Mainul Haque Sarker

Surgical management of scalp arterio-venous malformation and scalp venous malformation: An experience of eleven cases

Aims: Scalp arterio-venous malformation (AVM) and scalp venous malformation (SVM) are rare conditions that usually need surgical treatment. Here, we have reported our experience of the surgical management of such lesions with a short review of the literature. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, 11 patients with scalp AVM and SVM, who underwent surgical excision of lesion in our hospital from 2006 to 2012, were included. All suspected high-flow AVM were investigated with the selective internal and external carotid digital subtraction angiogram (DSA) ± computed tomography (CT) scan of brain with CT angiogram or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain with MR angiogram, and all suspected low-flow vascular malformation (VM) was investigated with MRI of brain + MR angiogram. Eight were high-flow and three were low-flow VM. Results: All lesions were successfully excised. Scalp cosmetic aspects were acceptable in all cases. There was no major post-operative complication or recurrence till last follow-up. Conclusions: With preoperative appropriate surgical planning, scalp AVM and SVM can be excised without major complication.

Intracranial epidermoid tumor; microneurosurgical management: An experience of 23 cases

Objectives: An intracranial epidermoid tumor is relatively a rare tumor, accounting for approximately 0.1% of all intracranial space occupying lesions. These are also known as pearly tumor due to their pearl like appearance. In this series, the localization of the tumor, presenting age and symptoms, imaging criteria for diagnosis, surgical management strategy with completeness of excision and overall outcome were studied prospectively. Here, we report our short experience of intracranial epidermoid as a whole. Materials and Methods: Between January 2006 to December 2010, 23 cases of intracranial epidermoid were diagnosed preoperatively with almost certainty by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain in plain, contrast and other relevant studies. All of them underwent operation in Dhaka Medical College Hospital and in some Private Hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. All patients were followed-up routinely by clinical examination and neuroimaging. Average follow-up was 39 (range-71-11months) months. Patients of the series were prospectively studied. Results: Supratentorial epidermoids were 04 cases and infratemporal epidermoids were 19 cases. Clinical features and surgical strategy varies according to the location and extension of the tumors. Age range was 19-71 years (37.46 years). Common clinical features were headache, cerebellar features, seizure, vertigo, hearing impairment and features of raised intracranial pressure (ICP). Investigation was CT scan or/+ MRI of brain in all cases. Pre-operative complete excision was 20 cases, but post-operative images showed complete excision in 17 cases. Content of tumor was pearly white/white material in all cases except one, where content was putty material. Re-operation for residual/recurrent tumor was nil. Complications included pre-operative mortality one case, persisted sixth nerve palsy in one case, transient memory disturbance one case, and extra dural hematoma one case. One senior patient expired three months after the operation from spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. Rest of the patients were stable and symptom/s free till last follow-up. Conclusion: In the management of such tumors, one should keep in mind that an aggressive radical surgery carrying a high morbidity and mortality and a conservative subtotal tumor excision is associated with a higher rate of recurrence, but earlier diagnosis and complete excision or near total excision of this benign tumor can cure the patient with the expectation of normal life.

Pathological findings in cystic craniopharyngiomas after stereotactic intracavitary irradiation with yttrium-90 isotope.

Histopathological, ultrastructural and polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic examinations were carried out on biopsy, cyst fluid, surgical pathology and autopsy specimens obtained from 7 cystic craniopharyngioma cases before and after yttrium-90 silicate colloid (90Y) irradiation. Light microscopy revealed that the lining epithelial tumor cell layer of the cyst wall was destroyed, and scar tissue containing large amount of hyaline degenerated collagen bundles replaced it. Proliferative postirradiation vasculopathy was also demonstrated in the cyst wall following 90Y installation. Electrophoretic property of cyst fluid was similar to the normal human serum. Considering that scar tissue has a certain propensity to shrink, the fibrosis in the cyst wall together with destruction of neoplastic epithelium and vascular changes might explain diminished fluid production and cyst volume reduction after 90Y treatment.

Intracranial nonvestibular neurinomas: Young neurosurgeons' experience.

Background and Objectives: Neurinoma arising from other than nonvestibular cranial nerves is less prevalent. Here we present our experiences regarding the clinical profile, investigations, microneurosurgical management, and the outcome of nonvestibular cranial nerve neurinomas. Materials and Methods: From January 2005 to December 2011, the recorded documents of operated nonvestibular intracranial neurinomas were retrospectively studied for clinical profile, investigations, microneurosurgical management, complications, follow-up, and outcomes. Results: The average follow-up was 24.5 months. Total number of cases was 30, with age ranging from 9 to 60 years. Sixteen cases were males and 14 were females. Nonvestibular cranial nerve schwannomas most commonly originated from trigeminal nerve followed by glossopharyngeal+/vagus nerve. There were three abducent nerve schwannomas that are very rare. There was no trochlear nerve schwannoma. Two glossopharyngeal+/vagus nerve schwannomas extended into the neck through jugular foramen and one extended into the upper cervical spinal canal. Involved nerve dysfunction was a common clinical feature except in trigeminal neurinomas where facial pain was a common feature. Aiming for no new neurodeficit, total resection of the tumor was done in 24 cases, and near-total resection or gross total resection or subtotal resection was done in 6 cases. Preoperative symptoms improved or disappeared in 25 cases. New persistent deficit occurred in 3 cases. Two patients died postoperatively. There was no recurrence of tumor till the last follow-up. Conclusion: Nonvestibular schwannomas are far less common, but curable benign lesions. Surgical approach to the skull base and craniovertebral junction is a often complex and lengthy procedure associated with chances of significant morbidity. But early diagnosis, proper investigations, and evaluation, along with appropriate decision making and surgical planning with microsurgical techniques are the essential factors that can result in optimum outcome.

Transcranial microsurgical and endoscopic endonasal cavernous sinus (CS) anatomy: a cadaveric study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Even in the era of tremendous microneurosurgical and endoscopic development, the cavernous sinus (CS) is a challenging anatomical site for a neurosurgeon. Many transcranial and a few endoscopic cadaveric studies have been done to study the CS; probably none were undertaken to study its microsurgical and endoscopic anatomy side by side. In this cadaveric study we perform a side-by-side comparison of the microsurgical and endoscopic anatomy of the CS that can help neurosurgeons deal with CS lesions more efficiently. MATERIALS AND METHOD Sixteen fresh cadaveric heads were studied after dissection. Six heads were dissected for transcranial study and six for endoscopic study of CS. During the transcranial study, the supratentorial brain was removed in three heads and CS and related anatomical structures were dissected. In the remaining heads, the CS was studied by keeping the brains in situ. In four heads both transcranial and endoscopic study was done simultaneously. Following dissection, microsurgical and endoscopic anatomy of CS was studied. RESULT The CS and related anatomical structures were dissected sequentially in all cases (transcranially in 10 [6 + 4] heads; endoscopically in 10 [6 + 4] heads), and their relationship was studied. CONCLUSION Microscopic and endoscopic exposure of the CS is relatively easy in cadavers. But endoscopic or microsurgical exposure of the CS during surgery is more difficult requiring skill. With experience of the cadaveric study , the CS may be explored via transcranial microsurgery, endonasal endoscopy, or both simultaneously, according to the nature and extension of the pathology.

Nonmissile Penetrating Injury to the Head: Experience with 17 Cases

BACKGROUND Penetrating nonmissile injuries to the head are far less common than missile penetrating injuries. Here we describe our experience in managing 17 cases of nonmissile injury to the head, likely the largest such series reported to date. We also highlight the surgical steps and techniques used to remove in situ objects (including weapons) in the penetrating wounds that have not been described previously. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of cases of nonmissile, low-velocity penetrating injuries of the head managed in our department. The recorded data of patients with penetrating head injuries were studied for the cause of the injury, type of object, type and extent of penetration, Glasgow Coma Scale score on admission, other clinical issues, evaluation and assessment, interval from penetration to operation, surgical steps and notes, difficulty during the operation, major and minor complications, follow-up, and ultimate outcome. RESULTS Our 17 cases included 6 cases of accidental penetration and 11 cases of penetration as the result of violence. Weapons and other foreign objects causing injury included a teta (a pointed metal weapon with a wooden handle and a barb near the tip, used for hunting and fishing) in 4 cases, a dao (a sharp metal cutting instrument with a wooden handle used for cutting vegetables, fish, meat, bamboo, wood, etc.) in 3 cases, a bamboo stick in 3 cases, a metal rod in 2 cases, a knife in 2 cases, a sharp stone in 1 case, a metal steam chamber cover in 1 case, and a long peg in 1 case. GCS on admission was between 13 and 15 in 15 cases. Only 1 patient exhibited limb weakness. Four patients with an orbitocranial penetrating injury had 1-sided vision loss; 2 of these patients had orbital evisceration, and 1 of these patients died. In 14 patients, the foreign object was in situ at presentation and was removed surgically. Computed tomography scan and plain X-ray of the head were obtained in all patients. Postoperatively, 2 patients (11.7%) needed support in the intensive care unit but died early after surgery. One patient developed late osteomyelitis. The remaining patients were doing well at the most recent follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The presenting picture of nonmissile penetrating injury to head may be daunting, but these cases can be managed with very good results with proper (clinical and radiologic) evaluation and simple neurosurgical techniques.

Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal exposure of circle of Willis (CW); can it be applied in vascular neurosurgery in the near future? A cadaveric study of 26 cases.

AIM Endonasal transsphenoidal approaches are getting rapidly popular in removing many midline skullbase lesions from crista galli to foramen magnum. For safe removal of these lesions, familiarity with endoscopic endonasal anatomy of circle of Willis is very important. Furthermore, for safe development of this approach in vascular neurosurgery in the near future, endoscopic endonasal exposure of circle of Willis is a fundamental step. The goals in this study were to dissect the circle of Willis completely through the endoscopic endonasal approach and to become more familiar with the views and skills associated with the technique by using fresh cadaveric specimens. MATERIAL AND METHODS After obtaining ethical clearance, 26 fresh cadaver heads were used without any preparation. Using a neuroendoscope, complete exposure of the circle of Willis was done endonasaly, and various observations including relation of circle of Willis was recorded. RESULTS Complete exposure of the circle of Willis was made through an endonasal approach in all cases without injuring surrounding structures. CONCLUSION Endoscopic endonasal extended transsphenoidal exposure of CW can make the surgeon more efficient in removing midline skullbase lesions with safe handling of different parts of circle of Willis and it may help in development of endonasal endoscopic vascular neurosurgery in the near future.

Cerebrum, Cerebellum, and Deep Structures of the Brain

Extensive and elaborative discussion of TB involving the cerebrum, deep structures of the brain, and cerebellum is beyond the scope of this chapter of the book. Every day the sciences are progressing in the knowing of TB of CNS. Available diagnostic tools and appropriate management protocol are continuously changing. In the management of cerebral and cerebellar TB, paradigm shifted toward the conservative drug therapy though surgery has its own definite role in the management of many cases, and sometimes it is lifesaving. Drug-resistant TB and cerebral and cerebellar TB in immunocompromised or immunosuppressed patients are very specially problematic with increased frequency of occurrence. For ease of discussion in this chapter, TB of cerebral hemisphere and deep structures of the brain (i.e., basal ganglia and parts of diencephalon) will be discussed together, and cerebellar TB will be discussed in the later part of the chapter. In this chapter all important aspects of cerebral and cerebellar TB including surgical aspects are discussed briefly.