The association of ectopic craniopharyngioma in the fourth ventricle with familial adenomatous polyposis: illustrative case

BACKGROUND Craniopharyngioma (CP) often arises in the sellar and suprasellar areas; ectopic CP in the posterior fossa is rare. Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a genetic disorder involving the formation of numerous adenomatous polyps in the gastrointestinal tract, and it is associated with other extraintestinal manifestations. OBSERVATIONS The authors reported the case of a 63-year-old woman with FAP who presented with headache and harbored a growing mass in the fourth ventricle. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings revealed a well-circumscribed mass with high intensity on T1-weighted images and low intensity on T2-weighted images and exhibited no contrast enhancement. Gross total resection was performed and histopathology revealed an adamantinomatous CP (aCP). The authors also reviewed the previous reports of ectopic CP in the posterior fossa and found a high percentage of FAP cases among the ectopic CP group, thus suggesting a possible association between the two diseases. LESSONS An ectopic CP may be reasonably included in the differential diagnosis in patients with FAP who present with well-circumscribed tumors in the posterior fossa.

Human CSF Movement Influenced by Vascular Low Frequency Oscillations and Respiration

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid movement (CSF) through the pathways within the central nervous system is of high significance for maintaining normal brain health and function. Low frequency hemodynamics and respiration have both been shown to independently drive CSF in humans. Here, we hypothesize that CSF movement may be driven simultaneously (and in synchrony) by both mechanisms and we study their independent and interactive effects on CSF movement using novel neck fMRI scans.Methods: Caudad CSF movement at the fourth ventricle and hemodynamics of the major neck blood vessels (internal carotid arteries and internal jugular veins) were captured from 11 young healthy volunteers using novel neck fMRI scans with simultaneous measurement of respiration. Two distinct models of CSF movement (1. Low-frequency hemodynamics and 2. Respiration) were independently investigated in corresponding frequency ranges. Possible interactions between these mechanisms were also studied using cross-frequency coupling.Results: The results from this study validated that the caudad CSF movement may be driven by both low frequency hemodynamics (0.01 Hz – 0.1 Hz) and respiration (0.2 Hz - 0.4 Hz), through different mechanisms. We show that the dynamics of brain fluids can be assessed from the neck, by studying the interrelationships between major neck blood vessels and the CSF movement at the fourth ventricle. We also demonstrate that there exists a cross-frequency interaction between two separable mechanisms.Conclusions: The human CSF system is capable of responding to multiple interacting physiological forces at the same time. This information may help inform the pathological mechanisms behind CSF movement-related disorders and facilitate new approaches to therapeutic interventions.

Fourth ventricle neurocysticercosis presenting with Bruns’ syndrome: A case report

Background: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common helminthic infection of the central nervous system. We present a case of the fourth ventricle NCC that presented with Bruns’ syndrome (with headaches worsened by head movements, gait ataxia, and vomiting) and the operative technique used for cyst removal. Case Description: A 39-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department with moderate-to-severe headaches that got worse in the afternoon and were triggered by head movements, relieved on prone position, and were associated with gait ataxia and vomiting. A brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a fourth ventricle cyst, with an eccentric enhancing nodule compatible with a larvae scolex and associated obstructive hydrocephalus. The patient was positioned prone and underwent a microsurgical resection of the cyst without rupture through a telovelar approach to the fourth ventricle. The postoperative MRI confirmed complete cyst removal and resolution of the hydrocephalus. At 12-month follow-up, the patient remains with no signs of disease recurrence. Conclusion: In this report, we depict a case of intraventricular NCC successfully treated with a single surgery, allowing intact cyst removal and achieving effective hydrocephalus treatment with no need to resort to cerebrospinal fluid diversion techniques.

Gender differences in the structure of the cerebrospinal fluid system of pre-school children

Relevance Investigation of the cerebrospinal fluid system of children of different ages, especially pre-school and school periods of childhood, becomes essential, since the further development of the brain and its proper functioning depends on the way it functions. Considering the MRI indications of the elements of the cerebrospinal fluid system of children is important for the development of neurology and neurosurgery, it is necessary to consider gender differences in the brain size and structure.Objective To study the sex differences in the structure of the cerebrospinal fluid system in seven-year-old children.Material and Methods For the study, archival data on the sizes of the lateral ventricles of the brain of 120 children aged 7 (60 boys and 60 girls) were involved, in particular: 1) the length of the anterior horn; 2) the width of the anterior horn; 3) the length of the central part; 4) the width of the central part; 5) the length of the posterior horn; 6) the width of the posterior horn; 7) the length of the lower horn; 8) the anteroposterior size; 9) the distance between the anterior horns; 10) the distance between the posterior horns; 11) the length of the third ventricle; 12) the height of the third ventricle; 13) the length of the aqueduct; 14) the length of the fourth ventricle; 15) the height of the fourth ventricle. The studies were carried out using the method of magnetic resonance imaging. Quantitative indicators were assessed for compliance with the normal distribution using the KolmogorovSmirnov test. The accumulation, correction, systematization of the initial information were carried out in Microsoft Excel 2016. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Statistica 10.0 software (StatSoft Inc., USA). The results were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05.Results The data obtained in the study of the cerebrospinal fluid system in children during their pre-school period of childhood are indicators of the norm and can be used for diagnostic studies in the departments of radiation diagnostics. The bilateral asymmetry of the lateral ventricles of the brain in pre-school children, discovered during the work, is of crucial clinical significance. The morphometric indicators of the elements of the cerebrospinal fluid system should be considered by specialists in the study of brain neuroplasticity.Conclusion Analysis of the obtained in vivo encephalometric data indicates the presence of sexual variability of the brain and parameters of the structures of the cerebrospinal fluid.

A case of racemose and intraventricular neurocysticercosis in an unusual location

Racemose and intraventricular neurocysticercosis are uncommon types of neurocysticercosis, resulting in a multiloculated, grape-like cluster appearance in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spaces. A male patient presented with symptoms of raised intracranial pressure and demonstrated racemose neurocysticercosis at an atypical location involving the region of the crus of the fornix at the level of the body of lateral ventricles on magnetic resonance imaging. Associated intraventricular neurocysticercosis was seen in the atrium of the left lateral ventricle and fourth ventricle.

Intracranial Infection Caused by Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii

Objective: To report the successful treatment of a patient who underwent vestibular schwannoma resection and developed intracranial infection caused by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MRAB), and to review the recent relevant literature. Methods: The patient was diagnosed with MRAB infection based on clinical manifestations and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture. The treatment included external ventricular drainage, posterior fossa decompressive craniectomy, and endoscopic lavage for fourth ventricle, subdural drainage, and intravenous injection /ventricular irrigation of sulperazone. Results: The MRAB-induced intracranial infection was successfully cured. The follow-up lasted for 84 months, and the patient has resumed normal life and work. Conclusion: Active individualized treatment should be administered at the earliest. The drainage of CSF, ventricular lavage, and proper choice of antibiotics are key to treat intracranial infections caused by MRAB.