Dorsal arachnoid web with spinal cord compression: variant of an arachnoid cyst?

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher G. Paramore
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Subarachnoid Space ◽  
Rare Variants ◽  
Mass Effect ◽  
Arachnoid Cysts ◽  
Thoracic Myelopathy ◽  
Pia Mater ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Thoracic Spinal

✓ Spinal arachnoid cysts are diverticula of the subarachnoid space that may compress the spinal cord; these lesions are most commonly found in the thoracic spine. Two patients who presented with thoracic myelopathy were noted on magnetic resonance imaging to have focal indentation of the dorsal thoracic cord, with syringomyelia inferior to the site of compression. Both patients were found at operation to have discrete arachnoid “webs” tenaciously attached to the dura mater and pia mater. These webs were not true arachnoid cysts, yet they blocked the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and caused focal compression of the spinal cord. The mass effect appeared to be the result of a pressure gradient created by the obstruction of CSF flow in the dorsal aspect of the subarachnoid space. Both patients responded well to resection of the arachnoid web. Arachnoid webs appear to be rare variants of arachnoid cysts and should be suspected in patients with focal compression of the thoracic spinal cord.

Thoracic arachnoid cyst resection

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (v2supplement) ◽  
pp. Video4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harel Deutsch
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Arachnoid Cyst ◽  
Surgical Techniques ◽  
Mass Effect ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
Arachnoid Cysts ◽  
Mri Scan ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
Thin Walled

Arachnoid cysts in the spinal cord may be asymptomatic. In some cases arachnoid cysts may exert mass effect on the thoracic spinal cord and lead to pain and myelopathy symptoms. Arachnoid cysts may be difficult to visualize on an MRI scan because the thin walled arachnoid may not be visible. Focal displacement of the thoracic spinal cord and effacement of the spinal cord with apparent widening of the cerebrospinal fluid space is seen. This video demonstrates surgical techniques to remove a dorsal arachnoid cyst causing spinal cord compression. The surgery involves a thoracic laminectomy. The dura is opened sharply with care taken not to open the arachnoid so that the cyst can be well visualized. The thickened arachnoid walls of the cyst are removed to alleviate the compression caused by the arachnoid cyst.The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/pgUrl9xvsD0.

Transdural herniation of the thoracic spinal cord: untethering via a posterolateral transpedicular approach

2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryder Gwinn ◽  
Fraser Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Posterior Approach ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Dural Repair ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transpedicular Approach ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Spinal Cord Herniation ◽  
Thoracic Cord

✓ Anterior spinal cord herniation is a well-documented condition in which the thoracic cord becomes tethered within a defect in the anterior dura mater. Typical procedures have involved a posterior approach with direct manipulation of the thoracic cord to expose and blindly release its point of tethering. The authors report three cases in which a novel approach for the treatment of anterior thoracic cord herniation was performed, cord manipulation and traction are minimized, and direct dural repair of the defect is performed.

Histopathology of experimental hematomyelia

1991 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 911-915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas H. Milhorat ◽  
David E. Adler ◽  
Ian M. Heger ◽  
John I. Miller ◽  
Joanna R. Hollenberg-Sher
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Tissue Injury ◽  
Central Canal ◽  
Microglial Cells ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
Cellular Debris ◽  
Dorsal Columns

✓ The pathology of hematomyelia was examined in 35 rats following the stereotactic injection of 2 µl blood into the dorsal columns of the thoracic spinal cord. This experimental model produced a small ball-hemorrhage without associated neurological deficits or significant tissue injury. Histological sections of the whole spinal cord were studied at intervals ranging from 2 hours to 4 months after injection. In acute experiments (2 to 6 hours postinjection), blood was sometimes seen within the lumen of the central canal extending rostrally to the level of the fourth ventricle. Between 24 hours and 3 days, the parenchymal hematoma became consolidated and there was an intense proliferation of microglial cells at the perimeter of the lesion. The cells invaded the hematoma, infiltrated its core, and removed erythrocytes by phagocytosis. Rostral to the lesion, the lumen of the central canal was found to contain varying amounts of fibrin, proteinaceous material, and cellular debris for up to 15 days. These findings were much less prominent in the segments of the canal caudal to the lesion. Healing of the parenchymal hematoma was usually complete within 4 to 6 weeks except for residual hemosiderin-laden microglial cells and focal gliosis at the lesion site. It is concluded that the clearance of atraumatic hematomyelia probably involves two primary mechanisms: 1) phagocytosis of the focal hemorrhage by microglial cells; and 2) drainage of blood products in a rostral direction through the central canal of the spinal cord.

The histopathology of experimental spinal cord trauma

1978 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 1002-1007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen E. Rawe ◽  
William A. Lee ◽  
Phanor L. Perot
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Systemic Blood Pressure ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Systemic Blood ◽  
Edema Formation ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
Marked Enhancement

✓ The early sequential histopathological alterations following a concussive paraplegic injury to the posterior thoracic spinal cord in cats were studied. The lack of significant progression of hemorrhages over a 4-hour period after injury indicates that most hemorrhages probably occur within the first hour. The marked enhancement or retardation of hemorrhages in the post-injury period, when the blood pressure was increased or decreased, respectively, demonstrates the loss of autoregulation of spinal cord vasculature at the trauma site after a concussive paraplegic injury. Progressive edema formation was evident over a 4-hour period following injury, and it could be enhanced or retarded by elevation or reduction of the systemic blood pressure.

Intramedullary canine spinal cord tumor model

1984 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 761-766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Salcman ◽  
Ernesto Botero ◽  
Krishna C. V. Rao ◽  
Richard D. Broadwell ◽  
Eric Scott
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Cell Suspension ◽  
Spinal Cord Tumor ◽  
Calf Serum ◽  
Tumor Model ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tumor Cell Suspension ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
Ethyl Cyanoacrylate

✓ The development of a transplantable model brain tumor in the neonatal dog, the adaptation of the tumor to tissue culture, and the successful growth of the tumor in adult mongrel dogs has been adapted to producing similar tumors in the thoracic spinal cord of the adult dog. Ten adult dogs, weighing 4 to 25.4 kg each, were subjected to formal laminectomy. The tumor cell suspension was injected by hand with a Hamilton syringe at two or three sites over a distance of 1 cm; each site received an injection volume to 0.02 to 0.05 cc of the cell suspension after the dura had been opened. Immediately after injection the field was copiously irrigated and the puncture area sealed with a single drop of ethyl cyanoacrylate. Tumor cells for injection were obtained by thawing ampules stored at −195°C in a mixture of 10% dimethyl sulfoxide and RPMI 1640 culture medium. Cells were resuspended in Hank's balanced salt solution and 15% fetal calf serum on ice. Solutions had 90% cell viability, and animals received a dose in the range of 3 to 13 × 106 cells. Eight animals developed tumors and became paraparetic on the 9th to 14th postinjection day. Metrizamide myelography in three animals revealed complete blocks; two animals underwent spinal computerized tomography (CT) and demonstrated syringohydromyelia. Histology revealed the tumors to be highly vascular primitive neoplasms that invaded the surrounding cord. This spinal cord tumor model is large enough to be operated on, studied by CT and myelography, and subjected to pharmacological, electrophysiological, and blood flow study.

Multiple hemangiomas (hemangiomatosis) of the cauda equina and spinal cord

2000 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Roncaroli ◽  
Bernd W. Scheithauer ◽  
H. Gordon Deen
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Cauda Equina ◽  
Conus Medullaris ◽  
Unique Case ◽  
Nerve Roots ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
History Of ◽  
Leg Weakness

✓ A case of multiple hemangiomas of the cauda equina nerve roots, conus medullaris, and lower spinal cord is described. The 74-year-old male patient presented with a 9-month history of progressive bilateral leg weakness. He had a history of lymphoma at the age of 39 years and renal cell carcinoma in his early 40s. Neither disease was evident at the time of this presentation. A magnetic resonance image revealed multiple enhancing nodules in the cauda equina region as well as on the pial surface of the lower thoracic spinal cord and conus medullaris. The patient underwent an L2–3 laminectomy. Cauda equina nerve roots were found to be studded with numerous purple nodules, the largest measuring 6 to 8 mm. The nodules were adherent to nerve roots from which they could not be resected. Two lesions were histologically examined and found to be capillary hemangiomas. Twelve months into an uneventful postoperative course, the patient is neurologically unchanged. This unique case might represent a distinct form of hemangiomatosis confined to the cauda equina nerve roots and spinal cord.

Microangioarchitecture of the feline spinal cord

1987 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 447-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yutaka Naka ◽  
Toru Itakura ◽  
Kunio Nakai ◽  
Kazuo Nakakita ◽  
Harumichi Imai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Dorsal Surface ◽  
Ventral Surface ◽  
Anterior Spinal Artery ◽  
Corrosion Casts ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
Fine Print ◽  
Anterior Median

✓ The microangioarchitecture of corrosion casts of the cat spinal cord was studied by scanning electron microscopy. On the ventral surface of the spinal cord, the anterior spinal artery and the anterior spinal vein ran parallel along the anterior median fissure. Many central arteries branching from the anterior spinal artery coursed in a wavelike manner in the anterior median fissure. The number of central arteries was lowest in the thoracic spinal cord. Central arteries at some spinal cord levels revealed well-developed anastomoses with other central arteries in the anterior median fissure. These well-developed anastomotic central arteries were frequently observed in the thoracic spinal cord, in which the number of central arteries was lowest. On the dorsal surface of the spinal cord, the posterior spinal vein ran longitudinally at the midline and was drained by circumferential veins and posterior central veins. This vein formed a characteristic anastomotic plexus. Small arterioles (20 µm in diameter) in the spinal parenchyma revealed a ring-like compression at the branching site.

Evoked potentials from direct cerebellar stimulation for monitoring of the rodent spinal cord

1992 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 280-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. John Hurlbert ◽  
Charles H. Tator ◽  
Michael G. Fehlings ◽  
Greg Niznik ◽  
R. Dean Linden
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Evoked Potentials ◽  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Evoked Potential ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
Ventral Funiculus ◽  
Fine Print ◽  
Cerebellar Stimulation

✓ Although the assessment of spinal cord function by electrophysiological techniques has become important in both clinical and research environments, current monitoring methods do not completely evaluate all tracts in the spinal cord. Somatosensory and motor evoked potentials primarily reflect dorsal column and pyramidal tract integrity, respectively, but do not directly assess the status of the ventral funiculus. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the use of evoked potentials, elicited by direct cerebellar stimulation, in monitoring the ventral component of the rodent spinal cord. Twenty-nine rats underwent epidural anodal stimulation directly over the cerebellar cortex, with recording of evoked responses from the lower thoracic spinal cord, both sciatic nerves, and/or both gastrocnemius muscles. Stimulation parameters were varied to establish normative characteristics. The pathways conducting these “posterior fossa evoked potentials” were determined after creation of various lesions of the cervical spinal cord. The evoked potential recorded from the thoracic spinal cord consisted of five positive (P1 to P5) and five negative (N1 to N5) peaks. The average conduction velocity (± standard deviation) of the earliest wave (P1) was 53 ± 4 m/sec, with a latency of 1.24 ± 0.10 msec. The other components followed within 4 msec from stimulus onset. Unilateral cerebellar stimulation resulted in bilateral sciatic nerve and gastrocnemius muscle responses; there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the thresholds, amplitudes, or latencies of these responses elicited by right- versus left-sided stimulation. Recordings performed following creation of selective lesions of the cervical cord indicated that the thoracic response was carried primarily in the ventral funiculus while the sciatic and gastrocnemius responses were mediated through the dorsal half of the spinal cord. It is concluded that the posterior fossa evoked potential has research value as a method of monitoring pathways within the ventral spinal cord of the rat, and should be useful in the study of spinal cord injury.

Effects of epidural hypothermic saline infusion on locomotor outcome and tissue preservation after moderate thoracic spinal cord contusion in rats

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 308-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos E. Casas ◽  
Loren P. Herrera ◽  
Chad Prusmack ◽  
Gladys Ruenes ◽  
Alexander Marcillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Gray Matter ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Spinal Cord Contusion ◽  
Tissue Sparing ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Regionally delivered hypothermia has advantages over systemic hypothermia for clinical application following spinal cord injury (SCI). The effects of local hypothermia on tissue sparing, neuronal preservation, and locomotor outcome were studied in a moderate thoracic spinal cord contusion model. Methods. Rats were randomized to four treatment groups and data were collected and analyzed in a blinded fashion. Chilled saline was perfused into the epidural space 30 minutes postcontusion to achieve the following epidural temperatures: 24 ± 2.3°C (16 rats), 30 ± 2.4°C (13 rats), and 35 ± 0.9°C (13 rats). Hypothermia was continued for 3 hours when a 45-minute period of rewarming was instituted. In a fourth group a moderate contusion only was induced in 14 animals. Rectal (core) and T9–10 (epidural) temperatures were measured continuously. Locomotor testing, using the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (Ba-Be-Br) scale, was performed for 6 weeks, and rats were videotaped for subsequent analysis. The lesion/preserved tissue ratio was calculated throughout the entire lesion cavity and the total lesion, spinal cord, and spared tissue volumes were determined. The rostral and caudal extent of gray matter loss was also measured. At 6 weeks locomotor recovery was similar in all groups (mean Ba-Be-Br Scale scores 14.88 ± 3.71, 14.83 ± 2.81, 14.50 ± 2.24, and 14.07 ± 2.39 [p = 0.77] for all four groups, respectively). No significant differences in spared tissue volumes were found when control and treatment groups were compared, but gray matter preservation was reduced in the infusion-treated groups. Conclusions. Regional cooling applied 30 minutes after a moderate contusive SCI was not beneficial in terms of tissue sparing, neuronal preservation, or locomotor outcome. This method of cooling may reduce blood flow in the injured spinal cord and exacerbate secondary injury.

Thoracic spinal cord ependymoma presenting with ejaculatory failure

1982 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-144
Author(s):  
Jose Berciano ◽  
Jaime Gutierrez ◽  
Mariano Rebollo ◽  
Guillermo Dierssen
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
Spinal Cord Ependymoma ◽  
Fine Print

✓ A case of thoracic spinal cord ependymoma presenting with ejaculatory failure is described. This mode of onset has not previously been reported in patients with thoracic intraspinal tumors.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document