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Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) is a condition that arises when a neonate presents with abnormalities resulting from Zika virus infection during gestation. While microcephaly is a prominent feature of the syndrome, other forms of brain damage are also observed, often accompanied by significant neurological complications. It is therefore essential to investigate the long-term effects of CZS, with special attention to sex differences, particularly concerning hippocampal function, given its vulnerability to viral infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term impacts on cognitive and memory functions, as well as neuroinflammatory and glial alterations in the hippocampus, in offspring of both sexes exposed to a model of congenital Zika virus infection. Pregnant rats were subcutaneously inoculated with ZIKV-BR at a dose of 1 × 10^7 plaque-forming units (PFU mL^-1) of ZIKV isolated in Brazil (ZIKV-BR) on gestational day 18 (G18). From postnatal day 70, the animals underwent behavioral tests. On postnatal day 80, the animals were euthanized, and hippocampal samples were collected for biochemical and histological analyses. In the open field test, females displayed more exploratory behavior and less grooming, while no significant differences in locomotion were observed between the sexes. Additionally, ZIKV-exposed females showed a reduction in grooming behavior compared to ZIKV-exposed males. In the memory test, males in the ZIKV group exhibited greater memory impairment, spending more time to locate the correct quadrant, while females showed relatively better performance. Neuroinflammatory markers, such as TNF-α, were significantly elevated in the hippocampus of ZIKV-exposed animals, regardless of sex. However, microglial and astrocytic responses, indicated by higher IBA1 and GFAP density, were only observed in male ZIKV rats. In conclusion, our findings suggest that congenital ZIKV exposure leads to sex-specific behavioral and neuroinflammatory alterations. While both males and females exhibited some behavioral changes, males were more significantly impacted in memory performance. Additionally, increased neuroinflammatory markers and glial activation were observed in the hippocampus of ZIKV-exposed animals, with a pronounced response in males. These results highlight the long-term impact of ZIKV infection on neurodevelopment, emphasizing the importance of considering sex differences in studies of congenital ZIKV syndrome., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Pyriproxyfen is a pesticide used in Brazil to control the Aedes aegypti mosquito, vector of arboviruses like Zika and dengue. However, this pesticide is structurally similar to retinoic acid, a metabolite of vitamin A that regulates neuronal differentiation and hindbrain development during the embryonic period. Due to the similarity between pyriproxyfen and retinoic acid, studies indicate that this pesticide may have cross-reactivity with retinoid receptors. Thus, pregnant exposure to pyriproxyfen could interfere in the nervous system development of the fetal. In this context, the present study evaluated whether prenatal exposure to pyriproxyfen affects neonatal development and brain structure in rats. Wistar rat pups were divided in three experimental groups: (1) negative control (CT-)-offspring of rats that drink potable water during pregnancy; (2) pyriproxyfen (PIR)-offspring of rats exposed to Sumilarv® prenatally, a pesticide that has pyriproxyfen as active ingredient; and (3) positive control (CT+)-offspring of rats exposed to an excess of vitamin A prenatally. Only vitamin A treated-pregnant showed lower weight gain, but gestation length was similar among pregnant that received potable water, water containing vitamin A and water containing Sumilarv. In relation to the offspring, PIR group exhibits a delayed front-limb suspension response but performed early the negative geotaxis reflex. On the other hand, CT+ group exhibited lower body weight in the 1st postnatal day, delayed audio startle response, but performed early the eyelids opening and hindlimb placing response. A reduction in the maximum brain width was observed both in PIR and CT+ groups, but a reduction in the number of neurons in the M1 cortex was showed only in CT+ group. The number of glial cells in this brain area was similar between the three experimental groups studied. Although prenatal exposure to pyriproxyfen did not alter neonatal milestones in the same way as vitamin A in excess, both substances caused a reduction in the maximum width of the brain, suggesting that this pesticide can produce neurotoxic effects during the embryonic period., (© 2024 International Society for Developmental Neuroscience.)

Background: classical models of microsurgical anastomosis training are expensive and have ethical implications. Some alternatives join low cost and easiness to store. However, the translation of knowledge acquired by training in these methods into the traditional ones is not clear. This project aims to assess the feasibility of konjac noodles as a reliable microsurgery-training model., Methods: 10 neurosurgery residents performed an end-to-end anastomosis in a 2-3mm placenta artery. The anastomoses were evaluated quantitatively, recording time; and qualitatively, applying a validated score (Anastomosis Lapse Index - ALI) by three experienced neurosurgeons and verifying the presence of gross leakage through the infusion of fluorescein. Subsequently, they performed 10 non-consecutive sessions of anastomosis training in the konjac noodle. Eventually, a final anastomosis in the placenta model was performed and the same parameters were scored., Results: we observed a 17min reduction in the mean time to perform the anastomosis in the placenta model after the training in the konjac (p<0.05). There was a non-significant 20% reduction in gross leakage, but the training sessions were not able to consistently improve the ALI score., Conclusions: we demonstrate a reduction in anastomosis performing time in placental arteries after training sessions in the konjac noodle model, which can be regarded as a feasible low-cost method, particularly useful in centers with surgical microscopes only in the operation room.

Patients with COVID-19 may develop symptoms that interfere with food intake. Systemic inflammatory response associated with physical inactivity and/or immobilization during hospital stay can induce weight and muscle loss leading to sarcopenia and worsening the clinical condition of these patients. The present study identifies the frequency and factors associated with sarcopenia prediction in adult and elderly patients hospitalized for COVID-19. It is a cohort-nested cross-sectional study on adult and elderly patients admitted to wards and intensive care units (ICUs) of 8 hospitals in a northeastern Brazilian state. The study was conducted from June 2020 to June 2021. Sociodemographic, economic, lifestyle, and current and past clinical history variables were collected. Sarcopenia prediction was determined by the Strength, Assistance in walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs, and Falls (SARC-F) questionnaire compiled in the Remote-Malnutrition APP (R-MAPP). Patients were diagnosed with sarcopenia when the final score ≥ 4 points. The study included 214 patients with a mean age of 61.76 ± 16.91 years, of which 52.3 % were female and 57.5 % elderly. Sarcopenia prevailed in 40.7 % of the sample. Univariate analysis showed greater probability of sarcopenia in elderly individuals, nonpractitioners of physical activities, hypertensive patients, diabetic patients, and those hospitalized in the ICU. In the multivariate model, the type of hospital admission remained associated with sarcopenia prediction, where patients admitted to the ICU were 1.43 (95 % CI: 1.04; 1.97) more likely to have sarcopenia than those undergoing clinical treatment. Sarcopenia prediction was not associated with patient outcome (discharge, transfer, or death) (p = 0.332). The study highlighted an important percentage of sarcopenia prediction in patients with COVID-19, especially those admitted to the ICU. Additional investigations should be carried out to better understand and develop early diagnostic strategies to assist in the management of sarcopenic patients with COVID-19., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Pediatric intracranial aneurysms (PIA) are rarer and more complex when compared to adult aneurysms. In general, the clinical presentation of PIA is due to a mass effect, but the presenting symptoms can be also related to ischemia, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), or in a combination of different symptoms. This paper aimed to report a single-center experience with clinical and angiographic aspects of brain aneurysm in children., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our prospectively maintained database for patients with intracranial aneurysms in our institution from July 2015 to February 2021. Among these, all patients under 18 years of age submitted to a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure for an intracranial aneurysm were included., Results: Twelve patients were submitted to diagnostic or therapeutic procedures in our department. Three of them had multiple aneurysms, and in total, 17 intracranial aneurysms were assessed in this study. The most frequent location was in the middle cerebral artery (7 cases/41%). Five out of twelve children (42%) presented SAH due to ruptured aneurysm. Three patients (25%) had symptoms due to the mass effect from large aneurysms, with compression of cranial nerves or brainstem. Aneurysms diameters ranged from 1.5 mm to 34 mm (mean 14.2 mm), with six aneurysms being giant and eight being nonsaccular/fusiform. Twelve aneurysms were submitted to endovascular treatment, with one treatment-related clinical complication and later death., Conclusion: PIAs are rare diseases that can arise from a variety of different underlying pathological mechanisms. The management of these conditions requires a detailed understanding of the pathology and a multidisciplinary approach. Despite the availability of new technologies, parent vessel occlusion remains a valid option for aneurysms in the pediatric population., (© 2022 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Five trials published in 2015 showed the benefit of endovascular thrombectomy (ET) in patients with stroke and large vessel occlusion, extending the treatment window has become an obsession of all physicians. In 2018, the DAWN and DEFUSE-3 trials showed that, with careful selection of patients, the procedure could be carried out up to 24 hours after symptom onset with good outcomes. In addition, there have been cases where the DAWN criteria were met, and treatment occurred >24 hours after symptom onset. We present the case of a 68-year-old female whose groin puncture occurred 52 hours after the time last known well (TLKW), after neurological worsening of the initial situation, with a large mismatch ratio observed on magnetic resonance imaging, achieving TICI (the Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction scale) grade 3 recanalization. Five days after the procedure, the patient was discharged with NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) score of 3. Some types of collateral circulation (slow progressors and "turtle" progressors, our term for very slow progressors) can extend the treatment window beyond 24 hours of the TLKW but can lead to a hyperperfusion-like syndrome immediately after the ET. Further studies are needed to evaluate the reproducibility of this hypothetical syndrome.

Objective: to evaluate the clinical-epidemiological characteristics, treatment, and evolution of patients with occipital condyle fracture (OCF) at one of the largest referral trauma centers in Latin America., Methods: this was a retrospective observational study of OCF identified from trauma cases admitted between December 2011 and December 2019 by the neurosurgery team at a Type 3 trauma center., Results: a total of twenty-eight occipital condyle fractures were identified in twenty-six patients. The incidence was less than 0.2% per year and more common in male patients (4:1 ratio) involved in traffic accidents. The mean age was 42.08 years. Anderson and Montesano type II and Tuli type 1 were the most frequent (67.9% and 89.3%, respectively) and no case presented C0-C1-C2 instability. All patients were treated with a cervical collar for 3 to 6 months. About 65% of the patients exhibited good progression (Glasgow Outcome Scale equal to 4), and the severity of traumatic brain injury was the main determinant for negative outcomes., Conclusion: the findings of this study are in accordance with available literature data. The use of external stabilization with a cervical collar is reinforced for the treatment of stable lesions, even when these are bilateral. Assessment of the patients' follow-up results in the studied sample may contribute with useful information for the treatment of occipital condyle fractures.

Blood Blister-like aneurysms are intracranial non-saccular aneurysms with higher rupture risk due to its fragile wall. Diagnosis is performed in the acute phase of a subarachnoid hemorrhage. There are several treatment options based on reconstructive or deconstructive techniques. This paper aims to discuss the limitations of microsurgery clipping for a ruptured blister aneurysm. We report on a case of a female patient presented with a Fisher III subarachnoid hemorrhage. Cerebral angiography revealed an internal carotid artery blister aneurysm. Initially microsurgery clipping was successfully performed. However, after a few days the patient presented new subarachnoid hemorrhage. The new cerebral angiography showed growth of the previously clipped aneurysm, with displacement of the clip from the position adjacent to the artery. High-flow bypass was performed obtaining definitive treatment. This is a definitive approach for blister aneurysms. If microsurgery clipping is chosen, a strict follow-up is required due to the dynamic nature of this lesion and the chance of re-bleeding even after successfully clipping.

Background: Periodontoid pseudotumoral lesions (PPL) are an uncommon cause of cervical pain and myelopathy. In addition, they may be associated with atlantoaxial instability (AAI)., Case Description: Two patients over 60 years of age presented with neck pain alone. Their MR scans showed expansive lesions involving the odontoid process. One patient with AAI required an occipitocervical arthrodesis, while the other patient without instability was managed with an external orthosis (Philadelphia collar). Both of them experienced full resolution of pain and remained neurologically intact an average 36 months later (range 24-48)., Conclusion: Here, we discussed the clinical, MR, and non-surgical (without AAI) versus surgical management (with AAI) for different types of PPL., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2021 Surgical Neurology International.)

Objective: To identify the main challenges faced by children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and describe their coping strategies., Method: Qualitative study conducted with a semi-structured interview with children aged 8 to 11 with type 1 diabetes mellitus diagnosis who received care in the outpatient clinic of a university hospital in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The results have been analyzed and categorized as per thematic analysis., Results: Five children have participated. The reports have emerged from the systematization of the qualitative data, in a process of apprehending meaning from statements of children and adolescents, which led to the category "Living with diabetes", including two subcategories: "Challenges to disease coping" and "Family participation and support in the disease process"., Conclusion: The process of disease coping is observed to occur differently for each child. However, family participation and support, as well as communication with health professionals, are fundamental in this process.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection can cause acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). However, it is rare in immunocompetent people. We describe a 17-year-old patient who was brought with flu-like symptoms. After one week, she experienced rapidly progressive weakness in all four extremities, followed by coma. The neurologic examination showed no response to verbal and pain stimuli. A Babinski sign was noted in both lower extremities, along with clonus and hyperreflexia in all four limbs. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated extensive areas of hyperintense signal on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences in the white matter which was asymmetrically distributed in both hemispheres, as well as in the brainstem and cerebellar peduncles, compatible with acute demyelinating lesions. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed mild lymphocytic pleocytosis and normal glucose levels. Polymerase chain reaction to herpes simplex virus was negative. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) were positive for cytomegalovirus. The patient was treated with methylprednisolone pulse therapy for five days. Subsequently, the patient showed neurologic improvement with the recovery of consciousness and muscle strength. In terms of prognosis, in patients with ADEM, the sooner the diagnosis, the better the outcome. The cornerstone of treatment is immunosuppression with steroids. Some patients require intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) or plasmapheresis, and in refractory cases, cyclophosphamide is used., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2021, Da Silva et al.)

Abstract: Cranioplasty is a common neurosurgical procedure. The main reasons for performing cranioplasty are, in addition to aesthetic correction and protection of the brain, the reestablishment of the adequate flow of cerebrospinal fluid and the prevention of complications inherent to the perpetuation of bone failure. In our institution the patient's autologous bone remains the best method for performing cranioplasty, despite the existence of other heterologous grafts and bone substitutes. Despite representing for us, the best material for cranioplasty, the use of autologous grafting is subject to complications. In this paper, the authors present the case of a patient who underwent cranioplasty with autologous bone that progressed with spontaneous resorption of the bone flap. The authors herein briefly discuss the case and review the literature on the subject, with an emphasis on the factors that can lead to such an outcome., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2020 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.)

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the incidence and epidemiological, angiographic, and surgical aspects associated with incomplete clipping of brain aneurysms in a cohort of patients undergoing microsurgical treatment., Methods: The medical record data of patients who underwent microsurgery for cerebral aneurysm treatment and postoperative digital subtraction angiography, treated at the same teaching hospital between 2014 and 2019, were retrospectively analyzed. The studied variables involved epidemiological and clinical data, as well as neurological status and findings on neuroimaging. The time elapsed between hemorrhage and microsurgical treatment, data on the neurosurgical procedure employed for aneurysm occlusion, and factors associated with the treated aneurysm, specifically location and size, were also evaluated., Results: One hundred and seventeen patients were submitted to 139 neurosurgical procedures, in which 167 aneurysms were clipped. The overall rate of residual injury was 23%. Smoking (odds ratio [OR]: 3.38, 95% confidence interval [CI95%]: 1.372-8.300, p=0.008), lesion size >10 mm (OR: 5.136, CI95%: 2.240-11.779, p<0.001) and surgery duration >6 h (OR: 8.667, CI95%: 2.713-27.681, p<0.001) were found to significantly impact incomplete aneurysm occlusion in the univariate analyses., Conclusion: Incomplete microsurgical aneurysm occlusion is associated with aneurysm size, complexity, and current smoking status. Currently, there is no consensus on postoperative assessment of clipped aneurysms, hindering the correct assessment of treatment outcomes.

Background: Angioplasty using a carotid stent is a treatment modality for carotid stenosis, with results similar to those obtained with endarterectomy, as demonstrated by important studies. The increasing use of this procedure has also led to a larger number of reports of complications, stent fractures among those. Stent fracture is a rare manifestation and hence needs further studying so that its actual prevalence can be determined, as well as its associated risk factors and proper clinical management. The current study reports the case of a patient who had previously undergone angioplasty with a carotid stent and, after an automobile accident, presented with a stent fracture and distal embolization of fragments thereof with neurological manifestation., Case Description: A male patient, 40 years old, presented with a history of previously stent carotid angioplasty. He had been involved in an automobile accident and suffered a stent fracture with distal fragment migration. As he was an asymptomatic patient (NIHSS 0, Rankin zero), we opted for a conservative treatment with oral anticoagulant., Conclusion: Angioplasty is an effective treatment for extracranial atherosclerosis and, albeit rare, stent fractures can result in the migration of fragments thereof. This occurrence should be suspected in patients who have sustained severe neck injuries due to sudden deceleration and may be associated with thromboembolism., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Surgical Neurology International.)

Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic, progressive, noncontagious, and often chronic disease caused by the fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis that rarely affects the central nervous system (CNS). The condition is usually treated using antifungal drugs, and some cases may require surgery., Case Description: A 55-year-old man, a smoker, without known comorbidities, was referred to the neurosurgery team with a history of a single epileptic seizure a week before hospital admission followed by progressive right- sided hemiparesis. Head computed tomography and brain magnetic resonance imaging showed an intra-axial expansive lesion affecting the left parietal lobe, associated with extensive edema and a regional compressive effect producing slight subfalcine herniation that was initially managed as an abscess. After the failure of antibiotic treatment, the patient underwent a neurosurgical procedure for excision of the lesion. Histopathological analysis revealed that it was PCM and there was no evidence of impairment of other systems due to the disease., Conclusion: PCM can be a serious, debilitating disease and is potentially fatal. Although isolated CNS involvement is rare, it must be considered, especially in endemic areas, as late diagnosis and treatment severely decreases good outcome rates., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Surgical Neurology International.)

Background: Aneurysms of the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) do not usually cause subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We report a patient who presented with this condition due to a ruptured aneurysm located on the posterior genu of the cavernous segment, raising the question of what factors could have led to such evolution., Case Description: A 55-year-old male patient presented with sudden, intense thunderstorm headache, associated with complete palsy of the left oculomotor nerve and neck stiffness. Cranial computed tomography (CT) showed no SAH, but showed an expansive process in the sella turcica, consistent with a pituitary macroadenoma. After that, SAH was confirmed by lumbar puncture (Fisher I). Cranial angio-CT revealed an intradural saccular aneurysm in the cavernous segment of the left ICA. The patient underwent cranial microsurgery for cerebral aneurysm clipping. Unlike the normal anatomic pattern, the cavernous segment of the carotid artery in this patient was located in the intradural compartment., Conclusion: Intradural rupture of proximal cavernous segment carotid aneurysms is rare. We review the literate for such cases and discuss the possible causes., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Surgical Neurology International.)

Microsurgical clipping is currently the main method of treating cerebral aneurysms, even with the improvement of endovascular therapy techniques in recent years. Treatment aims at complete occlusion of the lesion, which is not always feasible. Although appearing superior to endovascular treatment, microsurgical clipping may present varying percentages of incomplete occlusion. Such incidence may be reduced with the use of intraoperative vascular study. Some classifications were elaborated in an attempt to standardize the characteristics of residual lesions, but the classification criteria and terminology used in the studies remain vague and poorly documented, and there is no consensus for a uniform classification. Thus, there is also no agrément on which residual aneurysms should be treated. The aim of this study is to review the literature on residual lesions after microsurgery to treat cerebral aneurysms and how to proceed with them.

Introduction: Retro-odontoid pseudotumor (ROP) is a rare disease that affects the atlantoaxial joint and, in general, is associated with local biomechanical alterations that may or may not cause instability., Methods: Descriptive study of the literature available in databases MEDLINE/PubMed, LILACS, and Scopus. The research was conducted in April 2019., Discussion: ROP is, possibly, a syndromic designation that encompasses a significant variety of diseases of the atlantoaxial joint. There are different pathophysiological mechanisms implicated in its genesis. The patients, almost in their entirety, present with severe myelopathy, and most of them are treated surgically, with the posterior decompression being the most commonly used method, with or without arthrodesis. Evolution is usually favorable., Conclusion: The ROP is still poorly recognized as a differential diagnosis between the diseases of the cranial-cervical junction. The information available in the literature analyzed was based mainly on the study of reports or case series; therefore, it is insufficient to define conducts with a high level of scientific evidence.

We aimed to evaluate the effects of L-arginine (L-arg) in the quality of in vitro heparin-induced capacitation of cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa and its effects on IVP. The experimental groups were: Control 0 hour without pre-capacitation, and groups of sperm capacitated for 30 min in the absence of COC with heparin (Control 30 min), with 1 mM L-arg and with 1 mM L-arg + heparin. The capacitation pattern was evaluated by chlortetracycline assay and the integrity of the plasma membrane (PM) and acrosome membrane (AM) by the association of Hoescht 33342 and propidium iodide. Further, we assess the sperm quality by the rate of in vitro blastocysts production. Treatment with 1 mM L-arg + heparin increased the percentage of capacitated sperm when compared to Control 0 hour and the treatment with heparin (61.1 vs. 18.2 and 47.0%, respectively, P<0.05). The addition of 1 mM L-arg to the medium has capacitated the spermatozoa (26.2 ± 3.8) but was less effective than heparin (47.0 ± 4.0) (P<0.05). There was no difference in the percentage of sperm with intact PM between treatments when compared to Control 0 hour (P>0.05). The group capacitated with 1 mM L-arg + heparin for 30 min increased the blastocyst rate compared to Control IVF (53.7 vs. 40.8%, P<0.05). We conclude that the addition of L-arg with heparin increases the number of capacitated spermatozoa in vitro with 30 min of pre-incubation in the absence of COC not altering the integrity of plasma and acrosomal membrane. This treatment in the absence of COC was the most effective method for blastocysts production, and the method of pre-incubation could be used to assess the role of other substances in the sperm capacitation and its effect on IVP., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare., (Copyright © The Author(s).)

Objectives: To identify recurrence and its potential predisposing factors in a series of 595 patients with an initial diagnosis of Chronic Subdural Hematoma (CSDH) who underwent surgical treatment at a Reference Hospital of São Paulo., Methods: A retrospective descriptive study, in which the medical records of all patients with a CSDH diagnosis submitted to surgical treatment from 2000 to 2014 were analyzed., Results: The final study population consisted of 500 patients with a diagnosis of CSDH (95 patients with a diagnosis of Cystic Hygroma were excluded), of which 27 patients presented recurrence of the disease (5.4%). There were no statistically significant differences in relapses when cases were stratified by gender, laterality of the first episode or surgical procedure performed in the first episode (trepanning vs. craniotomy). It was possible to demonstrate an age-related protective factor, analyzed as a continuous variable, regarding the recurrence of the CSDH, with a lower rate of recurrence the higher the age., Conclusions: The results indicate that, among possible factors associated with recurrence, only age presented a protective factor with statistical significance. The fact that no significant difference between the patients submitted to trepanning or craniotomy was found favors the preferential use of burr-hole surgery as a procedure of choice due to its fast and less complex execution.

Context: Presence of an arachnoid cyst and a non-ruptured intracystic brain aneurysm is extremely rare. The aim of this paper was to describe a case of a patient with an arachnoid cyst and a non-ruptured aneurysm inside it. Clinical, surgical and radiological data were analyzed and the literature was reviewed., Case Report: A patient complained of chronic headache. She was diagnosed as having a temporal arachnoid cyst and a non-ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm inside it. Surgery was performed to clip the aneurysm and fenestrate the cyst., Conclusions: This report raises awareness about the importance of intracranial vascular investigation in patients with arachnoid cysts and brain hemorrhage.

Context: Central nervous system (CNS) infectious diseases have high prevalence in developing countries and their proper diagnosis and treatment are very important for public health planning. Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungus that may cause several CNS manifestations, especially in immunocompromised patients. Cryptococcal meningitis is the most common type of involvement. Mass-effect lesions are uncommon: they are described as cryptococcomas and their prevalence is even lower among immunocompetent patients. The aim here was to report an extremely rare case of cryptococcoma causing a mass effect and mimicking a brain tumor in an immunocompetent patient. The literature on CNS cryptococcal infections was reviewed with emphasis on cryptococcomas. Clinical, surgical and radiological data on a female patient with this rare presentation of cryptococcoma mimicking a brain tumor are described., Case Report: A 54-year-old female patient presented to the emergency department with a rapid-onset progressive history of confusion and completely dependency for basic activities. Neuroimaging showed a left occipital lesion and neurosurgical treatment was proposed. From histopathological evaluation, a diagnosis of cryptococcoma was established. She received clinical support with antifungals, but despite optimal clinical treatment, her condition evolved to death., Conclusions: Cryptococcal infections have several forms of presentation and, in immunocompetent patients, their manifestation may be even more different. Cryptococcoma is an extremely rare presentation in which proper surgical and clinical treatment should be instituted as quickly as possible, but even so, there is a high mortality rate.

Encephalocele is defined as protrusion of cranial contents beyond the normal confines of the skull. Although most encephalocele cases have a congenital etiology, fractures of the skull base can cause traumatic encephalocele. In most encephalocele cases, the bone defect presents reduced dimensions and the endoscopic treatment is generally performed to reconstruct the area using mucosal and/or fat grafts. This article sought to report on a rare case of traumatic encephalocele associated with an extensive defect of the anterior skull base. This case was treated via transcranial access, and reconstruction was performed using titanium mesh in conjunction with a pericranium flap.

Context and Objective:: Neurocysticercosis is prevalent in developing countries and manifests with several neurological signs and symptoms that may be fatal. The cysts may be parenchymal or extraparenchymal and therefore several signs and symptoms may occur. Depending on their location, neurosurgical procedures may be required, sometimes as emergencies. The aim here was to review 10-year statistics on all surgical neurocysticercosis cases at a large public tertiary-level hospital., Design and Setting:: Retrospective cohort at a large public tertiary-level hospital., Methods:: All surgical neurocysticercosis cases seen between July 2006 and July 2016 were reviewed. Parenchymal and extraparenchymal forms were considered, along with every type of surgical procedure (shunt, endoscopic third ventriculostomy and craniotomy). The literature was reviewed through PubMed, using the terms "neurocysticercosis", "surgery", "shunt" and "hydrocephalus"., Results:: 37 patients underwent neurosurgical procedures during the study period. Most were male (62.16%) and extraparenchymal cases predominated (81%). Patients aged 41 to 50 years were most affected (35.13%) and those 20 years or under were unaffected. Ventricular forms were most frequently associated with hydrocephalus and required permanent shunts in most cases (56.57%)., Conclusions:: The treatment of neurocysticercosis depends on the impairment: the parenchymal type usually does not require surgery, which is more common in the extraparenchymal form. Hydrocephalus is a frequent complication because the cysts often obstruct the cerebrospinal flow. The cysts should be removed whenever possible, to avoid the need for permanent shunts.

Objective:: to evaluate the endovascular treatment of vascular lesions of the cavernous segment of the internal carotidartery (ICA) performed at our institution., Methods:: we conducted a descriptive, retrospective and prospective study of patients with aneurysms of the cavernous portion of the ICA or with direct carotid-cavernous fistulas (dCCF) undergoing endovascular treatment., Results:: we included 26 patients with intracavernous aneurysms and ten with dCCF. All aneurysms were treated with ICA occlusion. Those with dCCF were treated with occlusion in seven cases and with selective fistula occlusion in the remaining three. There was improvement of pain and ocular proptosis in all patients with dCCF. In patients with intracavernous aneurysms, the incidence of retro-orbital pain fell from 84.6% to 30.8% after treatment. The endovascular treatment decreased the dysfunction of affected cranial nerves in both groups, especially the oculomotor one., Conclusion:: the endovascular treatment significantly improved the symptoms in the patients studied, especially those related to pain and oculomotor nerve dysfunction., Objetivo:: avaliar o tratamento endovascular de lesões vasculares da artéria carótida interna (ACI), segmento cavernoso, realizado na Santa Casa de São Paulo., Métodos:: estudo descritivo, retrospectivo e prospectivo, de pacientes com aneurisma da porção cavernosa da ACI ou com fístulas carótido-cavernosas diretas (FCCd) submetidos a tratamento endovascular., Resultados:: foram incluídos 26 pacientes com aneurismas intracavernosos e dez com FCCd. Todos os aneurismas foram tratados com oclusão da ACI. Os com FCCd foram tratados com oclusão, em sete casos, e com oclusão seletiva da fístula nos outros três. Houve melhora da dor e proptose ocular em todos os pacientes com FCCd. Nos pacientes com aneurisma intracavernoso, a incidência de dor retro-orbitária caiu de 84,6% para 30,8% após o tratamento. Após o tratamento endovascular houve uma melhora importante da disfunção de nervos cranianos afetados em ambos os grupos, sobretudo no nervo oculomotor., Conclusão:: o tratamento endovascular trouxe melhora para os pacientes deste estudo, especialmente nos critérios dor e acometimento do nervo oculomotor.

Dural arteriovenous fistulas are acquired lesions between the meningeal arteries and their associated draining veins. They may have highly variable clinical presentations and evolution, from severe neurological deficit to no or trivial symptoms. Intracranial hemorrhage occurs in less than 24% of all dural fistulas, and the bleeding is usually subarachnoid, more infrequently intracerebral, and rarely in the subdural space. Here, we present a rare case of a patient who presented with a subdural spontaneous hemorrhage. After investigation by cerebral angiography, the diagnosis of a dural arteriovenous fistula was made. The patient underwent uneventful endovascular treatment. As there are with only a few reports in the literature of such a presentation, we present this patient and perform a brief review of the literature., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Spontaneous complete thrombosis of a giant aneurysm and its parent artery is a rare event. Their spontaneous recanalization is even rarer, with few reports., Case Description: A 17-year-old male patient presenting blurred vision and headache, with a history of seizures, was referred to our service. After further investigation with cranial computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cerebral angiography (CAG), it was diagnosed a thrombosed aneurysm of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) and also complete thrombosis of the PCA. Three years later, he experienced visual worsening. A new MRI scan indicated flow both through the aneurysm and the left PCA, which was further confirmed by CAG. We decided for a noninterventional treatment combined with strict clinical follow-up. The patient continues to present with the previous neurological deficit, without recurrence of headaches., Conclusions: Thrombosis is not the final event in the natural history of giant aneurysms, and partial thrombosis does not preclude the risk of rupture. Thrombosed aneurysms may display additional growth brought about by wall dissections or intramural hemorrhages. Their treatment may be either surgical or involve endovascular procedures such as embolization. Thrombosed giant aneurysms are dynamic and unstable lesions. A noninterventional treatment is feasible, but aneurysmal growth or recanalization may suggest the need for a more active intervention.

Low-energy penetrating nail injury to the brain is an extremely rare neurosurgical emergency. The most common cause of nail gun injury is work related accidents; other causes result from accidental firing of a nail gun, suicide attempts by firing nail guns into the brain, and bomb blasts containing pieces of nails. Neurosurgical treatment performed by craniotomy still seems to be the safest one; there are reports of complications such as subdural hematoma and intraparenchymal hemorrhages following the blind removal of foreign bodies leading to suggestions that all penetrating foreign bodies should be removed under direct vision. We report a rarely described neurosurgical approach for removal of a penetrating nail from the brain and skull without evidence of associated hematoma and other brain lesions.

Introduction: the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has been decreasing patient morbidity and mortality by opportunistic infections and, thus, survival has increased. This new reality has been changing the spectrum of diseases affecting such patients., Objective: to discuss the association between HIV and the emergence of aneurysmal brain injuries., Method: it was performed a literature review using medical database. The following descriptors were searched: "Intracranial Aneurysms and HIV", "Intracranial Aneurysms and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome," "aneurysm and brain and HIV"., Results: after performed a literature review, it was observed that the relationship between HIV infection and the formation of aneurysms appears to be real, however, it still lacks data to confirm the pathophysiology of this condition and its best treatment., Conclusion: there are new signs and symptoms that should be studied and researched relating HIV with other changes not previously known.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is less common in children than in adults. Posterior fossa lesions are even more uncommon, but, when present, are usually epidural hematomas. These lesions, even when small, may have a bad outcome because of the possibility of compression of the important structures that the infratentorial compartment contains, such as the brainstem and cranial nerves, and the constriction of the fourth ventricle, causing acute hydrocephalus. Although unusual, posterior fossa lesions are increasingly being diagnosed because of the better quality of and easier access to cranial tomography. In this paper, we report a case of a 12-year-old male patient who had suffered a TBI and presented with several pneumocephali, one of them in the retroclival region, causing a mass effect and then compression of the sixth cranial nerve which is the most susceptible to these injuries. We discuss these traumatic posterior fossa lesions, with an emphasis on retroclival pneumocephalus, not yet described in the literature in association with bilateral abducens palsy. In addition, we discuss associated lesions and the trauma mechanism., (© 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs) are abnormal connections between the carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. They are considered direct when there is a direct connection between the internal carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. These cases are generally traumatic. Direct CCFs are high-flow lesions, possibly related to intracranial bleeding, visual loss, corneal exposure or even fatal epistaxis. Treatment of such lesions is, thus, always recommended. The ideal treatment for direct CCF is to exclude the fistula from circulation, preserving the carotid flow. This can be attained using diverse endovascular techniques. The objective of the present article is to review the current techniques for treatment of direct CCFs, with special attention to the currently available endovascular treatment options.

Context. Breast cancer (BC) in men is a rare condition, corresponding to 1% of all neoplasms in this gender. Some studies show that up to 93% of BC cases in men are advanced disease. If its occurrence constitutes an uncommon fact, the appearance of a metastasis to the central nervous system (CNS) is extremely rare. The objective of the present study is to present the case of a male patient, bearer of HIV infection, who presented with BC and later metastasis to the CNS. We also include a brief review of the literature. Case Report. We describe a case of a male patient, 59 years old, with HIV infection and a history of BC treated 4 years earlier, which progressed into headache and vertigo. Neuroimaging exams showed lesions suggestive of cerebral metastasis and a stereotaxic biopsy confirmed BC metastasis. Conclusion. Breast cancer in men with metastasis to the CNS is a rare condition and similar reports were not found in the available databases. It should be pointed out that even though rare, it should be considered among the differential diagnoses for SNC metastases in men, although HIV infection favors the appearance of some types of cancer.

Background: Spinal cord herniation was first described in 1974. It generally occurs in middle-aged adults in the thoracic spine. Symptoms typically include back pain and progressive paraparesis characterized by Brown-Séquard syndrome. Surgical reduction of the hernia improves the attendant symptoms and signs, even in patients with longstanding deficits., Case Description: A 66-year-old female with back pain for 7 years, accompanied by paresthesias and a progressive paraparesis, underwent a thoracic MRI which documented a ventral spinal cord herniation at the T4 level. Following a laminectomy, with reduction of the hernia and ventral dural repair, the patient improved., Conclusion: Herniation of the thoracic cord, documented on MR, may produce symptomatic paraparesis which may resolve following laminectomy with ventral dural repair.

Objective: To describe and analyze technique for bilateral catheterization of inferior petrosal sinus in our service, discussing the difficulties and success rates found., Subjects and Methods: Fourteen patients with suspected Cushing's syndrome underwent bilateral inferior petrosal sinuses (IPS) catheterization between 2009 and 2012. The technique for catheterization and for hormone analysis were described., Results: The procedure was well tolerated by all patients, and adequate catheterization was achieved in 92.85% of cases. The diagnosis of Cushing's disease was confirmed in 10 cases. The result of IPS catheterization after CRH infusion was coherent in all cases, without false negatives., Conclusion: The catheterization of IPS, despite being an invasive technique, is a safe procedure. The objectives can be done properly in most cases. When well indicated, this procedure remains the gold standard in distinguishing the ectopic form to pituitary source in Cushing's syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common peripheral entrapment neuropathy that is caused by increased pressure within the carpal tunnel resulting in a chronic process of median nerve ischemia and segmental demyelination. We report on a patient with bilateral patent persistent median artery (PMA) affected by typical symptomatic CTS who was treated by bilateral mini-open decompression with complete improvement. For PMA-associated CTS, standard decompression is considered the treatment of choice, whereas resection should be reserved for pathological PMA. Mini-open decompression can be an alternative, as we have verified in this first description., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Objective: To evaluate the epidemiology and prognostic factors associated with traumatic brain injury by a firearm projectile (FAP)., Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 181 patients in the Department of Neurosurgery of Santa Casa de São Paulo (São Paulo Holy House) diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting from FAP from January 1991 to December 2005. Were evaluated: age, sex, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) on admission, brain region affected by the FAP, type of injury (penetrating or tangential), type of treatment and outcome, based on GCS. The relationship between therapeutic strategy and outcome was analyzed using the Chi-square test with Yates correction. The Fisher test was used to verify the same correlation individually for each group stratified by GCS on admission., Results: Of the 181 patients, 85% were male (n = 154) and 15% female (n = 27). Mean age was 31.04 years (± 10.98). The mostly affected brain region was the frontal lobe (27.6%), followed by temporal (24.86%) and occipital (16.57%) ones. Of the TBIs evaluated, 16% were tangential and 84%, penetrating., Conclusion: Patients undergoing surgical treatment had better outcome than those submitted to conservative treatment, and patients who were more severe at admission (GCS 3-8) have better results with the neurosurgical procedure.

Purpose: Congenital intracranial tumors are extremely rare and the most common is teratoma. Craniopharyngioma is a rare neonatal tumor with only eight cases reported. The management of this tumor in the neonatal period is still controversial, with the best results obtained when radical resection is performed. We present the case of a patient who received the diagnosis of a suprasellar tumor during the prenatal period and reviewed literature regarding the management., Methods: We report a case of neonatal craniopharyngioma treated surgically., Results: The routine ultrasound at 29 weeks of gestation showed a suprasellar echogenic image measuring 44 mm in diameter with polyhydramnios and macrocephaly. The patient was born at 38 weeks of gestation and underwent a surgical treatment on its 32nd day of life and the excision of almost 80 % of the lesion was achieved. He developed a subdural hygroma and on the 51st day of life, a subduroperitoneal shunt was installed to treat it. This patient died at 8 months of life due to complications of a shunt infection., Conclusion: The present case is the ninth diagnosed during the prenatal period and the literature is controversial on the management of this rare tumor. The complete excision of the lesion using the microsurgical technique is the gold standard treatment for these patients; however, there are many factors that limit this approach in neonates. Usually, the resected tumors were smaller than 6 cm. Tumors larger than 8 cm have a worse prognosis, with a short survival time.

Background: There is no comprehensive study about renal function in children with visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in children with VL using pRIFLE classification and to determine the risk factors for AKI., Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with 146 patients younger than 14 years of age with VL diagnosis in one center located at the northeast of Brazil from December 2003 to 2010. AKI was evaluated by pediatric Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End-stage kidney disease (pRIFLE) criteria., Results: The mean age was 5 ± 4.0 years (range, 5 months to 14 years), and 53.4% were males. AKI was observed in 67 patients (45.9%). The distribution according to the pRIFLE criteria was as follows: risk 45 (67.2%), injury 21 (31.3%), and failure 1 (1.5%). Patients in the AKI group were significantly younger (P < 0.001) and had jaundice (P = 0.028) and secondary infections (P = 0.001) more often than non-AKI patients. The AKI group had a significantly lower serum sodium (P = 0.03), potassium (P = 0.009), serum albumin (P = 0.001), and elevated serum globulins (P = 0.04), and a more prolonged prothrombin time (P = 0.001) at admission. Independent risk factors for AKI were: secondary infections (OR: 3.65, 95% CI: 1.426-9.358, P = 0.007), serum albumin decrement (OR: 1.672, 95% CI: 1.065-2.114, P = 0.019 per each 1 mg dL(-1) serum albumin decrement), and high serum globulin (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.031-1.779, P = 0.029 per each 1 mg dL(-1) serum globulin increment)., Conclusions: AKI is a frequent complication in children with VL. The risk factors for AKI were secondary infections, high serum globulin and low serum albumin.

Malignant chondroid syringoma is a mixed cutaneous tumor, with epithelial and mesenchymal components, which compromises principally the trunk and extremities. This lesion is quite rare, with few cases related in the literature and no publications demonstrating its involvement of the central nervous system. Histologically, owing to its mixed origin, it represents a lesion that is difficult to recognize, often being confused with basocellular carcinoma. We report the case of a female patient, carrier of malignant chondroid syringoma in the occipital region, with invasion of the central nervous system, who was submitted to surgical excision of the lesion at our service. We also made a brief revision of the literature on the theme.

Introduction: Arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) are rare vascular lesions of the brain that differ from arteriovenous malformations as they present a direct connection between artery and vein, without interposition of the nidus. They are fed by one or more arterial branches, with a single draining vein. Clinically they can be revealed through cerebral hemorrhage, convulsive crisis, neurological deficit, heart failure in neonates and infants, headache, bruit, or intracranial hypertension symptoms., Patient and Methods: A 30-year-old patient was found unconscious on a public street, presenting a generalized tonic-clonic convulsive crisis. At admission, she presented with ocular proptosis, conjunctival hyperemia and bilateral jugular turgescence. The cranial computed tomography showed diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage, and the cerebral angiography evidenced a giant intracranial pial AVF with high flow supplied by 2 branches of the left anterior cerebral artery.The patient underwent endovascular treatment in 2 sessions, using a mixture of histoacryl and lipiodol for complete occlusion of the lesion. She was discharged after a month, alert, devoid of motor deficit, and the ocular proptosis and the conjunctival hyperemia had decreased., Conclusion: AVFs are rare vascular lesions that require prompt treatment. The endovascular treatment must be considered, especially when the lesions are deep and the risks of neurological deficit associated with the surgery are high. Endoscopic intervention represents an effective and safe option for the treatment of this type of lesion., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)