Intracranial intraparenchymal schwannomas are rare. We report three patients with an intracranial intraparenchymal schwannoma and discuss the clinical and neuroradiological aspects of this particular tumour. The patients were a 21-year-old male, a 64-year-old female and a 17-year-old male. The tumours were located in cerebrum in two patients and the cerebellum in one patient. Computerized tomography (CT) scans demonstrated a slightly high density area with homogeneous enhancement by contrast medium. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed slightly low signal intensity on the T1-weighted image, high or mixed signal intensity on the T2-weighted image and homogeneous enhancement by gadolinium diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA). Radiological studies revealed cystic components in 2 of the 3 patients. All tumours were firm, well-demarcated, and completely removed. The diagnosis of schwannoma was derived from histological and immunohistochemical studies in all 3 cases; 2 cases were also examined by electron microscopy.

Spontaneous basilar dissecting aneurysms secondary to subarachnoid hemorrhage are rare, usually presenting with ischemia rather than a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A 63-year-old man who had SAH repeatedly from a ruptured basilar dissecting aneurysm was treated with endovascular occlusion of the unilateral vertebral artery. Postoperative angiograms 1 month after the procedure showed complete obliteration of the aneurysm. The clinical follow-up at 20 months showed no evidence of recurrent hemorrhage.

Seven cases of intracranial hemangiopericytoma were studied retrospectively to investigate the efficacy of radiation therapy. Tumor response evaluated by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging was obvious after 20-30 Gy irradiation. The total reduction rate was 80-90% and continued as long as 5-7 months after treatment. In five patients receiving radiation therapy before radical removal, the tumors were easily removed without massive hemorrhage. Histological inspection of specimens after irradiation showed a significant disappearance of tumor cells. Pyknosis frequently occurred in endothelial cells, and proliferating vessels with hyalinoid degeneration were also seen. Reticulin fibers between tumor cells were fewer, split, or absent. Preoperative radiation therapy is useful in the treatment of hemangiopericytoma involving considerable surgical risk. Postoperative radiation therapy should be given even if removal is complete.

A case is reported of an intracranial chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) in a 67 year old man. The tumor originated in the petrous part of the temporal bone and extended into the jugular foramen. Microscopically, the tumor showed a lobular appearance, and was composed of spindle or stellate cells in an abundant myxoid, chondroid stroma. Immunohistochemically, S-100 protein was positive in the tumor cells and myxoid stroma. Intracranial CMF, especially in an elderly person, is exceedingly rare. Clinical and pathological findings are presented with reference to the previously reported articles.

Spontaneous occurrence of spinal subdural haematoma (SSH) is very rare. While many neurological disorders can develop in pregnant patients in relation to haemostatic imbalance, there have been no reports in the literature suggesting that pregnancy and/or childbirth per se could be a single risk factor for acute SSH.A 38-year-old previously healthy woman gave birth to a baby via transvaginal normal delivery. The patient had no history of receiving anticoagulants. Eight days after delivery, she experienced sudden onset severe interscapular back pain, and the next day she developed dysesthesia in the both legs and mild urinary retention. Severe meningeal signs were noted. Lumbar puncture revealed bloody cerebrospinal fluid. Magnetic resonance images revealed SSH in the ventral position spreading from levels Th1 to Th7. The patient underwent conservative treatment after which the symptoms gradually improved. Serial MRI study at 17 and 69 days after onset showed spontaneous regression of the SSH. Spinal angiography did not show any vascular malformations, but simultaneous cerebral angiography revealed a co-existing cerebral aneurysm on the C2 segment of the left internal carotid artery. It is unlikely that the cerebral aneurysm was the origin of the SSH, based on the clinical and radiographic findings. Moreover, we confirmed the unruptured nature of the aneurysm during the clipping procedure at open surgery. We report the unique case of subacute SSH occurring 8 days after childbirth without other known risk factors. The possible etiology and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in this case, and the current controversy concerning therapy for SSH are discussed.