Cervical myelopathy caused by developmental stenosis of the spinal canal

1979 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph A. Epstein ◽  
Robert Carras ◽  
Roger A. Hyman ◽  
Sergio Costa

✓ The authors present six patients with myelopathy caused by developmental stenosis of the cervical spine. Hyperextension injuries precipitated the onset of symptoms in two patients, aged 19 and 20 years. In four, 41 to 69 years of age, symptoms were gradual in onset, progressing to severe disability. X-ray films revealed narrowing of the dorsoventral diameter of the spinal canal to as little as 1.0 cm. The myelograms showed widening of the cord in the transverse plane strongly suggestive of an intramedullary tumor. A unique finding was maldevelopment with flattening of the neural arch often hidden by the posterior portions of the articular facets when seen in the lateral views. These patients showed no significant evidence of spondylosis, arthrosis, or any of the structural stigmata usually observed in cervical spondylotic myelopathy. When indicated, decompressive laminectomy is the treatment of choice.

1992 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 296-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shankar G. Prakash ◽  
Mathew J. Chandy ◽  
Jacob Abraham

✓ A rare case is described of marked segmental stenosis of the axis secondary to developmental hypertrophy of the posterior neural arch causing cervical myelopathy. The patient made a remarkable recovery following decompressive laminectomy.


1982 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 158-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ertekin Arasil ◽  
Ali O. Taşçioğlu

✓ A case is presented of a woman who was shot in the left occipital area with a .32 caliber automatic pistol. She was neurologically intact on admission, and skull x-ray films revealed the bullet in the right suboccipital area. On the 2nd day of her admission she developed Lhermitte's sign. Repeat films showed that the bullet had migrated to the C-4 vertebral level. The bullet was subsequently removed via a total laminectomy at C3–4.


1978 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 914-920 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darrell J. Harris ◽  
Victor L. Fornasier ◽  
Kenneth E. Livingston

✓ Hemangiopericytoma is a vascular neoplasm consisting of capillaries outlined by an intact basement membrane that separates the endothelial cells of the capillaries from the spindle-shaped tumor cells in the extravascular area. These neoplasms are found in soft tissues but have rarely been shown to involve the spinal canal. This is a report of three such cases. Surgical removal of the tumor from the spinal canal was technically difficult. A high risk of recurrence has been reported but in these three cases adjunctive radiotherapy appeared to be of benefit in controlling the progression of the disease. These cases, added to the six cases in the literature, confirm the existence of hemangiopericytoma involving the vertebral column with extension into the spinal canal. This entity should be included in the differential diagnosis of lesions of the spinal canal. The risk of intraoperative hemorrhage should be anticipated.


1980 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 846-848 ◽  
Author(s):  
George M. Kleinman ◽  
T. Forcht Dagi ◽  
Charles E. Poletti

✓ Villonodular synovitis is believed to be an inflammatory, proliferative reaction of synovial tissues. The case of a 65-year-old woman with a cervical epidural mass is presented in which histological examination showed that the lesion was villonodular synovitis, an extremely rare occurrence. Because of its cellularity and occasional multinucleated giant cells, villonodular synovitis may be confused with metastatic malignancies or giant-cell tumor of bone.


1984 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 188-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugene Leibowitz ◽  
William Barton ◽  
Parvis Sadighi ◽  
Jeffrey S. Ross

✓ A patient with an anterior sacral meningocele combined with a hamartoma was diagnosed with x-ray films, myelography, and computerized tomography. She was successfully operated on by a transabdominal approach.


1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 520-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Knöringer

✓ With surgery of the vertebral column under image intensification, surgical instruments and conventional metal retractors often obscure important x-ray landmarks. Surgery is more difficult, operating time is longer, and exposure to x-rays is increased. The author has developed x-ray-translucent retractors for ventral and dorsal operations. Although for reasons of strength these retractors have somewhat more bulk than equivalent metal retractors, they are sufficiently stable and are compatible with spacial requirements. They can be sterilized and reused.


2000 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 626-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natarajan Muthukumar ◽  
Bhuvaneswari Subramaniam ◽  
Thangaraj Gnanaseelan ◽  
Ramesh Rathinam ◽  
Appaswamy Thiruthavadoss

Object. Anorectal malformations are known to be associated with neurological deficits, which may contribute to the disability suffered by patients with these malformations. This study was undertaken to determine the incidence and pattern of sacral abnormalities in children with anorectal malformations, the incidence and nature of the neurological deficits, and the incidence and nature of operable intraspinal abnormalities in patients with this condition.Methods. Neurological evaluation was performed in 81 children with anorectal malformations. Plain x-ray films were obtained to identify the presence of sacral abnormalities. The patients with neurological deficits were evaluated for the presence of operable intraspinal anomalies, and when such anomalies were identified, correction of the same was undertaken. In 21% of these children radiographic evidence of sacral abnormalities was shown. Fifteen percent of patients harbored neurological deficits, and 10% harbored operable intraspinal anomalies. In addition, one patient had split notochord syndrome. Patients with operable intraspinal anomalies underwent surgical correction, with resultant neurological improvement.Conclusions. Bone abnormalities of the sacrum, neurological deficits, and operable intraspinal lesions are not uncommon in children with anorectal malformations. Because the neurological deficits can contribute to the disability suffered by these individuals, we recommend routine screening of patients with anorectal malformations and neurological deficits and/or sacral abnormalities for the early identification and treatment of potentially correctable intraspinal lesions.


1980 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 765-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carole A. Miller ◽  
Richard C. Dewey ◽  
William E. Hunt

✓ The authors describe a lumbar spine fracture that is characterized on anteroposterior x-ray views by separation of the pedicular shadows. It is almost invariably associated with posterior interlaminar herniation of the cauda equina through a dorsal dural split, and anterolateral entrapment or amputation of the nerve root. The fracture is unstable and requires internal fixation and fusion at the time of neurolysis. Fractures meeting these criteria should be explored as soon as the patient's condition permits. Myelography is usually unnecessary and may be contraindicated in some cases. The postulated mechanism of injury is hyperextension with vertical impaction and rupture of the ring made up of the lamina, pedicle, and vertebral body. The ring is fractured in several places in a manner similar to that seen in “Jefferson fracture” of C-1. The special anatomical relationships of the thoracolumbar junction and the plane of the lumbar facets are also discussed.


1979 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 236-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven L. Wald ◽  
James E. McLennan ◽  
Richard M. Carroll ◽  
Harold Segal

✓ A case of extradural gouty tophus in the lumbar region in a teen-age girl is presented as an addition to the differential diagnosis of erosive lesions of the spinal canal.


1988 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 624-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shih Sing Liu ◽  
William L. White ◽  
Peter C. Johnson ◽  
Charles Gauntt

✓ Hemophilic pseudotumor is an uncommon complication among hemophiliacs. Most of these lesions are located in the long bones and the pelvis. The authors describe a case of hemophilic pseudotumor in a patient who presented with symptoms of L-5 radiculopathy and evidence of a destructive lesion on computerized tomography scans. Histologically, the lesion consisted of an organizing hematoma with reactive fibrosis. The diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. Surgery is recommended for symptomatic patients.


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