Cysts of the atlantoaxial joint: excellent long-term outcome after posterolateral surgical decompression

2001 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marino Zorzon ◽  
Miran Skrap ◽  
Silvana Diodato ◽  
Davide Nasuelli ◽  
Bruno Lucci
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spinal Cord ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
Subtotal Resection ◽  
Imaging Features ◽  
Atlantoaxial Joint ◽  
Term Outcome ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Upper Cervical

✓ Articular cysts of the atlantoaxial joint are infrequently described and probably an underreported cause of upper cervical spinal cord compression. The authors report on two patients with cysts located posteriorly of the dens in whom a C-1 and partial C-2 hemilaminectomy with subtotal resection of the cyst provided adequate and stable decompression 1 year postoperatively. The clinical and magnetic resonance imaging features and the surgical approach are discussed after a review of the literature.

Surgical treatment for cervical spondylitic myelopathy

1995 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 745-751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Ebersold ◽  
Michel C. Pare ◽  
Lynn M. Quast
Keyword(s):  
Cord Compression ◽  
Term Outcome ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Posterior Laminectomy ◽  
Anterior Decompression And Fusion ◽  
Anterior Group ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The long-term outcome of cervical spondylitic myelopathy after surgical treatment was retrospectively reviewed and critically evaluated in 100 patients with documented cervical myelopathy treated between 1978 and 1988 at our institution. Eighty-four patients were available for long-term study. The median duration of follow up was 7.35 years (range 3 to 9.5 years). There were 67 men and 17 women; their ages ranged from 27 to 86 years. The duration of preoperative symptoms ranged from 1 month to 10 years. Preoperative functional grade as evaluated with the Nurick Scale for the group was 2.1. Thirty-three patients with primarily anterior cord compression, one- or two-level disease, or a kyphotic neck deformity were treated by anterior decompression and fusion. Fifty-one patients with primarily posterior cord compression and multiple-level disease were treated by posterior laminectomy. There was no difference in the preoperative functional grade in these two groups. The patients in the posterior treatment group were older (59 vs 55 years). There was no surgical mortality from the operative procedures; morbidity was 3.6%. Of the 33 patients undergoing anterior decompression and fusion, 24 showed immediate functional improvement and nine were unchanged. Of the 51 patients who underwent posterior laminectomy, 35 demonstrated improvement, 11 were unchanged, and five were worse. Six patients, one in the anterior group and five in the posterior group, demonstrated early deterioration. Late deterioration occurred from 2 to 68 months postoperatively. Four (12%) patients who had undergone anterior procedures had additional posterior procedures, and seven (13.7%) patients who had undergone posterior procedures had additional decompressive surgery. The final functional status at last follow-up examination for the 33 patients in the anterior group was improved in 18, unchanged in nine, and deteriorated in six. Of the 51 patients who underwent posterior decompression, 19 benefited from the surgery, 13 were unchanged, and 19 were worse at last follow up than before their initial surgical procedure. Age, severity of disease, number of levels operated, and preoperative grade were not predictive of outcome. The only factor related to potential deterioration was the duration of symptoms preoperatively. The results indicate that with anterior or posterior decompression, long-term outcome is variable, and a subgroup of patients, even after adequate decompression and initial improvement, will have late functional deterioration.

Long-term outcomes in children with glioblastoma

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyung Sun Song ◽  
Ji Hoon Phi ◽  
Byung-Kyu Cho ◽  
Kyu-Chang Wang ◽  
Ji Yeoun Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Radical Resection ◽  
Tumor Location ◽  
Recurrent Glioblastoma ◽  
Subtotal Resection ◽  
Long Term Outcomes ◽  
Term Outcome ◽  
Long Term Outcome

Object Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignant brain tumor; however, glioblastoma in children is less common than in adults, and little is known about its clinical outcome in children. The authors evaluated the long-term outcome of glioblastoma in children. Methods Twenty-seven children were confirmed to have harbored a glioblastoma between 1985 and 2007. The clinical features and treatment outcomes were reviewed retrospectively. All patients underwent resection; complete resection was performed in 12 patients (44%), subtotal resection in 12 patients (44%), and biopsy in 3 patients (11%). Twenty-four patients (89%) had radiation therapy, and 14 (52%) patients received chemotherapy plus radiation therapy. Among the latter, 5 patients had radiation therapy concurrent with temozolomide chemotherapy. Four patients with small-size recurrent glioblastoma received stereotactic radiosurgery. Results The median overall survival (OS) was 43 months, and the median progression-free survival was 12 months. The OS rate was 67% at 1 year, 52% at 2 years, and 40% at 5 years. The median OS was significantly associated with tumor location (52 months for superficially located tumors vs 7 months for deeply located tumors; p = 0.017) and extent of removal (106 months for completely resected tumors vs 11 months for incompletely resected tumors; p < 0.0001). Conclusions The prognosis of glioblastoma is better in children than in adults. Radical resection followed by concurrent chemoradiation therapy may be the initial treatment of choice.

Microsurgical infrapedicular paramedian approach for retrovertebral lumbar disc herniations

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nedal Hejazi
Keyword(s):  
Facet Joint ◽  
Lumbar Disc ◽  
Clinical Results ◽  
Term Outcome ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Clinical Benefits ◽  
Disc Herniations ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The author performed a microsurgical infrapedicular paramedian approach in 35 patients (23 men and 12 women) to remove herniated lumbar retrovertebral discs that did not have an apparent origin at either the superior or inferior disc level. The goal of this surgery was to minimize the bone resection, preserve the facet joint, and avoid the risk of secondary vertebral instability. The Macnab outcome classification was used to assess all patients who attended follow-up examination for at least 15 months. The clinical results were excellent or good in 34 (97%) of 35 cases. This minimally invasive lumbar spine technique resulted in minimal morbidity, excellent clinical benefits, and a long-term outcome without evidence of secondary segmental instability.

Long-term outcome of anterior decompression and spinal fixation after placement of the Wellesley Wedge for thoracic and lumbar spinal metastasis

2002 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Yen ◽  
Vikas Kuriachan ◽  
Jeff Yach ◽  
Andrew Howard
Keyword(s):  
Selection Process ◽  
Spinal Metastasis ◽  
Neurological Status ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Term Outcome ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lumbar Spinal ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors assessed the long-term results of anterior decompressive and vertebral body reconstructive surgery in which the Wellesley Wedge was applied in patients with metastatic spinal lesions over the life span of these individuals. Methods. The authors performed a retrospective review of the outcome of 27 consecutively treated patients who underwent surgery for thoracic or lumbar spine metastases. Decompressive surgery was performed via an anterior thoracotomy and/or retroperitoneal approach depending on the level of the lesion. The spine was reconstructed using a U-shaped plate with an interposed methylmethacrylate strut known as the Wellesley Wedge. Results. Thirty percent of patients suffered medical complications whereas 22% experienced postoperative improvement, as reflected by an improved Frankel grade. Used in patients with a variety of primary tumor types, a spectrum of ages and neurological status, and extensive preoperative osseous spinal involvement and deformity, the Wellesley Wedge resulted in spinal stability for the duration of patients' lives in 92%. Conclusions. In this series the patient selection process for surgery was a challenge yet to be solved; however, considering the durability of the Wellesley Wedge itself, the authors will continue to use it in selected patients.

Long-term surgical outcome in 16 patients with thyrotropin pituitary adenoma

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoko Sanno ◽  
Akira Teramoto ◽  
R. Yoshiyuki Osamura
Keyword(s):  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Transsphenoidal Surgery ◽  
Term Outcome ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Primary Hyperthyroidism ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenomas are rare lesions of the endocrinological system. Although introduction of a hypersensitive radioimmunoassay for thyrotropin enables the recognition of inappropriate secretion of this hormone, the aforementioned lesions remain uncommon and unfamiliar to most neurosurgeons. It has been reported previously that surgical cure of thyrotropin-secreting adenomas is more difficult than in other functional adenomas because of the large size and invasive features of the former. However, the long-term outcome after surgery has not been well documented. The authors report on a surgical series of 16 patients with thyrotropin adenoma and the results of long-term follow up.Methods. Sixteen patients ages 23 to 62 years (12 women and four men) underwent transsphenoidal removal of thyrotropin adenomas between 1983 and 1999. These patients had the syndrome of inappropriate thyrotropin secretion (SITS) with pituitary mass lesions. Four of the patients had undergone previous subtotal thyroidectomy and/or radioiodine thyroid ablation, and 11 had been treated with antithyroid medication. Radiological investigations demonstrated macroadenomas in 14 patients, and 10 of those had cavernous sinus invasion. Surgical findings showed unusually fibrous and firm tumors in 13 (81.2%) of 16 patients. Preoperative octreotide administration was revealed to be effective for serum thyrotropin reduction as well as tumor shrinkage. Transsphenoidal surgery was performed with no morbidity resulting. Surgical remission was achieved in 10 (62.5%) of 16 patients, and total remission was achieved in 14 patients (87.5%) with a combination of additional radiation or medical therapy. In the other two patients, SITS persisted because of tumor rests in the cavernous sinus. Therefore, radiation and/or antithyroid therapy was administered. In the mean follow-up period of 7.5 years (range 11 months–15.8 years), no recurrence of tumor was observed on magnetic resonance images, whereas recurrence of SITS was found in two patients with no tumor regrowth. In addition, coexistent primary hyperthyroidism was found in two other patients despite remission of SITS after surgery.Conclusions. Transsphenoidal surgery can achieve a good long-term outcome in patients with thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenomas if surgery is performed before these become larger, invasive tumors. In the authors' experience, thyrotropin-secreting adenomas are fibrous and firm, which makes it difficult to achieve surgical remission. In addition, even satisfactory resection of the tumor sometimes results in recurrence of SITS or hyperthyroid symptoms due to coexistent primary hyperthyroidism. It is emphasized that a careful follow-up review is necessary after surgery, especially in patients with a long preoperative history of hyperthyroidism.

Long-term outcome of hypothalamic/chiasmatic astrocytomas in children treated with conservative surgery

1995 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 583-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie N. Sutton ◽  
Patricia T. Molloy ◽  
Heidi Sernyak ◽  
Joel Goldwein ◽  
Peter L. Phillips ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radical Surgery ◽  
Conservative Surgery ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Term Outcome ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The feasibility of radical surgery for astrocytomas of the optic chiasm/hypothalamus has been reported by several groups. Such surgery carries significant risks, however, including permanent damage to the pituitary gland, optic apparatus, hypothalamic structures, and carotid arteries. The benefits of radical surgery, both in terms of efficacy and toxicity, should, therefore, be evaluated against standard therapy, as is usually done for new chemotherapeutic protocols. To this end, a retrospective review was performed of 33 patients treated at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia between 1976 and 1991 who met criteria that would have made them eligible for radical surgery in many centers today, but were treated with either no surgery or conservative surgery (< 50% resection) or biopsy followed by adjuvant therapy with local radiation therapy (29 patients) and/or chemotherapy with actinomycin-D and vincristine (18 patients). The review encompassed all children with a globular enhancing mass of at least 2 cm in the hypothalamic/chiasmatic region, no evidence of optic nerve involvement or involvement of the optic radiations by computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, and follow up of at least 3 years. All but one patient had tissue confirmation of a low-grade or pilocytic astrocytoma. Thirteen of the patients were 2 years of age or younger at diagnosis. Five individuals died: three of tumor progression, one of acute shunt malfunction, and one of intercurrent infection. The remaining 28 were alive at last follow up, a mean of 10.9 years from diagnosis. Twenty-three surviving patients have functional vision in at least one eye, 12 require no endocrine replacement, and 16 are in or have completed schooling with regular academic requirements. If radical surgery is to become standard care for children with low-grade astrocytomas of the hypothalamic/chiasmatic region, long-term survival and functional outcome will have to equal or surpass those of historical controls who were treated conservatively.

A critical appraisal of drainage in syringomyelia

1995 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spiros Sgouros ◽  
Bernard Williams
Keyword(s):  
Subarachnoid Space ◽  
Foramen Magnum ◽  
Drainage Procedure ◽  
Term Outcome ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Surgical Measures ◽  
Fatal Hemorrhage ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The use of drains in the treatment of syringomyelia has a simple and immediate appeal and has been practiced widely since the report of Abbe and Coley over 100 years ago. Good short-term results have been claimed in the past, but long-term outcome is largely unknown. An experience in Birmingham, England is reviewed in which 73 patients who had had some form of syrinx drainage procedure performed were subsequently followed up. In these cases, a total of 56 syringopleural and 14 syringosubarachnoid shunts had been inserted. Ten years after the operations, only 53.5% and 50% of the patients, respectively, continued to remain clinically stable. A 15.7% complication rate was recorded, including fatal hemorrhage, infection, and displacement of the drain from the pleural and syrinx cavities. At second operation or necropsy, at least 5% of shunts were discovered to be blocked. The effect of other drainage procedures that do not use artificial tubing, such as syringotomy and terminal ventriculostomy, was analyzed but found not to offer any substantial benefit. These results indicate that drainage procedures are not an effective solution to remedying the progressive, destructive nature of syringomyelia. It is suggested that, rather than attempting to drain the syrinx cavity, disabling the filling mechanism of the syrinx is more appropriate. Most forms of syringomyelia have a blockage at the level of the foramen magnum or in the subarachnoid space of the spine. Surgical measures that aim to reconstruct the continuity of the subarachnoid space at the site of the block are strongly recommended. Lowering the overall pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid is advocated when reestablishment of the pathways proves impossible. Syrinx drainage as an adjuvant to more physiological surgery may have a place in the treatment of syringomyelia. If two procedures are done at the same time, however, it is difficult to ascribe with certainty a success or failure, and it is suggested that the drainage procedure be reserved for a later attempt if the elective first operation fails.

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