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Audiology Research Nov 2023Low-frequency air-bone gap (ABG) associated with pulsatile tinnitus (PT) and normal impedance audiometry represents a common finding in patients with third window...
Low-frequency air-bone gap (ABG) associated with pulsatile tinnitus (PT) and normal impedance audiometry represents a common finding in patients with third window syndromes. Other inner disorders, including Meniere's disease (MD), perilymphatic fistula and intralabyrinthine schwannoma, might sometimes result in a similar scenario. On the other hand, PT is frequently associated with dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF), while conductive hearing loss (CHL) is extremely rare in this clinical setting. A 47-year-old patient was referred to our center with progressive left-sided PT alongside ipsilateral fullness and hearing loss. She also experienced headache and dizziness. Otoscopy and video-oculographic examination were unremarkable. Conversely, a detailed instrumental audio-vestibular assessment revealed low-frequency CHL with normal impedance audiometry, slight left-sided caloric weakness, slightly impaired vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials on the left and normal results on the video-head impulse test, consistent with an MD-like instrumental profile. Gadolinium-enhanced brain MRI revealed an early enhancement of the left transverse sinus, consistent with a left DAVF between the left occipital artery and the transverse sinus, which was then confirmed by angiography. A trans-arterial embolization with Onyx glue was performed, resulting in a complete recession of the symptoms. Post-operatively, the low-frequency ABG disappeared, supporting the possible role of venous intracranial hypertension and abnormal pressure of inner ear fluids in the onset of symptoms and offering new insights into the pathomechanism of inner ear CHL.
PubMed: 37987331
DOI: 10.3390/audiolres13060073 -
Brain Tumor Research and Treatment Oct 2023The authors report an extremely rare case of a massive hyperostotic meningioma en plaque, which had characteristics of unique bony growth. A 34-year-old man presented...
The authors report an extremely rare case of a massive hyperostotic meningioma en plaque, which had characteristics of unique bony growth. A 34-year-old man presented with a palpable solid mass in the left cranial region that had gradually grown in size with a broad base on the calvarium for 8 years. Radiologically, the area involved by the mass ranged from the sphenoid bone to the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital bones. Three-dimensional CT revealed multiple growing spiculate features on the inner and outer cranial surface. Even though the radiologic features resembled fibrous dysplasia, it was histologically found to be a type of meningioma.
PubMed: 37953451
DOI: 10.14791/btrt.2023.0027 -
Surgical Neurology International 2023Dandy-Walker syndrome (DWS) is a well-known developmental anomaly. An occipital meningocele (OMC) is recognized as a malformation that is relatively often associated...
BACKGROUND
Dandy-Walker syndrome (DWS) is a well-known developmental anomaly. An occipital meningocele (OMC) is recognized as a malformation that is relatively often associated with DWS, but the association of DWS with OMC has been reported in approximately 40 cases. We present herein a rare clinical course of DWS with OMC, in which the sac was small at birth and became progressively larger.
CASE DESCRIPTION
A 5-day-old baby boy was referred to our hospital due to OMC. He was born at 33 gestational weeks due to premature rupture of the membranes. He was diagnosed as having DWS associated with OMC. The OMC was covered with skin and its maximum diameter at birth was 3 cm. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an occipital bone defect and continuity of the fourth ventricle, posterior fossa cyst, and OMC sac. The aqueduct was patent, and no hydrocephalus was found. The OMC sac increased progressively with moderate hydrocephalus and reached 7 cm at the age of 54 days when his weight was 2508 g. A cystoperitoneal shunt and repair were performed after sinus venography by contrast computed tomography (CT). At the age of 1 year and 8 months, he had moderate developmental disabilities.
CONCLUSION
In most cases reported, the OMC was relatively small, and large and giant sizes were reported in only six cases. Almost all cases remained the same size as at birth and underwent surgical intervention as early as possible. It was possible to understand the relationship between the occipital bone defect and abnormal running of sinuses such as the superior sagittal sinus, torcular Herophili, and transverse sinus preoperatively from the CT venography (CTV) image. CTV may be an effective and important method for safely performing repair and shunt.
PubMed: 37941619
DOI: 10.25259/SNI_585_2023 -
European Journal of Medical Research Nov 2023The hypoglossal canal is a dual bone canal at the cranial base near the occipital condyles. The filaments of the hypoglossal nerve pass through the canal. It also...
BACKGROUND
The hypoglossal canal is a dual bone canal at the cranial base near the occipital condyles. The filaments of the hypoglossal nerve pass through the canal. It also transmits the meningeal branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery, the venous plexus and meningeal branches of the hypoglossal nerve. The hypoglossal nerve innervates all the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue except the palatoglossal and is fundamental in physiological functions as phonation and deglutition. A surgical approach to the canal requires knowledge of the main morphometric data by neurosurgeons.
METHODS
The present study was carried out on 50 adult dried skulls: 31 males: age range 18-85 years; 19 females: age range 26-79 years. The skulls came from the ''Leonetto Comparini'' Anatomical Museum. The skulls belonged to people from Siena (Italy) and its surroundings (1882-1932) and, therefore, of European ethnicity. The present study reports (a) the osteological variations in hypoglossal canal (b) the morphometry of hypoglossal canal and its relationship with occipital condyles. One skull had both the right and left hypoglossal canals occluded and, therefore, could not be evaluated. None of the skulls had undergone surgery.
RESULTS
We found a double canal in 16% of cases, unilaterally and bilaterally in 2% of cases. The mean length of the right and left hypoglossal canals was 8.46 mm. The mean diameter of the intracranial orifice and extracranial orifice of the right and left hypoglossal canals was 6.12 ± 1426 mm, and 6.39 ± 1495 mm. The mean distance from the intracranial end of the hypoglossal canal to the anterior and posterior ends of occipital condyles was 10,76 mm and 10,81 mm. The mean distance from the intracranial end of the hypoglossal canal to the inferior end of the occipital condyles was 7,65 mm.
CONCLUSIONS
The study on the hypoglossal canal adds new osteological and morphometric data to the previous literature, mostly based on studies conducted on different ethnic groups.The data presented is compatible with neuroradiological studies and it can be useful for radiologists and neurosurgeons in planning procedures such as transcondilar surgery. The last purpose of the study is to build an Italian anatomical data base of the dimensions of the hypoglossal canal in dried skulls..
Topics: Male; Adult; Female; Humans; Adolescent; Young Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cadaver; Occipital Bone; Hypoglossal Nerve; Heart; Italy
PubMed: 37941031
DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01489-6 -
Cureus Oct 2023Head trauma in the pediatric population carries a high rate of morbidity and mortality. The major causes of head trauma are related to falls, recreational activities,...
Head trauma in the pediatric population carries a high rate of morbidity and mortality. The major causes of head trauma are related to falls, recreational activities, motor vehicle accidents, and gunshot wounds. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur after severe head trauma and is defined as an alteration in brain function, or other evidence of brain pathology, caused by an external force. Intracranial edema and herniation are common consequences of a TBI in pediatric patients and are commonly relieved via decompressive craniectomy. This case study describes a 13-year-old male presenting to the trauma center after an unhelmeted all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident with a positive head strike and loss of consciousness. The evaluation revealed extensive skull fractures extending from the frontal to the occipital lobe with brain exposure. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the head demonstrated extensive, open skull fractures with significant displacement of the exposed brain, extensive bilateral parietal and frontal bone fractures, and bilateral temporal bone displaced fractures more extensive on the left. A bilateral hemicraniectomy was performed due to diffuse cerebral edema and a left frontal ventriculostomy was placed to monitor and manage intracranial pressure (ICP). It is believed that the unique presentation of an open skull fracture with an exposed brain acted as a decompressive method allowing for extreme lifesaving measures to be performed to save the patient. Further exploration is needed to truly understand the effects of the unique injury presentation and the role of an open fracture in the delay of increased ICP.
PubMed: 37927750
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46521 -
Neurosciences (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) Oct 2023Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are rare benign vascular bony lesions mostly encountered in young patients. These cysts can occur as primary lesions or, less frequently,...
Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are rare benign vascular bony lesions mostly encountered in young patients. These cysts can occur as primary lesions or, less frequently, secondary to other pathologies such as osteoblastomas. Skull ABCs are rare and can extend intracranially, presenting with hydrocephalus and bleeding. Here we illustrate the case of a 9-year-old male who presented with headache, nausea, and vomiting, without neurological deficit. Radiological investigations showed a soap-bubble lesion with mass effect over the right cerebellum. The patient underwent right sub-occipital craniotomy with marginal wide resection of the cystic lesion. The patient had excellent outcomes. The histopathological report was consistent with osteoblastoma with an aneurysmal bone cyst.
Topics: Male; Humans; Child; Osteoblastoma; Bone Cysts, Aneurysmal; Craniotomy; Skull; Bone Neoplasms
PubMed: 37844945
DOI: 10.17712/nsj.2023.4.20230060 -
Surgical Neurology International 2023Primary Ewing's sarcoma (ES) arising from cranial bones is an extremely rare entity that accounts for only 1-4% of all ES cases.
BACKGROUND
Primary Ewing's sarcoma (ES) arising from cranial bones is an extremely rare entity that accounts for only 1-4% of all ES cases.
CASE DESCRIPTION
A 21-year-old woman presented with ES of the skull affecting the occipital region. The patient underwent surgical excision following radiotherapy and chemotherapy. No recurrence or metastasis occurred over a 10-month follow-up.
CONCLUSION
ES reaches adolescents. The mainstay of treatment includes surgical removal of the tumor, followed by radio- and chemotherapy.
PubMed: 37810328
DOI: 10.25259/SNI_435_2023 -
Cureus Oct 2023Spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS) is the joint regarded as the most important foundation for understanding cranial osteopathy and craniosacral therapy. SOS is the... (Review)
Review
Spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS) is the joint regarded as the most important foundation for understanding cranial osteopathy and craniosacral therapy. SOS is the origin of the primary respiratory mechanism (PRM), a movement between the posterior surface of the body of the sphenoid bone and the anterior surface of the base of the occipital bone. From the PRM perspective, an alteration of the position between the two bone surfaces would create cranial and/or craniosacral dysfunction. These positional alterations of the SOS (in adults and children) would determine specific and schematical movements of the bones of the entire skull, whose movements are recognizable by palpation by trained operators. PRM expression is influenced by other elements, such as movement of the cranial bones, inherent movement of the central nervous system, cyclic movement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), mechanical tension of the cranial meninges, and passive movement of the sacral bone between the iliac bones. The article reviews the most up-to-date information on the evolution of cranial sutures/joints and meninges in adulthood, the fluctuations of the CSF, brain, and spinal mass movements. Research should reconsider the motivations that induce the operator to discriminate the palpable cranial rhythmic impulse, and probably, to rethink new cranial dysfunctional patterns.
PubMed: 37808591
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46527 -
Scientific Reports Oct 2023The study of sexual dimorphism in human crania has important applications in the fields of human evolution and human osteology. Current, the identification of sex from...
The study of sexual dimorphism in human crania has important applications in the fields of human evolution and human osteology. Current, the identification of sex from cranial morphology relies on manual visual inspection of identifiable anatomical features, which can lead to bias due to user's expertise. We developed a landmark-based approach to automatically map the sexual dimorphism signal on the human cranium. We used a sex-known sample of 228 individuals from different geographical locations to identify which cranial regions are most sexually dimorphic taking into account shape, form and size. Our results, which align with standard protocols, show that glabellar and supraciliary regions, the mastoid process and the nasal region are the most sexually dimorphic traits (with an accuracy of 73%). The accuracy increased to 77% if they were considered together. Surprisingly the occipital external protuberance resulted to be not sexually dimorphic but mainly related to variations in size. Our approach here applied could be expanded to map other variable signals on skeletal morphology.
Topics: Humans; Sex Characteristics; Skull; Mastoid; Nose; Sexual Behavior; Occipital Bone
PubMed: 37803023
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43007-y