Engorged epidural venous plexus and cervical myelopathy due to cerebrospinal fluid overdrainage: a rare complication of ventricular shunts. Case report

The authors report on a 17-year-old boy with cervical myelopathy from dilated epidural veins due to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) overdrainage. The patient had a long-standing subdural-peritoneal shunt and presented with incapacitating spastic tetraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed significant cervical spinal cord compression from a markedly dilated epidural venous plexus. The shunt was externalized so that CSF flow dynamics could be assessed, and the patient was found to have low intracranial pressure (ICP). The patient was gradually acclimated to higher ICPs, and a new shunt was placed with an antisiphon device and a programmable valve set at the higher pressure. Postoperatively the child experienced significant clinical improvement, and reduction of spinal cord compression was evident on images. Compensatory engorgement of the epidural venous plexus due to long-term shunt usage should be considered in the differential diagnosis when cervical myelopathy due to a dilated epidural venous plexus is present

Use of Progenitor Cells in Pain Management

The use of progenitor/stem cells to modulate the sensory systems in chronic pain is a new field in translational research. This follows 30 years of non-human cell therapy approaches to elucidate which tissue source, cell phenotype, neurotransmitter, or peptide might be antinociceptive in models of pain. Stem or progenitor approaches have been tested in cardiac myopathies, liver dysfunction, stroke, and genetic abnormalities, but almost none have applied progenitor cells to the relief of neuropathic, pain. Perhaps the best studied neural progenitor cell line NT2, has recently resulted in two NT2-derived cell lines: hNT2.17, secreting the inhibitory neurotransmitters GABA and glycine; and hNT2.19, secreting the neurotransmitter serotonin. Each of these NT2-lines has demonstrated antinociceptive potential in models of SCI-related neuropathic pain, in peripheral neuropathy, and diabetic neuropathic pain. These human progenitors may prove to be useful in the relief of chronic pain and open the way to other regenerative approaches to pain management

Primary central nervous system lymphoma mimicking pituitary apoplexy: case report

Lymphoma involving the pituitary gland is very rare and usually results from metastatic spread of systemic lymphoma. We present a case of primary central nervous system (CNS) large B cell lymphoma that manifested as pituitary apoplexy. A 45-year-old woman presented with headache, and then rapidly developed a third nerve palsy and bitemporal hemianopsia. Imaging suggested a pituitary macroadenoma, with spontaneous necrosis, extending into the suprasellar region, compressing the optic chiasm and invading the right cavernous sinus. The patient underwent transsphenoidal resection which revealed a vascular, firm tumor. An aggressive decompression of the optic chiasm was performed with complete resolution of both visual fields and third nerve palsy. Final pathology showed B cell lymphoma. Systemic work-up including bone marrow aspiration and CSF studies showed no other foci of lymphoma, and the patient was HIV-negative. Chemotherapy with methotrexate, vincristine, procarbazine, and dexamethasone was administered for primary CNS lymphoma. This is an uncommon diagnosis of which the clinician should be aware in order to tailor surgical intervention and provide early institution of proper therapy

Subarachnoid Transplant of the Human Neuronal hNT2.19 Serotonergic Cell Line Attenuates Behavioral Hypersensitivity without Affecting Motor Dysfunction after Severe Contusive Spinal Cord Injury

Transplant of cells which make biologic agents that can modulate the sensory and motor responses after spinal cord injury (SCI) would be useful to treat pain and paralysis. To address this need for clinically useful human cells, a unique neuronal cell line that synthesizes and secretes/releases the neurotransmitter serotonin (5HT) was isolated. Hind paw tactile allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia induced by severe contusive SCI were potently reversed after lumbar subarachnoid transplant of differentiated cells, but had no effect on open field motor scores, stride length, foot rotation, base of support, or gridwalk footfall errors associated with the SCI. The sensory effects appeared 1 week after transplant and did not diminish during the 8-week course of the experiment when grafts were placed 2 weeks after SCI. Many grafted cells were still present and synthesizing 5HT at the end of the study. These data suggest that the human neuronal serotonergic hNT2.19 cells can be used as a biologic minipump for receiving SCI-related neuropathic pain, but likely requires intraspinal grafts for motor recovery

Cerebral Revascularization in Skull Base Tumors

Skull base tumors involving the carotid artery pose a difficult surgical challenge. The potential for bypass grafting for cerebral revascularization carries inherent risks but may aid in tumor resection and control in those who warrant carotid sacrifice but have inappropriate natural cerebrovascular reserve. We include a review of the literature discussing the indications for carotid resection as part of skull base tumor surgery, indications for cerebral revascularization, balloon test occlusion, graft types and operative technique, complications, and results