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The authors describe a case of infratentorial epidural abscess caused by community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in a patient with a recent history of cutaneous furunculosis. This 29-year-old male presented with an occipital headache associated with fever, vomiting, and neck stiffness. Admission magnetic resonance imaging showed a retrocerebellar epidural abscess. Antimicrobial therapy was started, and the patient underwent craniectomy for evacuation of the abscess. Cultures of the surgical specimen were consistent with CA-MRSA. Postoperatively, the patient's condition improved with the resolution of symptoms, and he was discharged home with indication of 6 weeks of antibiotic therapy. Furunculosis is a very rare cause of intracranial epidural abscess but should be considered as a source of infection in an immunocompetent patient.

The authors describe a case of spinal cord compression due to an epidural metastasis of malignant chondroid syringoma. Chondroid syringoma is a rare mixed tumor of the skin composed of both epithelial and mesenchymal elements. Although most are benign, malignant forms have been reported. Malignant chondroid syringoma may progress very slowly and the metastatic spread occurs late, appearing years after the original diagnosis. There is only one other report of spinal cord compression secondary to metastasis of malignant chondroid syringoma, which was finally diagnosed by microscopic examination of an autopsy specimen. This 63-year-old woman presented with a 4-week history of progressive paraparesis. Admission MRI of the thoracic spine showed an extradural mass arising from the posterior elements and left pedicle of T-9, which caused posterior compression of the spinal cord. Surgical decompression resulted in resolution of the neurological impairments. The histological results were consistent with metastasis of malignant chondroid syringoma. The patient underwent adjuvant radiotherapy and a favorable outcome was noted at the 2-year follow-up visit. This represents the first reported case of spinal cord compression from a metastasis of a malignant chondroid syringoma histologically confirmed in vivo. The authors' experience in this case suggests that resection followed by radiotherapy might be an acceptable means for achieving short-term, progression-free survival.

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Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA), an uncommon glial neoplasm, typically affects adolescents and young adults and accounts for less than 1% of all astrocytic neoplasms. The authors present a case of PXA located entirely in the third ventricle in a 24-year-old male patient. The patient presented with a 6-month history of headaches, progressive decline in cognitive function and profound behavioral disturbances. He was admitted to the hospital with signs of increased intracranial pressure. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a well-enhanced solid tumor, located entirely inside the third ventricle. The tumor was totally removed via a right fronto-pterional trans-lamina terminalis approach and neuropathology report confirmed PXA diagnosis. No further treatment was indicated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a solid PXA confined to the third ventricle. KEywoRds: Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, Intraventricular, Immuno-histochemical ÖZPleomorfik ksantoastrositom (PXA) nadir bir gliyal neoplazidir ve tipik olarak adolesanlar ve genç yetişkinlerde görülüp, tüm astrositik neoplazmların %1'inden azını oluşturur. Yazarlar 24 yaşında bir erkek hastada tamamen üçüncü ventrikülde bulunan PXA olgusu sunmaktadır. Hasta 6 aylık başağrısı, bilişsel işlevde giderek azalma ve belirgin davranış bozuklukları öyküsüyle geldi. Artmış intrakraniyal basınç bulgularıyla hastaneye yatırıldı. Manyetik rezonans görüntüleme tamamen üçüncü ventrikül içinde bulunan ve iyi kontrast tutan bir solid tümör gösterdi. Tümör sağ fronto-pterional trans-lamina terminalis yaklaşımı ile tamamen çıkarıldı ve nöropatoloji raporu PXA tanısını doğruladı. Başka bir tedavi gerekmedi. Bildiğimiz kadarıyla bu üçüncü ventrikülle sınırlı solid bir PXA için ilk olgu raporudur.