Upward transtentorial herniation, hydrocephalus, and cerebellar edema in hypertensive encephalopathy

Spinal cord diffuse midline glioma with postoperative acute swelling: A case report and review of literature

Background

H3K27-altered diffuse midline glioma (DMG) is a newly classified disease according to the 5th edition of the World Health Organization classification of the central nervous system tumors. However, little is known about its progression pattern and the timing of surgical intervention, especially regarding spinal cord lesions.

Case Description

A 26-year-old man presented with rapid muscle weakness progression in both upper and lower extremities and urinary dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging showed diffuse swelling of the cervicothoracic spinal cord. He underwent decompressive laminectomy with expansive duroplasty and tumor biopsy. The surgical specimen revealed DMG. Immediately after surgery, deterioration of limb paresis was observed, and the patient developed respiratory failure the day after surgery. Head-and-neck computed tomography on the 7th day after surgery showed spinal cord swelling and acute obstructive hydrocephalus.

Conclusion

We report a rare case of a spinal DMG with acute postoperative swelling. Neurological deterioration in patients with spinal cord DMG is often exacerbated, so it is essential to suspect DMG at an early stage based on neuroimaging, and if surgery is performed on the edematous spinal cord, further rapid swelling can occur, as in the present case.

Acute obstructive hydrocephalus in posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is an uncommon, subacute neurological disorder that presents radiologically with a pattern of bilateral parieto-occipital areas of vasogenic oedema. Conditions commonly associated with PRES include autoimmune disorders, cytotoxic drugs, metabolic abnormalities and, most frequently, hypertensive emergencies. Clinically, headache, visual disturbances, seizures and an altered level of consciousness are often reported. The outcome is favourable if the underlying cause is addressed. Posterior fossa involvement resulting in obstructive hydrocephalus is a rare presentation and may be misdiagnosed as a mass lesion or infection, leading to delayed or unnecessary treatment. We describe the clinical presentation, findings on neuroimaging and conservative management of a man with PRES resulting in severe cerebellar oedema and acute obstructive hydrocephalus. This case illustrates that awareness of atypical neuroimaging in PRES is important for the management of these patients and to avoid morbidity and mortality.

Upward transtentorial herniation: A new role for endoscopic third ventriculostomy

Background:

The placement of external ventricular drainage (EVD) to treat hydrocephalus secondary to a cerebellar stroke is controversial because it has been associated to upward transtentorial herniation (UTH). This case illustrates the effectiveness of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) after the ascending herniation has occurred.

Case Description:

A 50-year-old man had a cerebellar stroke with hemorrhagic transformation, tonsillar herniation, and non-communicating obstructive hydrocephalus. Considering that the patient was anticoagulated and thrombocytopenic, an EVD was placed initially, followed by clinical deterioration and UTH. We performed a suboccipital craniectomy immediately after clinical worsening, but the patient did not show clinical or radiological improvement. On the 5^th day, we did an ETV, which reverses the upward herniation and hydrocephalus. The patient improved progressively with good neurological recovery.

Conclusion:

ETV is an effective and safe procedure for obstructive hydrocephalus. The successful resolution of the patient’s upward herniation after the ETV offers a potential option to treat UTH and advocates further research in this area.

Ventriculostomy and Risk of Upward Herniation in Patients with Obstructive Hydrocephalus from Posterior Fossa Mass Lesions

BACKGROUND

Patients with posterior fossa lesions causing obstructive hydrocephalus present a unique clinical challenge, as relief of hydrocephalus can improve symptoms, but the perceived risk of upward herniation must also be weighed against the risk of worsening or continued hydrocephalus and its consequences. The aim of our study was to evaluate for clinically relevant upward herniation following external ventricular drainage (EVD) in patients with obstructive hydrocephalus due to posterior fossa lesions.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing urgent/emergent EVD placement at our institution between 2007 and 2014, evaluating the radiographic and clinical changes following treatment of obstructive hydrocephalus.

RESULTS

Even prior to EVD placement, radiographic upward herniation was present in 22 of 25 (88%) patients. The average Glasgow Coma Scale of patients before and after EVD placement was 10 and 11, respectively. Radiographic worsening of upward herniation occurred in two patients, and upward herniation in general persisted in 21 patients. Clinical worsening occurred in two patients (8%), though in all others the clinical examination remained stable (44%) or improved (48%) following EVD placement. Of the patients who had a worsening clinical exam, other variables likely also contributed to their decline, and cerebrospinal fluid diversion was likely not the main factor that prompted the clinical change.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiographic presence of upward herniation was often present prior to EVD placement. Clinically relevant upward herniation was rare, with only two patients worsening after the procedure, in the presence of other clinical confounders that likely contributed as well.

Isolated cerebellar involvement in posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome

BACKGROUND

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a serious and increasingly recognized disorder in humans. However, isolated cerebellar involvement in PRES is extremely uncommon. In this study, we sought to investigate its clinical and radiological features by describing a cohort of cases with PRES and isolated cerebellar involvement.

METHODS

We report 2 patients with PRES with only cerebellar involvement and identified additional 9 cases using the PubMed database with the MeSH terms "posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome", "hypertensive encephalopathy", "hypertension", "cerebellum", "encephalopathy", and "magnetic resonance imaging". We then collectively analyzed the clinical and imaging characteristics of these 11 cases.

RESULTS

The average age was 28years, with 8 male and 3 female patients. All cases had severe acute hypertension and T2 hyperintensity on MRI exclusively centered within the cerebellum. Of 11 patients, 7 had hypertensive retinopathy, a favorable clinical course with only antihypertensive treatment, and resolution of the cerebellar lesions on follow-up imaging. A total of 5 of the 11 patients received external ventricular drainage due to obstructive hydrocephalus and only 2 of the 11 had a seizure.

CONCLUSIONS

Isolated cerebellar involvement in PRES may be a unique variant that affects younger, male cases with severe acute hypertension and hypertensive retinopathy, but not necessarily seizure. Most patients have full recovery after fast control of blood pressure. Awareness of atypical neuroimaging features in PRES is critical for appropriate treatment.

Reversible obstructive hydrocephalus from hypertensive encephalopathy

BACKGROUND

Diffuse edema involving the posterior fossa may be seen with hypertensive encephalopathy and has rarely been reported to cause hydrocephalus. We present three such cases and review the literature to better delineate this uniquely reversible syndrome.

METHODS

Case reports and review of literature.

RESULTS

Three patients with hypertensive encephalopathy presented to our institutions with clinical and radiographic features of obstructive hydrocephalus associated with brainstem and cerebellar edema. This required transient external drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in two of the three patients. However, with recognition of this unusual syndrome and aggressive management of elevated blood pressure, both edema and hydrocephalus resolved. All patients made complete recoveries and did not require permanent CSF shunting. A review of the literature yielded 15 additional case reports describing reversible obstructive hydrocephalus related to hypertensive encephalopathy. All had mean arterial pressures above 130 mmHg and presented primarily with altered mental status. While half required ventriculostomy, only one required shunting. Excluding a patient who died from sepsis, all recovered neurologically once blood pressure was controlled.

CONCLUSION

It is imperative to recognize such cases where hypertension causes edema within the posterior fossa resulting in secondary hydrocephalus. Focusing management on lowering blood pressure avoids unnecessary or prolonged CSF diversion.

A case of catatonia due to posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome treated successfully with antihypertensives and adjunctive olanzapine

Catatonia is a distinct neuropsychiatric syndrome with prominent motor manifestations. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinicoradiologic syndrome usually precipitated by malignant hypertension. Given the overlapping neuropathology in both syndromes, we present a case of catatonia precipitated by PRES, with full resolution of the former after successful treatment of the latter.

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome with Obstructive Hydrocephalus

We describe an unusual presentation of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) with predominant posterior fossa edema, causing ascending transtentorial herniation, tonsillar herniation, and obstructive hydrocephalus. MR imaging with additional MR spectroscopy and MR perfusion helped discriminate PRES from infiltrative tumor, and supported the pathogenesis of hydrostatic edema. Infusion of an antihypertensive drug was promptly administered. Diversion of cerebrospinal fluid by ventriculostomy was subsequently performed. However, the patient developed thalamic hemorrhage and secondary intraventricular hemorrhage with contralateral hemiparesis. Awareness of this rare cause of obstructive hydrocephalus with aggressive treatment of high blood pressure may help obviate the need of ventriculostomy and may prevent the hemorrhagic complication.

Hypertensive encephalopathy presenting with isolated brain stem and cerebellar edema

Hypertensive encephalopathy typically presents with headache and confusion and bilateral parietooccipital vasogenic edema. Brain stem and cerebellar edema in hypertensive encephalopathy usually occurs in association with these typical supratentorial changes and is usually asymptomatic. We report here an uncommon hypertensive patient with isolated, severe, and symptomatic brain stem and cerebellar edema with fourth ventricular obstruction and mild hydrocephalus. Rapid treatment of hypertension resulted in clinical and radiological improvement. Prompt recognition of the cause and aggressive treatment of hypertension in such patients are crucial to relieve edema and prevent life-threatening progression.