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Intraoperative direct cortical stimulation (DCS) is the gold standard technique to maximize the extent of resection of tumors located in eloquent areas. To date, there are three cases reported of awake mapping for language centers in deaf patients who could communicate only with sign language. We present the case of DCS in a deaf patient who could communicate vocally, native to American Sign Language and English, that underwent intraoperative awake mapping. DCS showed similar disruption of expressive phonology to both pictorial and gestural stimuli, confirming that sign language follows the same pattern as oral language.

Selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SelAH) is one of the most common surgical treatments for mesial temporal sclerosis. Microsurgical approaches are associated with the risk of cognitive and visual deficits due to damage to the cortex and white matter (WM) pathways. Our objective is to test the feasibility of an endoscopic approach through the anterior middle temporal gyrus (aMTG) to perform a SelAH.Virtual simulation with MRI scans of ten patients (20 hemispheres) was used to identify the endoscopic trajectory through the aMTG. A cadaveric study was performed on 22 specimens using a temporal craniotomy. The anterior part of the temporal horn was accessed using a tubular retractor through the aMTG after performing a 1.5 cm corticectomy at 1.5 cm posterior to the temporal pole. Then, an endoscope was introduced. SeIAH was performed in each specimen. The specimens underwent neuronavigation-assisted endoscopic SeIAH to confirm our surgical trajectory. WM dissection using Klingler's technique was performed on five specimens to assess WM integrity.This approach allowed the identification of collateral eminence, lateral ventricular sulcus, choroid plexus, inferior choroidal point, amygdala, hippocampus, and fimbria. SelAH was successfully performed on all specimens, and CT neuronavigation confirmed the planned trajectory. WM dissection confirmed the integrity of language pathways and optic radiations.Endoscopic SelAH through the aMTG can be successfully performed with a corticectomy of 15 mm, presenting a reduced risk of vascular injury and damage to WM pathways. This could potentially help to reduce cognitive and visual deficits associated with SelAH.

We present an extremely infrequent case of brain metastasis of a parotid tumor. To our knowledge, this is the second case reported of a brain metastasis of a malignant parotid tumor, carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma. Pleomorphic adenoma represents 60% of tumors of the parotid gland, and although it is a benign tumor, it can transform into carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma in 5% of cases, one of the most aggressive neoplasms of the salivary glands. We want to note the need for an accurate diagnostic. Thanks to aggressive surgical management, our patient survived more than 1½ years.