title: Rhombencephalosynapsis: embryopathology and management strategies of associated neurosurgical conditions with a review of the literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Rhombencephalosynapsis (RS) is a rare congenital posterior fossa malformation characterized by dorsal fusion of the cerebellar hemispheres, hypogenesis or agenesis of the vermis, and fusion of the dentate nuclei and superior cerebellar peduncles. The objective of this institutional study is to review the clinical conditions associated with RS and analyze the varied biological profile of this unique condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study data were collected retrospectively from the medical records of patients at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital. After required institutional review board approval, the authors obtained information regarding the cases of RS reviewed by the Departments of Radiology, Genetics, and/or Pediatric Neurology. Medical charts were systematically reviewed, and 9 patients were analyzed in detail.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The authors describe 6 cases of RS and 3 cases of partial RS. This case series demonstrates an association between RS and symptomatic hydrocephalus (7 of 9 patients) and RS and Chiari malformation (5 of 9 patients). Patients with symptomatic hydrocephalus underwent endoscopic third ventriculostomy or ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion. One of the patients with an associated Chiari malformation underwent foramen magnum decompression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors present a large case series of RS. Patients with RS often had hydrocephalus and/or a Chiari Type I or II hindbrain malformation. Neuroimaging findings of RS are presented along with hypotheses to explain the embryopathology of this unusual condition.
authors: Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery & Minimally Invasive Neurosurgical Laboratory, Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Weaver
authors: Sunil
authors: S
authors: Manjila
authors: Biji
authors: B
authors: Bahuleyan
authors: Barbara A
authors: BA
authors: Bangert
authors: Alan R
authors: AR
authors: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001139:Arnold-Chiari Malformation / Q000150:complications; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000002:abnormalities; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D035262:Cranial Fossa, Anterior / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009421:Nervous System Malformations / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D012249:Rhombencephalon / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology*; D020542:Third Ventricle / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt