Congenital dermal sinus tract (CDST) is a rare entity of spinal dysraphism with an incidence of 1 in 2500 live births. The presumed etiology relates to a focal failure of disjunction resulting in a persistent adhesion...Congenital dermal sinus tract (CDST) is a rare entity of spinal dysraphism with an incidence of 1 in 2500 live births. The presumed etiology relates to a focal failure of disjunction resulting in a persistent adhesion between the neural and cutaneous ectoderm. CDST is commonly associated with other pathologies such as myelomeningocele, split cord malformation, tethered cord and inclusion tumors. The authors report a case of a 2-year-old girl discharging lumbosacral CDST. The preoperative MRI showed the dermal sinus tract with 2 intradural lesions from L1 to L3. The tract was surgically excised followed by complete excision of the cyst and lipoma. The dermal sinus tract was attached to the medullary cone and was cut there, allowing “en bloc” removal of the dermal sinus tract. There were two distinct types of tumor. One cystic is located posterior to the medullary cone and the other is located laterally to the medullary cone, whose appearance suggests a lipoma. Both tumors were removed completely. The dura was closed in a tight manner. The pathological examination confirmed the lipoma and Dermoid Cyst. In the postoperative course, the child had a motor deficit in the lower limbs, which recovered completely after 3 months of physiotherapy.展开更多
Introduction: Stroke is a worldwide leading cause of mortality and disability, and there are substantial economic costs for post-stroke. A large hemispheric ischemic stroke is a severe form of stroke that may occur in...Introduction: Stroke is a worldwide leading cause of mortality and disability, and there are substantial economic costs for post-stroke. A large hemispheric ischemic stroke is a severe form of stroke that may occur in up to 10% of stroke cases. In these cases, decompressive craniectomy (DC) is an effective strategy to reduce early case fatality. In this study, the authors present their experience in the management of large hemispheric stroke in patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy. Patients and Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of 9 patients who underwent decompressive craniotomy for large hemispheric stroke from February 2021 to January 2024. Demographic, clinical, and radiologic variables were collected from the hospital archives. All patients underwent head CT scan or MRI showing the involvement of the majority or complete middle cerebral artery distribution area. Hemicraniectomy with duraplasty was the main surgical procedure. The mortality and the outcome using Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were reported. Results: A total of 9 patients with large hemispheric stroke who underwent DC were reviewed retrospectively. The mean age was 53 years with extremes of 39- and 67-year-old. There were 6 males and 3 females. The main risk factors of stroke were hypertension and diabetes in 5 and 3 cases, respectively. The large craniectomy was made and the dura was opened in the stellate fashion. Duraplasty was performed using epicrane in 7 patients and fascia lata aponeurosis in 2 patients. In the postoperative course, 4 (44%) patients died in 1 month and the mortality rate was 66.6% in 6 months. Conclusion: Decompressive craniectomy is a life-saving procedure used to manage cerebral edema after stroke onset. In our study, the high mortality rate could be explained by many factors, such as patient selection criteria and timing of surgery. Early surgery within the first 48 hours in patients less than 60 years old with large hemispheric stroke is recommended.展开更多
Tuberculoma is a common condition in developing countries. In some cases, it may mimic a glial lesion, making differential diagnosis challenging. The authors report two cases of giant tuberculoma in young patients age...Tuberculoma is a common condition in developing countries. In some cases, it may mimic a glial lesion, making differential diagnosis challenging. The authors report two cases of giant tuberculoma in young patients aged 14 and 16. A literature review was conducted on these cases. Both patients underwent partial excision. Histology concluded tuberculoma. Anti-tubercular treatment was implemented. The evolution one year later was marked by the persistence of neurological disorders, although they had improved.展开更多
<strong>Background:</strong> Myelomeningocele (MMC) is the most common neural tube defect (NTD) characterized by the extrusion of the spinal cord into a sac filled with cerebrospinal fluid, resulting in li...<strong>Background:</strong> Myelomeningocele (MMC) is the most common neural tube defect (NTD) characterized by the extrusion of the spinal cord into a sac filled with cerebrospinal fluid, resulting in lifelong disability. In the general population, the incidence of MMC ranges from 0.3 to 4.5/10,000 births. Live born infants with myelomeningocele have a death rate of approximately 10%. Many factors may play a role in the development of MMC such as environmental and genetic factors. In this study, we present our experience with a group of 63 children afflicted with MMC. <strong>Methods:</strong> This study was a retrospective analysis of 63 patients with MMC admitted to the neurosurgical department of Gabriel Touré Hospital from September 2017 to August 2018. A detailed history was obtained from the family at presentation. The family history and medical information before and during the pregnancy were compiled. Patients underwent complete physical and neurological examinations. Forty-seven (74.60%) patients underwent repair of the MMC and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed in 12 (19%) patients with accompanying hydrocephalus. The risk factors, neurological status, and surgical results have been analyzed. <strong>Results:</strong> Of 63 children with MMC admitted to our neurosurgical department, 34 (54%) were boys and 29 (46%) were girls. Forty (63.49%) patients were the children of marriages of second cousins or closer. The mean age of the fathers was 34 years (16 - 65), while that of mothers was 26 years (16 - 38). The pregnancy was unplanned in all cases. Fourteen (22.22%) mothers had genitourinary infections, 9 (14.3%) had malaria and 57 (90.47%) mothers used analgesics and antibiotics during the pregnancy. Fifty-nine (93.65%) children were born at term, 58 (92%) were delivered via normal spontaneous vaginal delivery, and 5 (8%) via cesarean section. Lumbosacral lesions were the most frequent in 27 (42.86%) patients. Forty-seven (74.60%) patients underwent repair of the MMC and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed in 12 (19%) patients with accompanying hydrocephalus. Wound infection developed in 2 cases in the postoperative period. The mortality rate was 4.3%. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>Myelomeningocele is a congenital anomaly for which several risk factors are known as well as environmental and genetic factors. This emphasizes the importance of prevention with folic acid supplementation and genetic advice.展开更多
Background: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a major health problem worldwide. It is the main cause of trauma mortality. Acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) has a reputation for being the most serious of all posttraumatic h...Background: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a major health problem worldwide. It is the main cause of trauma mortality. Acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) has a reputation for being the most serious of all posttraumatic head injuries. Its frequency is estimated to be 1% to 5% of all head injuries and 22% of severe head injuries. The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiological, clinical and prognosis aspects of ASDH in our department. Material and Methods: This prospective study, from January to December 2019, included 57 patients admitted to the Gabriel Touré Teaching Hospital for ASDH. Patients underwent detailed clinical and radiological evaluation and ASDH was diagnosed by non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scan. Functional outcome was evaluated 6 months after injury by Glasgow Outcome Scale. Results: During the study period, 662 patients were admitted for TBI including 57 (8.61%) cases of ASDH. The mean age was 34 years with extremes of 2 and 77 years. There was a male predominance with 52 (91.2%). The main cause of trauma was motor vehicle accidents in 38 (66.6%) patients. According to the Glasgow coma scale (GCS), 33 (57.9%) patients were classified mild (Table 2). The thickness of the hematoma was more than 1 cm in 13 (22.8%) patients and less than 1 cm in 44 (77%) patients. Surgical treatment was performed in 13 (22.8%) patients. The outcome was favorable in 30 (52.6%) patients and the mortality rate was 33.3%. Conclusion: ASDH remains a difficult challenge because of the high mortality. The mortality rate remains high particularly in patient with poor GCS score at admission.展开更多
<strong>Background:</strong> Actinomycosis is a bacterial infection characterized by a chronic, suppurative and granulomatous process. The causative organism was identified in 1891 as <em>Actinomycos...<strong>Background:</strong> Actinomycosis is a bacterial infection characterized by a chronic, suppurative and granulomatous process. The causative organism was identified in 1891 as <em>Actinomycosis israelii</em>. The disease is usually caused by the introduction of the bacteria through minor wound. Actinomycosis was classified by Cope into 3 different forms: cervicofacial (50%), pulmonothoracic (30%) and abdominopelvic (20%). Actinomycosis is an insidious disease but occasionally the clinical course can be more aggressive, involving underline tissue and organs. Involvement of scalp by actinomycosis is rare causing diagnostic dilemma and could be mistaken for different pathologies, such as tuberculosis or carcinoma. The most common clinical findings are local tumefaction with abscesses and sinuses draining pus that contains the granule of the causative organism. CT scan and MRI are aspecific for diagnosis, but they can help in defining the localization and the extension of the lesion. The certain diagnostic is based on cytology and/or biopsy. <strong>Case: </strong>A 24 year-old-man was admitted to our neurosurgical department with a 16-month history of multiple scalp ulcerated lesions and swelling of the head. He was complaining of headache. Physical examination revealed multiple scalp subcutaneous nodules and ulcerated lesions with swelling of the head. Our examination of the oral cavity revealed a poor oral hygiene condition with multiple caries. The CT scan revealed multiple scalp subcutaneous masses with chronic inflammatory changes of the skull. Routine laboratory test was normal. Surgical biopsy was performed and the histological result was compatible with actinomycosis. After histological confirmation, parenteral Penicillin 20 million units daily were given for 4 weeks. Clinical improvement was observed after completing a 4-week regimen of intravenous antibiotics. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Involvement of scalp by actinomycosis could be mistaken for different pathologies, such as tuberculosis or carcinoma. This emphasizes the importance of biopsy for histological confirmation of the disease.展开更多
<strong>Background:</strong> <span style="font-family:;" "="">Fibrous dysplasia is an uncommon skeletal disorder in which normal bone and marrow are replaced with fibro-osseo...<strong>Background:</strong> <span style="font-family:;" "="">Fibrous dysplasia is an uncommon skeletal disorder in which normal bone and marrow are replaced with fibro-osseous tissue. The disease comprises 2.5% of all bone tumors and 7.5% of all benign bone neoplasm. It is the progressive, slowly developing disease and the optimum treatment remains unclear in many cases. <b>Aim: </b>In this study, the authors report their experience in the surgical treatment of four cases of craniofacial fibrous dysplasia. <b>Cases presentation:</b> The study involved 4 patients with craniofacial fibrous dysplasia. There were 3 men and a woman. The patients were 10, 17, 20 and 8 years old. No patient had a focal neurological deficit. The CT scan appearance was compatible with Fibrous dysplasia in all patients. The site of disease was frontal in one case and parietal in the other 3 cases. Cosmetic surgical treatment was performed in all patients. Cranioplasty was performed in one patient and planned for the other three. <b>Conclusion:</b> Fibrous Dysplasia is a benign slow growing disease that may cause as well as clinical symptom and aesthetical discomfort. Radical resection, if possible, is the only technique to obtain resolution of the disease.</span>展开更多
Background: Growing skull fractures (GSF) are a rare complication of pediatric head trauma that comprises post-traumatic skull defect associated with an underlying dural tear and an intact arachnoid membrane. They are...Background: Growing skull fractures (GSF) are a rare complication of pediatric head trauma that comprises post-traumatic skull defect associated with an underlying dural tear and an intact arachnoid membrane. They are often misdiagnosed, and delay in management can lead to progression of the disease with neurological sequelae. GSF are rare and their incidence has been estimated as 0.05% - 1% of all pediatric skull fractures. This low incidence and the subtlety of its presentation often make diagnosis challenging with consequent delay in management. Surgery is recommended to treat GSF and involved dural repair with or without cranioplasty. In this paper, we report a case of a patient with GSF in whom the surgical repair was successful with good cosmetic and functional outcome. Case Report: A 12 months old girl was admitted to our neurosurgical department with right parietal swelling that had been gradually enlarging over 3 months. The history of the disease began when the girl was 1 month old with a fall with cranial impact resulting in head trauma with initial loss of consciousness. At presentation the girl was alert with normal consciousness. Clinical examination revealed the deformed skull with large pulsatile and painless swelling lesion in the right parietal region and hemiparesis on the left side. The CT scan revealed type 3 GSF including parietal bone diastasis with hypodense fluid collection that mimicked the leptomeningeal and porencephalic cyst. Surgical repair was performed. The post-operative course was uneventful and the child was discharged home five days after surgical intervention. Conclusion: GSF can lead to serious neurologic complications. Therefore educating parents on this potential outcome and close follow-up with clinical and imaging screening is recommended to screen children at risk for the development of the disease.展开更多
Ritscher-Schinzel syndrome, or 3C (cranio-cerebello-cardiac) syndrome is a developmental disorder characterized by cranio-facial, cerebellar and cardiac anomalies. It is a rare disease with an incidence of 1/1,000,000...Ritscher-Schinzel syndrome, or 3C (cranio-cerebello-cardiac) syndrome is a developmental disorder characterized by cranio-facial, cerebellar and cardiac anomalies. It is a rare disease with an incidence of 1/1,000,000 inhabitants, and was first described by Ritscher-Schinzel in 1987. 3C syndrome is an autosomal recessive disease caused by a mutation on the long arm of chromosome 8 to 8q24.13, the KIAA0196 locus, the strumpellin protein gene. The cardiac and cerebral anomalies are most often leading cause of death at an early age and people with 3C syndrome rarely exceed 40 years. In this paper, we report a case of Ritscher-Schinzel in 3-month-old boy who was admitted to our neurosurgical department in September 2020. Clinical examination revealed a macrocrania with head circumference at 47 cm. There was a prominence of forehead and occiput, the root of the nose which was flat, hypertelorism and micrognatism. The CT scan revealed Dandy WALKER malformation with cystic dilation of the 4th ventricle, an aplasia of the cerebellar vermis associated with a tretraventricular hydrocephalus.展开更多
Introduction: Extradural hematoma is a common pathology in our department. The natural history of small-volume hematoma is usually towards resorption. In rare cases, the hematoma calcifies and compresses the brain. We...Introduction: Extradural hematoma is a common pathology in our department. The natural history of small-volume hematoma is usually towards resorption. In rare cases, the hematoma calcifies and compresses the brain. We report an extradural hematoma in a 15-year-old boy who had a road traffic accident on February 2011. The brain CT-scan performed the following day revealed a small right frontal extradural hematoma. During hospitalization, he had a fever of 40 degrees with convulsions and the blood culture isolated the coagulase-negative staphylococci and Group D streptococci. When his conscience was restored, hemiparesis and dysarthria were observed. The control brain CT-scan performed 2 weeks after the trauma showed early resorption of the hematoma. Two months after the trauma, the brain CT-scan showed calcification of the hematoma. He underwent surgery in April 2011 to remove the calcification. The sequels were hemiparesis and posttraumatic epilepsy. Conclusion: The evolution of a small non-operated extradural hematoma can be done towards calcification thus requiring surgery.展开更多
Introduction: Gold panning is the research and artisanal exploitation of gold in the auriferous areas (rivers or others). Traumatisms arising from these activities are due to severe spinal cord injury and generally af...Introduction: Gold panning is the research and artisanal exploitation of gold in the auriferous areas (rivers or others). Traumatisms arising from these activities are due to severe spinal cord injury and generally affect young people in full activity. They constitute a real social handicap in Mali and even in Africa. The aim of our study is to share our expertise in the management of these vertebro-medullary traumasin these miners who currently escape to all controls in Mali. Material and Methods: From 2013 to 2016, 76 Traumatic Spine Cord Injuries (TSCI) were treated in the department of Neurosurgery of “Hôpital du Mali”. There were 73 males (96.05%) versus 03 Females (3.95%), aged between 21 - 43 years old. Results: All of our patients were admitted with deficit differing from paraparesis to tetraplegia. According to Frankel scale, we found 59 patients with complete deficits (A grade, 77.63%), and incomplete deficits in 17 cases (12 grade B, 04 grade C, 01 grade D). The X-ray standard radiographies were done in 24 cases (31.58%) from which 02 patients had been operated with these data. CT scan centered on the injured spinal segment was performed in 74 cases (97.37%). The lumbar spine was affected in 39 cases, followed by thoracolumbar junction in 19 cases and thoracic spine in 16 cases. The cervical spine was only interested in two cases. Fractures dislocations are the most frequently lesions encountered in our series. The surgical approach was performed in 74 patients and 02 patients received conservative treatment. Conclusion: Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries (TSCI) among miners are a real disaster in Mali and continue to plague thousands of families or increase the number of disabled people in our society. It is the only work, where the person concerned is making of his own grave. And according to witnesses, several miners remained at the bottom of the wells. Their prevention must first involve users by raising the awareness of local residents and traditional therapists, but also the country that must participate in regional development and ensure strict enforcement of regulatory measures. Our structure must have enough resources to acquire and treat these patients at any time.展开更多
Grisel’s syndrome is a rare complication that is characterized by non-traumatic atlantoaxial subluxation. It is most commonly seen in children after an upper respiratory tract infection or neck surgery, such as an ad...Grisel’s syndrome is a rare complication that is characterized by non-traumatic atlantoaxial subluxation. It is most commonly seen in children after an upper respiratory tract infection or neck surgery, such as an adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy and mastoidectomy. Grisel’s Syndrome is characterized by torticollis and a limited range of motion of the neck with pain. Here the authors report a case of a Malian 5-year-old girl with Grisel’s syndrome following tonsillectomy. The patient’s complaints were fully resolved after 2 weeks of conservative treatment.展开更多
Intracranial arachnoid cysts (IAC) are benign lesions containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Most of them are clinically silent and remain static in size. However some may present with mild and slow progressive symptom...Intracranial arachnoid cysts (IAC) are benign lesions containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Most of them are clinically silent and remain static in size. However some may present with mild and slow progressive symptoms caused by the cyst. The authors present the case of 54-year-old woman who presented with acute symptoms of severe headache, vomiting, and gait disturbance of 2 day’s duration. She had no history of head trauma. On admission, neurological examination revealed that the patient had a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15, and a left side hemiplegia. A CT scan revealed a hypodense fluid collection in the right frontoparietal region that mimicked an arachnoid cyst. The symptoms were improved after an emergency marsupialisation via craniotomy.展开更多
Background: Spinal schwannomas are common tumors of spinal neoplasm and account for about 25% of intradural spinal cord tumors in adults. They are generally benign and slow-growing. Advanced in radiologic and surgical...Background: Spinal schwannomas are common tumors of spinal neoplasm and account for about 25% of intradural spinal cord tumors in adults. They are generally benign and slow-growing. Advanced in radiologic and surgical techniques have brought about better surgical results. The goal of surgical treatment must be total resection if possible. In this report, the authors present the incidence, clinical presentation, localization, and results of surgically treated spinal schwannomas. The results of a literature review are also presented. Methods: Eleven consecutive patients with histologically confirmed spinal schwannomas were treated from January 2013 to December 2016 in the neurosurgical department of Gabriel Touré Hospital, Bamako, Mali. Neuroradiological diagnosis was made, CT scan in 7 patients, and MRI in 4 patients. All patients were operated on via the posterior approach. All cases were surgically excised, and they were confirmed to be schwannomas by pathologists. The patients were followed for 6 to 38 months (mean 28 months). Functional outcome was assessed using the motor grade and sensory change. Results: There were 11 patients with 7 (63.6%) males and 4 (36.4%) females. The mean age was 40.3 years (range 23 - 62 years). The most common symptom at the time of diagnosis was radicular pain in 9 (81.8%) patients followed by motor weakness in 8 (72.7%) patients. The most frequent site of spinal schwannomas was the thoracic region in 5 (45.5%) patients. During surgery, Gross-total resec-tion was achieved in 8 patients (72.7%) and subtotal removal in 3 (27.3%) patients. Histological findings were benign schwannoma in all cases. Postoperative complications developed in two patients, including one with cerebrospinal fluid leakage and other one with wound infection. In the short-term follow-up period, most of the patients (90.9%) appeared to be improved in comparison with their preoperative neurological status. There was no operative mortality. Conclusion: In this study, the clinical manifestations and surgical results of 11 cases of spinal schwannoma have been reviewed. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential for good outcome.展开更多
Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) generally occurs in children and young adults and is classified as a low-grade astrocytic tumor with a potential favorable prognosis. But these data must be interpreted with much ca...Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) generally occurs in children and young adults and is classified as a low-grade astrocytic tumor with a potential favorable prognosis. But these data must be interpreted with much caution, because of some rapid progression or malignant transformation during the postoperative follow-up. We report herein a rare case of a cerebellar PXA manifested as a benign lesion at first time in a 39 year-old woman, but with malignant transformation two years later. In this paper, we discuss the clinical signs, radiological findings and the therapeutic data on the subject according to literature review.展开更多
Background: Encephaloceles are congenital neural tube defects characterized by the protrusion of meninges and/or brain tissue from a defect in the skull. The incidence of the disease is about 0.8 - 5.6/10,000 live bir...Background: Encephaloceles are congenital neural tube defects characterized by the protrusion of meninges and/or brain tissue from a defect in the skull. The incidence of the disease is about 0.8 - 5.6/10,000 live births. They are classified based on the location and type of skull defect as occipital encephalocele, encephalocele of the cranial vault, frontoethmoidal encephalocele, and basal encephaloceles. Surgical reduction being the first line treatment and resection of herniated structures may be necessary when the encephalocele is large. In the present study, the authors present their experience in treating 17 patients with encephaloceles. Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of 17 patients from January 2013 to December 2016 in Gabriel Touré Hospital, Bamako, Mali. A history was obtained from the family at presentation. Medical information before and during the pregnancy was compiled. All patients underwent CT scan as a routine preoperative imaging study, to evaluate the encephalocele and to plan the surgical procedure. The following data were recorded for analysis: age, sex, location of encephalocele, neurological status, operative method, postoperative complications and surgical results. Results: There were 10 (58.8%) female and 7 (41.2%) male patients. The patients ranged in age from 3 days to 36 months. The most common site of encephalocele sac was the occipital region in 14 (82.4%) cases followed by the frontal region in 2 (11.8%) cases and the vertex in 1 (5.9%) case. The sac size was less than 3 cm in 5 (17.6%) cases, 3 - 5 cm in 8 (47.1%) cases and more than 5 cm in 4 (23.5%) cases. Three (17.6%) children presented with CSF leakage. Hydrocephalus was present in the preoperative period in 6 (35.3%) cases;all of them required VP shunt procedure. None of the cases had a preoperative neurologic deficit. Surgical excision was performed in all cases. In the postoperative period, meningitis developed in 2 cases (11.8%), wound infection in 1 case (5.9%) and seizure in 1 case (5.9%). Three patients (17.6%) died during postoperative follow-up. Postoperative hydrocephalus occurred in 1 (5.88%) patient requiring a VP shunt. Conclusion: Encephaloceles are commonly seen in the practice of neurosurgery in the world as well as in Mali. In this study, the clinical manifestations and surgical results of 17 cases have been reviewed. We recommend early repair and excision of encephaloceles to avoid rupture or skin excoriation.展开更多
文摘Congenital dermal sinus tract (CDST) is a rare entity of spinal dysraphism with an incidence of 1 in 2500 live births. The presumed etiology relates to a focal failure of disjunction resulting in a persistent adhesion between the neural and cutaneous ectoderm. CDST is commonly associated with other pathologies such as myelomeningocele, split cord malformation, tethered cord and inclusion tumors. The authors report a case of a 2-year-old girl discharging lumbosacral CDST. The preoperative MRI showed the dermal sinus tract with 2 intradural lesions from L1 to L3. The tract was surgically excised followed by complete excision of the cyst and lipoma. The dermal sinus tract was attached to the medullary cone and was cut there, allowing “en bloc” removal of the dermal sinus tract. There were two distinct types of tumor. One cystic is located posterior to the medullary cone and the other is located laterally to the medullary cone, whose appearance suggests a lipoma. Both tumors were removed completely. The dura was closed in a tight manner. The pathological examination confirmed the lipoma and Dermoid Cyst. In the postoperative course, the child had a motor deficit in the lower limbs, which recovered completely after 3 months of physiotherapy.
文摘Introduction: Stroke is a worldwide leading cause of mortality and disability, and there are substantial economic costs for post-stroke. A large hemispheric ischemic stroke is a severe form of stroke that may occur in up to 10% of stroke cases. In these cases, decompressive craniectomy (DC) is an effective strategy to reduce early case fatality. In this study, the authors present their experience in the management of large hemispheric stroke in patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy. Patients and Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of 9 patients who underwent decompressive craniotomy for large hemispheric stroke from February 2021 to January 2024. Demographic, clinical, and radiologic variables were collected from the hospital archives. All patients underwent head CT scan or MRI showing the involvement of the majority or complete middle cerebral artery distribution area. Hemicraniectomy with duraplasty was the main surgical procedure. The mortality and the outcome using Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were reported. Results: A total of 9 patients with large hemispheric stroke who underwent DC were reviewed retrospectively. The mean age was 53 years with extremes of 39- and 67-year-old. There were 6 males and 3 females. The main risk factors of stroke were hypertension and diabetes in 5 and 3 cases, respectively. The large craniectomy was made and the dura was opened in the stellate fashion. Duraplasty was performed using epicrane in 7 patients and fascia lata aponeurosis in 2 patients. In the postoperative course, 4 (44%) patients died in 1 month and the mortality rate was 66.6% in 6 months. Conclusion: Decompressive craniectomy is a life-saving procedure used to manage cerebral edema after stroke onset. In our study, the high mortality rate could be explained by many factors, such as patient selection criteria and timing of surgery. Early surgery within the first 48 hours in patients less than 60 years old with large hemispheric stroke is recommended.
文摘Tuberculoma is a common condition in developing countries. In some cases, it may mimic a glial lesion, making differential diagnosis challenging. The authors report two cases of giant tuberculoma in young patients aged 14 and 16. A literature review was conducted on these cases. Both patients underwent partial excision. Histology concluded tuberculoma. Anti-tubercular treatment was implemented. The evolution one year later was marked by the persistence of neurological disorders, although they had improved.
文摘<strong>Background:</strong> Myelomeningocele (MMC) is the most common neural tube defect (NTD) characterized by the extrusion of the spinal cord into a sac filled with cerebrospinal fluid, resulting in lifelong disability. In the general population, the incidence of MMC ranges from 0.3 to 4.5/10,000 births. Live born infants with myelomeningocele have a death rate of approximately 10%. Many factors may play a role in the development of MMC such as environmental and genetic factors. In this study, we present our experience with a group of 63 children afflicted with MMC. <strong>Methods:</strong> This study was a retrospective analysis of 63 patients with MMC admitted to the neurosurgical department of Gabriel Touré Hospital from September 2017 to August 2018. A detailed history was obtained from the family at presentation. The family history and medical information before and during the pregnancy were compiled. Patients underwent complete physical and neurological examinations. Forty-seven (74.60%) patients underwent repair of the MMC and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed in 12 (19%) patients with accompanying hydrocephalus. The risk factors, neurological status, and surgical results have been analyzed. <strong>Results:</strong> Of 63 children with MMC admitted to our neurosurgical department, 34 (54%) were boys and 29 (46%) were girls. Forty (63.49%) patients were the children of marriages of second cousins or closer. The mean age of the fathers was 34 years (16 - 65), while that of mothers was 26 years (16 - 38). The pregnancy was unplanned in all cases. Fourteen (22.22%) mothers had genitourinary infections, 9 (14.3%) had malaria and 57 (90.47%) mothers used analgesics and antibiotics during the pregnancy. Fifty-nine (93.65%) children were born at term, 58 (92%) were delivered via normal spontaneous vaginal delivery, and 5 (8%) via cesarean section. Lumbosacral lesions were the most frequent in 27 (42.86%) patients. Forty-seven (74.60%) patients underwent repair of the MMC and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed in 12 (19%) patients with accompanying hydrocephalus. Wound infection developed in 2 cases in the postoperative period. The mortality rate was 4.3%. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>Myelomeningocele is a congenital anomaly for which several risk factors are known as well as environmental and genetic factors. This emphasizes the importance of prevention with folic acid supplementation and genetic advice.
文摘Background: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a major health problem worldwide. It is the main cause of trauma mortality. Acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) has a reputation for being the most serious of all posttraumatic head injuries. Its frequency is estimated to be 1% to 5% of all head injuries and 22% of severe head injuries. The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiological, clinical and prognosis aspects of ASDH in our department. Material and Methods: This prospective study, from January to December 2019, included 57 patients admitted to the Gabriel Touré Teaching Hospital for ASDH. Patients underwent detailed clinical and radiological evaluation and ASDH was diagnosed by non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scan. Functional outcome was evaluated 6 months after injury by Glasgow Outcome Scale. Results: During the study period, 662 patients were admitted for TBI including 57 (8.61%) cases of ASDH. The mean age was 34 years with extremes of 2 and 77 years. There was a male predominance with 52 (91.2%). The main cause of trauma was motor vehicle accidents in 38 (66.6%) patients. According to the Glasgow coma scale (GCS), 33 (57.9%) patients were classified mild (Table 2). The thickness of the hematoma was more than 1 cm in 13 (22.8%) patients and less than 1 cm in 44 (77%) patients. Surgical treatment was performed in 13 (22.8%) patients. The outcome was favorable in 30 (52.6%) patients and the mortality rate was 33.3%. Conclusion: ASDH remains a difficult challenge because of the high mortality. The mortality rate remains high particularly in patient with poor GCS score at admission.
文摘<strong>Background:</strong> Actinomycosis is a bacterial infection characterized by a chronic, suppurative and granulomatous process. The causative organism was identified in 1891 as <em>Actinomycosis israelii</em>. The disease is usually caused by the introduction of the bacteria through minor wound. Actinomycosis was classified by Cope into 3 different forms: cervicofacial (50%), pulmonothoracic (30%) and abdominopelvic (20%). Actinomycosis is an insidious disease but occasionally the clinical course can be more aggressive, involving underline tissue and organs. Involvement of scalp by actinomycosis is rare causing diagnostic dilemma and could be mistaken for different pathologies, such as tuberculosis or carcinoma. The most common clinical findings are local tumefaction with abscesses and sinuses draining pus that contains the granule of the causative organism. CT scan and MRI are aspecific for diagnosis, but they can help in defining the localization and the extension of the lesion. The certain diagnostic is based on cytology and/or biopsy. <strong>Case: </strong>A 24 year-old-man was admitted to our neurosurgical department with a 16-month history of multiple scalp ulcerated lesions and swelling of the head. He was complaining of headache. Physical examination revealed multiple scalp subcutaneous nodules and ulcerated lesions with swelling of the head. Our examination of the oral cavity revealed a poor oral hygiene condition with multiple caries. The CT scan revealed multiple scalp subcutaneous masses with chronic inflammatory changes of the skull. Routine laboratory test was normal. Surgical biopsy was performed and the histological result was compatible with actinomycosis. After histological confirmation, parenteral Penicillin 20 million units daily were given for 4 weeks. Clinical improvement was observed after completing a 4-week regimen of intravenous antibiotics. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Involvement of scalp by actinomycosis could be mistaken for different pathologies, such as tuberculosis or carcinoma. This emphasizes the importance of biopsy for histological confirmation of the disease.
文摘<strong>Background:</strong> <span style="font-family:;" "="">Fibrous dysplasia is an uncommon skeletal disorder in which normal bone and marrow are replaced with fibro-osseous tissue. The disease comprises 2.5% of all bone tumors and 7.5% of all benign bone neoplasm. It is the progressive, slowly developing disease and the optimum treatment remains unclear in many cases. <b>Aim: </b>In this study, the authors report their experience in the surgical treatment of four cases of craniofacial fibrous dysplasia. <b>Cases presentation:</b> The study involved 4 patients with craniofacial fibrous dysplasia. There were 3 men and a woman. The patients were 10, 17, 20 and 8 years old. No patient had a focal neurological deficit. The CT scan appearance was compatible with Fibrous dysplasia in all patients. The site of disease was frontal in one case and parietal in the other 3 cases. Cosmetic surgical treatment was performed in all patients. Cranioplasty was performed in one patient and planned for the other three. <b>Conclusion:</b> Fibrous Dysplasia is a benign slow growing disease that may cause as well as clinical symptom and aesthetical discomfort. Radical resection, if possible, is the only technique to obtain resolution of the disease.</span>
文摘Background: Growing skull fractures (GSF) are a rare complication of pediatric head trauma that comprises post-traumatic skull defect associated with an underlying dural tear and an intact arachnoid membrane. They are often misdiagnosed, and delay in management can lead to progression of the disease with neurological sequelae. GSF are rare and their incidence has been estimated as 0.05% - 1% of all pediatric skull fractures. This low incidence and the subtlety of its presentation often make diagnosis challenging with consequent delay in management. Surgery is recommended to treat GSF and involved dural repair with or without cranioplasty. In this paper, we report a case of a patient with GSF in whom the surgical repair was successful with good cosmetic and functional outcome. Case Report: A 12 months old girl was admitted to our neurosurgical department with right parietal swelling that had been gradually enlarging over 3 months. The history of the disease began when the girl was 1 month old with a fall with cranial impact resulting in head trauma with initial loss of consciousness. At presentation the girl was alert with normal consciousness. Clinical examination revealed the deformed skull with large pulsatile and painless swelling lesion in the right parietal region and hemiparesis on the left side. The CT scan revealed type 3 GSF including parietal bone diastasis with hypodense fluid collection that mimicked the leptomeningeal and porencephalic cyst. Surgical repair was performed. The post-operative course was uneventful and the child was discharged home five days after surgical intervention. Conclusion: GSF can lead to serious neurologic complications. Therefore educating parents on this potential outcome and close follow-up with clinical and imaging screening is recommended to screen children at risk for the development of the disease.
文摘Ritscher-Schinzel syndrome, or 3C (cranio-cerebello-cardiac) syndrome is a developmental disorder characterized by cranio-facial, cerebellar and cardiac anomalies. It is a rare disease with an incidence of 1/1,000,000 inhabitants, and was first described by Ritscher-Schinzel in 1987. 3C syndrome is an autosomal recessive disease caused by a mutation on the long arm of chromosome 8 to 8q24.13, the KIAA0196 locus, the strumpellin protein gene. The cardiac and cerebral anomalies are most often leading cause of death at an early age and people with 3C syndrome rarely exceed 40 years. In this paper, we report a case of Ritscher-Schinzel in 3-month-old boy who was admitted to our neurosurgical department in September 2020. Clinical examination revealed a macrocrania with head circumference at 47 cm. There was a prominence of forehead and occiput, the root of the nose which was flat, hypertelorism and micrognatism. The CT scan revealed Dandy WALKER malformation with cystic dilation of the 4th ventricle, an aplasia of the cerebellar vermis associated with a tretraventricular hydrocephalus.
文摘Introduction: Extradural hematoma is a common pathology in our department. The natural history of small-volume hematoma is usually towards resorption. In rare cases, the hematoma calcifies and compresses the brain. We report an extradural hematoma in a 15-year-old boy who had a road traffic accident on February 2011. The brain CT-scan performed the following day revealed a small right frontal extradural hematoma. During hospitalization, he had a fever of 40 degrees with convulsions and the blood culture isolated the coagulase-negative staphylococci and Group D streptococci. When his conscience was restored, hemiparesis and dysarthria were observed. The control brain CT-scan performed 2 weeks after the trauma showed early resorption of the hematoma. Two months after the trauma, the brain CT-scan showed calcification of the hematoma. He underwent surgery in April 2011 to remove the calcification. The sequels were hemiparesis and posttraumatic epilepsy. Conclusion: The evolution of a small non-operated extradural hematoma can be done towards calcification thus requiring surgery.
文摘Introduction: Gold panning is the research and artisanal exploitation of gold in the auriferous areas (rivers or others). Traumatisms arising from these activities are due to severe spinal cord injury and generally affect young people in full activity. They constitute a real social handicap in Mali and even in Africa. The aim of our study is to share our expertise in the management of these vertebro-medullary traumasin these miners who currently escape to all controls in Mali. Material and Methods: From 2013 to 2016, 76 Traumatic Spine Cord Injuries (TSCI) were treated in the department of Neurosurgery of “Hôpital du Mali”. There were 73 males (96.05%) versus 03 Females (3.95%), aged between 21 - 43 years old. Results: All of our patients were admitted with deficit differing from paraparesis to tetraplegia. According to Frankel scale, we found 59 patients with complete deficits (A grade, 77.63%), and incomplete deficits in 17 cases (12 grade B, 04 grade C, 01 grade D). The X-ray standard radiographies were done in 24 cases (31.58%) from which 02 patients had been operated with these data. CT scan centered on the injured spinal segment was performed in 74 cases (97.37%). The lumbar spine was affected in 39 cases, followed by thoracolumbar junction in 19 cases and thoracic spine in 16 cases. The cervical spine was only interested in two cases. Fractures dislocations are the most frequently lesions encountered in our series. The surgical approach was performed in 74 patients and 02 patients received conservative treatment. Conclusion: Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries (TSCI) among miners are a real disaster in Mali and continue to plague thousands of families or increase the number of disabled people in our society. It is the only work, where the person concerned is making of his own grave. And according to witnesses, several miners remained at the bottom of the wells. Their prevention must first involve users by raising the awareness of local residents and traditional therapists, but also the country that must participate in regional development and ensure strict enforcement of regulatory measures. Our structure must have enough resources to acquire and treat these patients at any time.
文摘Grisel’s syndrome is a rare complication that is characterized by non-traumatic atlantoaxial subluxation. It is most commonly seen in children after an upper respiratory tract infection or neck surgery, such as an adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy and mastoidectomy. Grisel’s Syndrome is characterized by torticollis and a limited range of motion of the neck with pain. Here the authors report a case of a Malian 5-year-old girl with Grisel’s syndrome following tonsillectomy. The patient’s complaints were fully resolved after 2 weeks of conservative treatment.
文摘Intracranial arachnoid cysts (IAC) are benign lesions containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Most of them are clinically silent and remain static in size. However some may present with mild and slow progressive symptoms caused by the cyst. The authors present the case of 54-year-old woman who presented with acute symptoms of severe headache, vomiting, and gait disturbance of 2 day’s duration. She had no history of head trauma. On admission, neurological examination revealed that the patient had a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15, and a left side hemiplegia. A CT scan revealed a hypodense fluid collection in the right frontoparietal region that mimicked an arachnoid cyst. The symptoms were improved after an emergency marsupialisation via craniotomy.
文摘Background: Spinal schwannomas are common tumors of spinal neoplasm and account for about 25% of intradural spinal cord tumors in adults. They are generally benign and slow-growing. Advanced in radiologic and surgical techniques have brought about better surgical results. The goal of surgical treatment must be total resection if possible. In this report, the authors present the incidence, clinical presentation, localization, and results of surgically treated spinal schwannomas. The results of a literature review are also presented. Methods: Eleven consecutive patients with histologically confirmed spinal schwannomas were treated from January 2013 to December 2016 in the neurosurgical department of Gabriel Touré Hospital, Bamako, Mali. Neuroradiological diagnosis was made, CT scan in 7 patients, and MRI in 4 patients. All patients were operated on via the posterior approach. All cases were surgically excised, and they were confirmed to be schwannomas by pathologists. The patients were followed for 6 to 38 months (mean 28 months). Functional outcome was assessed using the motor grade and sensory change. Results: There were 11 patients with 7 (63.6%) males and 4 (36.4%) females. The mean age was 40.3 years (range 23 - 62 years). The most common symptom at the time of diagnosis was radicular pain in 9 (81.8%) patients followed by motor weakness in 8 (72.7%) patients. The most frequent site of spinal schwannomas was the thoracic region in 5 (45.5%) patients. During surgery, Gross-total resec-tion was achieved in 8 patients (72.7%) and subtotal removal in 3 (27.3%) patients. Histological findings were benign schwannoma in all cases. Postoperative complications developed in two patients, including one with cerebrospinal fluid leakage and other one with wound infection. In the short-term follow-up period, most of the patients (90.9%) appeared to be improved in comparison with their preoperative neurological status. There was no operative mortality. Conclusion: In this study, the clinical manifestations and surgical results of 11 cases of spinal schwannoma have been reviewed. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential for good outcome.
文摘Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) generally occurs in children and young adults and is classified as a low-grade astrocytic tumor with a potential favorable prognosis. But these data must be interpreted with much caution, because of some rapid progression or malignant transformation during the postoperative follow-up. We report herein a rare case of a cerebellar PXA manifested as a benign lesion at first time in a 39 year-old woman, but with malignant transformation two years later. In this paper, we discuss the clinical signs, radiological findings and the therapeutic data on the subject according to literature review.
文摘Background: Encephaloceles are congenital neural tube defects characterized by the protrusion of meninges and/or brain tissue from a defect in the skull. The incidence of the disease is about 0.8 - 5.6/10,000 live births. They are classified based on the location and type of skull defect as occipital encephalocele, encephalocele of the cranial vault, frontoethmoidal encephalocele, and basal encephaloceles. Surgical reduction being the first line treatment and resection of herniated structures may be necessary when the encephalocele is large. In the present study, the authors present their experience in treating 17 patients with encephaloceles. Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of 17 patients from January 2013 to December 2016 in Gabriel Touré Hospital, Bamako, Mali. A history was obtained from the family at presentation. Medical information before and during the pregnancy was compiled. All patients underwent CT scan as a routine preoperative imaging study, to evaluate the encephalocele and to plan the surgical procedure. The following data were recorded for analysis: age, sex, location of encephalocele, neurological status, operative method, postoperative complications and surgical results. Results: There were 10 (58.8%) female and 7 (41.2%) male patients. The patients ranged in age from 3 days to 36 months. The most common site of encephalocele sac was the occipital region in 14 (82.4%) cases followed by the frontal region in 2 (11.8%) cases and the vertex in 1 (5.9%) case. The sac size was less than 3 cm in 5 (17.6%) cases, 3 - 5 cm in 8 (47.1%) cases and more than 5 cm in 4 (23.5%) cases. Three (17.6%) children presented with CSF leakage. Hydrocephalus was present in the preoperative period in 6 (35.3%) cases;all of them required VP shunt procedure. None of the cases had a preoperative neurologic deficit. Surgical excision was performed in all cases. In the postoperative period, meningitis developed in 2 cases (11.8%), wound infection in 1 case (5.9%) and seizure in 1 case (5.9%). Three patients (17.6%) died during postoperative follow-up. Postoperative hydrocephalus occurred in 1 (5.88%) patient requiring a VP shunt. Conclusion: Encephaloceles are commonly seen in the practice of neurosurgery in the world as well as in Mali. In this study, the clinical manifestations and surgical results of 17 cases have been reviewed. We recommend early repair and excision of encephaloceles to avoid rupture or skin excoriation.
