Two cases of entirely suprasellar cysts are reported. Total surgical removal was performed in both cases. Pathological and immunohistochemical profiles were consistent with neurenteric cysts, Rathke's cleft cysts or colloid cysts and was also in keeping with an endodermal origin. It is now admitted that these three kinds of cysts share similar histological and immunohistological features. We propose an hypothesis of common embryological origin from endodermal remnants.

Our conclusion is that stereotactic biopsy must remain a main diagnostic modality for tumors of the pineal region.

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We have retrospectively studied 11 cases of solitary cavernous and arteriovenous malformations of the spinal epidural space. The acute or subacute onset of symptoms was found in all cases, with a neurological deficit in five cases. A plain x-ray study revealed abnormal calcification in one case. Hyperdensity with no iodine enhancement was found on computed tomographic scans in all cases. Magnetic resonance imaging studies showed ovoid or round lesions with isosignal and gadolinium enhancement on T1-weighted images and hypersignal on T2-weighted images, except in one case with hypersignal on T1 and T2 before the administration of a contrast medium. Four lumbar cases were localized in the posterior vertebral ligament; all the thoracic cases were posterior with foraminal extension. The other cases were anterolateral. The surgical findings revealed a dark vascularized epidural lesion associated in two cases with a localized epidural hematoma. A pathological examination revealed seven cavernous angiomas and four arteriovenous malformations. These arteriovenous malformations were all lumbar, and two of four localized within the posterior ligament. The pathophysiology of these vascular malformations is discussed. In light of the good postoperative prognosis of these lesions, surgical removal is recommended for all the symptomatic cases.

As the pivot of rotatory subluxation changed after odontoid process osteosynthesis, posterior C1-C2 arthrodesis was performed. The patient probably could have been treated in a single-stage procedure using posterior C1-C2 transarticular fixation with bicortical interspinous graft.