to a headache lasting for 12 h that had occurred 3 days ago. Laboratory tests were unremarkable except for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lymphocytic pleocytosis. On the following day, a headache episode with left hemiparesis and hemihypoaesthesia, left hemifield visio-spatial inattention, anosagnosia and confusion recurred. The headache was diagnosed as headache and neurological deficits with cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytosis (HaNDL) syndrome according to the criteria of the second edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. Simultaneously performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed swelling of the grey matter, CSF enhancement in the sulci of the right temporal and occipital regions and hypoperfusion of the same brain regions. During the following 10 days two more similar episodes recurred and during the ensuing 12 months the patient remained headache free. Neuroimaging findings of the HaNDL syndrome are always thought as virtually normal. MRI abnormalities in our patient have not been reported in HaNDL syndrome previously, although they have been reported in hemiplegic migraine patients before. The findings in our case suggest that hemiplegic migraine and HaNDL syndrome may share a common pathophysiological pathway resulting in similar imaging findings and neurological symptoms.

An Unusual Cause of Intestinal Obstruction: Abdominal Cocoon

OBJECTIVE abdominal cocoon is characterized by total or partial encasement of the small bowel by a thick fibrotic membrane, leading to mechanical obstruction. Here, we report two cases of abdominal cocoon; both patients presented with symptoms of intestinal obstruction. CONCLUSION We describe the CT and sonographic features of this disease, emphasizing the role of MDCT, and discuss the preoperative diagnostic clues.

Disseminated pneumocephalus secondary to an unusual facial trauma

Pneumocephalus can be secondary to a postintrathecal procedure, sinus fracture, basilar skull fracture, congenital skull defect, neoplasm, gas producing organism, barotrauma, neurosurgery, paranasal sinus surgery, mask or nasal continuous positive-airway pressure. Unusual facial traumas can also be rare causes of pneumocephalus. Here, we present such a case in whom an air compressor tip injury to both eyes led to the disseminated pneumocephalus. We report this rare case with the computed tomography findings and try to explain the possible mechanism of the pnemocephalus.

Heterotopic pregnancy: case report

AbstractHeterotopic pregnancy in a spontaneous cycle is a rare entity with an estimated frequency below one per 30,000 pregnancies. Its incidence evidently has increased in accordance with the widespread use of in vitro fertilization and ovulation induction. We report a case of heterotopic pregnancy in a 40-year-old woman who presented with acute abdominal pain. We also present findings from transvaginal ultrasound imaging.

Unusual Location of Hydatid Cysts in Pediatric Patients

Objective/Aims: To emphasize the importance of diagnosis and treatment of unusually localized hydatid cysts in pediatric cases. Methods: Hydatid cyst patients of two departments were listed who had undergone surgery between January 2001 and December 2008. Of the 7 pediatric patients, 3 were chosen as the ones with unusual localization. Cyst removal with Dowling’s technique was performed in 2 cases and total removal of the cyst wall was achieved after cyst aspiration in the other patient. Results: Two patients did not show any signs of recurrence. Some of the cranial multiple cysts of the patient who had undergone her first surgery in another clinic with cyst rupture were successfully removed in our clinic. Six months later, she was admitted with spinal seedings. Conclusion: Hydatid cyst removal without rupture should be the surgical goal in all cases. Radiological evaluation is of utmost importance for differential diagnosis. When a cystic lesion is found in the central nervous system on radiological evaluation, hydatid disease must be considered in countries where the disease is endemic and surgery is to be planned emergently especially for pediatric cases with increased intracranial pressure. The study focuses on the strategy for the correct diagnosis and the appropriate treatment of unusually localized hydatid cysts.

Microsurgical anatomy and variations of the anterior clinoid process.

AIM The aim of this study was to better define the microsurgical anatomy of the supra/parasellar region and describe variations of the anterior clinoid process (ACP). MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifteen formalin-fixed cadaver heads and 25 dry skulls were used to define the microsurgical anatomy of the ACP and related structures. The presence of the caroticoclinoid foramen (CaCF) as well as other relevant measurements were all noted. Radiological examination of the CaCF was also demonstrated on dry skulls. RESULTS Interosseous bridges, which form between the anterior and middle clinoid processes or connect all three (anterior, middle and posterior) clinoid processes, were found in 30% of the specimens. The average basal width, length and thickness of the ACP were 7.3 mm, 9.7 mm and 5.4 mm, respectively. Length of the optic nerve (ON) up to the falciform ligament (FL) was 10.9 mm; length of the ON under the FL was 2.7 mm; length of ON after removal of the ACP and unroofing the optic canal was 21.1 mm. CONCLUSION This study contributes to the relationship of important vascular, neural, bone and dural layers of this region and also demonstrates the variations of ACP by means of microsurgical dissections and radiological examinations.

Recurrent and atypical posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a child with hypertension

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinical and radiologic entity with typical symptoms including headache, seizures, visual disturbance, altered mental status, vomiting, nausea and focal neurologic signs. In this article, we report recurrent and atypical PRES in a child with hypertension due to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who was on a peritoneal dialysis program for 6 months. After the second hypertension attack, PRES findings did not recover and persisted as encephalomalacia. As far as we know, this case is the first child with ESRD who developed encephalomalacia after recurrent episodes of PRES. When a patient with a history of PRES presented with new clinical and neuroradiological findings, recurrent PRES should be considered.

An unusual case of a tortuous abdominal aorta with a common celiacomesenteric trunk: demonstrated by angiography

The abdominal aorta (AA) begins at the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm, in front of the lower border of the body of the last thoracic vertebra and descending in front of the vertebral column and ends on the body of the fourth lumbar vertebra, commonly a little to the left of the middle line by dividing into the two common iliac arteries. The celiac trunk (CeT) and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) are the two widest vessels arising from the ventral aorta. The celiac trunk divides into the left gastric, common hepatic and splenic arteries. SMA and the coeliac trunk can arise from the ventral aorta as a common origin.1 The unusual embryologic development of the ventral splanchnic arteries can lead to considerable variations.2 Many variational patterns of the CeT have been described. A review by Yi et al.3 summarized that only 87.7% of CeTs exhibited classic trifurcation. An incomplete CeT, namely bifurcation, accounted for 5.8–24.1%. Aside from these variations, the CeT itself may be absent and its branches can arise directly from the aorta. Moreover, in rare cases, the CeT and SMA may be fused into a common celiacomesenteric trunk (CMT), of which the incidence was mentioned as 0–11% (average, 1.5%).3 Many different types of catheter or intra‐aortic balloon pumping are commonly used either to diagnose vascular diseases or treat them via the AA. In abnormalities like a tortuous AA, use of catheters is advised with great caution; straight‐tipped catheters are discouraged.4-7