scholarly journals An isolated ruptured spinal aneurysm presents with a thalamic Infarct: case report

BMC Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Tenorio ◽  
Brandon B. Holmes ◽  
Adib A. Abla ◽  
Matthew Amans ◽  
Karl Meisel

Abstract Background Isolated spinal artery aneurysms are extremely rare, and their pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and treatment strategies are poorly established. We report only the second case of a patient with an isolated posterior spinal aneurysm and concurrent left thalamic infarct and review the literature to help clarify treatment strategies of isolated spinal aneurysms. Case presentation A 49-year-old patient presented with acute onset walking difficulty followed by diaphoresis, back and abdominal pain, and paraplegia. Imaging was notable for a hemorrhagic spinal lesion with compression at T12 through L4 and an acute left thalamic infarct. Surgical exploration revealed an isolated posterior spinal artery aneurysm. The aneurysm was surgically resected and the patient had partial recovery six months post-operatively. Conclusions Isolated posterior spinal artery aneurysms of the thoracolumbar region are rare lesions that commonly present with abdominal pain, radiating back pain, and lower extremity weakness. Imaging may not provide a definitive diagnosis. The three primary treatment strategies are conservative management, endovascular treatment, or surgical resection. In patients with symptomatic cord compression, immediate surgical intervention is indicated to preserve neurologic function. In all other cases, the artery size, distal flow, morphology, and location may guide management.

Neurosurgery ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. E749-E756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyun Jeong Kim ◽  
In Sup Choi

Abstract BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Because of their rarity, the pathogenesis and clinical features of isolated spinal artery aneurysms are still unclear, and their diagnoses and treatments are challenging. We report a case of an isolated posterior spinal artery aneurysm and review previous reports thoroughly to identify the general features of isolated spinal aneurysms. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old man presented with abdominal pain followed by back pain and radiculopathy from subarachnoid hemorrhage in the spinal canal. The spinal angiogram demonstrated the presence of a dissecting aneurysm of the posterior spinal artery. He was treated by endovascular occlusion of the origin of the radiculopial artery and recovered completely. CONCLUSION: Isolated spinal artery aneurysms are very rare lesions; however, they should be considered in patients with intracranial or spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage without evidence of arteriovenous malformations. Spinal aneurysms have different etiologies compared with intracranial aneurysms. Cervical aneurysms have worse outcomes than thoracolumbar aneurysms. The etiology and location of the lesion and distal flow to the lesion should be taken into consideration when planning the treatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (Suppl. 1) ◽  
pp. 169-175
Author(s):  
Ngoc Hoang Nguyen ◽  
Vien Chi Le ◽  
Trung Quoc Nguyen ◽  
Thang Huy Nguyen

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to a solitary spinal aneurysm is extremely rare. Early diagnosis of spinal SAH is challenging, particularly when the spinal cord has not been compressed. We report a case of a 45-year-old male who presented with sudden onset of abdominal pain, followed by severe headache, vomiting, and generalized seizure. Three days after admission to the hospital, he developed progressive paraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed spinal SAH with hematoma resulting in cord compression at the level of T9. Diagnostic spinal angiography identified a ruptured aneurysm of a radiculomedullary artery. In conclusion, rupture of a spinal aneurysm should be considered a possible cause of SAH in appropriate clinical settings, and clinicians must be aware of the possibility of cord compression.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. E634-E638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus D. Mazur ◽  
Philipp Taussky ◽  
Joel D. MacDonald ◽  
Min S. Park

Abstract BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: As the use of flow-diverting stents (FDSs) for intracranial aneurysms expands, a small number of case reports have described the successful treatment of blister aneurysms of the internal carotid artery with flow diversion. Blister aneurysms are uncommon and fragile lesions that historically have high rates of morbidity and mortality despite multiple treatment strategies. We report a case of rebleeding after treatment of a ruptured blister aneurysm with deployment of a single FDS. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 29-year-old man presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage and a ruptured dorsal variant internal carotid artery aneurysm. Despite a technically successful treatment with a single FDS, a second catastrophic hemorrhage occurred during the course of his hospitalization. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the risk of hemorrhage during the period after deployment of a single FDS. Ruptured aneurysms, especially of the blister type, are at risk for rehemorrhage while the occlusion remains incomplete after flow diversion.


2021 ◽  
Vol 156 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S99-S100
Author(s):  
D S Dabrowski ◽  
E Wei

Abstract Introduction/Objective Blinatumomab is a monoclonal antibody directed against CD19/CD3 utilized for the treatment of relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and for the treatment of B-cell precursor ALL in first or second complete remission with minimal residual disease (MRD) ≥0.1%. Although Blinatumomab treatment has shown better overall survival, progression-free survival, and complete remission when compared to chemotherapy, most patients have a relapse and ultimately succumb to the disease. Interestingly, there are a number of cases reporting relapse in extramedullary places. The mechanisms for relapse in these unusual extramedullary sites are not well-understood. We herein report a case of a 20-year-old African American male with primary refractory Philadelphia-negative (Ph-) precursor B cell ALL with MLL rearrangement, who received treatment with Blinatumomab after achieving morphological remission with a pediatric-inspired regimen but found to be MRD +. Methods/Case Report A 20 year old African American male was found to have B cell precursor ALL. It was found to be Ph-. While initally receiving vincristine, prednisone, and aspariginase, the ALL proved to be refractory to treatment. Blinatumomab was used as second line therapy after the first failed remission. The patient remained with morphological response; however, remained MRD+ after three cycles of Blinatumomab. During the fourth cycle, the patient presented with back pain and lower extremity weakness. A spine MRI revealed an extradural mass in the thoracic spine causing cord compression. A thoracic laminectomy with partial removal of the mass, followed by radiation, was performed with improvement of symptoms. Pathology results of the extradural mass revealed a myeloid sarcoma with MLL rearrangement. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) NA Conclusion This case report demonstrates how patients treated with blinatumomab can have relapse in unusual extramedullary places. The possibility of leukemia manifesting in extramedullary sites should always be kept in mind by clinicians treating patients with Blinatumomab. The mechanisms of resistance against Blinatumomab are not well- understood and need further elucidation.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 1275-1279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Alexander ◽  
Peter M. Grossi ◽  
Robert F. Spetzler ◽  
Cameron G. McDougall

Abstract OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE Spinal cord involvement in Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber (KTW) syndrome is rare. Cases of intradural spinal cord arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) have been associated with this syndrome. Likewise, cases of epidural hemangioma and angiomyolipoma have been reported to occur at the same segmental level as cutaneous hemangioma in KTW syndrome. This report details a rare case of an extradural thoracic AVM in a patient with KTW syndrome. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 30-year-old man presented with a 10-month history of progressive myelopathy, bilateral lower-extremity weakness, and numbness, with the right side affected more than the left. His symptoms had progressed to the point that he was unable to walk. The patient had the characteristic manifestations of KTW syndrome, including numerous cutaneous angiomas and cavernomas, limb hypertrophy and syndactyly, and limb venous malformations. A magnetic resonance imaging scan and subsequent angiogram demonstrated a large extradural AVM causing cord compression at the T3–T4 levels. INTERVENTION The patient underwent two separate endovascular procedures, including embolization of upper thoracic and thyrocervical trunk feeders. Subsequently, he underwent T1–T4 laminectomy and microsurgical excision of the AVM. Clinically, the patient improved such that he could walk without assistance. CONCLUSION KTW syndrome represents a spectrum of clinical presentations. Although involvement of the spinal cord is uncommon, the manifestations of this syndrome may include both intradural and extradural AVMs in addition to various tumors.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler D. Alexander ◽  
Anthony Stefanelli ◽  
Sara Thalheimer ◽  
Joshua E. Heller

Abstract BackgroundClinically significant disc herniations in the thoracic spine are rare accounting for approximately 1% of all disc herniations. In patients with significant spinal cord compression, presenting symptoms typically include ambulatory dysfunction, lower extremity weakness, lower extremity sensory changes, as well as bowl, bladder, or sexual dysfunction. Thoracic disc herniations can also present with thoracic radiculopathy including midback pain and radiating pain wrapping around the chest or abdomen. The association between thoracic disc herniation with cord compression and sleep apnea is not well described.Case PresentationThe following is a case of a young male patient with high grade spinal cord compression at T7-8, as a result of a large thoracic disc herniation. The patient presented with complaints of upper and lower extremity unilateral allodynia and sleep apnea. Diagnosis was only made once the patient manifested more common symptoms of thoracic stenosis including left lower extremity weakness and sexual dysfunction. Following decompression and fusion the patient’s allodynia and sleep apnea quickly resolved.ConclusionsThoracic disc herniations can present atypically with sleep apnea – a symptom which may resolve with surgical treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Charandeep Singh Gandhoke ◽  
Siu Kei David Mak ◽  
Nishal Kishinchand Primalani ◽  
Eng Tah Goh ◽  
Hwei Yee Lee ◽  
...  

Background: Juxtafacet cysts, synovial and ganglion cysts, emanate from the facet joints. Patients with these cysts are typically asymptomatic but may rarely present with radiculopathy and/or myelopathy. Case Description: A 72-year-old female presented with a 1-month history of progressive lower extremity weakness (left more than right), numbness, and urinary incontinence. Notably, she also had a C7 sensory level to pin appreciation of 1-month duration. The magnetic resonance imaging showed an extradural C7 cystic lesion whose capsule enhanced with gadolinium, causing severe cord compression. The patient underwent a left C7 hemilaminectomy for complete excision of the cyst; postoperatively in 2-weeks duration, she regained full neurological function. The final histopathology was consistent with a ganglion cyst. Conclusion: Cervical juxtafacet cysts rarely cause compressive myelopathy. They may be readily diagnosed and resected with excellent postoperative outcomes.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. E620-E622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Taghva ◽  
Khan W. Li ◽  
John C. Liu ◽  
Ziya L. Gokaslan ◽  
Patrick C. Hsieh

Abstract OBJECTIVE Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression is a potentially devastating complication of cancer and is estimated to occur in 5% to 14% of all cancer patients. It is best treated surgically. Minimally invasive spine surgery has the potential benefits of decreased surgical approach–related morbidity, blood loss, hospital stay, and time to mobilization. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 36-year-old man presented with worsening back pain and lower extremity weakness. Workup revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung with spinal cord compression at T4 and T5. INTERVENTION AND TECHNIQUE T4 and T5 vertebrectomy with expandable cage placement and T1–T8 pedicle screw fixation and fusion were performed using minimally invasive surgical techniques. RESULT The patient improved neurologically and was ambulatory on postoperative day 1. At the 9-month follow-up point, he remained neurologically intact and pain free, and there was no evidence of hardware failure. CONCLUSION Minimally invasive surgical circumferential decompression may be a viable option for the treatment of metastatic epidural spinal cord compression.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. e240533
Author(s):  
Rute Castelhano ◽  
Khine Myat Win ◽  
Sara Carty

Abdominal pain is a very common presentation in the accident and emergency department. However, vasculitis is not the usual first differential diagnosis. This paper discusses a case of polyarteritis nodosa presenting with acute abdominal pain alone. Common surgical conditions were obviously considered, but they were not found to cause the patient’s problems. We describe how investigations led to this diagnosis discussed in detail in this paper. It is important to remember that prompt recognition of unusual life-threatening conditions can lead to timely intervention.


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