Case Report: Rare Convexity Meningeal Chondroma Mimicking a Meningioma

Background: Intracranial chondromas account for 0.2-0.3% of all intracranial neoplastic lesions and less than a quarter arise in the convexity or falx. Despite its benign nature, exceedingly rare malignant transformations exist. The misdiagnosis with meningiomas is frequent and may be related with chondromas' similar insidious clinical presentation and imaging features. Standalone surgery is advised and complete resection provides the definitive treatment. Case description: A 44-year-old female presents with insidious headache, visual disturbances, and papilledema. The imaging studies were compatible with frontal parasagittal meningioma. Surgery revealed a meningeal based mass, mostly avascular and with a well-demarked surgical plane from the brain parenchyma. Complete resection with meningeal margins was achieved and the histopathologic examination revealed a chondroma. The patient symptoms subsided and no surgical complications existed. Conclusion: Intracranial convexity chondromas constitute a rare differential diagnosis for meningiomas. The present case reinforces the current scarce data and serves as reminder for clinicians diagnosing and treating intracranial tumors.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Medullary Schistosomiasis

BACKGROUND: Schistosomal infestation of the central nervous system is a rare cause of cord compression, although a predominant one in endemic areas. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 38-year-old male, native of Ivory Coast, with a history of 1 month of progressive paraparesis, neurogenic bladder, diminished deep tendon reflexes of the lower limbs, and sensory level. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a medullary lesion at D4-D5 level, suggestive of an intramedullary tumor. Laminotomy of D3 to D5 and excision of a grayish white lesion according to a preliminary histopathologic review suggestive of a high grade glioma. Definitive histopathology review established the diagnosis of medullary schistosomiasis. CONCLUSION: Schistosomal myeloradiculopathy should be considered in patients presenting with cord compression or features of transverse myelitis, especially in patients from endemic areas or low social economic settlements

Chronic Calcified Subdural Hematoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background: Calcified chronic subdural hematoma is a rare but known entity, estimated to represent 0.3-2.7% of chronic subdural hematomas. Although surgical treatment is unanimous for chronic subdural hematomas, therein lies some doubt on it being applied to calcified chronic subdural hematomas. Case Description: We report a case of a 73‑year‑old male, presenting with deterioration of motor function in his right limbs since 18 months, with computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) documenting a large subdural collection of the left hemisphere, with calcified inner membrane, which was successfully and completely removed, with progressive clinical and radiological improvement. Conclusions: We report a case where this type of rare lesion was removed with a progressive and complete resolution of the patient’s symptoms, restoring his previous neurological condition. From the cases described in the literature and our own experience with this case, we think surgical treatment in these patients, when symptomatic, is necessary and viable, frequently resulting in the patient’s improvement

Em busca de si: a construção das escolhas escolares no Ensino Secundário Português

Dado facto de a obrigatoriedade escolar estender-se por um período de tempo cada vez mais longo, a escolaridade é hoje elemento central e constitutivo das biograias juvenis. De facto, atualmente a individuação adolescente (Breviglieri, 2007) assenta largamente no sistema de ensino e manifesta-se através da pluralidade das opções escolares disponíveis. No caso do sistema de ensino português, essa dimensão acentua-se fortemente à entrada do ensino secundário, dada a obrigação de o aluno ter de escolher uma área de estudos que integre já um projeto pessoal (de vida, de futuro). Neste artigo pretendemos debater questões que se prendem com a construção de escolhas escolares, os ingredientes de que esse processo se compõe, os sentimentos de dúvida e incerteza que levanta, a perceção de riscos que provoca, bem como as soluções adotadas pelos alunos do ensino secundário para lidar com tais dilemas. Iremos suportar a nossa análise num estudo empírico baseado em 24 entrevistas aprofundadas realizadas em 2009 a alunos do 10º e 12º ano de escolaridade em três escolas secundárias socialmente contrastantes do país