Chiasmatic low-grade glioma presenting with sacral intradural spinal metastasis

Leptomeningeal metastasis of low-grade gliomas in children has been documented in several series, both at the time of diagnosis and at relapse. The authors report a unique case of chiasmatic low-grade astrocytoma presenting with signs and symptoms related to the metastatic site rather than the primary site. In this respect, the possibility of appearance of symptoms and signs related to leptomeningeal dissemination preceding the signs and symptoms belonging to the primary site should be considered in this type of benign rumours

Extradural balloon obliteration of the empty sella - Report of three cases (intrasellar balloon obliteration)

Empty sella syndrome is an anatomical and clinical entity composed of intrasellar reposition of the CSF and compression of the pituitary tissue, resulting in a clinical picture of headache, visual field defect, CSF rhinorrhea and some mild endocrinological disturbances. While some cases are primary with no appreciable aetiology, secondary cases are associated with prior operation or radiotherapy of the region

Idiopathic granulomatous hypophysitis: are there reliable, constant radiological and clinical diagnostic criterias?

Idiopathic granulomatous hypophysitis is a rare inflammatory disease of unknown aetiology; few cases are reported. We review the clinical presentation and radiological characteristics of these cases and our own experience with three new surgical cases, to determine diagnostic criteria. MRI of three cases revealed sellar lesions extending into the chiasmatic cistern. Their shape varied, from dumbbell to spherical and elliptical. All were isointense with the brain on T1-weighted images and gave heterogeneously high signal on T2- weighted images. Contrast enhancement was homogeneous in one case and heterogeneous in another. The pituitary stalk could not be identified. There was no dural enhancement. The sphenoid sinus mucosa was thickened in two cases and normal in one

A new aneurysm wrapping material: Polyglactin 910 plus fibrin sealant

Aneurysms experimentally induced by using the silver nitrate coagulation method in 10 Wistar Albino rats are wrapped with Polyglactin 910 and Fibrin Sealant. 6 weeks later the rats are sacrificed and compared with the control group. In the group in which Polyglactin 910 and Fibrin Sealant were used as the wrapping material, non-specific inflammatory granulation tissue development around the aneurysms is observed. We suggest that a Polyglactin 910 and Fibrin Sealant combination can be used as a wrapping material in the treatment of aneurysms where clipping is not possible