Extraocular muscle cysticercosis usually presents with proptosis and restriction of eyeball movements. However, it can cause vision loss by compression of the optic nerve at the optic foramen in infrequent circumstances. We report a rare case with an unusual manifestation of ptosis, proptosis, lateral rectus palsy, and acute vision loss in the right eye. Magnetic resonance imaging was suggestive of cysticercal cyst. Emergency optic nerve decompression with cyst excision was done. Treatment of choice for extraocular muscle cysticercosis presenting with restriction of eyeball movements is mainly medical, consisting of albendazole and steroids. However, as this lesion rarely causes vision loss, indications of surgical decompression of optic nerve are not well defined. We recommend that early surgical management should be done along with medical treatment in cases of vision loss caused by extraocular muscle cysticercosis.

AIM:To present the application of volume rendering technique (VRT) of computed tomography (CT) scan in cranio-vertebral junction (CVJ) surgeries. MATERIAL and METHODS:The authors used VRT images of CT scan in patients of congenital CVJ anomalies who were subjected to various surgeries through midline posterior approach. The screw entry points and courses of vertebral arteries were identified in relation to various landmarks on the VRT images, preoperatively and intra-operatively. RESULTS:A total of 15 patients of CVJ anomalies, who underwent surgeries through midline posterior approach, formed the study group. The screw entry points and courses of the vertebral arteries could be effectively identified in the surgical fields. CONCLUSION:We conclude that VRT images are an inexpensive and user friendly tool to identify the screw insertion points in the surgeries of CVJ anomalies. They also help in identifying the course of the vertebral artery in the surgical field. On the whole, their use makes the surgery in this region, safer.

A knowledge of variant anatomy is important in clinical practice. The skull bones have several normal anatomical variations, especially in the occipital bone. Accessory sutures have been described in newborns and young children.In this study, we discussed radiological findings of an accessory occipital suture in a 14-year-old child who had presented with mastoiditis and brain abscess. We further describe this “mendosal suture,” and its pathophysiology and clinical implications. It is important to bear this entity in mind to avoid misdiagnosing this as a fracture. The use of CT scans and 3D CT using volume rendering technique (VRT) helps in detection and correct diagnosis.