Introduction Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is commonly used in the treatment of hydrocephalus and may present complications in up to 30% of patients. The present report addresses an uncommon complication in the abdominal cavity, in which the catheter caused extrinsic compression of the gastric wall.
Case report A 30-year-old man presented a decreased level of consciousness, associated with severe headache and vomiting. He had a history of congenital neurotoxoplasmosis and VP shunt insertion at 7 years of age. Imaging exams demonstrated the formation of an encapsulated retrogastric pseudocyst and extrinsic compression of the gastric wall by a VP shunt catheter. Through videolaparoscopy, decompression of the gastric wall and removal of the pseudocyst were performed, with the reestablishment of the drainage of cerebrospinal fluid. An analysis of the distal fragment of the removed catheter revealed obstruction by fibrotic material. The patient was discharged with a reestablished baseline after four days of hospitalization.
Comments The literature shows that ∼ 47% of the complications presented by patients are related to the distal end of the catheter, and 8.2% of these come from migration to the abdominal cavity. However, there is an extreme paucity of studies that demonstrate extrinsic compression of the gastric wall by a VP shunt catheter. Therefore, we suggest that further studies on complications involving the VP shunt be performed to improve diagnostic and therapeutic results, in addition to complementing the literature on this complication.
Introduction Primitive neuroectodermal tumors are rare neoplasms of the central nervous system that occur in children, with few reports in adults. These tumors are found most often in the cerebral hemispheres, with spinal cord disorders being rare.
Case Report A 71-year-old man with motor and sensory deficits in the upper limbs, cervical pain, and urinary incontinence presented to the Neurosurgery Service. The physical examination revealed grade-III motor strength on the right side, grade IV- on the left upper limb, and grade IV+ on the left lower limb. A magnetic resonance imaging scan showed an expansive intramedullary lesion with a C3-C4 epicenter. Spinal decompression, lesional biopsy, and adjuvant radiotherapy were performed. The anatomopathological report showed a primitive neuroectodermal tumor. After a new treatment with adjuvant radiotherapy (20 × 1.8 Gy in the skull and neuroaxis and 5 × 1.8 Gy in tumor boost), the patient progressed without recurrence.
Conclusion Since the characteristics of the tumor are similar to those of medulloblastoma, it is necessary to expand the studies on these lesions, to better understand their pathophysiology and list better diagnostic and therapeutic methods, in addition to those already available.
Introduction The occurrence of malignant ocular melanomas is uncommon, and the association of these tumors with intradural extramedullary metastases in the cervical spine is exceptionally rare.
Case Report A 62-year-old woman undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy after surgical treatment for malignant ocular melanoma begins to experience vertigo and headache. The condition evolved with walking difficulty and neck pain that was exacerbated by swallowing and mobilizing the neck. During her ocular melanoma follow-up, lesions suggestive of metastasis in the central nervous system were not evidenced until this moment. The physical examination did not show significant findings, and a cranial computed tomography scan was performed. The image showed a hyperdense lesion with postcontrast enhancement inside the vertebral canal, at the level of C1-C2. Spinal decompression and subtotal resection were performed. The anatomopathological report revealed intradural metastasis of a malignant ocular melanoma. The postoperative period was uneventful, with significant pain improvement and no recurrences.
Conclusion Intradural extramedullary metastases are rare presentations of malignant ocular melanoma. In addition, less than ten similar cases have been reported in the literature. When caring for a patient with melanoma and neurological deficits, always consider evaluating central nervous system metastases. To evaluate this patient, a sensible and detailed neurological exam is extremely important to recognize the location of the deficits and guide the best approach, such as an indication for surgery.
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