Marco Antonio Herculano

Chordoid meningioma: report of two cases

We present CT scan, MRI and histopathologic findings of two patients harboring a rare type of meningioma. In the first case, a 52 year-old male patient, a large parasellar mass invading the cavernous sinus, infiltrating the infratemporal fossa and extending as low as C2 was founded. The tumor was isointense on T1, enhanced strongly with gadolinium injection, and was hyperintense on T2. In the second case, a 19-year-old male patient, a large high density temporal right mass was disclosed by CT scan. Both patients were taken to surgery. In the first case, only a partial removal was possible to be accomplished due to a severe intra operative bleeding. In the second case, the tumor was totally removed. Both showed characteristic pathologic findings of a meningioma resembling a chordoma. Meningioma is a relatively common intracranial tumor, occurring most frequently in adults, showing a wide variety of growth patterns. We described a pattern that had a peculiar chordoma-like appearance. The pathological findings and the differential diagnosis from chordoma are discussed.

Malignant transformation of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma: case report

We report a case of a pleomorphic xantoastrocytoma which manifested itself as a cystic isodense lesion in the right fronto-temporal lobe in a 26 year-old woman. It appeared as a soft yellow tumor with cystic cavities on surgery. Five months after this surgery, the patient was submitted to a new operation, which revealed a friable tumor, easily differentiated from the normal parenchyma, with cystic components. The histopathological examination demonstrated pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma with malignant transformation. Histologically, the tumor at first procedure was composed of pleomorphic astrocytes with multinucleated and foamy cells. A rare case of malignant transformation in pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma is presented, discussed and illustrated in this paper.

Espondilodiscites sépticas: diagnóstico e tratamento

We studied retrospectively 24 patients with septic discitis of different etiologies (hematogenic, primary and infantile) and the different aspects involved in its diagnosis and treatment. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate proved to be a valuable parameter and should always be interpreted carefully along with the clinical and neuroimaging findings. Biopsies should be reserved for doubtful cases with atypical course. Clinical treatment should be initiated after the following situations have been ruled out: sepsis, neurological deficit, severe deformity, epidural abscess and foreign body (primary disease). The surgical approach may be chosen based on the stage of disease, being preferably posterior in suppurative forms and anterior in the non-suppurative stage. Based on our experience and on information gathered by literature review, we propose an algorithm to guide diagnosis and treatment in patients with septic discitis.

Aggressive management of orbital meningeal melanocytoma

Summary¶Objective. Meningeal melanocytoma generally occurs in the posterior fossa. Orbital manifestation is rarely encountered. Methods. A thirty-five year-old man presented with progressive proptosis of his right eye. Computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain showed an expansive intraconal mass lesion occupying the superior orbital compartment, the entire orbital apex, and the optic foramen. Histological analysis and Immunohistochical staining for S-100 and HMB-45 monoclonal antibodies confirmed melanocytoma. Findings. Microsurgical removal was accomplished through a fronto-orbital craniotomy. Chemotherapy and irradiation followed the initial intervention. The patient returned for follow up two years after surgery, complaining of headache and right visual loss. A subfrontal tumor with massive edema was found on follow up CT scan. Interpretation. Meningeal melanocytomas are rare benign pigmented tumors of the central nervous system. They are predominant in the posterior fossa and spinal cord and frequently mistaken for melanomas, especially on frozen sections. Orbital presentation is rare. The natural history is poorly defined.

Adenomas hipofisários: relação entre invasividade e índice proliferativo tumoral

We evaluated clinically, radiologically and surgically a series of 76 pituitary adenomas. All cases were assessed immunohistochemically and in 49 patients the PCNA monoclonal antibody was measured. The most frequent types found were the bihormonal adenomas, followed by prolactinomas and non secreting adenomas. The bihormonal adenomas, non secreting adenonas and the sub unit alfa producing adenomas were proportionally more invase as determined by radiological criteria (CTscan or MRI). In 59 patients a transphenoidal approach was used, six cases were operated on transcranially and in 11 patients we used a combination of both approach. Total resection were achieved in 32 cases, most of which were microadenomas, in 15 cases the resection was subtotal and partial in 29 cases. Diabetes insipidus was the most frequent endocrine complication. It was observed that secreting adenomas tend to be associated with an increased PCNA and invasive adenomas correlated with PCNA 3 and 4. An improvement in vision was observed in 85% of macroadenomas seen after a total, subtotal or partial resection.

Meningeoma da goteira olfatória

Olfactory groove meningiomas compromise approximately 8-18% of intracranial meningiomas and harbor frequently large sizes when diagnosticated. We report 13 consecutive cases operated on Hospital Sao Paulo and Hospital Professor Edmundo Vasconcelos between 1995 and 2003. These patients were retrospectively studied regarding clinical preservation, surgical results and complications. The patients underwent uni or bifrontal craniotomies. There were nine complete resections including duramater and infiltrate bone and four patients with tumor removal and duramater coagulation. One patient died on post-operative period due to brain infarction and three patients had cerebrospinal fluid fistula that resolved. There were no symptomatic recurrence on the follow-up period of 3.3 years(range 11 m to 8 years). With current microsurgical techniques, these tumors can be resected safely with low morbidity.

Prolactinomas: Aspectos neurocirúrgicos

We report our experience with 38 cases of prolactin secreting pituitary adenomas. The adenomas were divided in three different groups. The adenomas producing only prolactin tend to be microadenoma and they show the typical alterations of this type of tumor. The GH-PRL, GH-alpha subunit, the other combinations, and the pluri hormonal adenomas tend to present with visual symptoms. The treatment of the prolactinomas is initially clinical and the surgical indication for this type of adenomas is related to intolerance to the medication or to visual alterations. Surgical result with total resection of the tumor was possible in 50% of the cases.

Tratamento cirúrgico das lesoes traumáticas do segmento médio-inferior da coluna cervical

The most frequently injury level of cervical spine is C2, followed by C5 and C6. Injuries were most commonly sustained in the third decade of life, with a decreasing incidence in the advanced age. As part of these lesions is located in the elements of the anterior column, according to Deniss definition and, taking in consideration the biomechanics studies of the segment medium¾inferior of the cervical spine, as well as the mechanisms that cause their lesions, this study was elaborated, with the intention of presenting the techniques of anterior cervical fusion, with bony graft and plates of Caspar, Morscher (CSLP) and ORION™. The advantages and disadvantages of each type of anterior fixation are presented accordind to the literature review. The improvement in the material relate to plates and screws fixation techniques are illustrated.The most frequently injury level of cervical spine is C2, followed by C5 and C6. Injuries were most commonly sustained in the third decade of life, with a decreasing incidence in the advanced age. As part of these lesions is located in the elements of the anterior column, according to Deniss definition and, taking in consideration the biomechanics studies of the segment medium - inferior of the cervical spine, as well as the mechanisms that cause their lesions, this study was elaborated, with the intention of presenting the techniques of anterior cervical fusion, with bony graft and plates of Caspar, Morscher (CSLP) and ORION. The advantages and disadvantages of each type of anterior fixation are presented accordind to the literature review. The improvement in the material relate to plates and screws fixation techniques are illustrated.

Aggressive intracranial fibromatosis: case report

UNLABELLED Fibromatosis is a locally aggressive, proliferative fibroblastic lesion affecting musculoaponeurotic structures, most often in the limbs and trunk. Intracranial fibromatosis is extremely rare and requires aggressive treatment to prevent recurrence. CASE DESCRIPTION We present the case of a 20 year old woman with aggressive skull base fibromatosis. The lesion extended through the sphenoid, ethmoid sinus and nasal cavity, destroying the right roof of the orbit and penetrating in anterior skull base. A combined anterior craniofacial approach was performed; complete resection with surgical margin was impossible due to the localization of the tumor and relation to important neurovascular structures. Complete resection with surgical margin is often impossible because of its widely infiltrative nature. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are often required to improve local control of the lesion.

Anterior and lateral foramen magnum meningiomas

We report our experience with 11 cases of foramen magnum meningiomas, eight originating inside the posterior fossa and three in the caudal region. The mean age of the patients was 50.8 years and the main complaint was cervical headache for at least 18.6 months and at the neurological examination, tetraparesis and deficit of the lower cranial nerves were very often observed. All patients were submitted to surgical treatment, always with exposition of the vertebral artery at the entry zone in the dura mater of the posterior fossa, with partial removal of the occipital condyle in only three cases. Total resection was obtained in seven patients and partial removal in the other four due to adherences to vessels and nerves. The prognostic was related to the neurological condition before surgery.We report our experience with 11 cases of foramen magnum meningiomas, eight originating inside the posterior fossa and three in the caudal region. The mean age of the patients was 50.8 years and the main complaint was cervical headache for at least 18.6 months and at the neurological examination, tetraparesis and deficit of the lower cranial nerves were very often observed. All patients were submitted to surgical treatment, always with exposition of the vertebral artery at the entry zone in the duramater of the posterior fossa, with partial removal of the occipital condyle in only three cases. Total resection was obtained in seven patients and partial removal in the other four due to adherences to vessels and nerves. The prognostic was related to the neurological condition before surgery.