Felix Hendrik Pahl

Complete motor recovery after acute paraparesis caused by spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma: case report

BackgroundSpontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is a relatively rare but potentially disabling disease. Prompt timely surgical management may promote recovery even in severe cases.Case presentationWe report a 34-year-old man with a 2-hour history of sudden severe back pain, followed by weakness and numbness over the bilateral lower limbs, progressing to intense paraparesis and anesthesia. A spinal magnetic resonance imaging scan was performed and revealed an anterior epidural hematoma of the thoracic spine. He underwent an emergency decompression laminectomy of the thoracic spine and hematoma evacuation. Just after surgery, his lower extremity movements improved. After 1 week, there was no residual weakness and ambulation without assistance was resumed, with residual paresthesia on the plantar face of both feet. After 5 months, no residual symptoms persisted.ConclusionsThe diagnosis of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma must be kept in mind in cases of sudden back pain with symptoms of spinal cord compression. Early recognition, accurate diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment may result in significant improvement even in severe cases.

Síndrome de turcot relato de dois casos

The authors describe two patients with the association of polyposis-coli and central nervous system tumor (Turcots syndrome). Clinical, genetic and therapeutic aspects are discussed.The authors describe two patients with the association of polyposis-coli and central nervous system tumor (Turcots syndrome). Clinical, genetic and therapeutic aspects are discussed.

Perianeurysmal edema as a predictive sign of aneurysmal rupture

Subarachnoid hemorrhage following intracranial aneurysmal rupture is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Several factors may affect the probability of rupture, such as tobacco and alcohol use; size, shape, and location of the aneurysm; presence of intraluminal thrombus; and even the sex of the patient. However, few data correlate such findings with the timing of aneurysmal rupture. The authors report 2 cases of middle-age women with headache and MRI findings of incidental aneurysms. Magnetic resonance imaging showed evidence of surrounding parenchymal edema, and in one case there was a clear increase in edema during follow-up, suggesting a progressive inflammatory process that culminated with rupture. These findings raise the possibility that bleb formation and an enlargement of a cerebral aneurysm might be associated with an inflammatory reaction of the aneurysm wall resulting in perianeurysmal edema and subsequent aneurysmal rupture. There may be a temporal link between higher degree of edema and higher risk for rupture, including risk for immediate rupture.

Spontaneous resolution of an isolated cervical anterior spinal artery aneurysm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background: Isolated cervical anterior spinal artery aneurysms are extremely rare. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) secondary to such lesions have been described only in six cases to the best of our knowledge. Case Description: We describe an unusual clinical picture of SAH due to rupture of anterior spinal artery aneurysm in a patient with previous normal angiogram. Due to the location of the aneurysm and clinical status of the patient, conservative management was proposed, and she was discharged to further follow-up. Monthly routine angiograms revealed resolution of the aneurysm 90 days after bleeding, which was highly suggestive of vascular dissection. Conclusion: We highlight the need to consider these aneurysms in the differential diagnosis of SAH, especially when occurring in the posterior fossa and when angiography findings are inconclusive.

Vasa Vasorum and the Growing of Thrombosed Giant Aneurysm of the Vertebral Artery: A Case Report

BACKGROUND Giant aneurysms arising from the vertebral artery (VA) are often associated with thrombosis and present as mass lesions with slow progression of symptoms and signs. A consensus is still to be established on the underlying growth mechanisms and surgical management of thrombosed giant aneurysms of the VA. CASE DESCRIPTION Here, we report the case of a 54-year-old man who sought neurosurgical care after 3 months of progressive cervical axial pain. He underwent cervical magnetic resonance imaging and cerebral angiography, which revealed a giant VA aneurysm with thrombosed component. After failure of proximal and distal endovascular treatment, it was decided to adopt a surgical approach, which revealed a markedly developed vasa vasorum in the aneurysmal walls, raising the possibility of intra-aneurysmal nutrition from vasa vasorum. The patient recovered progressively and almost completely after surgery. CONCLUSIONS Another report described the case of a 58-year-old woman harboring a partially thrombosed giant aneurysm of the VA. At the time of resection, a marked development of vasa vasorum on the occluded VA and the neck of the aneurysm was noted. We highlight the need to comprehend vasa vasorum as potential sources for aneurysmal growth.

Natural course of subarachnoid hemorrhage is worse in elderly patients

UNLABELLED Aging is a major risk factor for poor outcome in patients with ruptured or unruptured intracranial aneurysms (IA) submitted to treatment. It impairs several physiologic patterns related to cerebrovascular hemodynamics and homeostasis. OBJECTIVE Evaluate clinical, radiological patterns and prognostic factors of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients according to age. METHOD Three hundred and eighty nine patients with aneurismal SAH from a Brazilian tertiary institution (Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual de São Paulo) were consecutively evaluated from 2002 to 2012 according to Fisher and Hunt Hess classifications and Glasgow Outcome Scale. RESULTS There was statistically significant association of age with impaired clinical, radiological presentation and outcomes in cases of SAH. CONCLUSION Natural course of SAH is worse in elderly patients and thus, proper recognition of the profile of such patients and their outcome is necessary to propose standard treatment.

Transnasal Endoscopic Surgery of the Sella and Parasellar Regions

Interest in pituitary diseases has increased since Pierre Marrie first described acromegaly in 1886 in Paris; a neurosurgical odyssey ensued, pursuing surgical approaches to the sella and parasellar region while attempting to lower morbidity and mortality rates [33, 37]. After several cadaver studies in 1907, Schloffer performed the first sellar exploration, mobilizing the entire nose on a pedicle [28]. For the next several years, surgical indications were mainly visual defects and headache, which surgeons attempted to relieve by decompressing the tumor. Although this was often successful, many patients died during surgery or subsequently, from meningitis [4].

Abscesso cerebelar por Nocardia: relato de caso

The authors describe a case of cerebellar abscess by Nocardiain a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) that was submitted to a posterior fossa craniectomy for diagnosis and treatment. Pathological and neuroimage findings are discussed as well as the surgical approach taking into account literature data on the subject.

Application of indocyanine green video angiography in surgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms

Indocyanine green (ICG) video angiography has been used for several medical indications in the last decades. It allows a real time evaluation of vascular structures during the surgery. This study describes the surgical results of a senior vascular neurosurgeon. We retrospectively searched our database for all aneurysm cases treated with the aid of intraoperative ICG from 2009 to 2014. A total of 61 aneurysms in 56 patients were surgically clipped using intraoperative ICG. Clip reposition after ICG happened in 2 patients (3.2%). Generally, highly variable clip adjustment rates of 2%-38% following ICG have been reported since the introduction of this imaging technique. The application of ICG in vascular neurosurgery is still an emerging challenge. It is an adjunctive strategy which facilitates aneurismal evaluation and treatment in experienced hands. Nevertheless, a qualified vascular neurosurgeon is still the most important component of a high quality work.

Topodiagnóstico na paralisia facial periférica

The topodiagnosis allows the physician to determine the topographic localization of pathology involving the facial nerve. It is based on clinical tests that evaluate the function of each one of the rami of the facial nerve. With a statistic of 873 patients, the Facial Nerve Group of Hospital das Clinicas, Sao Paulo University, found that suprageniculate lesions are responsible for 50% of the facial nerve involvement of several etiologies. Based on these results, the physician is able to develop a rationale for therapy and surgical access for facial nerve lesions.The topodiagnosis allows the physician to determine the topographic localization of pathology involving the facial nerve. It is based on clinical tests that evaluate the function of each one of the rami of the facial nerve. With a statistic of 873 patients, the Facial Nerve Group of Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo University, found that suprageniculate lesions are responsible for 50% of the facial nerve involvement of several etiologies. Based on these results, the physician is able to develop a rationale for therapy and surgical access for facial nerve lesions.