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Importance: A potential relationship between meningioma and breast cancer was suggested 70 years ago. However, to date, no conclusive evidence is available on this topic. Objective: To provide a comprehensive review of the literature on the association of meningioma with breast cancer, supported by a meta-analysis. Data Sources: A systematic PubMed search was performed up to April 2023 to identify articles on the association of meningioma with breast cancer. The following key words were used strategically: meningioma, breast cancer, breast carcinoma, association, relation. Study Selection: All studies reporting women diagnosed with meningioma and breast cancer were identified. The search strategy was not limited by study design or publication date but only included articles in English. Additional articles were identified via citation searching. Studies reporting a complete population of meningiomas or breast cancer patients throughout a specific study period and a proportion of patients with a second pathology could be used for the meta-analysis. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Data extraction was performed by 2 authors in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) statement. Meta-analyses regarding both populations were performed using a random-effects model. Risk of bias was assessed. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main measures were whether there was an increased prevalence of breast cancer in female patients with meningioma and whether there was an increased prevalence of meningioma in female patients with breast cancer. Results: A total of 51 retrospective studies (case reports, case series, and cancer registry reports) describing 2238 patients with both diseases were identified; 18 studies qualified for prevalence analyses and meta-analysis. The random-effects meta-analysis (13 studies) revealed a significantly greater prevalence of breast cancer in female patients with meningioma than in the overall population (odds ratio [O, SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

External hydrocephalus (EH) is a recognised sub-type of hydrocephalus associated with macrocephaly in infancy. EH is characterised by the enlargement of subarachnoid spaces (so-called subarachnomegaly) with a normal ventricular system on brain imaging. EH is traditionally considered benign and self-limiting, yet its pathophysiology remains puzzling. Mounting evidence for an association between EH and hydrovenous disorders reshapes our understanding of this condition and its management. To our knowledge, we report the first association between EH and dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) in a 17-months-old boy. As dAVF may be a life-threatening condition, early diagnosis and optimal treatment are critical. This case epitomises the intricacies of EH’s aetiology and associated conditions requiring careful management. Therefore, we recommend considering MR angiography in EH’s workup and long-term follow-up. Our experience supports the ongoing reconsideration of EH’s presumed benignity., SCOPUS: ar.j, DecretOANoAutActif, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Introduction: We report a case of a Kernohan notch phenomenon caused by an acute life-threatening intracranial subdural hematoma due to a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak following lumbar surgery. Case report: A 71-year-old patient underwent decompressive lumbar surgery for refractory neurogenic claudication. Intraoperatively, a dural tear was noted and repaired. Two days later, the patient presented a sudden loss of consciousness following a CSF outflow in the subfascial lumbar drain. A head CT revealed an acute intracranial subdural hematoma with mass effect. A craniotomy was performed to evacuate the hematoma. The lumbar operative site was inspected and revealed a CSF leakage due to a dural defect which was subsequently repaired. The patient subsequently developed a Kernohan's notch phenomenon which partially recovered after two months of rehabilitation. Conclusion: We report a rare and dramatic case of Kernohan notch phenomenon due to an acute intracranial subdural hematoma occurring in the setting of a CSF leak following lumbar spine surgery. This case demonstrates the need to be aware of this potentially fatal complication after spine surgery and the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) is a rare inflammatory disease affecting central nervous system vessels. The diagnosis, which requires confirmation by brain biopsy, remains challenging due to unspecific clinical presentation and low specificity of imaging and laboratory exams. In these two pediatric biopsy-proven cases of svPACNS we demonstrate that brain positron emission tomography (PET) show a high metabolic activity that extends beyond brain MRI abnormalities. Therefore, combining MRI and PET abnormalities to adequately guide brain biopsy might increase the diagnostic yield of this rare condition., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Background: Neuroendocrine dysfunction is a common complication of several neurosurgical conditions. In particular, central diabetes insipidus (CDI) can occur subsequent to traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral tumors or as a result of a complication following pituitary neurosurgery. In contrast, surgical resection of non-sellar tumors does not commonly result in CDI, with only a few cases reported in the literature. Case description: We report the case of a 40-year-old man who presented a transient CDI following surgical resection of a pineal papillary tumor via an occipital interhemispheric trans-tentorial approach. The underlying pathogenesis of CDI occurring post resection of tumors arising at a distance from the sella is not yet clearly understood, especially since there is no evidence of direct compression of the pituitary stalk. With regards to our case, we hypothesize that restauration of the initial obstructive hydrocephalus might induce a rapid intracranial pressure variation leading to hemodynamics changes of the portal hypophyseal vascular system. Postoperative air entrapment in the sellar region might also lead to irritation of the pituitary stalk. Conclusion: This case highlights that CDI may happen as a consequence of pineal tumor resection and advocates for a careful postoperative monitoring., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Purpose: Target temperature management (TTM) is often used in patients after cardiac arrest, but the effects of cooling on cerebral microcirculation, oxygenation and metabolism are poorly understood. We studied the time course of these variables in a healthy swine model.Methods: Fifteen invasively monitored, mechanically ventilated pigs were allocated to sham procedure (normothermia, NT; n = 5), cooling (hypothermia, HT, n = 5) or cooling with controlled oxygenation (HT-Oxy, n = 5). Cooling was induced by cold intravenous saline infusion, ice packs and nasal cooling to achieve a body temperature of 33–35 °C. After 6 h, animals were rewarmed to baseline temperature (within 5 h). The cerebral microvascular network was evaluated (at baseline and 2, 7 and 12 h thereafter) using sidestream dark-field (SDF) video-microscopy. Cerebral blood flow (laser Doppler MNP100XP, Oxyflow, Oxford Optronix, Oxford, UK), oxygenation (PbtO2, Licox catheter, Integra Lifesciences, USA) and lactate/pyruvate ratio (LPR) using brain microdialysis (CMA, Stockholm, Sweden) were measured hourly. Results: In HT animals, cerebral functional capillary density (FCD) and proportion of small-perfused vessels (PSPV) significantly decreased over time during the cooling phase; concomitantly, PbtO2 increased and LPR decreased. After rewarming, all microcirculatory variables returned to normal values, except LPR, which increased during the rewarming phase in the two groups subjected to HT when compared to the group maintained at normothermia. Conclusions: In healthy animals, TTM can be associated with alterations in cerebral microcirculation during cooling and altered metabolism at rewarming., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Introduction: The accurate placement of the ventricular catheter (VC) is critical in reducing the incidence of proximal failure of ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPSs). The standard freehand technique is based on validated external anatomical landmarks but remains associated with a relatively high rate of VC malposition. Already proposed alternative methods have all their specific limitations. Herein, we evaluate the accuracy of our adapted freehand technique based on an individualized radio-anatomical approach. Reproducing the preoperative imaging on the patient’s head using common anatomical landmarks allows to define stereotactic VC coordinates to be followed at surgery. Material and methods: Fifty-five consecutive patients treated with 56 VPS between 11/2005 and 02/2020 fulfilled the inclusion criteria of this retrospective study. Burr hole coordinates, VC trajectory, and length were determined in all cases on preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan and were accurately reported on patients’ head. The primary endpoint was to evaluate VC placement accuracy. The secondary endpoint was to evaluate the rate and nature of postoperative VC-related complications. Results: Our new technique was applicable in all patients and no VC-related complications were observed. Postoperative imaging showed VC optimally placed in 85.7% and sub-optimally placed in 14.3% of cases. In all procedures, all the holes on the VC tip were found in the ventricular system. Conclusions: This simple individualized technique improves the freehand VC placement in VPS surgery, making its accuracy comparable to that of more sophisticated and expensive techniques. Further randomized controlled studies are required to compare our results with those of the other available techniques., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Cluster headaches are characterized by painful unilateral periorbital attacks accompanied by dysautonomic symptoms. Although cluster headaches are classified as a primary headache disorder, a few cases of inflammatory, vascular or neoplastic conditions have been reported to cause or mimic cluster headaches. This raises the question as to the possible causal relationship between symptoms and an underlying structural lesion that may potentially interfere with the trigemino-autonomic reflex. We hereby report the first pediatric case of a brainstem cavernoma causing cluster headache-like symptoms. Of note, the child experienced pain relief after surgery. With regards to the pathophysiology, the observed ptosis observed in our child during the painful crises might be explained by mass effect of the cavernorma on the cisternal portion of the third cranial nerve. In addition, chronic inflammation of mesencephalic and motor nuclei of the trigeminal nerve by thalamo-pedoncular edema surrounding the lesion may have participated to painful pathways. This case illustrates that cluster headaches may occasionally be secondary to an underlying lesion. This advocates the need for MRI screening, especially as neurosurgical intervention may offer significant symptomatic relief and an improvement in the quality of life of these patients., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published