An unusual case of glioependymal cyst radiographically simulating arachnoid cyst is reported. The cyst wall contained not only ependyma-like epithelium but also neuroglial tissue. The possible pathogenesis of this lesion is discussed.
Arachnoid ; Epithelium ; Fourth Ventricle

No abstract available.
Fourth Ventricle* ; Meningioma*

Trapped fourth ventricle is a rare clinical entity. It presents as a posterior fossa mass lesion. A case of trapped fourth ventricle which developed after surgery of cystic neurocysticercosis located at the cerebellopontine angle is presented. The authors reviewed the literatures of the trapped fourth ventricle and discussed the pathogenesis as well as the management of this rare clinical entity.
Cerebellopontine Angle ; Fourth Ventricle* ; Neurocysticercosis

This study was carried out on 36 patients (the youngest was 2 years old and the oldest was 64 years old) with tumors located in the 4th ventricle, which were admitted to Cho Ray Hospital in 2002. Results: meduloblastomas was the most common tumors (58.3%), following ependymomas (19.4%) and astrocytomas (11.1%). Some type of tumors were rare: hemangioblastomas (5.6%), meningioma (2.8%), and lymphoma (2.8%). The median duration of symptoms from the onset to diagnosis was 8 weeks. Most of patients experienced intra-cranial hypertension syndrome (97.2%), and cerebellar syndrome (77.8%). On the brain CT scan images, the different characteristics of tumors including calcifications, hemorrhage, cyst-necrosis, density and contrast enhancements were useful in making differential diagnosis. The rate of lateral and the 3rd ventricular dilatations were very high (94.4%) because tumors quickly blocked flow of cerebrospinal fluid
Fourth Ventricle ; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; diagnosis ; neoplasms

Axotomy of the vagal motor neurons by cervical vagotomy induces NADPH diaphorase staining due to increased nitric oxide synthase expression in both the rat dorsal motor nucleus and nucleus ambiguous; furthermore, cerical vagotomy leads to cell death of the dorsal motor nucleus cells. Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy axotomizes the vagal motor cells further from the brainstem than cervical vagotomy, and cuts the fibers running only to the abdominal viscera. Here we report that subdiaphragmatic vagotomy is sufficient to induce NADPH diaphorase staining in the dorsal motor nucleus but does not induce staining in the nucleus ambiguus. Because the neurons of the dorsal motor nucleus do not undergo cell death after subdiaphragmatic vagotomy and are able to re-enervate the gut, the increased nitric oxide synthase expression after distal axotomy may be related more to regeneration than degeneration.
Animal ; Fourth Ventricle/physiology* ; Fourth Ventricle/enzymology* ; Fourth Ventricle/cytology ; Male ; Motor Neurons/enzymology ; NADPH Dehydrogenase/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vagotomy/methods* ; Vagus Nerve/physiology*

A rare case of a cavernous hemangioma located within the fourth ventricle was reported in a patient with recurrent symptomatic episodes of bleeding. With the advent of modern microsurgical technology and high-resolution imaging modalities, especially MRI, it has become possible to make a correct preoperative diagnosis and the well delineated lesion can be resected totally with good results.
Diagnosis ; Fourth Ventricle* ; Hemangioma, Cavernous* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in diagnosis of intracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics in the hydrocephalus, we studied the various parameters of cine phase contrast (PC) magnetic resonance (MR) CSF flow images in cases of acutely progressive hydrocephalus, comparing them with those in normal CSF circulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MR images were obtained with a 1.5T (GE Signa, GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, USA) unit using the 2 dimensional cine PC sequence with cardiac gating and gradient recalled echo imaging in ten cases of non-obstructive hydrocephalus (NOH), three of obstructive hydrocephalus (OH), and ten controls. The time-echo time-flip angle employed were 50 to 80 msec - 11 to 15 msec - 12 to 15 degrees. Temporal velocity information relating to cervical pericord CSF spaces, third and fourth ventricles, and the aqueduct were plotted as wave forms which were then analyzed for configuration, amplitude parameters (Vmax, Vmin, Vdif), and temporal parameters (R-S, R-SMV, R-D, R-DMV). The statistical significance of each parameter was examined using the paired t-test. All patients with OH underwent endoscopic third ventriculostomy, whereas all with NOH underwent shunting procedures. RESULTS: In five ROIs, distinct reproducible configuration features were obtained at aqueduct and cervical pericord spaces, but not at ventricular levels. We determined the statistically significant differences between controls and hydrocephalus patients using temporal, rather than amplitude parameters. In NOH, the graph showed R-DMV shortening (p<0.01) at the anterior cervical pericord space. In OH, there were R-DMV shortening (p<0.05) was seen at the anterior cervical pericord space, and R-DMV shortening (p<0.02) at the posterior cervical pericord space. In one case of OH, a typical change of configuration, mirror image, was obtained at aqueduct level, and in all OH cases, the level of obstruction could be determined. CONCLUSION: The results of cine PC MR CSF flow study may be valuable for points for determining the level of obstruction, explaining the cause of hydrocephalus, diagnosing OH, and deciding the need for shunting procedures; decisions would be based on an analysis of in vivo images, curve configuration, and phase shift of the velocity curve. In the diagnosis of acutely progressive hydrocephalus, termporal parameters are nore important than those relating to amplitude. Among the former, R-DMV and/or R-SMV may be the most valuable.
Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Diagnosis ; Fourth Ventricle ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus* ; Ventriculostomy

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a common condition that often leads to death or disability. Accurate prediction of the outcome and decisions regarding the treatment of ICH patients are important issues. We report a case of thalamic hemorrhage with an intraventricular hemorrhage that was suddenly migrated into the third and fourth ventricles in its entirety 8 hours after symptom onset. To our knowledge, this case is the first report of spontaneous migration of thalamic ICH into ventricles, and we suggest a possible mechanism for this case with a brief review of the literature.
Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Cerebral Ventricles ; Fourth Ventricle ; Hemorrhage ; Humans

Dermoid cysts mostly occur in the posteior fossa, a mid-line position in the vermis or adjacent meninges being favoured : the cavity of the fourth ventricle may be occupied. We have reported a case of dermoid cyst in male patient aged 16 and it was located in between midbrain tectum and artial portion of the left lateral ventricle.
Dermoid Cyst* ; Fourth Ventricle ; Humans ; Lateral Ventricles ; Male ; Meninges ; Mesencephalon

A very characteristic congenital anomaly, atresia of the foramina of Luschka and Magendie, the outlet foramina of the fourth ventricle, referred as the Dandy-Walker Cyst by Raimondi and et al. in 1968. Really in 1921, Dandy discussed the clinical diagnosis and treatment of hydrocephalus secondary to occlusion of the foramina of Magendie and Luschka. In 1944, Walker reported a case of congenital atresia of the outlets of the fourth ventricle treated surgically. We are reporting one case of this cyst was surgical intervention and carried autopsy.
Autopsy ; Dandy-Walker Syndrome* ; Diagnosis ; Fourth Ventricle ; Hydrocephalus