scholarly journals Spinal intramedullary cavernomas. Personal experience reffering to six cases

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 407-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Iacob ◽  
Angela Olarescu

Abstract Despite cavernous malformations of the CNS are pathologically similar, intramedullary cavernous malformations are very rare lesions, increasingly recognized after introduction of magnetic resonance image, generating gradual neurological decline, with severe deficits or acute loss of spinal function. We report our experience on six patients with intramedullary cavernomas defining the spectrum of presenting symptoms and signs analyzing the role of surgery as a treatment for these lesions. We present our experience with 2 cervical and 4 thoracal spinal intramedullary cavernoma from 2010 to 2014 searching history, onset of clinical manifestation, neurological status, radiological findings, operation, and clinical outcome. Among 6 patients male were 2 cases; female 4 cases; mean age was 42 years (range 25-72 years); mean duration of symptoms were 1,5 years (range 5 days and 2 years) with slowly progressive neurological decline. In two cases there was acute onset of neurological compromise. In all cases diagnosis was made on MRI and lesions were possible to be radically excised and gently extracted from the hemosiderin-stained bed inside of the spinal cord via a laminectomy and midline myelotomy with microsurgical techniques. The surgical outcome on a mean duration of follow up of 12 months were: for 4 cases - the patients neurological conditions remarkably improved 1 month later, for 2 cases no improvement were remarked. No recurrent hemorrhages were recorded. A follow-up MRI examination was made in all cases to confirm complete removal of the cavernous angioma. Spinal intramedullary cavernoma should be early recognized by MRI, can be positioned in a precarious position and generate significant neurologic deficits than cranial cavernomas. For symptomatic intramedullary cavernous malformations extended to the dorsal surface of the spinal cord, total resection with microsurgical techniques can offer good or excellent outcome, restoring neurological status and to stop chronic deterioration and acute rebleeding. To asymptomatic patients with deeper lesions which entail a higher operative risk, but also a surgically manageable cause of myelopathy a closed observation is mandatory.

2010 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. E15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harel Deutsch

Object The objective of the study was to quantify the improvement in pain levels for patients who have undergone surgery for intramedullary spinal cord cavernous malformations (SCCMs). Methods The author reviewed medical records of patients who underwent surgery for an intramedullary SCCM between 2003 and 2010. Numerical pain scores (range 0–10) were recorded preoperatively and at follow-up. The follow-up period exceeded 1 year. Neurological status and subjective outcomes were assessed. Each patient underwent follow-up MR imaging. Results Five patients were identified with SCCMs who underwent surgery: 4 with thoracic and 1 with cervical lesions. Patients had been conservatively managed for an average of 5 years prior to surgery, and none had a history of acute hemorrhage or neurological deterioration during the observation period. The primary indication for surgery in each patient was pain, although 4 of 5 patients had some evidence of myelopathy on examination. Pain improved from a mean preoperative score of 8.6 to mean score of 2.0 (p < 0.01) at 1 month. Pain scores then increased to 3.7 (p < 0.01) at 1 year. All patients had some improvement in pain. No new motor weakness was noted, but all patients had increased symptoms of posterior-column dysfunction and numbness after surgery. Conclusions Spinal cord intramedullary cavernous malformations are increasingly being diagnosed early with patients presenting with mostly pain symptoms. Removal of the lesion is reliably associated with improvement in pain scores but often the pain improvement is transient. While long-term worsening of pain scores occurs, at 1-year follow-up, patients reported pain scores were improved over preoperative scores. In all patients some degree of postoperative posterior-column dysfunction was present. Some of the immediate pain relief may be due to analgesia related to the myelotomy of newly described posterior column pain pathways. In patients with severe pain, surgery to remove SCCMs reduced the overall pain level at 1 year.


1970 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 168-172
Author(s):  
NK Karn ◽  
BP Shrestha ◽  
GP Khanal ◽  
R Rijal ◽  
P Chaudhary ◽  
...  

Objective: To see the role of methyleprednisolone succinate in the management of acute spinal cord injury. Methods: A randomized control trial was done including the patients with acute spinal cord injury. They were divided into age and gender matched two groups. Patients with presence of active infection, associated open fracture, those on long term steroid and those who did not give consent to participate in the trial were excluded. One group received methyleprednisolone succinate within 8 hours of injury and another group did not receive the drug. Both the groups were managed nonoperatively. The neurological status of the patients was assessed at presentation, once spinal shock was over, at 6th week and 6th month and after one year according to ASIA scoring. Frankel grading was also assessed in every follow up. Conclusion: Methylprednisolone succinct prevents secondary cord injury to a great extent and hence its administration within 8 hours of injury results in a better functional (motor and sensory) outcome. Keywords: acute spinal cord injury; methyleprednisolone succinate DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hren.v9i3.5585   HR 2011; 9(3): 168-172


2004 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lali H. S. Sekhon

Object Cervical spinal cord compression managed via an anterior approach with an arthrodesis may be associated with a decreased range of motion and accelerated adjacent-segment degeneration. Artificial cervical disc replacement may address these problems. Methods The author presents a series of 11 patients (seven men and four women, ages 31–55 years) with anterior cervical decompression and placement of a total of 15 artificial disc prostheses. Clinical and radiological follow-up review was performed at 24 hours, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and then yearly (mean follow-up period 18.4 months, range 10–32 months). There were no major complications. There was an improvement in the Nurick grade by 0.91 grades (p < 0.001) and in the Oswestry Neck Disability Index by 41.5 percentage points (p < 0.001). In one case fusion was attained at 17 months postoperatively and one patient had a transient worsening of preoperative symptoms postoperatively, with focal kyphosis. The spinal cord was decompressed on postoperative imaging in all cases. Conclusions Cervical arthroplasty after anterior cervical decompression at one or more levels represents an exciting tool in the management of spinal cord compression caused by spondylotic disease or acute disc prolapse. Results obtained in this study add further weight to the potential role of cervical arthroplasty for cervical myelopathy and longer follow up is provided on a previously reported series. It is suggested that care must be taken in using this unconstrained prosthesis if there is a preexisting spinal deformity. Longer follow up will reveal any delayed problems with artificial disc implantation, but in the short to medium term, this technique offers an excellent outcome.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 232596711876932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Saper ◽  
Joseph Shung ◽  
Stephanie Pearce ◽  
Viviana Bompadre ◽  
James R. Andrews

Background: The number of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstructions in adolescent athletes has increased over the past 2 decades. Clinical results in this population have not been well studied. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and return to sport after UCL reconstruction in a large group of adolescent baseball players. We hypothesized that excellent clinical outcomes and high rates of return to sport would be observed in this population at a minimum 2-year follow-up. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: We reviewed 140 adolescent (aged ≤19 years) baseball players who underwent UCL reconstruction with the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) technique by a single surgeon. Medical records were reviewed for patient demographics, injury characteristics, operative details, and surgical complications. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed using the Conway scale, the Andrews-Timmerman (A-T) score, the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) score, and a 0- to 100-point subjective scale for elbow function and satisfaction. Return to sporting activity was assessed using a custom-designed questionnaire. Results: The mean age at the time of surgery was 18.0 years (range, 13-19 years), and the mean follow-up was 57.9 months (range, 32.4-115.4 months). Over half (60%) of patients were high school athletes. The mean duration of symptoms before surgery was 6.9 months (range, 0.5-60.0 months). Partial tears were identified in 57.9% of patients, and 41.3% of patients had preoperative ulnar nerve symptoms. Graft type included the ipsilateral palmaris in 77.1% of patients. Concomitant procedures were performed in 25% of patients. Outcomes on the Conway scale were “excellent” in 86.4% of patients. The mean A-T and KJOC scores were 97.3 ± 6.1 and 85.2 ± 14.6, respectively. Mean patient satisfaction was 94.4. Overall, 97.8% of patients reported returning to sport at a mean of 11.6 months (range, 5-24 months), and 89.9% of patients returned to sport at the same level of competition or higher. A total of 11.6% of patients went on to play professional baseball. Conclusion: UCL reconstruction with the ASMI technique is an effective surgical option in adolescents, with excellent outcome scores. At a minimum of 2-year follow-up, nearly 90% of patients returned to their preinjury level of sport.


1999 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao-Chen Lee ◽  
Kang Lu ◽  
Lin-Cheng Yang ◽  
Hsuan-Ying Huang ◽  
Cheng-Loong Liang

Object. Because modern imaging techniques now allow for early diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis, more conservative management options are possible. The authors evaluated the effectiveness of transpedicular instrumentation for treatment of thoracolumbar and lumbar spinal tuberculosis in patients with mild bone destruction and the main symptom of “instability catch” (a sudden painful “snap” that occurs when one extends from a forward bent to an upright position). Methods. Eighteen patients (nine men and nine women, age range 49–71 years) with spinal tuberculosis were treated with transpedicular instrumentation that was supplemented with posterolateral fusion and chemotherapy. All patients were wheelchair dependent or bed-ridden due to severe instability catch, with a mean symptom duration of 2.5 months (range 1–6 months). Two contiguous vertebrae were involved in 17 patients, and a single vertebrae was involved in one. In five patients mild neurological deficits (Frankel Grade D) were present. During surgery, the screws were implanted into the two nonaffected pedicles nearest the lesion to stabilize the involved segments. No attempt at radical debridement or neural decompression was undertaken. The follow-up period ranged from 21 to 40 months. Postoperatively the instability catch was relieved within 10 days (excellent outcome) and within 1 month (good outcome) in seven and eight patients, respectively, and within 3 months (fair outcome) in two; in the remaining patient, the symptom did not resolve (poor outcome). A short duration of symptoms (generally < 3 months) and bone destruction of less than 50% in the involved vertebral bodies were observed in patients who made a good or excellent outcome. During the follow-up period, good maintenance of spinal alignment, stabilization of the involved segment, and resolution of the inflammatory process were shown; however, there was no strong evidence that fusion had occurred at the bony defect. Patients in whom a fair outcome was achieved experienced a longer duration of symptoms, and in each, one vertebral body with greater than 50% bone destruction was demonstrated. However, good maintenance of spinal alignment was also shown during the follow-up period. The patient whose outcome was poor had the longest history (6 months) of symptoms and the most extensive involvement of the spine (> 50% destruction of two adjacent lumbar vertebral bodies). Postoperatively, implant failure occurred and the patient developed a wound infection. Conclusions. Transpedicular instrumentation provides rapid relief of instability catch and prevents late angular deformity in patients with thoracolumbar and lumbar spinal tuberculosis in whom limited (< 50%) bone destruction of the involved vertebral bodies has been shown and whose main symptom is instability catch.


1988 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph M. Piepmeier ◽  
N. Ross Jenkins

✓ Sixty-nine patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries were evaluated for changes in their functional neurological status at discharge from the hospital, and at 1 year, 3 years, and 5+ years following injury. The neurological examinations were used to classify patients' spinal cord injury according to the Frankel scale. This analysis revealed that the majority of improvement in neurological function occurred within the 1st year following injury; however, changes in the patients' status continued for many years. Follow-up examinations at an average of 3 years postinjury revealed that 23.3% of the patients continued to improve, whereas 7.1% had deteriorated compared to their status at 1 year. An examination at an average of 5+ years demonstrated further improvement in 12.5%, with 5.0% showing deterioration compared to the examinations at 3 years. These results demonstrate that, in patients with spinal trauma, significant changes in neurological function continue for many years.


1995 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 394-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Lee ◽  
Ali R. Rezai ◽  
Rick Abbott ◽  
Daniel H. Coelho ◽  
Fred J. Epstein

✓ Spinal cord lipomas are rare lesions, accounting for approximately 1% of all spinal cord tumors. True intramedullary spinal cord lipomas are extremely rare and are represented in the literature as scattered, single case reports. The authors present a series of six patients with intramedullary spinal cord lipomas managed at our institution from July, 1985 to July, 1993. The patients' ages ranged from 8 to 45 years. Four patients presented with newly diagnosed tumors and two had undergone previous surgery. Patients usually presented with long histories of disability followed by rapid progression of their symptoms. Most patients were in poor neurological condition on presentation. Presenting symptoms included spinal pain, dysesthetic sensory changes, gait difficulties, weakness, and incontinence. Three patients had cervical tumors, two had cervicothoracic tumors, and one patient had a thoracic tumor. Diagnostic studies, including magnetic resonance imaging, were obtained in all patients. No patient exhibited any form of spinal dysraphism or had a dural defect. All patients underwent decompressive, subtotal resections of 40% to 70% of their lesions. Follow-up times ranged from 12 to 96 months. All patients had resolution of their pain, but they generally showed no neurological improvement. As of their most recent follow-up visit, none of the patients was neurologically normal; three can function independently, although with neurological deficits. The other three patients cannot function independently and have severe neurological deficits. The authors conclude that patients with intramedullary spinal cord lipoma who present with significant neurological compromise have a very poor prognosis with regard to neurological function and generally show no improvement with surgical resection.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 973-983 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georges Rodesch ◽  
Michel Hurth ◽  
Hortensia Alvarez ◽  
Marc Tadie ◽  
Pierre Lasjaunias

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To review our series of intradural spinal cord arteriovenous fistulas (SCAVFs), analyzing symptoms and related angioarchitecture, and to study the morphological and clinical results of embolization. METHODS: Thirty-two SCAVFs (in 22 adults and 10 children) were treated between 1981 and 2000. These lesions were classified as microarteriovenous fistulas (mAVFs) or macroarteriovenous fistulas (MAVFs) according to shunt morphology. Location, architecture, presenting symptoms, and age group were detailed. The selection of patients for endovascular versus surgical treatments was analyzed, as were the anatomic and clinical results obtained by embolization with n-butylcyanoacrylate. Clinical status was evaluated according to the Karnofsky Performance Scale score. RESULTS: Ten SCAVFs were found in the pediatric population (four mAVFs and six MAVFs). All four mAVFs presented with acute symptoms. Three mAVFs (two cervical and one thoracic) presented hematomyelia; in one patient with a thoracic AVF, subarachnoid hemorrhage was suspected. All six MAVFs were located in the thoracolumbar cord (five associated with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasias). Four of the six MAVFs presented with hemorrhage. In the adult population, there were 21 mAVFS (95%) and one MAVF (5%). Only two mAVFs were found in the cervical cord, all other shunts affecting the thoracolumbar region. Hemorrhage was present in 6 of the 22 cases seen in adults (27%). The symptoms of SCAVFs did not differ from those found in spinal cord arteriovenous shunts of nidus type. Pial venous reflux and congestion were the most frequently encountered features in both the adult and pediatric groups. Arterial aneurysms (different from false aneurysms) were not found in association with hemorrhagic presentation of SCAVFs. Mean follow-up in our series was 3.3 years. Of the MAVFs, 86% were embolized, with 67% cured. The others had more than 75% occlusion. All patients followed up improved significantly. Of the mAVFs, 48% were treated endovascularly. Successful embolization was performed in 75% of patients. One patient was not embolized because of vasospasm, whereas 67% percent of mAVFs were completely occluded, 22% were more than 90% occluded, and 11% were 75% occluded. Complementary surgery was deemed unnecessary. All patients with mAVFs improved significantly at follow-up. Transient complications occurred in 22% of all patients, with no permanent morbidity or mortality. No patient bled or rebled after embolization. Thirty-six percent of mAVFs were operated on because of anticipated technical difficulties for endovascular approach or distal localization of the shunt. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment of SCAVFs stabilizes, normalizes, or improves neurological symptoms in all patients at long-term follow-up, with no bleeds or rebleeds. Embolization of SCAVFs with glue is a safe treatment that compares favorably with other approaches and significantly improves the poor natural history of the disease.


2018 ◽  
Vol 119 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 122-127
Author(s):  
Eshagh Bahrami ◽  
Morteza Taheri ◽  
Feyzollah Ebrahimniya

Ganglioglioma is a benign slow-growing neoplasm that most frequently occurs at the supratentorial region. Nevertheless, there are occasional reports of ganglioglioma occurring in the brainstem and spinal cord. Here we report a rare case of the craniocervical ganglioglioma. A 3.5-year-old male, presented with severe progressive quadriparesis, gait disturbance, and sphincter deficit. Physical examination demonstrated the quadriparesis, associated with positive Hoffman, Babinski, and clonus signs, and increased respond of deep tendon reflexes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated an ill-defined mass within medulla and upper cervical spinal cord, which was hypo to iso signal on T1, heterogeneous iso to hypersignal on T2 and demonstrated marked bright enhancement on T1 with gadolinium (Gad) injection. On surgery, the mass had a soft texture, ill-defined border, and grey to brown appearance. According to the frozen section report, and due to the absence of the tumour-neural parenchymal interference, only decompression of the tumour and expansile duraplasty were performed. The histopathology revealed ganglioglioma. On last follow-up 14 months after surgery, the patient was asymptomatic and neurological status was improved. The craniocervical MRI demonstrated the tumour that did not grow. Although it is rare, the ganglioglioma should be in the differentiated diagnoses of tumours with compatible clinical and radiologic features even in the unusual locations, especially in the pediatric and young patients. Safety surgical resection should be considered in these patients, whenever possible. In the case of partial resection, that is common in the tumours located within functionally critical structures, long close follow-up rather than radiation therapy is required.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 434-441
Author(s):  
Nycole K. Joseph ◽  
Shivram Kumar ◽  
Robert D. Brown ◽  
Giuseppe Lanzino ◽  
Kelly D. Flemming

Background and Purpose: Pregnancy as a hemorrhage risk factor in women with cavernous malformations (CMs) is controversial. We describe prospective hemorrhage risk in women who become pregnant after an established CM diagnosis. Methods: Beginning in 2015, we recruited consecutive patients with radiologically confirmed CM of the brain or spinal cord to participate in a prospective registry. Participants underwent a baseline and annual medical record review, imaging review, and annual surveys to ascertain pregnancies, deliveries, and neurological complications. We collected prospective hemorrhage data on reproductive age women. We calculated prospective hemorrhage rates on childbearing age patients based on the number of hemorrhages occurring post-CM diagnosis during pregnancy and nonpregnancy, divided by the years of follow-up and censored at last follow-up, age 46, or surgery in sporadic-form CM. The hemorrhage rates were compared and the 95% CI presented with a P value of <0.05. Results: Of 160 women, 90 presented with CM under the age of 46 (average age 31.6 years; 25.6% familial form; 46.7% with hemorrhage; 24.4% brain stem location). These 90 patients had 136 pregnancies before CM diagnosis; 36 pregnancies occurred at or after the diagnosis of CM. Four patients had a hemorrhage while pregnant or postpartum leading to the first CM diagnosis. During 402.6 years of follow-up while not pregnant, 42 hemorrhages occurred prospectively yielding a 10.4% per year (95% CI, 7.5–14.0) risk of hemorrhage while not pregnant. No hemorrhages occurred during 32 prospective pregnancies (26 live births including 1 twinset and 7 nonviable fetuses) after CM diagnosis during 26.9 years of pregnancy time yielding a rate of 0% per year (95% CI, 0–13.6). We found no statistical difference in the rates of hemorrhage during pregnant and nonpregnant time ( P =0.09). No hemorrhage occurred during delivery. Conclusions: Our prospective data suggest that pregnancy does not increase the risk of hemorrhage in women with a known brain or spinal cord CM and that vaginal delivery is safe in appropriate candidates.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document