Melanocytomas are rare melanocytic tumors of the central nervous system and its presence at the foramen magnum is extremely rare. We report a case of a 55-year-old male presenting with progressive quadriparesis over one year. Imaging showed a well-defined intradural extramedullary lobulated mass at craniovertebral junction towards the left side and extending to left C2-3 neural foramina. Patient was operated through foramen magnum approach with near total excision of tumor. On a ten-month follow up, he was ambulatory with normal motor power on right side of body and left lower limb and with motor power of 4-/5 in left upper limb. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the lesion to be a melanocytoma.
Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fu Jian, China. Electronic address:
Objective: This study aims to elucidate the anatomical principles governing the surrounding venous structures (VS) of the horizontal part of the third segment of the vertebral artery (V3h) and develop a safe and bloodless surgical technique for exposing V3h.
Methods: This study used ten formalin-infused cadaveric head specimens. The dissections were performed stepwise to simulate the far lateral approach process, exposing the V3h with a novel technique.
Department of Neurosurgery, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 12 Wulumuqi Zhong Road, Shanghai, 200040, China.
Background: Craniocervical junction (CCJ) dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) represent a rare yet critical vascular anomaly that may result in significant neurological impairments.
Method: We report the case of a 52-year-old male with a history of medullary hemorrhage who underwent surgical intervention for a left CCJ DAVF. Through comprehensive surgical planning and meticulous intraoperative monitoring, multiple feeders of the DAVF were safely coagulated and transected, with successful DAVF obliteration confirmed by intraoperative angiography.
Background: The far-lateral approach, frequently employed by skull base surgeons, targets lesions in the ventrolateral region of the craniovertebral junction (CVJ). Although various incisions can be utilized, the linear incision is notably less invasive and more efficient. Despite its advantages, the literature lacks a comprehensive description of the technical steps involved in this approach.
Cranio-vertebral junction (CVJ) tuberculosis is a rare but serious condition that can lead to significant health issues.
A case study of a young woman showed she experienced headaches, neck pain, and weight loss, with diagnosis confirmed through clinical assessment and imaging.
Treatment included anti-tubercular medication and using a cervical collar for support, leading to notable improvement, highlighting the effectiveness of conservative treatments for this complex condition.
Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a rare condition often misdiagnosed, particularly in patients with connective tissue disorders like Marfan Syndrome, which can lead to structural weaknesses in the spinal dural membrane and increased risk of CSF leaks.
A 52-year-old woman with genetically confirmed Marfan Syndrome presented with severe headaches and diplopia; imaging revealed complications such as dural ectasia and subdural hematoma, which were effectively managed with bed rest and corticosteroids.
A review of 25 studies on SIH treatment in patients with Marfan Syndrome indicated high success rates for symptoms improvement, particularly with epidural blood patches and conservative treatments.
