Collet-Sicard syndrome is a rare neurological disorder caused by injury to the cranial nerve pairs IX, X, X, and XII. The author reports on a previously fit 27-year-old man who presented with dysphagia, choking on drinking water, hoarseness, weakness when turning the neck and shrugging the shoulders, and unexplained weight loss. Enhanced magnetic resonance imaging indicated a space-occupying lesion at the right jugular foramen. After surgical resection, the pathologic findings suggested a paraganglioma of the right jugular foramen and confirmed the diagnosis of Collet-Sicard syndrome. After postoperative treatment with a combination of acupuncture and modern medicine, the patient\'s symptoms significantly improved. This article analyzes previous literature regarding Collet-Sicard syndrome etiology and reports the case of a patient with a rare etiology, whose prognosis improved significantly after treatment with a combination of acupuncture and modern medicine.

The jugular foramen (JF) is located between the temporal and occipital bones. The JF is a primary pathway for venous outflow from the skull and passage of nerves. Variations are common in this region and may have clinical and surgical implications. To analyze the sexual dimorphism and JF morphology in skulls from Northeastern Brazil. 128 human skulls from the Anatomy Laboratory of the Federal University of Paraíba, 64 male and 64 female, were selected and the JFs analyzed for bone septation and the presence of a dome. Data analysis considered P<0.05 as significant. On at least one side, complete septation was observed in 26 skulls (20.3%), incomplete septation in 93 skulls (72.6%) and 61 skulls (47.6%) did not present septation. In 114 skulls (89%), 47.6% female and 41.4% male, have a unilateral presence of the dome and 71 (55.4%) have it bilaterally. Posterolateral compartment diameters and JF area had higher values on the right side in the total sample and separated by sex (P<0.05). Most morphometric variables of the anteromedial compartment were higher in male than in female (P<0.05), fact that was not observed in the posterolateral compartment (P>0.05). This study showed a higher prevalence of complete septation in males compared to females. Morphometric analysis presented a peculiar morphology of the JF in this study. These results suggests that the surgical approach to diseases that affect the JF may be peculiar to the studied population, confirming the importance of morphological analysis of the skull base.

UNASSIGNED: Preservation of the facial nerve is of great importance in temporal bone surgeries. We intend to investigate the measurements of the radioanatomical factors related to the position of the facial nerve in accessing jugular foramen and internal carotid artery (ICA) in temporal bone of patients who were candidates for temporal high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan.
UNASSIGNED: In this correlation cross-sectional study, samples were selected from patients referred to Amir Alam Hospital who were previously candidates for temporal HRCT. Radioanatomic factors were evaluated in three axial, coronal and sagittal views. Analyzes were performed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and factor analysis.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 173 samples were investigated. The most reliable radioanatomical factor based on coefficient of variation (CV) was the distance of the 7th nerve to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in the inferior to the cochlea in the sagittal view (variable name S2) (CV = 8.1%) and then the distance from the 7th nerve to the TMJ in the inferior section of the cochlea in the axial view (variable name AI3) (CV = 8.4%). Based on correlation analysis and then confirmatory factor analysis, three common latent factors were identified (overall R2 = 0.999).
UNASSIGNED: The results of this study can be used for two purposes. First, the direct use of the estimated measures in surgical operations, and the second is more advanced modeling to choose the approach in the surgical operation and how to implement that approach. For the first aim, the two factors AI3 and S2 were the most reliable radioanatomical factors in different people. For the second aim, the three-dimensional understanding of the obtained measurements and the further identification of the anatomical nature of the latent factors can help in choosing the approach in surgery.

BACKGROUND: Jugular foramen dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are rare and challenging lesions. Described methods of treatment include embolization and microsurgical disconnection through a far lateral transcondylar approach. The authors present the case of a Borden type III jugular foramen DAVF, which was treated with a novel, less invasive retrosigmoid approach with intradural skeletonization and packing of the sigmoid sinus.
METHODS: The patient presented with headache and visual field deficit. Neuroimaging demonstrated a right temporal intracerebral hematoma with mass effect. This was due to a Borden type III jugular foramen DAVF with cortical venous reflux into the vein of Labbe secondary to recanalization of a previously thrombosed sigmoid sinus. Microsurgical disconnection was performed via a retrosigmoid approach, in which the sigmoid sinus was identified intradurally at the jugular foramen. The sigmoid sinus was isolated by drilling at the pre- and retrosigmoid spaces to permit packing and clip ligation. Postoperative angiography revealed complete occlusion of the DAVF.
CONCLUSIONS: Jugular foramen DAVFs are rare entities, which have been traditionally treated through a far lateral transcondylar approach. An intradural retrosigmoid approach is a safe, less invasive alternative, which involves less soft tissue and bony dissection and does not have the associated morbidity of craniocervical instability and hypoglossal neuropathy.

This is the first description of condylar jugular diverticulum (CJD) by means of contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan in the medical literature. CJD is a rare anatomical variant of jugular bulb that should be known to avoid radiological and surgical errors and achieve an appropriate pre-surgical planning of skull base pathologies.

Introduction  The surgical management that achieves minimal morbidity and mortality for patients with glomus and non-glomus tumors involving the jugular foramen (JF) region requires a comprehensive understanding of the complex anatomy, anatomic variability, and pathological anatomy of this region. Objective  The aim of this study is to propose a rational guideline to expose and preserve the lower cranial nerves (CNs) in the lateral approach of the JF. Methods  The technique utilized is the gross and microdissection of 4 fixed cadaveric heads to revise the JF\'s surgical anatomy and high part of the carotid sheath compared with surgical cases to understand and preserve the integrity of lower CNs. The method involves radical mastoidectomy, microdissection of the JF, facial nerve, and high neck just below the carotid canal and the JF. The CNs IX, X, XI, and XII are microscopically dissected and kept in sight up to the JF. Results  This study realized well the surgical and applied anatomy of the lower CNs with relation to the facial nerve and JF. Conclusions  The JF anatomy is complicated, and the key to safely operate on it and preserving the lower CNs is to find the posterior belly of the digastric muscle, to skeletonize the facial nerve, to remove the mastoid tip preserving the stylomastoid foramen, to skeletonize the sigmoid sinus and posterior fossa dura not only anterior but also posteroinferior to reach and drill the jugular tubercle.

Jugular foramen syndrome (JFS) is a lower cranial neuropathy syndrome characterized by dysphonia and dysphagia. The syndrome is caused by dysfunction of the glossopharyngeal, vagus, and spinal accessory nerves at the level of the pars nervosa and pars vascularis within the jugular foramen. There are numerous etiologies for JFS, including malignancy, trauma, vascular, and infection. Here, we present the case of a healthy adult man who developed JFS secondary to an atypical presentation of Varicella Zoster meningitis, and was promptly diagnosed and treated with rapid symptom resolution. We diagnosed the patient using specialized skull-based imaging which detailed the jugular foramen, as well as CSF analysis. This case highlights the clinical value of detailed structural evaluation, consideration for infection in the absence of systemic symptoms, and favorable outcomes following early identification and treatment.

Introduction: Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) assess biological systems based on specific boundary conditions. We propose modeling more advanced hemodynamic metrics, such as core line length (CL) and critical points which characterize complexity of flow in the context of cerebral vasculature, and specifically cerebral veins during the physiologically evolving early neonatal state of vein of Galen malformations (VOGM). CFD has not been applied to the study of arteriovenous shunting in Vein of Galen Malformations but could help illustrate the pathophysiology of this malformation. Methods: Three neonatal patients with VOGM at Boston Children\'s Hospital met inclusion criteria for this study. Structural MRI data was segmented to generate a mesh of the VOGM and venous outflow. Boundary condition flow velocity was derived from PC-MR sequences with arterial and venous dual velocity encoding. The mesh and boundary conditions were applied to model the cerebral venous flow. We computed flow variables including mean wall shear stress (WSSmean), mean OSI, CL, and the mean number of critical points (nCrPointsmean) for each patient specific model. A critical point is defined as the location where the shear stress vector field is zero (stationary point) and can be used to describe complexity of flow. Results: The division of flow into the left and right venous outflow was comparable between PC-MR and CFD modeling. A high complexity recirculating flow pattern observed on PC-MR was also identified on CFD modeling. Regions of similar WSSmean and OSImean (<1.3 fold) in the left and right venous outflow channels of a single patient have several-fold magnitude difference in higher order hemodynamic metrics (> 3.3 fold CL, > 1.7 fold nCrPointsmean). Specifically, the side which developed JBS in each model had greater nCrPointsmean compared to the jugular bulb with no stenosis (VOGM1: 4.49 vs. 2.53, VOGM2: 1.94 vs. 0, VOGM3: 1 vs. 0). Biologically, these regions had subsequently divergent development, with increased complexity of flow associating with venous stenosis. Discussion: Advanced metrics of flow complexity identified in computational models may reflect observed flow phenomena not fully characterized by primary or secondary hemodynamic parameters. These advanced metrics may indicate physiological states that impact development of jugular bulb stenosis in VOGM.

UNASSIGNED: Differentiating jugular foramen from hypoglossal canal in computed tomography (CT) scan is vital for correct diagnosis of posterior fossa pathologies; however, it has been shown that the ability for differentiating these skull base elements is limited. The purpose of this study was to produce a simple algorithm for differentiating the jugular foramen from the hypoglossal canal in axial CT scan on two levels (top level where bony carotid canal is evident and lower level where bony carotid canal is not evident).
UNASSIGNED: Data derived from axial CT scan of 250 patients (500 sides) were used for producing algorithm. At top level petro-occipital fissure utilized for recognizing occipital condyle in which hypoglossal canal is located; and, at lower level the distance between the posterior border of the anatomic element (jugular foramen or hypoglossal canal) and the tangent to the anterior bony part is used for producing algorithm.
UNASSIGNED: The mean age of patients was 38.1 ± 19 years. The petro-occipital fissure can be used in all patients for differentiating hypoglossal canal. At lower level the distance between the anterior tangent and the posterior border of the element was significantly lower for hypoglossal canal (P value < 0.001). The distance more than 3.5 mm with sensitivity 83.8% and specificity 97.1% differentiate jugular foramen from hypoglossal canal.
UNASSIGNED: Simple algorithms based on quantitative morphologic features of the jugular foramen and hypoglossal canal can be used with high sensitivity and specificity to distinguish these elements.

Jugular foramen tumours are uncommon, deeply located, and eloquently situated, making their diagnosis and management challenging. Paragangliomas and other benign tumours comprise the large majority of lesions in this region, but malignant tumours are occasionally identified. We report a unique case of a solitary plasmacytoma of the jugular foramen resembling a jugulotympanic paraganglioma. A solitary plasmacytoma of the jugular foramen is both rare in location and in disease presentation, as most plasma cell neoplasms are diagnosed as multiple myeloma. Our 75-year-old patient presented with symptoms typical for a jugular foramen tumour. Although there are radiographic features which help differentiate paragangliomas from other benign and malignant tumours, plasmacytomas are highly vascular and can demonstrate a local infiltrative spread which can mimic the radiographic appearance of a paraganglioma. Clinicians should consider plasma cell neoplasms in the differential when faced with an unusual presentation of a jugular foramen lesion. Our patient was treated with definitive radiotherapy to 45 Gy, which was very effective local treatment for the solitary plasmacytoma.