Infections of the Spine and Spinal Cord in Children

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (05) ◽  
pp. 241-250
Author(s):  
Simay Kara ◽  
Gagandeep Choudhary ◽  
Unni Udayasankar
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Imaging Modality ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Transverse Myelitis ◽  
Spinal Infection ◽  
Spinal Instability ◽  
Spinal Epidural Abscess ◽  
Diagnostic Challenge ◽  
Gadolinium Contrast

AbstractInfection of the spine and spinal cord are uncommon in children which if not diagnosed and treated early in the course of disease can lead to spinal instability and devastating neurological outcome. The spectrum of spinal infection ranges from discitis/osteomyelitis, spinal epidural abscess, subdural abscess, spinal meningitis, arachnoiditis, neuritis, myelitis, and intramedullary abscess. Inability of the children to express themselves and nonspecific clinical features like abdominal pain, walking/crawling difficulty, and fever can result in difficult and delayed diagnosis. Imaging plays a critical role in diagnosis of spinal infection; its complication and treatment follow-up. Magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium contrast is considered as the imaging modality of choice for evaluation of spinal and cord infections. Infectious mimics like chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis, pars articular defect with active inflammatory changes, spondyloarthritis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, transverse myelitis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, and multiple sclerosis can pose diagnostic challenge on imaging. The aim of this article is to briefly review the imaging appearances of infection involving various spinal compartments, pattern of infection spread, its complications and various mimics.

scholarly journals Disseminated Cryptococcosis revealed by transverse myelitis in Immunocompetent patient: a case report and review of the literature

BMC Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fangfang Qu ◽  
Zhenzhen Qu ◽  
Yingqian Lv ◽  
Bo Song ◽  
Bailin Wu
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Transverse Myelitis ◽  
Immunocompetent Patient ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Coxsackie Virus ◽  
Gadolinium Contrast ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
Cord Injury

Abstract Background Transverse myelitis (TM) is due to inflammatory spinal cord injury with bilateral neurologic involvement, which is sensory, motor, or autonomic in nature. It may be associated with autoimmune disease, vaccination, intoxication and infections. The most common infection cause of TM is Coxsackie virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The cryptococcosis is rare. We present the case of disseminated cryptococcosis revealed by transverse myelitis in an immunocompetent 55-year-old male patient. The literature review is also stated. Case presentation The 55-year-old man suffered from gradual numbness, weakness in both lower limbs and finally paralyzed in the bed. The thoracic spine Computed tomography (CT) was normal, but multiple nodules in the lung were accidentally discovered. Thoracic Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed diffused thoracic spinal cord thickening and extensively intramedullary T2 hyper intensity areas. Gadolinium contrast enhanced T1WI showed an intramedullary circle-enhanced nodule at 9th thoracic level. Diagnosis was made by histological examination of the bilateral lung biopsy. The patient was treated successfully with systemic amphotericin B liposome and fluconazole and intrathecal dexamethasone and amphotericin B liposome. Conclusions This is a patient with disseminated cryptococcosis involving the lung, spinal cord and adrenal glands, which is rare in the absence of immunodeficiency.

scholarly journals Subdural Hematoma Following Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant

2008 ◽  
Vol 1;11 (1;1) ◽  
pp. 97-101
Author(s):  
Srinivas Chiravuri
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Subdural Hematoma ◽  
Dural Puncture ◽  
Rare Complication ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Secondary Process ◽  
Spinal Cord Stimulator ◽  
Diagnostic Challenge ◽  
Treatment Change ◽  
Presenting Symptoms

Headache following interventional procedures is a diagnostic challenge due to the multitude of possible etiologies involved. Presentation can be simple (PDPH alone) or complex (exacerbation of pre-existing chronic headache along with PDPH) or headache associated with a new onset intracranial process. Subdural hematoma is a rare complication of cranio-spinal trauma. Cranial subdural hematoma may present in an acute, sub-acute, or chronic fashion. Diagnosis of a subdural hematoma in the wake of a PDPH is difficult, requiring a high level of suspicion. Delayed diagnosis of subdural hematoma is usually related to failure to consider it in the differential diagnosis. Thorough history, assessment of the evolution of symptoms, and imaging studies may identify the possible cause and help direct treatment. Change in the character of initial presenting symptoms may be a sign of resolution of the headache or the onset of a secondary process. We report a case of acute intracranial subdural hematoma secondary to unintentional dural puncture during placement of a permanent spinal cord stimulator lead for refractory angina. There is need for careful follow-up of patients with a known post-dural tear. Failure to identify uncommon adverse events in patients with complicated spinal cord stimulator implantation may lead to permanent injury. Key words: Subdural, post-dural puncture, headache, spinal cord stimulation

scholarly journals Intramedullary parasite eggs, latent for three decades, mimicking acute transverse myelitis

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyo-jeong Kim ◽  
Se-Hoon Kim ◽  
Hoi-seon Jeong ◽  
Bum-Joon Kim
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Taenia Solium ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Transverse Myelitis ◽  
Surgical Experience ◽  
Diagnostic Challenge ◽  
Case Presentation ◽  
Acute Transverse Myelitis ◽  
Accurate Treatment ◽  
Brown Sequard Syndrome

Abstract Background Intramedullary parasitic infection is extremely uncommon, and clinical presentation of Brown-Sequard syndrome is even rarer. Case presentation The authors report a case involving a 57-year-old woman with Brown-Sequard syndrome, in whom magnetic resonance imaging and clinical and epidemiological features were similar to those of acute transverse myelitis. Myelotomy suggested inflammation caused by latent parasite eggs in the spinal cord. Antiparasitic and steroid therapies were administered postoperatively. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first report to describe a surgical experience for Taenia solium eggs in the spinal cord. Conclusion Intramedullary parasitic infection is a diagnostic challenge that requires careful discrimination from other diseases. If parasite infection is suspected in a progressively deteriorating patient, myelotomy should be considered for rapid and accurate treatment.

scholarly journals Delayed diagnosis of spinal cord schistosomiasis in a non-endemic country: A tertiary referral centre experience

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. e0009161
Author(s):  
Angus de Wilton ◽  
Dinesh Aggarwal ◽  
Hans Rolf Jäger ◽  
Hadi Manji ◽  
Peter L. Chiodini
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Transverse Myelitis ◽  
Definitive Treatment ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Endemic Country ◽  
Referral Centre ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Travel History ◽  
Thoracic Spinal

Background Neuroschistosomiasis is a severe complication of schistosomiasis, triggered by the local immune reaction to egg deposition, with spinal cord involvement the most well recognised form. Early treatment with praziquantel and high dose steroids leads to a reduction of neurological sequelae. The rarity of this condition in returning travellers to high income countries can result in delayed diagnosis and treatment. We aimed to evaluate the diagnosis and management of neuroschistosomiasis in a UK national referral centre. Materials/Methods A retrospective review of confirmed clinical cases of spinal schistosomiasis referred to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, UK, between January 2016 and January 2020 was undertaken. Electronic referral records were interrogated and patient demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological data collected. Results Four cases of neuroschistosomiasis were identified. The median age at diagnosis was 28 (range 21 to 50) with three male patients. All patients had epidemiological risk factors for schistosomiasis based on travel history and freshwater exposure; two in Uganda (River Nile), one in Malawi and one in Nigeria. All patients presented with features of transverse myelitis including back pain, leg weakness, paraesthesia and urinary dysfunction. The mean time from presentation to health services to definitive treatment was 42.5 days (range 16–74 days). Diagnosis was confirmed with CSF serology for schistosomiasis in all cases. Radiological features on MRI spine included enhancement focused predominantly in the lower thoracic spinal cord in three cases and the conus in one patient. All patients received a minimum of three days of oral praziquantel and high dose steroids. At three-month follow-up, one patient had complete resolution of symptoms and three had residual deficit; one patient was left with urinary and faecal incontinence, another had urinary retention, and the final patient has persistent leg pains and constipation. Conclusion We observed a marked delay in diagnosis of neuroschistosomiasis in a non-endemic country. We advocate undertaking a thorough travel history, early use of imaging and CSF schistosomal serology to ensure early diagnosis of neuroschistosomiasis in patients presenting with consistent symptoms. If schistosomal diagnostics are not immediately available, presumptive treatment under the guidance of a tropical medicine specialist should be considered to minimize the risk of residual disability. We advocate for consensus guidelines to be produced and reporting to be performed in a uniform way for patients with spinal schistosomiasis.

scholarly journals NEURO-BEHÇET’S DISEASE ONSET – A DIAGNOSTIC CHALLENGE

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-50
Author(s):  
Casandra Buzatu ◽  
◽  
Sanziana Daia ◽  
Ruxandra Ionescu ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Behçet’S Disease ◽  
Behcet’S Disease ◽  
Behçet's Disease ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Transverse Myelitis ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Neurological Manifestations ◽  
Diagnostic Challenge ◽  
Behcet's Disease

We are presenting the case of a 51 years old female diagnosed with Neuro-Behçet’s disease, undergoing immunosuppression and corticoid therapy in the present. The onset was with recurrent oral ulcerations. Neurological manifestations progressed rapidly from paresthesia in the upper and lower limbs to corset-like hypoesthesia of the abdominal wall and sphincterian incontinence. MRI of the spinal cord showed Transverse Myelitis.

Refractory Ascites as the Only Presenting Symptom of Chronic Calcified Constrictive Pericarditis: A Diagnostic Challenge

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Shi-Min Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Liver Cirrhosis ◽  
Female Patient ◽  
Constrictive Pericarditis ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Young Female ◽  
Refractory Ascites ◽  
Diagnostic Challenge ◽  
Massive Ascites ◽  
History Of

Extracardiac manifestations of constrictive pericarditis, such as massive ascites and liver cirrhosis, often cover the true situation and lead to a delayed diagnosis. A young female patient was referred to this hospital due to a 4-year history of refractory ascites as the only presenting symptom. A diagnosis of chronic calcified constrictive pericarditis was eventually established based on echocardiography, ultrasonography, and computed tomography. Cardiac catheterization was not performed. Pericardiectomy led to relief of her ascites. Refractory ascites warrants thorough investigation for constrictive pericarditis.

scholarly journals Emergency Department and Radiological Cost of Delayed Diagnosis of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
David I. Zimmer ◽  
Ross McCauley ◽  
Varun Konanki ◽  
Joseph Dynako ◽  
Nuha Zackariya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Clinical Syndrome ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Diagnostic Challenge ◽  
High Clinical Suspicion ◽  
Ed Visits ◽  
Inappropriate Utilization ◽  
Utilization Of Healthcare

Background. Chronic cannabis use has become prevalent with decriminalization, medical prescription, and recreational legalization in numerous US states. With this increasing incidence of chronic cannabis use a new clinical syndrome has become apparent in emergency departments and hospitals across the country, termed Cannabinoid Hyperemesis (CH). CH has been described as cyclical vomiting and abdominal pain in the setting of chronic cannabis use, which is often temporarily relieved by hot showers. CH presents a diagnostic challenge to clinicians who do not have a high clinical suspicion for the syndrome and can result in high costs and resource utilization for hospitals and patients. This study investigates the expenditures associated with delayed CH evaluation and delayed diagnosis. Methods. This is a retrospective observational study of 17 patients diagnosed with CH at three medical centers in the United States from 2010 to 2015, consisting of two academic centers and a community hospital. Emergency department (ED) costs were calculated and analyzed for patients eventually diagnosed with CH. Results. For the 17 patients treated, the total cost for combined ED visits and radiologic evaluations was an average of $76,920.92 per patient. On average these patients had 17.9 ED visits before the diagnosis of CH was made. Conclusion. CH provides a diagnostic challenge to clinicians without a high suspicion of the syndrome and may become increasingly prevalent with current trends toward cannabis legalization. The diagnosis of CH can be made primarily through a thorough history and physical examination. Awareness of this syndrome can save institutions money, prevent inappropriate utilization of healthcare resources, and save patients from unnecessary diagnostic tests.

scholarly journals Inhibition of Glycine Re-Uptake: A Potential Approach for Treating Pain by Augmenting Glycine-Mediated Spinal Neurotransmission and Blunting Central Nociceptive Signaling

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 864
Author(s):  
Christopher L. Cioffi
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Dorsal Horn ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Opioid Analgesic ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Analgesic Efficacy ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Current Standard ◽  
Glycine Transporters ◽  
Pathological Pain

Among the myriad of cellular and molecular processes identified as contributing to pathological pain, disinhibition of spinal cord nociceptive signaling to higher cortical centers plays a critical role. Importantly, evidence suggests that impaired glycinergic neurotransmission develops in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord in inflammatory and neuropathic pain models and is a key maladaptive mechanism causing mechanical hyperalgesia and allodynia. Thus, it has been hypothesized that pharmacological agents capable of augmenting glycinergic tone within the dorsal horn may be able to blunt or block aberrant nociceptor signaling to the brain and serve as a novel class of analgesics for various pathological pain states. Indeed, drugs that enhance dysfunctional glycinergic transmission, and in particular inhibitors of the glycine transporters (GlyT1 and GlyT2), are generating widespread interest as a potential class of novel analgesics. The GlyTs are Na+/Cl−-dependent transporters of the solute carrier 6 (SLC6) family and it has been proposed that the inhibition of them presents a possible mechanism by which to increase spinal extracellular glycine concentrations and enhance GlyR-mediated inhibitory neurotransmission in the dorsal horn. Various inhibitors of both GlyT1 and GlyT2 have demonstrated broad analgesic efficacy in several preclinical models of acute and chronic pain, providing promise for the approach to deliver a first-in-class non-opioid analgesic with a mechanism of action differentiated from current standard of care. This review will highlight the therapeutic potential of GlyT inhibitors as a novel class of analgesics, present recent advances reported for the field, and discuss the key challenges associated with the development of a GlyT inhibitor into a safe and effective agent to treat pain.

scholarly journals 413 Posterior Stabilisation Without Formal Debridement for The Treatment of Non-Tuberculous Pyogenic Spinal Infection in A Frail and Debilitated Population – A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Elmajee ◽  
C Munasinghe ◽  
A Aljawadi ◽  
K Elawady ◽  
F Shuweihde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posterior Approach ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Spinal Infection ◽  
Spinal Instability ◽  
Surgical Interventions ◽  
Spine Tango ◽  
Neurological Outcomes ◽  
Neurological Improvement ◽  
Posterior Stabilisation ◽  
Successful Infection

Abstract Background Non-tuberculous pyogenic spinal infection (PSI) incorporates a variety of different clinical conditions. Surgical interventions may be necessary for severe cases where there is evidence of spinal instability or neurological compromise. The primary surgical procedure focuses on the anterior approach with aggressive debridement of the infected tissue regions. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of the posterior approach without debridement. Method Several databases including MEDLINE, NHS evidence and the Cochrane database were searched. The main clinical outcomes evaluated include pain, neurological recovery (Frankel Grading System, FGS) post-operative complications and functional outcomes (Kirkaldy-Willis Criteria and Spine Tango Combined Outcome Measure Index, COMI). Results From the four papers included in the meta-analysis, post-operative pain levels were found to be lower at a statistically significant level when a random effects model was applied, with the effect size found to be at 0.872 (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 0.7137 to 1.0308). Post-surgical neurological improvement was also demonstrated with a mean FGS improvement of 1.12 in 64 patients over the included articles. Conclusions Posterior approach with posterior stabilisation without formal debridement can results in successful infection resolution, improved pain scores and neurological outcomes. However, Larger series with longer follow-up duration are strongly recommended.

Vertebral fractures and luxations in dogs and cats part 2: treatment and surgery options

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 15-19
Author(s):  
Ivona Orgonikova ◽  
Josep Brocal ◽  
Giunio Bruto Cherubini ◽  
Viktor Palus
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Vertebral Fractures ◽  
Vertebral Column ◽  
Compartment Model ◽  
Spinal Instability ◽  
Decompression Surgery ◽  
Implant Loosening ◽  
Bone Fragment ◽  
Three Compartment Model ◽  
Disc Extrusion

Assessing the presence of vertebral column instability is essential in animals with vertebral fractures or luxations. Spinal instability is most commonly assessed using a three-compartment model and unstable vertebral fractures and luxations require surgical stabilisation. In cases of compression of the spinal cord (by haematoma, traumatic intervertebral disc extrusion or bone fragment), decompression surgery is necessary. Prompt surgery prevents additional spinal cord damage, but the overall condition of the patient, including any concurrent injuries, needs to be continually kept in mind. The vertebral column can be stabilised using multiple techniques, such as screws, pins, polymethylmetacrylate and plating techniques, as well as external stabilisation and spinal stapling. Complications of spinal surgeries include haemorrhage, infection, neurological deterioration, particularly in cases of spinal stabilisations, implant loosening and failure.

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