Primary hypertension—induced cerebellar encephalopathy causing obstructive hydrocephalus

✓ Hypertension-induced encephalopathy is a recognized pathological process commonly focused in the parietal and occipital lobes of the cerebral hemispheres. The parenchyma of the posterior fossa is infrequently involved. The authors report on two cases of isolated edema of the cerebellar hemispheres, which occurred in the setting of hypertensive crisis and led to complete obstruction of or significant impingement on the fourth ventricle and potentially lethal hydrocephalus. To the best of the authors' knowledge, these are the first reported cases of hypertensive encephalopathy centered in the posterior fossa. Two patients presented with profound decreases in neurological status subsequent to development of malignant hypertension. Imaging studies revealed diffusely edematous cerebellar hemispheres with effacement of the fourth ventricle, causing dilation of the lateral and third ventricles. Following emergency placement of external ventricular drains, control of systemic blood pressure was accomplished, and neurological functioning returned to baseline. Although neurological deterioration resolved swiftly following placement of ventricular catheters and administration of diuretic agents, systemic blood pressure did not fluctuate with the release of cerebrospinal fluid and resolution of increased intracranial pressure. Decrease in systemic blood pressure lagged well behind improvement in neurological status; the patients remained morbidly hypertensive until systemic blood pressure was controlled with multiple parenteral medications. The authors hypothesize that the development of hypertension beyond the limits of cerebral autoregulation led to breakdown of the blood—brain barrier in the cerebellum and development of posterior fossa edema secondary to the focal transudation of protein and fluid. Correction of the elevated blood pressure led to amelioration of cerebellar edema. In the appropriate clinical setting, hypertension as the inciting cause of cerebellar encephalopathy should be considered.</jats:p

Dual-strap augmentation of a halo orthosis in the treatment of atlantooccipital dislocation in infants and young children

✓ Two children who were 13 months and 3 years old and who had suffered traumatic atlantooccipital dislocation were each treated by being placed in a halo orthosis for 10 weeks. Because of a continued loss of reduction due to the poor fit of the halo vest, a dual-strap augmentation was developed. This strap augmentation allowed consistent reduction to be maintained. Both children were therefore successfully treated nonsurgically with a halo vest. One child remained neurologically intact and the other had improvement in motor strength. There were no complications from the use of strap augmentation for halo vest fixation.</jats:p