A novel case of paravertebral glomangiomyomatosis.

Glomangiomyomatosis is an extremely rare variant of glomus tumours. We describe the first known case of paravertebral glomangiomyomatosis in the literature to cause spinal cord compression. A 45-year old female patient presented with sudden onset of left leg pain and progressive weakness in left-sided hip flexion.

Inherited/Genetically-Associated Pheochromocytoma/ Paraganglioma Syndromes and COVID-19.

In some subjects with inherited pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPG) syndromes, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1α) stabilization/activation could lead to an increase in angiotensin converting enzymes (ACE). This would result in the stimulation of angiotensin (AT) II production and, hence, reduce the availability of ACE 2. The latter would provide decreased numbers of binding sites for the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and, therefore, result in less points of viral entry into cells.

Diabetes insipidus secondary to sellar/parasellar lesions.

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a well-recognised transient or permanent complication following transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas or other sellar/parasellar lesions. However, data regarding the prevalence of pre-operative DI in sellar/parasellar lesions other than pituitary adenomas are scarce. We systematically reviewed the existing data for defining the prevalence of DI before any treatment in adult patients with sellar/parasellar lesions, excluding pituitary adenomas and metastatic lesions.

Do All Notochordal Lesions Require Proton Beam Radiotherapy? A Proposed Reclassification of Ecchordosis Physaliphora as Benign Notochord Cell Tumor.

 Ecchordosis physaliphora (EP) is a benign notochord lesion of the clivus arising from the same cell line as chordoma, its malignant counterpart. Although usually asymptomatic, it can cause spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea. Benign notochordal cell tumor (BNCT) is considered another indolent, benign variant of chordoma.

The natural history and treatment of non-functioning pituitary adenomas (non-functioning PitNETs).

Non-functioning pituitary adenomas, recently alternatively termed pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (NFpitNETs), are mostly benign neoplasms that are not associated with a hormonal hypersecretory syndrome. The clinical spectrum of NFpitNETs varies from completely asymptomatic to the development of panhypopituitarism and manifestations attributed to mass effects on nearby structures. NFpitNETs follow generally an indolent course, but in 5-10% of cases they exhibit more aggressive behaviour, characterised by rapid growth, invasiveness and early recurrence.

Diffusion weighted image documented cerebral ischemia in the postprocedural period following pipeline embolization device with shield technology treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms: a prospective, single center study.

Objective: Acute ischemic stroke and silent cerebral infarctions following pipeline embolization device (PED) treatment of intracranial aneurysms have been estimated to occur in 3-6% and in 50.9-90% of patients respectively. The PED with Shield technology (PED-Shield) incorporates a surface phosphorylcholine polymer to reduce the thrombogenicity of the implant.

A single centre's experience of managing spheno-orbital meningiomas: lessons for recurrent tumour surgery.

Background: Spheno-orbital meningiomas are complex tumours involving the sphenoid wing and orbit. Various surgical strategies are available but treatment remains challenging and patients often require more than one surgical procedure. This study evaluated whether smaller surgical approaches and newer reconstructive methods impacted the surgical and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing repeat surgery.

Spontaneous tension pneumocephalus and pneumoventricle in ecchordosis physaliphora: case report of a rare presentation and review of the literature.

We describe the case of a 65-year-old lady who presented with mutism and a right hemiparesis. Imaging showed a severe spontaneous tension pneumocephalus. The cause was diagnosed as Ecchordosis physaliphora (EP).

Risk factors for surgical site infections in neurosurgery.

Introduction: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are of profound significance in neurosurgical departments, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. There are limited public data regarding the incidence of SSIs in neurosurgery. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of SSIs (particularly those requiring reoperation) over a seven-year period and identify factors leading to an increased risk.

Spinal myoclonus: a rare presentation of cervical myelopathy.

Myoclonus describes a movement disorder characterised by brief, abrupt and involuntary contractions of muscles or groups of muscles, usually associated with intracranial lesions, with limited evidence linking it to spinal pathologies. The pathophysiology of spinal myoclonus is extensive and multifactorial. Infection, intramedullary and extramedullary space-occupying lesions, trauma, vascular abnormalities, degenerative processes and cervical spondylosis have been implicated with the disease, the latter been associated with cervical stenosis with no reported cases linking it to an underlying cervical disc herniation.

Recurrent sampling and ventriculostomy-associated infections: a case-control study.

Background: External ventricular drain (EVD) insertion is a common neurosurgical procedure with a significant risk of ventriculostomy-associated infections (VAIs), other morbidities and mortality. Several risk factors have been identified but their effect is unclear.

Objective: Our primary objective was to assess whether recurrent EVD sampling increased the risk of VAIs.

A standardised pathway for the surveillance of stable vestibular schwannoma.

Introduction Conservative management of patients with a stable vestibular schwannoma (VS) places a significant burden on National Health Service (NHS) resources and yet patients' surveillance management is often inconsistent. Our unit has developed a standardised pathway to guide surveillance imaging of patients with stable VS. In this article, we provide the basis for our imaging protocol by reviewing the measurement, natural history and growth patterns of VS, and we present a cost analysis of implementing the pathway both regionally and nationally.

Rosai-Dorfman disease with spinal cord compression: a diagnostic challenge.

Purpose: Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is an uncommon benign histiocytic proliferative disorder commonly involving the cervical lymph nodes and less frequently extranodal sites, including, rarely, the central nervous system, mainly intracranially. Spinal involvement is unusual. RDD is characterized by pathognomonic histopathological features, which are decisive in the definitive diagnosis.

Carcinoid: modern aspects on its therapy.

In the past two years two patients with carcinoid tumours have been operated in Chios General Hospital. These two cases gave rise to our review of the literature concerning the therapy and follow-up of colorectal carcinoid tumours. We demonstrate the differences among surgeons concerning the acceptable and relevant indications for a hemicolectomy in appendiceal carcinoids and the prevailing aspects in the therapy of carcinoid of the colon and rectum.