Surgical treatment of intractable epilepsy accompanying cortical dysplasia

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (5) ◽  
pp. 766-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung-Chyul Hong ◽  
Kwan-Soo Kang ◽  
Dae Won Seo ◽  
Seung Bong Hong ◽  
Munhyang Lee ◽  
...  

Object. Surgical treatment of cortical dysplasia (CD) together with intractable seizures is challenging because both visualization and localization of the lesion are difficult, correlation with seizure foci requires comprehensive study, and the surgical outcomes reported thus far are unsatisfactory. The authors report their experience in the surgical treatment of CD classified according to a surgical point of view.Methods. The definition of CD used in this study was a dysplastic lesion visible on magnetic resonance (MR) images or a lesion that, although not visible on MR images, was diagnosed as moderate-to-severe dysplasia by using pathological analysis. During the last 4.5 years, the authors treated 36 patients with intractable epilepsy accompanied by CD. They divided the 36 cases of CD into four characteristic groups: Group A, diffuse bilateral hemispheric dysplasia; Group B, diffuse lobar dysplasia; Group C, focal dysplasia; and Group D, a moderate to severe degree of CD with a normal appearance on MR images. All but one patient in Group C were monitored in the epilepsy monitoring unit by using subdural electrodes for seizure localization and functional mapping.The incidence of CD among a cohort of 291 patients who had undergone epilepsy surgery at the authors' center during the study period was 12.4%. The mean age of the 36 patients was 21.3 years and the mean age at seizure onset was 8.5 years. The mean follow-up period was 26 months. Twenty-six patients (72.2%) belonged to Engel Class I or II (20 and six, respectively). There were five cases in Group A, nine in Group B, nine in Group C, and 13 in Group D. Patients in Groups A and B were significantly younger at seizure onset and had significantly poorer surgical outcomes compared with patients in Groups C and D (p < 0.05). If outcome is compared on the basis of the extent of removal of CD, patients in whom CD was completely removed had significantly better outcomes than those in whom CD was only partially removed (p < 0.001).Conclusions. The authors conclude that intractable epilepsy accompanied by CD can be treated surgically using comprehensive preoperative approaches. Deliberate resective procedures aimed at complete removal of dysplastic tissue ensure excellent seizure control without permanent neurological deficit.

1988 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 393-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norihiko Tamaki ◽  
Kunio Shirataki ◽  
Noriaki Kojima ◽  
Yoshiteru Shouse ◽  
Satoshi Matsumoto

✓ Nine (15%) of 60 patients with repaired myelomeningocele exhibited late deterioration of neurological function with a tethered cord syndrome. Dense adhesions at the lowest laminae and at the site of previous repair were the most common findings at surgery. Postoperatively, 71% of the patients improved. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed in 29 of the 60 patients. Eight of these 29 patients exhibited a tethered cord syndrome. The MR images in all patients showed a low-lying conus fixed at the site of previous repair, irrespective of the presence or absence of a tethered cord syndrome. The MR images were classified into two groups depending upon the site of adhesions: Group A had potential sites of tethering at the ventral aspect of the last laminae and at the site of previous repair, and Group B showed the adhesion point only at the site of previous repair. Most patients with a tethered cord syndrome were found to be in Group A; conversely, most patients without the syndrome were in Group B. An enlarged low conus was seen in symptomatic patients more commonly than in those without this syndrome. It is concluded that the presence of adhesions specifically at the last laminae as well as a widened low-lying conus may be the cause of tethered cord syndrome in patients with repaired myelomeningoceles. A clear understanding of the tethering process and preoperative evaluation of potential sites of tethering, based on the MR findings, are very important for planning surgery. The release of adhesions at the lowest laminae by laminectomy appeared essential for improvement.


1991 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 872-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitchel S. Berger ◽  
Brenda Baumeister ◽  
J. Russell Geyer ◽  
Jerry Milstein ◽  
Paul M. Kanev ◽  
...  

✓ The authors reviewed the hospital charts of 415 pediatric patients treated for benign or malignant primary brain tumors over the past 20 years at the Children's Hospital Medical Center, Seattle. Patients' ages ranged from the neonatal period to 18 years. A shunt was placed in 152 patients (37%), 45 before and 94 after surgery. Confirmation of extraneural metastases was based on clinical and diagnostic examination. Factors analyzed as possibly influencing the occurrence of extraneural metastases were: 1) the shunt: type, valve, location, filter, and revisions; 2) extent of resection; 3) pathology; and 4) treatment regimen. Eight of the 415 patients developed extraneural metastases during life. All eight patients had a medulloblastoma (cerebellar primitive neuroectodermal tumor). These eight patients were separated into Group A (without a shunt) and Group B (with a shunt). In Group A (five patients), the mean interval from primary diagnosis to metastasis was 15 months. Two children had gross total resection of the tumor. The predominant location of metastases in Group A was: bone (two cases); cervical lymph nodes (one); lung/bone (one); and retroperitoneal pelvic mass (one). Three Group A patients had a simultaneous central nervous system (CNS) recurrence. Of the three Group B patients, two had a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt and one a ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt; all were placed postoperatively. One Group B patient had a simultaneous CNS recurrence. No shunt revisions were performed in these three patients. The mean time from primary diagnosis to metastasis was 25 months. One patient had a total tumor resection. The predominant location of metastases was bone (one case), retroperitoneal pelvic mass (one), and abdominal cavity with ascites (one case). Only one patient in the entire series had a filter placed; this resulted in shunt obstruction and was removed 1 month following placement. It is concluded that cerebrospinal fluid shunts, regardless of type, location, revision rate, or filter insertion, do not predispose pediatric patients with brain tumors to develop extraneural metastases. A diagnosis of shunt-related metastases should be based on the development of intra-abdominal (VP shunt) or pulmonary (VA shunt) dissemination primarily with or without additional sites. The diagnosis of medulloblastoma is an important factor related to metastasis occurrence while the extent of resection and postoperative therapy are not influential.


2003 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 793-799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koji Iida ◽  
Kaoru Kurisu ◽  
Kazunori Arita ◽  
Minako Ohtani

Object. The goal of this study was to elucidate the optimal time for rewarming of patients who have been treated with hypothermia for severe head injury. Methods. Eleven patients with severe head injuries who had been treated by hypothermia underwent transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography examinations. The patients were divided into two groups: Group A consisted of three patients in whom acute brain swelling occurred during the rewarming period and Group B was composed of eight patients who displayed no significant intracranial hypertension during or after hypothermia therapy. In all patients, the mean flow velocity of the middle cerebral artery (FVMCA) recorded transcranially and the mean flow velocity of the internal carotid artery (FVICA), recorded high in the neck, were monitored at 24-hour intervals after the patient was admitted to the hospital. In Group A, the FVMCA was normal at 48 hours (maintenance state of hypothermia) in each patient, and abnormal increases and peak values (> 100 cm/second) occurred from 96 to 144 hours postinjury (rewarming period). The FVICA, which was monitored concurrently also varied as the FVMCA increased. The pulsatility indices in the arteries decreased at the time of the peak FVMCA. The enhanced FVMCA was consistent with hyperemia because of the low FVMCA/FVICA ratios (< 3). Two patients in whom jugular venous oxygen saturation was monitored were found to have high values (> 80%), representing hyperemia. All intracranial pressures (ICPs) that lay within the normal range at 48 hours postinjury elevated acutely after the peak FVMCA. In Group B, both FVMCA and FVICA values were normal at 48 hours postinjury and remained stable throughout the rewarming period. Values of ICP were also maintained within the normal range until the patients were weaned from hypothermia therapy. Conclusions. Hyperemia, detectable by TCD ultrasonography, may serve as an index in the prediction of acute brain swelling, and rewarming should be terminated when such a hemodynamic phenomenon is observed.


2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 350-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashiro Ohyama ◽  
Yoshichika Kubo ◽  
Hiroo Iwata ◽  
Waro Taki

Object. An interbody fusion cage has been introduced for cervical anterior interbody fusion. Autogenetic bone is packed into the cage to increase the rate of union between adjacent vertebral bodies. Thus, donor site—related complications can still occur. In this study a synthetic ceramic, β—tricalcium phosphate (TCP), was examined as a substitute for autograft bone in a canine lumbar spine model. Methods. In 12 dogs L-1 to L-4 vertebrae were exposed via a posterolateral approach, and discectomy and placement of interbody fusion cages were performed at two intervertebral disc spaces. One cage was filled with autograft (Group A) and the other with TCP (Group B). The lumbar spine was excised at 16 weeks postsurgery, and biomechanical, microradiographic, and histological examinations were performed. Both the microradiographic and histological examinations revealed that fusion occurred in five (41.7%) of 12 operations performed in Group A and in six (50%) of 12 operations performed in Group B. The mean percentage of trabecular bone area in the cages was 54.6% in Group A and 53.8% in Group B. There were no significant intergroup differences in functional unit stiffness. Conclusions. Good histological and biomechanical results were obtained for TCP-filled interbody fusion cages. The results were comparable with those obtained using autograft-filled cages, suggesting that there is no need to harvest iliac bone or to use allo- or xenografts to increase the interlocking strength between the cage and vertebral bone to achieve anterior cervical interbody fusion.


2003 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeo Goto ◽  
Kenji Ohata ◽  
Toshihiro Takami ◽  
Misao Nishikawa ◽  
Akimasa Nishio ◽  
...  

Object. The authors evaluated an alternative method to avoid postoperative posterior tethering of the spinal cord following resection of spinal ependymomas. Methods. Twenty-five patients with spinal ependymoma underwent surgery between 1978 and 2002. There were 16 male and nine female patients whose ages at the time of surgery ranged from 14 to 64 years (mean 41.8 years). The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 279 months (mean 112.4 months). In the initial 17 patients (Group A), the procedure to prevent arachnoidal adhesion consisted of the layer-to-layer closure of three meninges and laminoplasty. In the subsequently treated eight patients (Group B), the authors performed an alternative technique that included pial suturing, dural closure with Gore-Tex membrane—assisted patch grafting, and expansive laminoplasty. In Group A, postoperative adhesion was radiologically detected in eight cases (47%), and delayed neurological deterioration secondary to posterior tethering of the cord was found in five cases. In Group B, there was no evidence of adhesive posterior tethering or delayed neurological deterioration. A significant intergroup statistical difference was demonstrated for radiologically documented posterior tethering (p < 0.05, Fisher exact test). Moreover, patients with radiologically demonstrated posterior tethering suffered a significant delayed neurological functional deterioration (p < 0.01, Fisher exact test). Conclusions. This new technique for closure of the surgical wound is effective in preventing of postoperative posterior spinal cord tethering after excision of spinal ependymoma.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shijie Liao ◽  
Tiantian Wang ◽  
Qian Huang ◽  
Yun Liu ◽  
Rongbin Lu ◽  
...  

Abstract PurposeThe present study aimed to explore the influence of ulnar bow on the surgical treatment of Bado type I missed Monteggia fracture in children.MethodsThis study is a retrospective review of 24 patients between November 2010 and March 2019. All patients were treated with open reduction of the radial head and ulnar opening wedge osteotomy without annular ligament reconstruction. The mean interval between injury onset and surgery was five months (range: 2–12 months). The average age of participants at the time of surgery was 6.4 years (range: 3–10 years). We evaluated the maximum ulnar bow (MUB) and MUB position (P-MUB) via radiography. The patients were divided into middle group (group A: 14 cases, MUB located at 40% to 60% of the distal ulna) and distal group (group B: 10 cases, MUB located at 20% to 40% from the distal end of the ulna) based on P-MUB. The mean period of follow-up was 37 months (range: 6–102 months).ResultsAt the last follow-up, all the children showed stable reduction of the radial head, and the flexion function of elbow joint improved after operation (P<0.05). Group A presented a larger the ratio of maximum ulnar bow(R-MUB) and angle of ulnar osteotomy(OA) than group B (P<0.05). There was statistically significant difference between group A and Group B in the P-MUB (P < 0.05). The osteotomy angle was positively correlated with the R-MUB (R2 =0.497,P=0.013), The osteotomy angle was positively correlated with the P-MUB (R2=0.731,P=0.000), The R-MUB is proportional to the P-MUB (R2 =0.597,P=0.002). The regression equation of P-MUB and osteotomy angle: Angle=7.064+33.227* P-MUB (R2=0.459, P =0.000).ConclusionWhen the ulnar bow is positioned at the middle ulna, a stable reduction of radial head need to be achieved through a larger angle in the ulnar osteotomy. If the position of maximum ulnar bow (P-MUB) is closer to the middle of the ulna or the ratio of maximum ulnar bow (R-MUB) is larger, the osteotomy angle is larger.


1999 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 605-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra M. Klinge ◽  
Georg Berding ◽  
Thomas Brinker ◽  
Wolfram H. Knapp ◽  
Madjid Samii

Object. In this study the authors use positron emission tomography (PET) to investigate cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) in chronic hydrocephalus.Methods. Ten patients whose mean age was 67 ± 10 years (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) were compared with 10 healthy volunteers who were 25 ± 3 years of age. Global CBF and CVR were determined using 15O—H2O and PET prior to shunt placement and 7 days and 7 months thereafter. The CVR was measured using 1 g acetazolamide. Neurological status was assessed based on a score assigned according to the methods of Stein and Langfitt.Seven months after shunt placement, five patients showed clinical improvement (Group A) and five did not (Group B). The average global CBF before shunt deployment was significantly reduced in comparison with the control group (40 ± 8 compared with 61 ± 7 ml/100 ml/minute; mean ± SD, p < 0.01). In Group A the CBF values were significantly lower than in Group B (36 ± 7 compared with 44 ± 8 ml/100 ml/minute; p < 0.05). The CVR before surgery, however, was not significantly different between groups (Group A = 43 ± 21%, Group B = 37 ± 29%). After shunt placement, there was an increase in the CVR in Group A to 52 ± 37% after 7 days and to 68 ± 47% after 7 months (p < 0.05), whereas in Group B the CVR decreased to 14 ± 18% (p < 0.05) after 7 days and returned to the preoperative level (39 ± 6%) 7 months after shunt placement.Conclusions. The preliminary results indicate that a reduced baseline CBF before surgery does not indicate a poor prognosis. Baseline CBF before shunt placement and preoperative CVR are not predictive of clinical outcome. A decrease in the CVR early after shunt placement, however, is related to poor late clinical outcome, whereas early improvement in the CVR after shunt placement indicates a good prognosis.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Obeagu Emmanuel Ifeanyi

The hematological features of Gongronema latifolium, aqueous leaves extract was evaluated using standard methods. After 10 days of consecutive infusions into 9 experimental animals (rabbits). The rabbits were monitored and the following parameters determined; hemoglobin (HB), PCV, Platelet, WBC, Differential White Blood Cell. The Rabbits were grouped into 4, one consisting of control (group A), group B was fed with 0.5 mg/kg, group C with 1.0 mg/kg, and Group D with 1.5mg/kg of the aqueous extract of Gongronemalatifolium. The mean values obtained for hemoglobin estimation for the control group is 5.9 ± 4.1 g/dl, 9.1 ± 2.9 g/dl for group B 10.2 ± 1.8 g/dl for group C and 12.8 ± 0.1 g/dl for group D with no significant increase on the PCV estimation, the mean value for the control (group A) is 17.7 ± 12.3%, 27.3 ± 8.7% for group B, group C (30.6 ± 5.4%) and D (28.4 ± 0.3) show increase that statistically significant (p > 0.01). the platelet counts of group C (600 ± 0 x 109/L) and D(600 ± 0 x 109/L) show significant increase (p > 0.01) when compared with the control (600 ± 00). But the platelet value of group B (550 ± 50 x 109/L) shows no difference. No significant changes were observed in the White Blood Counts of the test groups B (3.5 ± 0.5 x 109/L), C (1.9 + 2.1 x 109/L) and D(3.6 ± 0.4) when compared with the control group (2.9 ± 1.9). The values obtained from the differential White Blood Counts (Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Eosinophils and Monocytes) were not significant. Therefore, Gongronemalatifolium, when properly taken as a nutritional diet, causes beneficial changes on hemoglobin, packed cell volumes and platelet counts of consumers.


2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (14) ◽  
pp. 5009-5017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria Pizzetti ◽  
Bernhard M. Fuchs ◽  
Gunnar Gerdts ◽  
Antje Wichels ◽  
Karen H. Wiltshire ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTMembers of the bacterial phylumPlanctomycetesare reported in marine water samples worldwide, but quantitative information is scarce. Here we investigated the phylogenetic diversity, abundance, and distribution ofPlanctomycetesin surface waters off the German North Sea island Helgoland during different seasons by 16S rRNA gene analysis and catalyzed reporter deposition fluorescencein situhybridization (CARD-FISH). GenerallyPlanctomycetesare more abundant in samples collected in summer and autumn than in samples collected in winter and spring. Statistical analysis revealed thatPlanctomycetesabundance was correlated to theCentralesdiatom bloom in spring 2007. The analysis of size-fractionated seawater samples and of macroaggregates showed that ∼90% of thePlanctomycetesreside in the >3-μm size fraction. Comparative sequence analysis of 184 almost full-length 16S rRNA genes revealed three dominant clades. The clades, namedPlanctomyces-related group A, unculturedPlanctomycetesgroup B, andPirellula-related group D, were monitored by CARD-FISH using newly developed oligonucleotide probes. All three clades showed recurrent abundance patterns during two annual sampling campaigns. UnculturedPlanctomycetesgroup B was most abundant in autumn samples, whilePlanctomyces-related group A was present in high numbers only during late autumn and winter. The levels ofPirellula-related group D were more constant throughout the year, with elevated counts in summer. Our analyses suggest that the seasonal succession of thePlanctomycetesis correlated with algal blooms. We hypothesize that the niche partitioning of the different clades might be caused by their algal substrates.


2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (5) ◽  
pp. 1070-1077 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Carpentier ◽  
Marc Polivka ◽  
Alexandre Blanquet ◽  
Guillaume Lot ◽  
Bernard George

Object. Chordoma is a locally invasive tumor with a high tendency for recurrence for which radical resection is generally recommended. To assess the benefits of aggressive treatment of chordomas, the authors compared results in patients treated aggressively at the first presentation of this disease with results in patients who were similarly treated, but after recurrence. Methods. Among 36 patients with cervical chordomas who were treated at the authors' institution, 22 underwent primary aggressive treatment (Group A) and 14 were treated secondarily after tumor recurrence (Group B). Two cases were excluded from Group A because of unrelated early deaths and three from Group B because of insufficient pre- or postoperative data. Most tumors were located at the suboccipital level and only eight cases at a level below C-2. Radiotherapy and proton therapy were similarly conducted in both groups of patients. The actuarial survival rates were 80 and 65% at 5 and 10 years, respectively, in Group A patients and 50 and 0% at 5 and 10 years, respectively, in Group B patients (p = 0.049, log-rank test). The actuarial recurrence-free rates were 70 and 35% at 5 and 10 years, respectively, in Group A and 0% at 3 years in Group B (p < 0.0001, log-rank test). The numbers of recurrences per year were 0.15 in Group A and 0.62 in Group B (p > 0.05). All other parameters that were analyzed (patient age, delay before diagnosis, clinical symptoms, chondroid type of lesion, and histological features) did not prove to influence prognosis in a statistically significant manner. Conclusions. Aggressive therapy, combining as radical a resection as possible with radiotherapy, seems to improve the prognoses of suboccipital and cervical chordomas when applied at the patient's first presentation with the disease.


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