The Most Common Comorbidities in Dandy-Walker Syndrome Patients: A Systematic Review of Case Reports.

OBJECTIVE: Dandy-Walker syndrome (DWS) is a rare neurologic multi-entity malformation. This review aimed at reporting its main nonneurologic comorbidities. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, search in Medline was conducted (2000-2014, keyword: dandy-walker). Age, sex, country, DWS type, consanguinity or siblings with DWS, and recorded coexistent conditions (by ICD10 category) were extracted for 187 patients (46.5% male, 43% from Asia) from 168 case reports. RESULTS: Diagnosis was most often set in 12 years old (27.8%). One-third of cases had a chromosomal abnormality or syndrome (n = 8 PHACE), 27% had a cardiovascular condition (n = 7 Patent Ductus Arteriosus), 24% had a disease of eye and ear (n = 9 cataract); most common malignancy was nephroblastoma (n = 8, all Asian). Almost one-fifth had a mental illness diagnosis; only 6.4% had mild or severe intellectual disability. CONCLUSION: The spread of comorbidities calls for early diagnosis and multidisciplinary research and practice, especially as many cases remain clinically asymptomatic for years

Case Report - An Unusual Periaqueductal Glioma: A short report

A rare case of periaqueductal glioma with an unusual radiological picture is presented. A forty-five year old male presented with progressive bilateral third and eighth nerve paresis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a diffuse periaqueductal tumour with sparing of aqueduct and no hydrocephalus. MRI is a useful adjunct in such a situation for contemplating appropriate modality of treatment

Multiposition Brain Holder: A Versatile Appliance for Microneurosurgical Laboratory

Cadaver dissection under microscope forms an essential part of training of residents and neurosurgeons. A practical and compact appliance for supporting and safe multi-directional manoeuvering of the fixed brain specimen suitable for microneurosurgical dissections is described. The apparatus and its advantages over the previous described head-holder2 are discussed

Case Report - Cavernous Haemangioma in the Interpeduncular Cistern: Case Report and Review of Literature

A rare case of a cavernous haemangioma in the interpeduncular cistern is reported. The patient, forty-five year old male presented with excruciating left sided trigeminal neuralgia and diplopia for the past one year. Examination revealed left third and fifth nerve paresis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a well-defined, lobulated tumour in the interpeduncular cistern. The tumour was totally excised through a subtemporal route. Histology of the tumour revealed a cavernous haemangioma. Extracerebral location for a cavernous haemangioma is rare. An interpeduncular cavernous haemangioma has never been reported earlier in literature. The clinical and radiological features are discussed and relevant literature is briefly reviewed

Case Report - Diffuse Calvarial Meningioma: A Case Report

A rare case of a diffuse calvarial meningioma in a sixty-three year-old female is reported. The patient presented with headache, painful proptosis and chemosis of the left eye. Imaging showed that the frontoparietal calvarium on both sides and the left orbital roof were thickened. The thickened bone showed patchy rarefaction. In relationship to the thickened bone, there was an enhancing en-plaque meningioma. The tumour extended on to the superolateral aspect of the left orbit and resulted in proptosis. Excision of the left frontoparietal calvarium and the orbital tumour was performed. The management of diffuse calvarial meningioma is discussed and the relevant literature is piefly reviewed