Clival meningocele causing bilateral hearing loss in a child due to superficial siderosis of the central nervous system: case report

Unrecognized notochordal lesions as a likely cause of idiopathic clival cerebrospinal fluid leaks

OBJECTIVE

To examine an association between idiopathic transclival cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and notochordal lesions.

METHODS

This study consisted of the illustrations of institutional patients who underwent surgery for transclival CSF leak between January 1, 2009 and April 25, 2020 and comprehensive review of the existing literature conducted on April 25, 2020. The cases were classified based on the presumed etiologies that were originally proposed in the articles ("idiopathic" vs. "secondary"). The baseline characteristics were compared between the groups, and the surgical outcomes were summarized.

RESULTS

In 3 institutional cases, ecchordosis physaliphora (EP) was confirmed at the fistula either pathologically (1) or radiologically (2). Among 42 literature cases, 28 were recognized as idiopathic, while 14 were secondary cases with histologically (n = 12) or radiologically (n = 2) confirmed notochordal lesion at the fistula. Thus, any notochordal lesions were histologically confirmed in 13 among a total of 45 cases (28.9%). Fourteen of the idiopathic cases had undescribed radiographic signs suggestive of small ecchordosis physaliphora at the fistula. Both idiopathic and secondary cases demonstrated resemblance in their ages (mean, 51.4 and 56.6 years; p = 0.102), female predominance (male, 36% vs. 25%; P = 0.521), no association with obesity (7% vs. 18%; P = 0.350) or increased intracranial pressure (7% vs. 6%; P = 1.000). All the fistulas were in the midline or paramidline clivus within several millimeters below the dorsum sellae. All the patients were treated surgically with a multilayer closure, resulting in a success rate of 93% with one surgery.

CONCLUSION

Our analyses suggest the association of transclival CSF leak and notochord lesions. A prospective study is needed for definitive conclusion.

Spontaneous clival meningocele

The occipital bone is an uncommon location for meningoceles protrusion. This condition occurs generally after a severe traumatism or surgical procedure. However, in some rare cases, the herniation can happen spontaneously. Nontraumatic clival meningoceles present an extremely rare entity and correspond to a herniating pachymeningeal collection containing cerebrospinal fluid through a zone of fragility in the clivus. Clinical presentation ranges from simple headache or rhinorrhea to severe complications such as recurrent bacterial meningitis or nerve compression. Computed tomography provides an analysis of the bone and magnetic resonance imaging provides a superior contrast resolution, helping to distinguish among the various types of clival lesions. We report the case of a young woman with a long history of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, who presented with a worsening headache. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a clival meningocele without other complications and the patient was put under medical surveillance.

Asymptomatic superficial siderosis after posterior fossa tumor resection: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system is a rare syndrome notable for the presence of hemosiderin deposition due to chronic, repetitive hemorrhages into the subarachnoid space.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors presented a case of superficial siderosis in a 14-year-old girl. It arose as a late postoperative complication after resection of a medulloblastoma. Despite the patient being asymptomatic, surveillance imaging demonstrated diffuse hemosiderin deposition within the cerebellar folia and cisternal segments of cranial nerves VII and VIII on gradient echo (GRE) sequences. Formal audiometric testing demonstrated bilateral loss of high-frequency tone recognition consistent with early sensorineural hearing loss. A pseudomeningocele due to multiple dural defects was identified as the likely cause, and definitive surgical repair was performed. Intraoperatively, the presence of blood-tinged cerebrospinal fluid confirmed a diagnosis of superficial siderosis.

LESSONS

This case highlighted the potential need to routinely include GRE or susceptibility-weighted sequences in postoperative surveillance imaging after resection of pediatric posterior fossa tumors.

Role of Transnasal Endoscopic Surgery in the Treatment of Superficial Siderosis of Central Nervous System Secondary to Clivus Arachnoidocele: Report of Successful Case and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Superficial siderosis (SS) of the central nervous system is a disease characterized by deposition of hemosiderin in the leptomeninges (arachnoid and pia mater) due to chronic intradural bleeding. One of the etiologic mechanisms proposed is a dural breach secondary to trauma with a consequent arachnoidocele in contact with an exuberant venous plexus. We describe a unique case of clival arachnoidocele treated by an endoscopic endonasal approach and closure of the defect with fat and nasoseptal flap.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 35-year-old man with a history of severe head trauma 20 years ago presented with hearing deficit and a mild motor ataxia impairing gait. Magnetic resonance imaging disclosed hemosiderin deposition throughout the brain cortical layer and in the cerebellum, affecting the dentate nucleus as well. A computed tomography revealed an osteolytic formation in the clivus, involving the inner bone table and bone marrow. The patient was then submitted to an endoscopic endonasal transclival approach to close the defect.

CONCLUSIONS

SS may be a result of several etiologies generating repetitive meningeal bleeding. Our patient had the diagnosis of posttraumatic clival arachnoidocele and SS probably related to trauma with some dural injury. An endoscopic endonasal approach with tear reconstruction is feasible and successful to address clival arachnoidoceles and, in this case, to avoid progression of the SS.

Repair of a Transclival Meningocele Through a Transoral Approach: Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Transclival meningoceles and related primary spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks at the clivus are extremely rare lesions, with only a few cases reported in the literature.

CASE DESCRIPTION

An infant presented with nasal airway obstruction and meningitis secondary to cerebrospinal fluid leak from a transclival meningocele. The radiologic investigation and surgical repair of the lesion are reported, along with intraoperative findings. Basic anatomy, embryology, and development of the clivus are reviewed to clarify the relationship of anatomic variants with the formation of transclival meningoceles.

CONCLUSIONS

Transclival meningocele should be considered in patients with spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea. The existing classification of meningoencephaloceles based on the location of the defect in the cranium should probably be reconsidered, taking into consideration the described entity.