Samuel Caputo de Castro

Intracranial compound odontome

An exceedingly rare case of an extragnathic odontome is described arising within the brain. A 10-year-old boy complained of progressive frontal headache for 5 years. Axial computerized tomography the head revealed a solid, calcified lesion with well-defined borders localized in the sellar and suprasellar region composed of multiple calcified structures resembling teeth. The diagnosis was compound odontome. Physical examination and blood analysis revealed hypopituitarism. The patient was submitted for radical tumour resection. He developed persistent diabetes insipidus, hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency for which appropriate replacement therapy has been necessary. This case demonstrates that an odontogenic lesion may arise in brain tissues due to the embryological relationship between primordial stomodeum and Rathkes pouch. Its development could be associated with endocrine disturbances.

Cistos aracnóides intracranianos: tratamento pela neuroendoscopia

The author reports the techniques and results of seven patients with intracranial arachnoid cysts treated surgically, all of them through neuroendoscopic approach. Two carriers of supraselar cysts had undergone several shunt surgeries, and another carrier of a temporal cyst undergone external drainage to treat an associated subdural higroma. Only in this case the endoscopic approach has not resulted in control of the symptoms of the patient. The follow up period extended from one to nine years.