Hydatid Cyst of the Cerebellopontine Cistern: Report of Two Cases with Literature Review.

Posterior fossa localization of a hydatid cyst is uncommon; in these cases, the cyst usually locates in the cerebellum. Localization within the subarachnoid spaces or the cerebrospinal fluid ventricular system is exceptional. In the present report, which appears to be the seventh in the literature, we describe two cases of a hydatid cyst in the cerebellopontine cistern.

Low-Grade Astrocytoma Causing Dural and Calvarial Destruction.

Most of the literature on intra-axial lesions causing calvarial and dural destruction comes from case reports for glioblastoma, lymphoma, metastasis, and aggressive meningioma. Destruction of dura and calvaria by low-grade gliomas is extremely uncommon; cases reported so far have been mostly oligodendrogliomas. This article describes the unusual case of a 23-year-old male patient with a left-sided intra and extracranial tumor involving the frontal lobe, destroying the overlying dura and calvaria, who underwent maximal safe resection.

Remote bifrontal epidural hematoma following hemispheric glioma resection. A rare life-threatening postoperative complication.

Background: Postoperative acute epidural hematoma (EDH) is a well-known serious complication that usually occurs at the operated site after cranial surgery. However, epidural bleeding, distant from the site of the previous craniotomy, is relatively rare and may sometimes cause significant neurological morbidity or even mortality. We report such a case.

Iatrogenic Vascular Injury Associated with Cervical Spine Surgery: A Systematic Literature Review.

Background: Iatrogenic vascular injury is an uncommon complication of anterior and/or posterior surgical approaches to the cervical spine. Although the results of this injury may be life-threatening, mortality/morbidity can be reduced by an understanding of its mechanism and proper management.

Methods: We conducted a literature review to provide an update of this devastating complication in spine surgery.

HeaDax: A simple pre-surgical procedure for localizing superficial brain lesions in resource-limited environments.

Background: Intracranial convexity lesions are poorly defined by recognizable anatomical landmarks. Even in expert hands, exact localization of small subcortical lesion and its projection to the skull is sometimes unreliable and can cause potential surgical complications. In this report, a simple and handy technique for localizing superficial intracranial lesions on the scalp under computed tomography (CT)-scan guidance is described.

Unilateral blindness following superior laryngeal nerve block for awake tracheal intubation in a case of posterior cervical spine surgery.

Background: Superior laryngeal nerve block (SUPLANEB) is a popular airway anesthesia technique utilized for successful awake endotracheal intubation in patients with significant cervical spine instability. If not performed by an expert, it carries the risk of general/neurologic complications that are typically minimal/transient. However, permanent blindness and/or upper cranial nerve neuropathies may occur.

Raphael Acquaviva: The Forgotten Pioneer of Modern Neurosurgery in Morocco.

For the young generations, it is important to state the values that define and recognize the role of leaders and pioneers in neurosurgery, especially in developing countries. This subject seems often overlooked. In Morocco, the real birth of modern neurosurgery as an independent surgical specialty was undoubtedly made thanks to Doctor Raphael Acquaviva during the 1950s and 1960s, when he founded the first neurosurgical department in Casablanca.

Rare Case of Hydatid Cyst in the Cerebellopontine Cistern.

Posterior fossa localization of a hydatid cyst is uncommon; in these cases, the cysts usually grow in the cerebellum. Localization within the subarachnoid spaces or the cerebrospinal fluid ventricular system is exceptional. In the present report, which appears to be the sixth in the literature, we describe a case of a hydatid cyst in the cerebellopontine cistern.