Management and results of sciatic nerve injuries: a 24-year experience

1998 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
David G. Kline ◽  
Daniel Kim ◽  
Rajiv Midha ◽  
Carter Harsh ◽  
Robert Tiel
Keyword(s):  
Sciatic Nerve ◽  
Spontaneous Recovery ◽  
Nerve Injuries ◽  
Management Guidelines ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Surgical Exploration ◽  
Excellent Outcome ◽  
Retrospective Clinical Study ◽  
Late Referral ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The purpose of this retrospective clinical study was to present results and provide management guidelines for various types of sciatic injuries. Methods. Over a 24-year period, 380 patients with sciatic nerve injuries were managed. In 230 patients (60%), the injury was at the buttock level, with injection injuries comprising more than half of these cases. Thigh-level sciatic injury was evaluated in 150 cases (40%) and was usually secondary to one of four main causes: 1) gunshot wound; 2) femur fracture; 3) laceration; or 4) contusion. Patients with partial deficits uncomplicated by severe pain or with significant spontaneous recovery or late referral were managed medically. Surgical exploration was not indicated in 23% of injuries at the thigh level and almost 50% of those at the buttock level. Most of these patients achieved partial but good spontaneous recovery, especially in the tibial division distribution. Surgical intervention was required for more complete and persistent deficits in either the tibial or peroneal distribution. Divisions of the sciatic nerve were split apart and evaluated independently. Management was guided by nerve action potential (NAP) recordings, which indicated whether neurolysis or resection of the lesion was required. Repair was then made by using sutures or more frequently by graft placement. In most cases in which neurolysis was performed because a positive NAP was recorded distal to the lesion, useful function was found in the peroneal distribution. Unfortunately, significant recovery occurred in only 36% of patients who received suture or graft repairs of the peroneal division. Good-to-excellent outcome was common for the tibial division, even in cases in which repair was proximal and required lengthy grafts. The relatively favorable recovery of tibial as opposed to peroneal divisions of the sciatic nerve occurred regardless of the level or mechanism of injury. Conclusions. Surgical exploration and, when necessary, repair of sciatic nerve injuries is worthwhile in selected cases.

Traumatic dislocation of the atlanto-occipital articulation (AOA) with short-term survival

1980 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 541-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur B. Dublin ◽  
William M. Marks ◽  
David Weinstock ◽  
Thomas H. Newton
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Hypertension ◽  
Nerve Injuries ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Traumatic Dislocation ◽  
Cranial Nerve Injuries ◽  
Angiographic Evidence ◽  
Fine Print ◽  
Short Term Survival

✓ Three patients with traumatic atlanto-occipital articulation (AOA) dislocation are presented, and an additional 10 well documented cases are reviewed from the literature. Medulla oblongata and/or spinal cord deficits, and evidence of cranial nerve injuries were noted in eight patients. Angiographic evidence of vertebral occlusion or narrowing was demonstrated in four patients. One patient had systemic hypertension, presumably from bilateral traumatic ninth nerve injuries. Five patients ultimately died. A new method for measuring the AOA is introduced.

Surgical treatment of spontaneous spinal cerebrospinal fluid leaks

1998 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter I. Schievink ◽  
Vittorio M. Morreale ◽  
John L. D. Atkinson ◽  
Fredric B. Meyer ◽  
David G. Piepgras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Intracranial Hypotension ◽  
Csf Leak ◽  
Preoperative Imaging ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Surgical Exploration ◽  
Fine Print ◽  
Csf Leaks

Object. Spontaneous spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks are an increasingly recognized cause of intracranial hypotension and may require neurosurgical intervention. In the present report the authors review their experience with the surgical management of spontaneous spinal CSF leaks. Methods. Between 1992 and 1997, 10 patients with spontaneous spinal CSF leaks and intracranial hypotension were treated surgically. The mean age of the seven women and three men was 42.3 years (range 22–61 years). Preoperative imaging showed a single meningeal diverticulum in two patients, a complex of diverticula in one patient, and a focal CSF leak alone in seven patients. Surgical exploration in these seven patients demonstrated meningeal diverticula in one patient; no clear source of CSF leakage could be identified in the remaining six patients. Treatment consisted of ligation of the diverticula or packing of the epidural space with muscle or Gelfoam. Multiple simultaneous spinal CSF leaks were identified in three patients. Conclusions. All patients experienced complete relief of their headaches postoperatively. There has been no recurrence of symptoms in any of the patients during a mean follow-up period of 19 months (range 3–58 months; 16 person-years of cumulative follow up). Complications consisted of transient intracranial hypertension in one patient and leg numbness in another patient. Although the disease is often self-limiting, surgical treatment has an important role in the management of spontaneous spinal CSF leaks. Surgery is effective in eliminating the headaches and the morbidity is generally low. Surgical exploration for a focal CSF leak, as demonstrated on radiographic studies, usually does not reveal a clear source of the leak. Some patients may have multiple simultaneous CSF leaks.

Transpedicular instrumentation as an adjunct in the treatment of thoracolumbar and lumbar spine tuberculosis with early stage bone destruction

1999 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao-Chen Lee ◽  
Kang Lu ◽  
Lin-Cheng Yang ◽  
Hsuan-Ying Huang ◽  
Cheng-Loong Liang
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Tuberculosis ◽  
Bone Destruction ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Excellent Outcome ◽  
Transpedicular Instrumentation ◽  
Vertebral Bodies ◽  
Lumbar Spinal ◽  
Fine Print

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.

Dermoid tumors occurring at the site of previous myelomeningocele repair

1986 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. 779-783 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Michael Scott ◽  
Samuel M. Wolpert ◽  
Louis E. Bartoshesky ◽  
Seymour Zimbler ◽  
George T. Klauber
Keyword(s):  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Computerized Tomography ◽  
Neurological Deterioration ◽  
Bladder Function ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Surgical Exploration ◽  
Myelomeningocele Repair ◽  
Tomography Scanning ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Four children with previously repaired myelomeningoceles presented toward the end of the first decade or early in the second decade of life with deteriorating lower-extremity and bladder function. Myelography and computerized tomography scanning demonstrated irregular filling defects at the area of the myelomeningocele repair, and surgical exploration disclosed dermoid tumors that were adherent to the placode and adjacent roots. Dermoid tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis of neurological deterioration in children with a repaired myelomeningocele.

Surgical outcome for intra- and extrapelvic femoral nerve lesions

1995 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 783-790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel H. Kim ◽  
David G. Kline
Keyword(s):  
Femoral Nerve ◽  
Common Mechanism ◽  
Nerve Injuries ◽  
Inguinal Herniorrhaphy ◽  
Nerve Lesions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ganglion Cysts ◽  
Neurogenic Sarcoma ◽  
Grade 3 ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Seventy-eight traumatic neuropathies were seen in 94 patients with femoral nerve lesions; 54 of these were operated on because of persistent complete functional loss and/or pain. The most common mechanism of injury to the femoral nerve was iatrogenic due to inguinal herniorrhaphy, total hip replacement, intraabdominal vascular or gynecological operation, and, less commonly, appendectomy, lumbar sympathectomy, and laparoscopic procedures. Femoral nerve injuries also resulted from penetrating gunshot and stab wounds, laceration by glass, and stretch/contusive injuries associated with pelvic fractures. There were no signs of clinical or electrical recovery in 45 of 78 patients with traumatic nerve injuries. These and other partial injuries associated with pain were explored and evaluated by intraoperative nerve stimulation and recording of nerve action potentials (NAPs). Despite complete loss of nerve function preoperatively, 13 patients had recordable NAPs and underwent neurolysis; each recovered function to at least a Grade 3 level. Twenty-seven patients had sural graft repairs performed with graft lengths varying from 2.5 to 14 cm. Most patients had some nerve regeneration and regained function to Grade 3 to 4 levels by 2 years postoperatively. Four of five patients with suture repairs recovered to Grade 3 or better within 2 years postoperatively. Despite a proximal pelvic level for most of these injuries and, as a result, lengthy graft repairs, recovery of some useful function was the rule rather than the exception. Tumors involved the femoral nerve in 16 patients and included eight neurofibromas, four schwannomas, one neurogenic sarcoma, two ganglion cysts, and one leiomyosarcoma. All tumors were treated surgically and most were removed successfully.

Calcified cervical intervertebral discs in children

1977 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Smith ◽  
M. Darius Vohman ◽  
Joseph H. Dimon ◽  
James E. Averett ◽  
James H. Milsap
Keyword(s):  
Spontaneous Recovery ◽  
Neurological Complications ◽  
Intervertebral Discs ◽  
Pathological Findings ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Distinct Disease ◽  
Benign Course ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Calcified cervical intervertebral discs in children are manifestations of an uncommon, distinct disease of unknown cause. Acute symptoms are usually followed by a benign course of spontaneous recovery, frequently culminating in resorption of the calcium. Rarely herniation of the disc may cause neurological complications. Two cases are presented as examples of the typical syndrome. A third case was operated on because of herniation with radiculopathy; the clinical, radiographic, and pathological findings are reported in detail.

The angiographically occult cerebrovascular malformation

1978 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 292-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
James B. Golden ◽  
Richard A. Kramer
Keyword(s):  
Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽  
Ct Scan ◽  
Vascular Malformation ◽  
Ct Scans ◽  
Cerebral Lesions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Surgical Exploration ◽  
Diagnostic Possibility ◽  
Cerebrovascular Malformation ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Three cases presenting with hemiparesis, headache, or seizures gave no history suggestive of subarachnoid or intracerebral hemorrhage. Carotid arteriograms were performed, and in each case failed to demonstrate a vascular malformation. In all three cases cerebral lesions were shown by either computerized tomographic (CT) scan, radionuclide scan, or both. Surgical exploration and biopsy revealed a vascular malformation in each case. The CT scans in two of the cases showed dense lesions that could suggest vascular malformation as a diagnostic possibility.

Thermographic presentation of cutaneous sensory and vasomotor activity in the injured peripheral nerve

1985 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 711-715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen L. Brelsford ◽  
Sumio Uematsu
Keyword(s):  
Elevated Temperature ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Local Anesthesia ◽  
Peripheral Nerves ◽  
Peroneal Nerve ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Injuries ◽  
Nerve Injuries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vasomotor Activity ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Impaired function of cutaneous segments of monkey peripheral nerves experimentally blocked by lidocaine anesthesia was clearly visualized by means of elevated temperature measurements obtained on computerized color telethermography. Mean temperature elevations in the segments of anesthetized primate nerves were 2.40°C at the ulnar segment 17 minutes after nerve block, and 1.20°C at the peroneal nerve at 20 minutes. The vasomotor activity of specific nerves, recorded after local anesthesia and displayed by color telethermographic imaging, corresponded to the distribution of sensory segments identified by more cumbersome means. Telethermography is therefore shown to be a useful tool, both qualitatively and quantitatively, in mapping cutaneous distribution of peripheral nerves and for evaluation of peripheral nerve injuries.

Centrocentral anastomosis in the prevention and treatment of painful terminal neuroma

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 754-758 ◽  
Author(s):  
José González-Darder ◽  
José Barberá ◽  
M. José Abellán ◽  
Antonio Mora
Keyword(s):  
Sciatic Nerve ◽  
Control Parameter ◽  
Histological Study ◽  
Nerve Graft ◽  
Nerve Section ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proximal Stump ◽  
Neuroma Formation ◽  
Fine Print ◽  
Observation Period

✓ In this experimental study, microsurgical centrocentral anastomosis was applied to an experimental model of painful terminal neuroma resulting from left sciatic nerve section in the rat. The anastomosis consisted of end-to-end suturing of the sciatic nerve fascicles to the tibial branch, with the interposition of a nerve graft taken from the same anastomosed fascicle. As a control parameter for the experiment, the autotomy which follows sciatic nerve section in the rat was evaluated. Autotomy is considered an objective indication of abnormal sensations that are provoked by the formation of a terminal neuroma. Histological study of the proximal stump of the sciatic nerve was also performed. The observation period was 10 weeks. The study demonstrates that centrocentral anastomosis reduces the size of the neuroma formation and the incidence of autotomy.

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome: one cause of painful ophthalmoplegia

1976 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 544-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
William E. Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Steroid Therapy ◽  
Collagen Disease ◽  
Unknown Etiology ◽  
Steroid Resistant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Surgical Exploration ◽  
Painful Ophthalmoplegia ◽  
Hunt Syndrome ◽  
Disease Specific ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The author reports 12 cases of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome, a benign steroid-resistant cryptogenic granuloma that presents as painful ophthalmoplegia. This syndrome is differentiated from other causes of painful ophthalmoplegia including tumors, aneurysms, collagen disease, specific infections, mucoceles, and benign granulomas of unknown etiology. These other conditions should be excluded by appropriate tests. Surgical exploration is not necessary if there is a prompt remission on steroid therapy.

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