Primary Cranial Vault Lymphoma Presenting As a Traumatic Subdural Hematoma

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE

The authors present a rare case of a primary cranial vault lymphoma, mimicking a subacute subdural hematoma after head trauma.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 78-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with progressive left hemiparesis, headache and a gradually increasing soft lump over the right parietal region 1 week after head trauma due to falling from a high place. A computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a hyperdense parieto-occipital subdural and subgaleal lesion together with marked midline shift and white matter edema.

INTERVENTION

Considering her trauma story and clinical progression, the patient underwent an emergency operation with the diagnosis of subdural hematoma. However, the lesion was found to be of a tumors nature and the histopathological diagnosis was high-grade malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

CONCLUSION

The authors emphasize the rarity of primary cranial vault lymphoma and its importance in the differential diagnosis of cranial vault mass lesions extending either intra- or extracranially. This case may be considered as another example where magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the ultimate definitive test in the emergency ward whenever CT demonstrates any findings which are unclear.

Pott's puffy tumor of the vertex years after trauma in a diabetic patient: case report

Pott's puffy tumor is a rare clinical entity characterized by subperiosteal abscess associated with osteomyelitis. It is usually seen as a complication of frontal sinusitis or trauma. This is the unique report of a Pott's puffy tumor located over the vertex of a type 1 diabetic patient with an unusual latency of 14 years following injury. A 27-year old man presented with pain and a soft swelling on his vertex. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated subperiosteal abscess in the vertex region associated with dural thickening and perisinusal irregularities of epidural space. Further history revealed that he had a trauma to the same location when he was 13 years old. Considering possible complications due to proximity of the lesion to the sagittal sinus, we retrained from aggressive surgical interventions. We treated our patient with a simple surgical abscess drainage followed by prolonged use of antibiotics and achieved complete therapy. The cellular and humoral elements of the immune system may be disrupted in diabetic patients resulting in such atypical courses and complications of infections. We want to emphasize both importance of the prompt diagnosis of Pott's puffy tumor as intracranial invasion may cause severe neurologic problems, and importance of a surgical intervention tailored for the individual lesion.

Spontaneous resolution of "protruded" lumbar discs

Decreasing size of disc material that has herniated, whether "contained" or "protruded" has previously been described and sometimes this can be so complete that residual material is barely visible. In a retrospective clinical survey, from among almost 2180 consecutive patients admitted during 1994 - 2002 with low back pain; due to our low follow-up ratios and high price of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), only 42 patients with a lumbar disc protrusion could be found who had two MRI scans obtained at least five weeks apart. Among these, 4 patients were spotted with a totally resolved disc protrusion. T (2)-weighted MRI images were suggesting shrinkage due to dehydration and regression within the annulus of protruded disc fragments that had not fully migrated. Our patients are further examples for total resolution of the large "protruded" disc without any treatment; and since concomitant disc protrusions at other levels persisted, the resolution of these discs is supposed to be spontaneous.

Orbital hydatid cysts: report of four cases

Hydatid cysts of central nervous system are rare and comprise only 2% to 3% of all hydatid cysts reported. Orbital localization is very uncommon and has been reported less than 1% of all hydatid diseases. The primary treatment of hydatid disease is surgical. The most important complication of the surgical treatment is secondary hydatidosis due to spillage of the cyst contents. Because of the difficulties of the orbital localization, total extirpation of the cysts without rupture is almost impossible. Preventing spontaneous rupture of the cysts during surgery and postoperative antihelmintic treatment should be taken into consideration in these cases. This study includes four cases who underwent surgery for orbital hydatid cysts. Radiological characteristics, operative technique and postoperative medical therapy are discussed.