We present a pediatric case with COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) associated to multiple cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and venous infarction. Some cases of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism in COVID-19 have beendescribed (1) as well as ischemic stroke in adults (2). However, this is a rare case of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in a patient diagnosed with the novel coronavirus.

Study DesignA retrospective study.PurposeWe report our experience with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)–assisted resection of spinal cord ependymomas in adults.Overview of LiteratureEpendymoma is the most frequent primary spinal cord tumor in adults. Surgery is the treatment of choice in most cases. However, while complete resection is achieved in approximately 80% of cases, clinical improvement is achieved in 15% only. Five-ALA fluorescence–guided surgery seems to be useful for this tumor type.MethodsWe studied 14 patients undergoing 5-ALA fluorescence-guided surgery for spinal cord ependymomas in our service. The modified McCormick classification was used to determine clinical status and the degree of resection was assessed with magnetic resonance imaging.ResultsOf the 14 patients, the tumor showed an intense emission of fluorescence in 12 and the fluorescence was weak and nonuniform in two. Complete resection was achieved in 11 cases. According to the McCormick classification, 10 patients improved, two remained the same, and two deteriorated.ConclusionsOur results confirm that 5-ALA fluorescence-guided resection is useful in spinal cord ependymoma resection. Although the rate of complete resections is similar to that in published series without 5-ALA, clinical results are better when using 5-ALA with a lower percentage of clinical deterioration.

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