Mohamed Kilani

Successful treatment of postoperative multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii meningitis by tigecycline

Tigecycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic with activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. It has limited indications. Studies are necessary to elaborate new guidelines. Here we report a case of postoperative MDR Acinetobacter baumannii meningitis treated by tigecycline combined with colimycin for 21 days. The treatment was well tolerated with a favourable outcome. In conclusion, tigecycline was shown to be effective in a case of MDR A. baumannii meningitis.

Uncommon Progression of an Extradural Spinal Meningioma

Extradural spinal meningiomas are rare. Our understanding of purely extradural spinal meningiomas is still incomplete and they may be easily confused with malignant neoplasms, much more common in this location. We report a rare case of a purely extradural thoracic spine meningioma in a 70-year-old man, with an unusual progression. In addition we discuss the pathogenesis of these tumors and the potential pitfalls in differential diagnosis and review the relevant literature concerning their treatment and outcome.

Cavernous Hemangioma of the Skull and Meningioma: Association or Coincidence?

Intraosseous cavernous hemangiomas of the skull are rare. Meningiomas are quite frequently encountered in a neurosurgical practice. The association between these two entities is nevertheless very uncommon. The authors present a case of a 72-year-old woman suffering from headache. The MRI showed a parietal meningioma with adjacent thick bone. The meningioma and the bone were removed. The histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of meningioma and revealed a cavernoma of the skull. The relationship between the lesions suggests more than a coincidental association. Several hypotheses are proposed to explain common causal connections.

An unusual etiology of posttraumatic Collet–Sicard Syndrome: a case report

Posttraumatic Unilateral paralysis of the last four cranial nerves (IX-XI), known as collet-Sicard syndrome, is rare following closed head injury. A 21-year-old man presented with slurred speech, hoarseness voice and difficulty swallowing his saliva following closed head trauma. The cranial nerve examination revealed left sided severe dysfunction of cranial nerves VII, IX, X, XI, and XII. A CT-Scan of the neck was performed demonstrating a fracture of the left styloid process at the base of the skull. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging showed unusually well seen lower cranial nerves due to nerve edema. The patient was managed conservatively with steroids and regular sessions of neuromuscular and orthophonic rehabilitation. The nutrition had to be administered by gastrostomy since he was unable to swallow. Six months after the injury a total neurological recovery was noted. We present the exceptional case of Collet-Sicard Syndrome caused by styloid process fracture.

Osteolytic clear cell meningioma of the petrous bone occurring 36 years after posterior cranial fossa irradiation: Case report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE While bone invasion and hyperostosis are frequent phenomena in meningiomas, primary intraosseous meningiomas are rare and their occurrence in the skull base is an extraordinary exception. Moreover, radiation-induced meningiomas represent a unique clinical dilemma given the fact that patients with these tumors had often received a prior full course of radiotherapy. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 42-year-old man presented with a 3-month history of progressively worsening facial asymmetry. His medical history was consistent for a posterior cranial fossa irradiation at the age of 6 years for a non-confirmed brain stem tumor. On admission his Karnofsky performance status was graded as 50% and his neurological examination showed a complete right facial nerve paralysis and hearing impairment. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an osteolytic tumor invading the whole right petrous bone without intracranial involvement. INTERVENTION As the tumor reached the external auditory canal, a tissue sample was obtained locally. Pathological examination of the lesion identified a grade II clear cell meningioma and the patient was consequently addressed for an intensity modulated radiation therapy. His condition remained unchanged till the most recent follow-up examination, 8 months later. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, a radiation induced osteolytic clear cell meningioma of the petrous bone has not been previously reported. As little literature exists regarding the use of adjuvant therapies for these tumors, intensity modulated radiation therapy remains an attractive treatment option in case of pervious irradiation and general status alteration.

Hematogenous pasteurella haemolytica brain abscess.

Pasteurella infections are common in domestic animals and very rare in human. We report a hematogenously acquired Pasteurella haemolytica brain abscess, mimicking brain tumor on magnetic resonance imaging, in an 18-year-old female patient known with cardiac interventricular communication, without recent history of animal contact. The outcome was good after abscess complete removal and antimicrobials therapy for 6 weeks. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of P. haemolytica brain abscess.

Dural metastasis of Ewing’s sarcoma

Background: Metastatic Ewing’s sarcoma to the central nervous system is an uncommon condition and debate concerning the true origin of its metastases is still up to date. To the best of our knowledge, only two cases of dural metastatic Ewing’s sarcoma have been published in the English medical literature. We present an additional case in a 24-year-old female and discuss the pathogenesis of these unusual tumors with review of the relevant literature concerning their treatment and outcome. Case Description: A 24-year-old female with previous history of pelvis Ewing’s sarcoma and recently discovered lung metastases, presented with moderate headache for the past 2 weeks and weakness in her left leg for the past 2 days. Computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an extra-axial right frontoparietal mass invading the superior sagittal sinus but with clear delineation with brain parenchyma. Imaging features were suggestive of a meningioma as no abnormalities in the skull abutting to the tumor were noted. The patient underwent surgical removal of her tumor. Near total resection was achieved and histological examination showed evidence of metastatic Ewing’s sarcoma. Postoperative adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy were administered. The patient improved well postoperatively with full recovery of her motor weakness. She is symptom free with no signs of progression, at most recent follow-up, 8 months after surgery. Conclusion: Despite its rarity, metastatic Ewing’s sarcoma must be considered in the differential diagnosis of extra-axial dural masses particularly meningiomas.

Epidural Venous Angioma Presenting with Spinal Cord Compression in a 42-Year-Old Woman with Previous History of Ovarian Malignancy

BACKGROUND Venous angioma is an extremely rare vascular malformation of the epidural space. To the best of our knowledge, only 5 cases have been documented to date and none has been reported in the setting of a previous malignancy. CASE DESCRIPTION We report the case of a 42-year-old woman with a previous history of ovarian cancer, treated by surgery plus chemotherapy; who presented with signs of spinal cord compression for 3 weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an intensely enhancing epidural mass at the T2-T6 level causing major spinal cord compression, for which urgent surgery was indicated. During surgery, the tumor was extremely hemorrhagic and the hemostasis was hazardous. Blood loss was estimated at 1.5 L, causing hemodynamic instability and requiring intensive resuscitation with fluids and blood transfusions. Gross total resection was achieved and the pathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of venous angioma. The patient recovered quickly postoperatively and was able to walk independently within 2 weeks of starting intensive rehabilitation. She was symptom free with no clinical or radiologic evidence of recurrence at 1 year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Venous angioma should be included in the differential diagnosis of spinal epidural masses even in case of previous malignancy. Subtle imaging features should alert clinicians to this rare yet potentially life-threatening condition. Surgery remains the cornerstone of the treatment and can result in remarkable recovery.

Whipple disease confined to the central nervous system presenting as a cystic tumor: Case report and review of literature.

Although neurological features are commonly encountered in Whipples disease (WD), presentation with purely neurological patterns is uncommon. Exclusive confinement to the central nervous system (CNS) is extremely rare. In these cases, the development of an isolated cerebral mass is exceptional. In the present paper, the authors describe a case of a 68-year-old man who presented with partial seizures. The neurological examination was normal. The imaging showed a cystic lesion. This tumor-like lesion was removed by performing frontal craniotomy. A histopathological investigation revealed the presence of numerous perivascular foamy histiocytes infiltrating the brain parenchyma. The majority of these histiocytes showed Periodic acid-schiff (PAS)-positive intense staining, which is distinctive feature of cerebral WD. The diagnosis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of cerebrospinal fluid. There were no gastrointestinal symptoms and no PAS inclusions in intestinal mucosa. The patient received Ceftriaxone intravenously followed by oral trimethoprime-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) for 12 months and recovered well. This case illustrates atypical WD, confined exclusively to the central nervous system.Although neurological features are commonly encountered in Whipples disease (WD), presentation with purely neurologic patterns is uncommon. Exclusive confinement to the central nervous system (CNS) is extremely rare. In these cases, the development of isolated cerebral mass is exceptional. In the present paper, the authors describe a case of a 68-year-old man who presented with partial seizures. The neurological examination was normal. The imaging showed a cystic lesion. This tumor-like lesion was removed by performing frontal craniotomy. A histopathological investigation revealed the presence of numerous perivascular foamy histiocytes infiltrating the brain parenchyma. The majority of these histiocytes harbored PAS-positive intense staining ,which is distinctive feature of cerebral WD. The diagnosis was confirmed by PCR analysis of cerebrospinal fluid. There were no gastrointestinal symptoms and no PAS inclusions in intestinal mucosa. The patient received Ceftriaxone intravenously followed by oral trimethoprime-sulfamethoxazol (TMP-SMZ) for 12 months and recovered well. This case illustrates atypical WD, confined exclusively to the central nervous system.

Osteolytic Capillary Hemangioma—An Unusual Presentation of a Rare Spinal Tumor: A Case Report

Capillary hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors that are most often encountered superficially in the soft tissues of the head and neck region and frequently follow trauma; epidural location is exceptional. We report an uncommon case of epidural capillary hemangioma in the thoracic spine masquerading as an osteolytic lesion. In addition, we discuss the pathogenesis and management of this unusual condition.