José Alberto Gonçalves da Silva

Posterior fossa decompression with tonsillectomy in 104 cases of basilar impression, Chiari malformation and/or syringomyelia.

The prime objective in the surgical treatment of basilar impression (BI), Chiari malformation (CM) and/or syringomyelia (SM) is based on the restoration of the normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics at the craniovertebral junction through the creation of a large artificial cisterna magna. A small suboccipital craniectomy has been emphasized to avoid caudal migration of the hindbrain structures into the vertebral canal. Nevertheless, the results showed downward migration of the hindbrain related to that type of craniectomy. The authors present, otherwise, the results of 104 cases of BI, CM and/or SM, whose surgical treatment was characterized by a large craniectomy with the patient in the sitting position, tonsillectomy, large opening of the fourth ventricle and duraplasty with creation of a large artificial cisterna magna. A significant upward migration of the posterior fossa structures was detected by postoperative magnetic resonance imaging.

Basilar impression, Chiari malformation and syringomyelia: a retrospective study of 53 surgically treated patients.

The present study shows the results of 53 patients who have been treated surgically for basilar impression (BI), Chiari malformation (CM), and syringomyelia (SM). The patients were divided into two groups. Group I (24 patients) underwent osteodural decompression with large inferior occipital craniectomy, laminectomy from C 1 to C 3, dural opening in Y format, dissection of arachnoid adhesion between the cerebellar tonsils, medulla oblongata and spinal cord, large opening of the fourth ventricle and dural grafting with the use of bovine pericardium. Group II patients (29 patients) underwent osteodural-neural decompression with the same procedures described above plus dissection of the arachnoid adherences of the vessels of the region of the cerebellar tonsils, and tonsillectomy (amputation) in 10 cases, and as for the remainning 19 cases, intrapial aspiration of the cerebellar tonsils was performed. The residual pial sac was sutured to the dura in craniolateral position. After completion of the suture of the dural grafting, a thread was run through the graft at the level of the created cisterna magna and fixed to the cervical aponeurosis so as to move the dural graft on a posterior- caudal direction, avoiding, in this way, its adherence to the cerebellum.

Craniotomia descompressiva no edema cerebral grave: a propósito de 30 casos operados

Uni or bilateral decompressive craniotomy was carried out in 30 patients bearing severe cerebral edema of etiology predominantly traumatic. Coma, midriasis and decerebrate state were the mostly commonly clinical features presented. The average survival in the series was 46.6%.Uni or bilateral decompressive craniotomy was carried out in 30 patients bearing severe cerebral edema of etiology predominantly traumatic. Coma, midriasis and decerebrate state were the mostly commonly clinical features presented. The average survival in the series was 46.6%.

Neuroesquistossomose medular avaliação clínico-laboratorial de 5 anos

A incidencia da esquistossomose no Brasil continua alta, atingindo cerca de 10% da populacao. Desde o primeiro relato da neuroesquistossomose (NE) em nosso pais, ha mais de 4 decadas, seu comparecimento na literatura nacional tem mostrado acrescimo significativo. O presente trabalho tem como substrato o estudo de 5 casos de NE medular. Estes casos foram avaliados sob o ponto de vista clinico-laboratorial e submetidos a tratamento medicamentoso. Alem disso, e nosso proposito incentivar a pesquisa de novos casos, em portadores de quadros sugestivos desta patologia, sobretudo pelos resultados obtidos neste estudo.Schistosomiasis mansoni is an endemic disease in Brazil. Cases of nervous system schistosomiasis have been referred in our medical literature for the past forty years. In this report five cases of schistosomiasis of the spinal cord are studied. A review of the literature has been made and some clinical, laboratory and therapeutical aspects are discussed.

Impressao basilar como causa de neuralgia do trigemeo: registro de um caso.

A case of basilar impression associated with Arnold-Chiari malformation and with trigeminal neuralgia is reported. The radiological examination of the skull showed marked asymmetry of the petrous bone with the tip of the odontoid apophysis located 30 mm above the McGregor line. Treatment consisted of craniectomy of the posterior fossa and cervical laminetomy (Ca to C3). The postoperative course was uneventful with total disappearance of the trigeminal neuralgia.A case of basilar impression associated with Arnold-Chiari malformation and with trigeminal neuralgia is reported. The radiological examination of the skull showed marked asymmetry of the petrous bone with the tip of the odontoid apophysis located 30 mm above the McGregor line. Treatment consisted of craiectomy of the posterior fossa and cervical laminetomy (C1 to C3). The postoperative course was uneventful with total disappearance of the trigeminal neuralgia.

Resolution of syringomyelia in ten cases of "up-and-down Chiari malformation" after posterior fossa decompression

The authors describe ten cases of syringomyelia without hindbrain herniation depicted by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in supine position. However, the herniation was observed in all cases during the operation with the patient in sitting position. The postoperative MRI revealed an intense reduction of the syrinx in all patients, as well as it was also observed a clinical amelioration in all cases. The surgical treatment was based on a large craniectomy with the patient in sitting position, tonsillectomy, large opening of the fourth ventricle and duraplasty with creation of a large cisterna magna.

Hemiatrofia facial progressiva (doença de Parry-Romberg): relato de dois casos associados a trigeminalgia e câimbras

The authors report two cases of progressive facial hemiatrophy (PFH) associated with cranial nerves hyperexcitability. One of them (Case 1), a 41-year-old-woman noticed a slight atrophy on the left side of her face at age of ten. For the last three months, she has been suffering from fits of neuralgic pains on the left side of her face which have not ceased by drug treatment In view of this, a surgery procedure was planned for the patient. The other patient (Case 2), a 33-year-old-woman has a 8 year history which started with cutaneous abnormalities (white and dark spots). Two years later she observed that her right cheek and right thigh had got a mild atrophy. Frequently, she has been complaining of cramps in the mandibular region which are precipitated, sometimes, by opening the mouth. A probable relation between neural excitability and PHF is discussed.

Meningeoma do ventrículo lateral

A case of intraventricular meningeoma in a 27-year-old white woman located in the trigone of the right lateral ventricle is reported. The tumor was parcialy excised in one first surgical stage, its entire removal being performed during a second operation. It weighed 400 grams. No evidence of invasion of the brain was observed. Histologically, besides the characteristic pattern of the endotheliomatous meningeoma, there were observed hypercellular areas with prominent nuclear pleomorphism, hyperchromatism and macronucleoli. These atypical areas were quite suggestive of malignancy. However, evidence of unequivocal invasion of adjacent brain parenchyma and metastases were not observed.

Tratamento cirúrgico da meralgia parestésica: relato de caso

Meralgia paresthetica is characterized by pain, paresthesias or burning, and decreased touch and pain sensation on the anterolateral aspect of the thigh. It is due to neuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). Conservative treatment is usually successful in relieving the symptoms in most of the patients. We describe a case of a woman, 37 years old, who required surgical treatment for intractable symptoms. Although neurolysis with transposition is the most common procedure, we preferred neurectomy with excision of a portion of the LFCN for its very low recurrence rate as opposed to neurolysis. The area of anesthesia generated by this procedure in the distribution of the LFCN tends to shrink with time. This patient achieved excellent outcome following this surgical technique.

Edema pulmonar agudo neurogênico: relato de caso

The autors report a case of acute neurogenic pulmonary edema in a 28-year-old woman who presented rupture of an internal carotid artery aneurysm and subarachnoid hemorrhage. The respiratory disorders started at the same time the patients symptomatology aggravated. Some etiological and pathophysiological aspects on neurogenic pulmonary edema are revised.