A case of radicular pain that resulted from a gas-filled intradural cyst in an 80-year-old male is described. Temporary improvement of radicular pain was observed after CT-guided aspiration. However, recurrent radicular pain led to surgical treatment. In this report, the authors document the radiologic and intraoperative features of a gas-filled intradural cyst that migrated into the nerve root, and propose an optimal treatment plan based on a review of the literature.
Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Male

Tension pneumocephalus is an uncommon complication of transsphenoidal surgery. This rare complication may be caused by an external lumbar subarachnoid drainage(ELD) which is placed for the treatment of a cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) fistula. Most of the tension pneumocephalus which cause severe neurologic deterioration in itself require surgical treatment. However, the pneumocephalus may be resolved after removal of the spinal subarachnoid catheter in some cases. We report two cases of tension pneumocephalus which developed after transsphenoidal surgery for the pituitary adenoma and craniopharyngioma, and fully recovered with conservative treatment.
Catheters ; Craniopharyngioma ; Fistula ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; Pneumocephalus*

OBJECT: The effective management of carotid occlusive disease still remains a challenge to neurosurgeons. The authors analyzed the series of management of carotid occlusive disease in order to determine whether our management strategy affected patient's clinical outcomes. Methods of identifying patients who stand to benefit from this therapy need to be established. METHOD: Clinical findings, management, complications and outcome in 52 patients with high grade carotid stenosis of at least 70% and occlusion were investigated. The patients were treated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and/or stent (PTAS), Extracranial-Intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery, carotid endarterectomy (CEA) according to the neurologic status, medical condition, severerity of stenosis, collateral blood flow. RESULTS: The causes of carotid stenosis were 40 atherosclerosis arteries, 9 spontaneous dissections and 2 traumas, 1 fibomuscular dysplasia (FMD) of 52 patients. 9 patients were treated by PTA alone, and 28 patients by PTAS, 9 patients by EC-IC bypass surgery, 3 patients by PTAS followed by EC-IC bypass surgery, 3 patients by CEA. For the outcome according to management, 26 patients (100% of all bypass surgery only and CEA, 35% of all PTA and PTAS) recovered excellently, 14 patients (35% of all PTA and PTAS) had a good outcome. 2 patients died. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that PTAS should be a useful and effective treatment method for some patients with the severe atherosclerotic stenosis or carotid artery dissection. However, the surgical management must be considered for the high risk, high grade carotid stenosis patients with collateral blood flow, and with or without mild or moderate deficits.
Angioplasty ; Arteries ; Atherosclerosis ; Carotid Arteries* ; Carotid Stenosis ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Endarterectomy, Carotid ; Humans ; Prognosis* ; Stents