Surgical evaluation and management of lumbar synovial cysts: the Mayo Clinic experience

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark K. Lyons ◽  
John L. D. Atkinson ◽  
Robert E. Wharen ◽  
H. Gordon Deen ◽  
Richard S. Zimmerman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mayo Clinic ◽  
Cauda Equina ◽  
Sensory Loss ◽  
Spinal Instability ◽  
Surgical Removal ◽  
Motor Weakness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Synovial Cysts ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors report a retrospective analysis of 194 patients surgically treated at their institutions for symptomatic lumbar synovial cysts from January 1974 to January 1996. Methods. Patient characteristics including age, sex, symptoms, signs, and preoperative neuroimaging studies were reviewed. Surgical procedures, complications, results, and pathological findings were correlated with preoperative assessment. One hundred ninety-four patients were surgically treated for symptomatic lumbar synovial cysts. Eighty percent were diagnosed and treated between 1987 and 1996. There were 100 men and 94 women with an average age of 66 years (range 28–94 years). The most common symptoms were painful radiculopathy (85%) and neurogenic single or multiroot claudication (44%). However, sensory loss (43%) and motor weakness (27%) were also presenting symptoms. Eleven percent of patients had undergone previous lumbar surgery prior to being referred to the Mayo Clinic. Preoperative neurological examination demonstrated motor weakness (40%), sensory loss (45%), reflex changes (57%), and variants of cauda equina syndrome (13%). In 19% of patients, normal neurological status was demonstrated. There was equal left/right-sided laterality, and eight patients presented with bilateral synovial cysts. The most commonly affected level was L4–5 (64%). All patients underwent laminectomy and resection of the cyst. Concomitant fusion was performed in 18 patients in whom clinical evidence of instability had been observed. However, subsequent fusion was required in only four patients who developed symptomatic spondylolisthesis. Surgery-related complications included cerebrospinal fluid leak (three patients), discitis (one patient), epidural hematoma (one patient), seroma (one patient), and deep vein thrombosis (one patient). One patient died 3 days after surgery of cardiac dysrhythmia. Follow-up data obtained for at least 6 months postoperatively were available in 147 patients. Of these, 134 (91%) reported good relief of their pain and 82% experienced improvement in their motor deficits. Conclusions. Lumbar synovial cysts are a more common cause of lumbar radicular pain than previously thought. Surgical removal of the cyst is a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic relief in patients with lumbar synovial cysts. A concomitant fusion procedure may be performed in select cases. In this study, only a few patients developed symptomatic spinal instability requiring a second operation.

Dialysis-associated spondylarthropathy

1994 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 694-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Cuffe ◽  
Mark N. Hadley ◽  
Guillermo A. Herrera ◽  
Richard B. Morawetz
Keyword(s):  
Cardiopulmonary Arrest ◽  
Renal Dialysis ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
The Other ◽  
Spinal Instability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Spinal Stabilization ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Beta 2 Microglobulin ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Ten patients undergoing long-term renal dialysis for end-stage renal failure developed a destructive, noninfectious spondylarthropathy. All 10 patients had biopsy-proven dialysis-associated spondylarthropathy and subsequent spinal instability secondary to beta 2-microglobulin deposition in the vertebrae, intervertebral disc spaces, and support structures of the spine. Nine patients had cervical spinal instability and one had thoracolumbar spinal instability, with resultant neural compression. In at least one patient, the spinal instability was rapidly progressive. All had received renal dialysis for 34 months or longer (mean 109 months, range 34 to 154 months). Each patient required spinal stabilization (external in seven patients, internal in three). Nine of the 10 patients underwent neural decompression and spinal stabilization and fusion procedures. One patient's neurological condition was worse following surgery due to a postoperative cervical epidural hematoma; in the other nine patients, the presenting symptoms and signs improved. Three of these chronically ill patients did not survive their hospitalization, for a perioperative mortality rate of 30%. Death was due to cardiopulmonary arrest in two patients on Day 5 and 9 postoperatively and to sepsis in the third on Day 14. Of the seven early survivors, two additional patients died: one on Day 59 due to congestive heart failure and the other on Day 273 due to a cerebrovascular accident. Four of five patients who were followed for 8 months or longer (mean 14 months, range 8 to 20 months) had successful neural decompression and spinal stabilization procedures with evidence of stable bone fusion, indicating that these chronically ill, difficult-to-manage patients can be successfully treated. Clinicians who treat patients with renal disease and neurosurgeons who treat spinal disorders should be aware of dialysis-associated spondylarthropathy as a potential cause of degenerative vertebral column instability.

Changes in radicular function following low-back surgery

1988 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 649-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhard Blaauw ◽  
Reinder Braakman ◽  
Geert Jan Gelpke ◽  
Ram Singh
Keyword(s):  
Intervertebral Discs ◽  
Sensory Loss ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Lumbar Stenosis ◽  
Neurological Assessment ◽  
Motor Weakness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Back Surgery ◽  
Tendon Reflexes ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Results of neurological assessment 1 year following surgical treatment of herniated lumbar intervertebral discs and lumbar stenosis are reported in 443 patients. The data were collected using separate series of questionnaires to be completed by the patient and the surgeon. Preoperatively, motor loss was reported by 12% of patients, while surgeons found motor weakness in 28%. Postoperative motor loss was still present in 24% and 25% of these cases, respectively; the operation had caused or aggravated motor loss in 5% and 3% of cases, respectively. Sensory phenomena were reported by 53% of the patients, while surgeons found sensory loss in 45%. Sensation was reported as abnormal 1 year after surgery both by patients and by surgeons in one-third of these cases. Sensory loss, considered by the patient to be caused or aggravated by operation, occurred in 15% of cases and in 12% of cases the surgeons agreed. Preoperatively, unilaterally diminished knee and Achilles tendon reflexes were found in 9% and 42%, respectively; at 1 year after surgery, these had recovered in 65% and 57% of cases, respectively. Surgery caused or aggravated unilaterally diminished knee or ankle jerks in 3% and 10% of cases, respectively.

Gamma knife radiosurgery in the management of cavernous sinus meningiomas

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 68-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre-Hugues Roche ◽  
Jean Régis ◽  
Henry Dufour ◽  
Henri-Dominique Fournier ◽  
Christine Delsanti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mr Imaging ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ◽  
Surgical Removal ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cavernous Sinus Meningioma ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors sought to assess the functional tolerance and tumor control rate of cavernous sinus meningiomas treated by gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS). Methods. Between July 1992 and October 1998, 92 patients harboring benign cavernous sinus meningiomas underwent GKS. The present study is concerned with the first 80 consecutive patients (63 women and 17 men). Gamma knife radiosurgery was performed as an alternative to surgical removal in 50 cases and as an adjuvant to microsurgery in 30 cases. The mean patient age was 49 years (range 6–71 years). The mean tumor volume was 5.8 cm3 (range 0.9–18.6 cm3). On magnetic resonance (MR) imaging the tumor was confined in 66 cases and extensive in 14 cases. The mean prescription dose was 28 Gy (range 12–50 Gy), delivered with an average of eight isocenters (range two–18). The median peripheral isodose was 50% (range 30–70%). Patients were evaluated at 6 months, and at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 years after GKS. The median follow-up period was 30.5 months (range 12–79 months). Tumor stabilization after GKS was noted in 51 patients, tumor shrinkage in 25 patients, and enlargement in four patients requiring surgical removal in two cases. The 5-year actuarial progression-free survival was 92.8%. No new oculomotor deficit was observed. Among the 54 patients with oculomotor nerve deficits, 15 improved, eight recovered, and one worsened. Among the 13 patients with trigeminal neuralgia, one worsened (contemporary of tumor growing), five remained unchanged, four improved, and three recovered. In a patient with a remnant surrounding the optic nerve and preoperative low vision (3/10) the decision was to treat the lesion and deliberately sacrifice the residual visual acuity. Only one transient unexpected optic neuropathy has been observed. One case of delayed intracavernous carotid artery occlusion occurred 3 months after GKS, without permanent deficit. Another patient presented with partial complex seizures 18 months after GKS. All cases of tumor growth and neurological deficits observed after GKS occurred before the use of GammaPlan. Since the initiation of systematic use of stereotactic MR imaging and computer-assisted modern dose planning, no more side effects or cases of tumor growth have occurred. Conclusions. Gamma knife radiosurgery was found to be an effective low morbidity—related tool for the treatment of cavernous sinus meningioma. In a significant number of patients, oculomotor functional restoration was observed. The treatment appears to be an alternative to surgical removal of confined enclosed cavernous sinus meningioma and should be proposed as an adjuvant to surgery in case of extensive meningiomas.

Preoperative and postoperative cognitive functioning in patients with frontal meningiomas

2003 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Tucha ◽  
Christian Smely ◽  
Michael Preier ◽  
Georg Becker ◽  
Geraldine M. Paul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Lesion Size ◽  
Test Battery ◽  
Surgical Removal ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Fine Print

Object. There is presently no specific information available concerning the nature and course of cognitive deficits caused by intracranial meningiomas. In this prospective study the authors examined the cognitive functioning of patients with frontal meningiomas. Methods. Fifty-four patients with frontal meningiomas were examined neuropsychologically before and after neurosurgery. The test battery consisted of standardized instruments including those assessing memory, attention, visuoconstructive abilities, and executive functions. The time period between pre-and postoperative assessment ranged from 4 to 9 months. The patients' performance was compared with the results in 54 healthy adults who were also assessed twice by using the same test battery in a period ranging from 4 to 9 months. In addition, the effect on cognition of meningioma lateralization, localization, lesion size, edema, brain compression, time course, and the occurrence of preoperative seizures was analyzed. Conclusions. Except in the case of working memory, comparisons of pre- and postoperative assessments of cognition revealed no differences in memory, visuoconstructive abilities, or executive functions, although a postoperative improvement in attentional functions was observed. The results of this study indicate that the surgical removal of frontal meningiomas does not impair patients' cognitive functioning. Furthermore, improvements in attentional functions may occur in these patients.

Posterior epidural migration of sequestered lumbar disc fragments

1999 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Robe ◽  
Didier Martin ◽  
Jacques Lenelle ◽  
Achille Stevenaert
Keyword(s):  
Cauda Equina Syndrome ◽  
Lumbar Disc ◽  
Contrast Material ◽  
Cauda Equina ◽  
Radicular Pain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Diagnostic Pitfalls ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The posterior epidural migration of sequestered lumbar disc fragments is an uncommon event. The authors report two such cases in which patients presented with either intense radicular pain or cauda equina syndrome. The radiological characteristics were the posterior epidural location and the ring enhancement of the mass after injection of contrast material. The major diagnostic pitfalls are discussed.

Hemangiopericytoma of the spinal canal

1978 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 914-920 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darrell J. Harris ◽  
Victor L. Fornasier ◽  
Kenneth E. Livingston
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Spinal Canal ◽  
Vertebral Column ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Surgical Removal ◽  
Vascular Neoplasm ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

✓ 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.

Surgical removal of bilateral papillomas of the choroid plexus of the lateral ventricles with resolution of hydrocephalus

1979 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 677-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven K. Gudeman ◽  
Humbert G. Sullivan ◽  
Michael J. Rosner ◽  
Donald P. Becker
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Choroid Plexus ◽  
Large Volume ◽  
Surgical Removal ◽  
Tumor Removal ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lateral Ventricles ◽  
Csf Diversion ◽  
Csf Production ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The authors report a patient with bilateral papillomas of the choroid plexus of the lateral ventricles with documentation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hypersecretion causing hydrocephalus. Special attention is given to the large volume of CSF produced by these tumors (removal of one tumor reduced CSF outflow by one-half) and to the fact that CSF diversion was not required after both tumors were removed. Since tumor removal alone was sufficient to stop the progression of hydrocephalus, we feel that this case supports the concept that elevated CSF production by itself is sufficient to cause hydrocephalus in patients with papillomas of the choroid plexus.

Bilateral trigeminal neuralgia: a 14-year experience with microvascular decompression

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 559-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian F. Pollack ◽  
Peter J. Jannetta ◽  
David J. Bissonette
Keyword(s):  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Pain Control ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Sensory Loss ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cranial Nerve Dysfunction ◽  
Ablative Procedures ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Thirty-five patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) bilaterally underwent posterior fossa microvascular decompression (MVD) between 1971 and 1984. They comprised 5.0% of a larger series of 699 patients with TN who underwent MVD during that interval. Compared to the subgroup of 664 patients with only unilateral symptoms, the population with bilateral TN included a greater percentage of females (74% vs. 58%, p < 0.1), a higher rate of “familial” TN (17% vs. 4.1%, p < 0.001), and an increased incidence of additional cranial nerve dysfunction (17% vs. 6.6%, p < 0.05) and hypertension (34% vs. 19%, p < 0.05). Of the 35 patients with bilateral TN, 10 underwent bilateral MVD (22 procedures) and 25 underwent unilateral MVD (30 procedures). In the latter patients, pain on the nonoperative side was well controlled with medication alone or had previously been treated by ablative procedures. Good or excellent pain control was achieved after one MVD was performed in 40 of the 45 sides treated (89%), and was maintained 1, 5, and 10 years after surgery in 82%, 66%, and 60%, respectively, based on life-table analysis. Six of 10 patients with recurrent symptoms underwent repeat unilateral MVD. Good or excellent long-term pain control was maintained in all six. With these repeat procedures included, symptom control at 1, 5, and 10 years after initial surgery was maintained in 87%, 78%, and 78% of the treated sides, respectively. Overall, 26 of 35 patients (74%) maintained good or excellent pain relief throughout the duration of the study (mean follow-up period 75 months) without resumption of regular medication usage. Although preoperative neurological deficits resulting from previous ablative procedures were seen in the majority of patients before MVD, no patient developed new major trigeminal sensory loss or masseter weakness after MVD. Operative mortality was zero. The results indicate that posterior fossa MVD is an effective and relatively safe treatment for the majority of patients with bilateral “idiopathic” TN, avoiding the risks of bilateral trigeminal nerve injury seen with other approaches.

Teratoma of the fourth ventricle

1973 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 355-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Morelli
Keyword(s):  
Fourth Ventricle ◽  
Rare Case ◽  
Surgical Removal ◽  
Malignant Teratoma ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The author reports a rare case in which a primary malignant teratoma presented as an obstructing mass in the fourth ventricle. The tumor was not cystic but well encapsulated, and a gross total surgical removal was accomplished. A fatal recurrence occurred within 3 months.

Dermoid tumors of the spinal cord

1970 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 676-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian C. Bailey
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Cauda Equina ◽  
Complete Removal ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
Conus Medullaris ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

✓ This is an analysis of 10 cases of dermoid tumor occurring in the spinal canal (8 lumbar and 2 thoracic). Low-back pain was the commonest presenting symptom, especially if the tumor was adherent to the conus medullaris. Other complaints included urinary dysfunction and motor and sensory disturbances of the legs. Clinical and radiological evidence of spina bifida was found in about half of the cases and suggested the diagnosis of a developmental type of tumor when patients presented with progressive spinal cord compression. At operation, the tumors were often found embedded in the conus medullaris or firmly adherent to the cauda equina, thus precluding complete removal. Evacuation of the cystic contents, however, gave lasting relief of the low-back pain and did not cause any deterioration in neurological function. In a follow-up study, ranging from 1 to 15 years, virtually no improvement in the neurological signs was observed. On the other hand, only one case has deteriorated due to recurrence of tumor growth.

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