Microsurgical management of glomus spinal arteriovenous malformations: pial resection technique

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 523-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory J. Velat ◽  
Steve W. Chang ◽  
Adib A. Abla ◽  
Felipe C. Albuquerque ◽  
Cameron G. McDougall ◽  
...  

Object Intramedullary, or glomus, spinal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare vascular lesions amenable to resection with or without adjuvant embolization. The authors retrospectively reviewed the senior author's (R.F.S.'s) surgical series of intramedullary spinal AVMs to evaluate clinical and radiographic outcomes. Methods Detailed chart and radiographic reviews were performed for all patients with intramedullary spinal AVMs who underwent surgical treatment between 1994 and 2011. Presenting and follow-up neurological examination results were obtained and graded using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and McCormick Scale. Surgical technique, outcomes, complications, and long-term angiographic studies were reviewed. Results During the study period, 20 patients (10 males and 10 females) underwent resection of glomus spinal AVMs. The mean age at presentation was 30 ± 17 years (range 7–62 years). The location of the AVMs was as follows: cervical spine (n = 10), thoracic spine (n = 9), and cervicothoracic junction (n = 1). The most common presenting signs and symptoms included paresis or paralysis (65%), paresthesias (40%), and myelopathy (40%). Perioperative embolization was performed in the majority (60%) of patients. Pial AVM resection was performed in 17 cases (85%). Angiographically verified AVM obliteration was achieved in 15 patients (75%). At a mean follow-up duration of 45.4 ± 52.4 months (range 2–176 months), 14 patients (70%) remained functionally independent (mRS and McCormick Scale scores ≤ 2). One perioperative complication occurred, yielding a surgical morbidity rate of 5%. Three symptomatic spinal cord tetherings occurred at a mean of 5.7 years after AVM resection. No neurological decline was observed after endovascular and surgical interventions. No deaths occurred. Long-term angiographic follow-up data were available for 9 patients (40%) at a mean of 67.6 ± 60.3 months (range 5–176 months) following AVM resection. Durable AVM obliteration was documented in 5 (83%) of 6 patients. Conclusions Intramedullary AVMs may be safely resected with satisfactory clinical and angiographic results. The pial resection technique, which provides subtotal AVM nidus resection, effectively devascularized these lesions, as confirmed on postoperative angiography, without violating the spinal cord parenchyma, thereby potentially reducing iatrogenic injury.

Neurosurgery ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 398-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomoyuki Koga ◽  
Masahiro Shin ◽  
Keisuke Maruyama ◽  
Atsuro Terahara ◽  
Nobuhito Saito

Abstract BACKGROUND Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in the thalamus carry a high risk of hemorrhage. Although stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is widely accepted because of the high surgical morbidity and mortality of these lesions, precise long-term outcomes are largely unknown. OBJECTIVE To review our experience with SRS for thalamic AVMs based on the latest follow-up data. METHODS Forty-eight patients with thalamic AVMs were treated by SRS using the Leksell Gamma Knife and were followed. Long-term outcomes including the obliteration rate, hemorrhage after treatment, and adverse effects were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS The annual hemorrhage rate before SRS was 14%. The mean follow-up period after SRS was 66 months (range 6–198 months). The actuarial obliteration rate confirmed by angiography was 82% at 5 years after treatment, and the annual hemorrhage rate after SRS was 0.36%. Factors associated with higher obliteration rates were previous hemorrhage (P = .004) and treatment using new planning software (P = .001). Persistent worsening of neurological symptoms was observed in 17% and more frequently seen in patients who were treated using older planning software (P = .04) and a higher margin dose (P = .02). The morbidity rate for patients who received treatment planned using new software with a margin dose not more than 20 Gy was 12%. CONCLUSION SRS for thalamic AVMs achieved a high obliteration rate and effectively decreased the risk of hemorrhage, with less morbidity compared with other modalities. Longer follow-up to evaluate the risk of delayed complications and the effort to minimize the morbidity is necessary.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 832-839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Kerin Morgan ◽  
Andrew Michael Rochford ◽  
Antonio Tsahtsarlis ◽  
Nicholas Little ◽  
Kenneth Charles Faulder

Abstract OBJECTIVE Grade I and II arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) have been considered safe to resect. However, unoperated low-grade AVMs have not been considered in previously reported series. The aim of this study was to examine all cases, both operated and unoperated, to identify any characteristics of low-grade AVMs that comprise a subgroup that might pose a relatively higher risk. METHODS A prospectively enrolled AVM database included 237 patients in Spetzler-Martin Grade I or II. These patients were analyzed on the basis of demographic characteristics, angiographic and magnetic resonance imaging features, clinical presentation, method of treatment, and outcome. RESULTS Surgery was performed in 220 patients in Spetzler-Martin Grade I or II. Seventeen patients did not undergo treatment because of poor neurological condition (six patients), patient refusal (nine patients), and perceived surgical difficulty (AVM size approaching 3 cm adjacent to Broca's area) (two patients). The overall surgical morbidity rate was 0.9%, and the mortality rate was 0.5%. Adverse outcomes occurred in 1 (0.6%) of 180 patients with AVMs located away from eloquent cortex and in 2 (5%) of 40 patients with AVMs adjacent to eloquent cortex. None of 28 surgical patients with deep venous drainage had an adverse outcome. All 219 patients who survived surgery underwent postoperative angiography that confirmed cure. No postoperative hemorrhage has occurred in 1143 patient-years of follow-up (mean follow-up, 5.3 yr). CONCLUSION When considering adverse outcome in the surgical series of Grade I and II AVMs alone, no statistical difference between non-eloquently located AVMs (0.6%) and eloquently located AVMs (5% adverse outcome) can be detected. However, consideration of all Grade I and II AVMs, both surgical and nonsurgical, may prove that a difference in outcome exists between these two groups masked by case selection. Generalization of the chances of adverse outcomes to all Grade I and II AVMs (both operated and unoperated) suggests that the risk of performing surgery on noneloquent brain in our series was 0.6% and that in eloquent brain could have been as high as 9.5%, had all such patients undergone surgery.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 469-473
Author(s):  
B Drake ◽  
S Patro ◽  
A Quateen ◽  
EA Cora ◽  
S Finitsis ◽  
...  

Background Metameric spinal cord arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare lesions characterized by an intradural and extradural component. They are difficult to treat surgically by the endovascular route. We report a case in which symptomatic relief was achieved by embolization of the extradural component only. Case presentation A 35-year-old woman presented with acute worsening of back pain, weakness in the left leg and urinary retention. Spinal angiography showed a metameric spinal cord AVM with partial common venous drainage of the extradural and intradural components. Conclusions Targeted embolization of the extradural component led to dramatic improvement of the patient’s symptoms, probably by achieving venous decongestion. She remains neurologically stable at two years’ follow-up.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Wilson ◽  
Adib A. Abla ◽  
Timothy D. Uschold ◽  
Cameron G. McDougall ◽  
Felipe C. Albuquerque ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: Conus medullaris arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare, challenging spinal vascular lesions that cause progressive debilitating myeloradiculopathy. Only sporadic reports of conus AVMs have been published. OBJECTIVE: To better define the presentation, prognosis, and optimal treatment of these lesions, we present the first case series of conus AVMs, reflecting over 2 decades of experience with a multimodality endovascular and surgical approach. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 16 patients with a conus AVM evaluated at our institution from 1989 to 2010. For each patient, the following clinical data were collected: age, sex, symptoms, angiographic findings, type of treatment, complications, degree of angiographic obliteration, recurrence at follow-up, and need for re-treatment. Ambulatory status, Frankel Grade, motor function, and bladder/bowel function were assessed before treatment, at discharge, and at last follow-up. RESULTS: All 16 patients were treated. Eight (50%) patients underwent embolization followed by microsurgical resection, and 8 (50%) underwent microsurgical resection only. The rate of complete angiographic obliteration was 88%. At last follow-up (mean, 70 months), 43% of patients neurologically improved, 43% were stable, and 14% worsened in comparison with before treatment. During follow-up, 3 recurrences were detected, including the only 2 instances of long-term neurological decline. In the absence of recurrence, all patients ambulatory before treatment remained ambulatory at follow-up, whereas 75% of the initially nonambulatory patients regained the ability to walk. CONCLUSION: Although conus AVMs are challenging to treat, excellent long-term outcomes are possible with a multimodality approach. Recurrence is associated with long-term neurological decline and calls for close follow-up.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1183-1186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrien Collin ◽  
Marc-Antoine Labeyrie ◽  
Stephanie Lenck ◽  
Akli Zetchi ◽  
Armand Aymard ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo determine long term safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment of spinal cord arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), with calibrated particle embolization as a firstline approach.MethodsWe reviewed clinical and imaging data of consecutive patients who underwent endovascular treatment for both nidal and fistulous type spinal cord AVMs in our center, from 1990 to 2015. Outcome at the last follow-up was assessed by an independent observer.ResultsEmbolization of spinal cord AVMs was performed in 61 patients, including 46 (75%) with particles (exclusively in 29 patients), 30 (49%) with cyanoacrylate, and 6 (10%) with combined surgical treatments. Particle embolizations were iterative in 33 patients (median number of sessions 5 (range 3–6)). Neurological deterioration after treatment occurred in 5 patients (cyanoacrylate=4, surgery=1, particles=0; P<0.001). At a median follow-up of 6 years (range 3–13 years), angiographic cure was obtained in 11/61 (18%) patients (nidal type=6/53 (11%), fistulous type=5/8 (63%)). In progressive forms, neurological improvement occurred in 16/28 (57%) patients, stabilized in 9/28 (31%), and worsened in 3/28 (12%). In hemorrhagic forms, the rebleeding rate was 4/14 patient years without standard treatment, 0/322 patient years in partial iterative treatment, and 0/15 patient years in angiographically cured lesions (P=0.001).ConclusionOur study suggests that particle embolization as a firstline therapy to treat spinal cord AVMs is safe and offers long term efficacy, especially for those with small, distal, and multiple shunts. Partial occlusion of the AVM may be sufficient to prevent rebleeding, without the potential risks of complete occlusion. Particle calibration and injection technique, ‘one by one’, are critical to safety. Cyanoacrylate embolization or surgery remains necessary if particle embolization fails to occlude large shunts.


2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark I. Tonack ◽  
Sander L. Hitzig ◽  
B. Catharine Craven ◽  
Kent A. Campbell ◽  
Kathryn A. Boschen ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Khaled Hassan

This Pilot retrospective research conducted on the results of open surgery in patients with Grade III and IV haemorrhoids With SCI. No major complications had arisen at 6 weeks post-operative and all wounds had healed, but 1 patient Anal fissure recurrence. 75% of patients reported a substantial increase in anorectal anorexia during long-term follow-up. With symptoms. Five patients reported recurrences: three haemorrhoids (18 percent) and two anal fissures (25 percent).   Keywords: Haemorrhoids, Pilot retrospective research, Anorectal Anorexia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1336
Author(s):  
Toshifumi Takahashi ◽  
Shinya Somiya ◽  
Katsuhiro Ito ◽  
Toru Kanno ◽  
Yoshihito Higashi ◽  
...  

Introduction: Cystine stone development is relatively uncommon among patients with urolithiasis, and most studies have reported only on small sample sizes and short follow-up periods. We evaluated clinical courses and treatment outcomes of patients with cystine stones with long-term follow-up at our center. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 22 patients diagnosed with cystine stones between January 1989 and May 2019. Results: The median follow-up was 160 (range 6–340) months, and the median patient age at diagnosis was 46 (range 12–82) years. All patients underwent surgical interventions at the first visit (4 extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, 5 ureteroscopy, and 13 percutaneous nephrolithotripsy). The median number of stone events and surgical interventions per year was 0.45 (range 0–2.6) and 0.19 (range 0–1.3) after initial surgical intervention. The median time to stone events and surgical intervention was 2 years and 3.25 years, respectively. There was a significant difference in time to stone events and second surgical intervention when patients were divided at 50 years of age at diagnosis (p = 0.02, 0.04, respectively). Conclusions: Only age at a diagnosis under 50 was significantly associated with recurrent stone events and intervention. Adequate follow-up and treatment are needed to manage patients with cystine stones safely.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 1081-1089 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Sinclair ◽  
Steven D. Chang ◽  
Iris C. Gibbs ◽  
John R. Adler

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Intramedullary spinal cord arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) have an unfavorable natural history that characteristically involves myelopathy secondary to progressive ischemia and/or recurrent hemorrhage. Although some lesions can be managed successfully with embolization and surgery, AVM size, location, and angioarchitecture precludes treatment in many circumstances. Given the poor outlook for such patients, and building on the successful experience with radiosurgical ablation of cerebral AVMs, our group at Stanford University has used CyberKnife (Accuray, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) to treat selected spinal cord AVMs since 1997. In this article, we retrospectively analyze our preliminary experience with this technique. METHODS: Fifteen patients with intramedullary spinal cord AVMs (nine cervical, three thoracic, and three conus medullaris) were treated by image-guided SRS between 1997 and 2005. SRS was delivered in two to five sessions with an average marginal dose of 20.5 Gy. The biologically effective dose used in individual patients was escalated gradually over the course of this study. Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging follow-up were carried out annually, and spinal angiography was repeated at 3 years. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up period of 27.9 months (range, 3–59 mo), six of the seven patients who were more than 3 years from SRS had significant reductions in AVM volumes on interim magnetic resonance imaging examinations. In four of the five patients who underwent postoperative spinal angiography, persistent AVM was confirmed, albeit reduced in size. One patient demonstrated complete angiographic obliteration of a conus medullaris AVM 26 months after radiosurgery. There was no evidence of further hemorrhage after CyberKnife treatment or neurological deterioration attributable to SRS. CONCLUSION: This description of CyberKnife radiosurgical ablation demonstrates its feasibility and apparent safety for selected intramedullary spinal cord AVMs. Additional experience is necessary to ascertain the optimal radiosurgical dose and ultimate efficacy of this technique.


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