Background The complications associated with anterior craniofacial resections for benign and malignant tumors were reviewed in 104 patients treated between January 1981 and June 1996. Methods Information regarding patient characteristics, histologic type, history of prior therapy, extent of the disease, extent of surgical procedure, and type of reconstruction were entered in a microcomputer database. To better understand and stage postoperative complications, we divided them into early (<14 days) and late (>14 days) according to the time of presentation, into major and minor depending on the morbidity potential of complication, and into local and systemic ones. Comparison between risk factors associated with complications was made using chi‐square analysis with Yates' correction for continuity. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan‐Meier product limit method. Results There were 8 (7.6%) postoperative deaths, with only 1 occurring from systemic complications. Complications occurred in 53 (48.6%) patients. Local major complications occurred in 49 (45%) patients, local minor in 29 (26.6%), and systemic in 11 (10%). Early complications occurred in 40 (38.5%) patients and late complications in 13 (12.5%) patients. These complications developed during a period ranging from 1 day to 5 months. More than one complication occurred in a number of patients. Bacterial contamination leading to local septic complications was the principal cause of morbidity, accounting for 54.7% (29/53) of complications. Major complications included meningitis in 8 patients associated with cerebrospinal fluid leak in 7, cerebral abscess in 2, sepsis in 1, and subdural hemorrhage in 1, all of which resulted in death except for one case. The extent of the craniofacial resection (p = .011) was the most important factor associated with major complications. Invasion of the dura and the type of reconstruction of the anterior skull base were the most important factors related to cerebrospinal fluid leakage (p = .048 and p = .032) and meningitis (p= .011). Conclusion Contemporary surgical approaches and methods of reconstruction have enabled skull base surgeons to extend their cranial base resections and increase the 5‐year survival rates of patients. Nevertheless, significant complications persist. Knowledge and high index of suspicion together with early recognition of these complications are essential for effective management of patients undergoing craniofacial resection. The factors related to major complications found in this study stressed the need to develop more effective methods to prevent contamination of intracranial structures. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 21: 12–20, 1999.

Abstract:Background. The complications associated with anterior craniofacial resections for benign and malignant tumors were reviewed in 104 patients treated between January 1981 and June 1996.Methods. Information regarding patient characteristics, histologic type, history of prior therapy, extent of the disease, extent of surgical procedure, and type of reconstruction were entered in a microcomputer database. To better understand and stage postoperative complications, we divided them into early (<14 days) and late (>14 days) according to the time of presentation, into major and minor depending on the morbidity potential of complication, and into local and systemic ones. Comparison between risk factors associated with complications was made using chisquare analysis with Yates' correction for continuity. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier product limit method.Results. There were 8 (7.6%) postoperative deaths, with only 1 occurring from systemic complications. Complications occurred in 53 (48.6%) patients. Local major complications occurred in 49 (45%) patients, local minor in 29 (26.6%), and systemic in 11 (10%). Early complications occurred in 40 (38.5%) patients and late complications in 13 (12.5%) patients. These complications developed during a period ranging from 1 day to 5 months. More than one complication occurred in a number of patients. Bacterial contamination leading to local septic complications was the principal cause of morbidity, accounting for 54.7% (29/53) of complications. Major complications included meningitis in 8 patients associated with cerebrospinal fluid leak in 7, cerebral abscess in 2, sepsis in 1, and subdural hemorrhage in 1, all of which resulted in death except for one case. The extent of the craniofacial resection (p = .011) was the most important factor associated with major complications. Invasion of the dura and the type of reconstruction of the anterior skull base were the most important factors related to cerebrospinal fluid leakage (p = .048 and p = .032) and meningitis (p = .011).Conclusion. Contemporary surgical approaches and methods of reconstruction have enabled skull base surgeons to extend their cranial base resections and increase the 5-year survival rates of patients. Nevertheless, significant complications persist. Knowledge and high index of suspicion together with early recognition of these complications are essential for effective management of patients undergoing craniofacial resection. The factors related to major complications found in this study stressed the need to develop more effective methods to prevent contamination of intracranial structures.

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome is a rare condition characterized by the presence of multiple angiomatic lesions of the skin. These are associated with similar lesions in other organs, namely in the gastrointestinal tract, causing anemia through chronic bleeding. We describe the case of a 72-year-old woman with microcytic anemia. A barium study revealed irregular lacunae in the distal esophagus. A subsequent endoscopy showed blue nodular lesions similar to angiomas of the esophagus and stomach fundus. Endosonography confirmed its angiomatic nature. Exploration of other organs, using magnetic resonance and cranial computed tomography, did not reveal the presence of this type of lesion. In physical examination, two angiomatic lesions were observed on the face and lips, respectively. These were blue in color and compressible, leaving an empty wrinkled sac that rapidly refilled, typical of angiomas.

Background:Chordomas are rare slowly growing tumors that originate from remnants of the notochord. They have a malignant local behavior, causing symptoms due to bone infiltration and compression of neurovascular structures. Only a few cases of brain tumors associated with pathological laughter have been reported in the literature.Case Description:We report a case of a 42-year-old male patient with this atypical clinical presentation treated at our institution, and discuss the concerning literature.Conclusion:Although being a very rare presentation of chordomas, pathological laughter is usually expected to improve after brain stem decompression.

SUMMARY -An unusual case of Homer's syndrome secondary to a sympathetic block in a patient with chronic adhesive arachnoiditis (CAA) is described. The patient, a 40-year-old white woman, presented with spastic paraplegia, hyperreflexia, bilateral Babinski sigh, superficial and deep sensitive hypoaesthesia at the T4 level, in addition to bladder and rectal dysfunction since she was 32. At age of 38 she complained of excessive daily sweating below the T4 level, mostly at night. A 4mL 0.5% bupivacaine lumbar sympathetic block was performed. Within 15 min aright brachial paresis and an ipsilateral Horner's syndrome were noted. Speculatively, an abnormal cephalic spread of the anaesthesic due to a putative erratic space secondary to the CAA may justify the clinical picture even using a relatively small amount of anaesthesic (4 mL).KEY WORDS: lumbar sympathetic block, chronic adhesive arachnoiditis, Horner's syndrome. Síndrome de Horner e paresia braquial como complicação de bloqueio simpático lombar: relato de casoRESUMO -Os autores descrevem o caso de uma mulher branca de 40 anos de idade, com paraplegia espástica, hiperreflexia, sinal de Babinski bilateral, hipoestesia superficial e profunda em T4, além de incontinência fecal e urinária, desde os 32 anos decorrente de aracnoidite crônica adesiva (CAA). Aos 38 anos passou apresentar sudorese excessiva com limite superior em T4, diária, com intensificação noturna. Um bloqueio simpático lombar foi efetuado com 4mL de bupivacaina 0.5%. Quinze minutos depois a paciente apresentou monoparesia braquial direita e síndrome de Horner ipsolateral. Devido provavelmente a um espaço peridural estreito e errático, PALAVRAS CHAVE: bloqueio simpático lombar, aracnoidite crônica adesiva, síndrome de Horner. The present patient is a woman with excessive and predominantly nocturnal sweating below the T4 level secondary to chronic adhesive arachnoiditis (CAA). Shortly after a 4ml 0.5% bupivacaine lumbar sympathetic block she presented a right brachial paresis and an ipsilateral Horner's syndrome.