Traumatic sacral dermoid cyst rupture with intracranial subarachnoid seeding of lipid particles: illustrative case

BACKGROUND Intracranial deposits of fat droplets are an unusual presentation of a spinal dermoid cyst after spontaneous rupture and are even more uncommon after trauma. Here, the authors present a case with this rare clinical presentation, along with a systematic review of the literature to guide decision making in these patients. OBSERVATIONS A 54-year-old woman with Lynch syndrome presented with severe headache and sacrococcygeal pain after a traumatic fall. Computed tomography of the head revealed multifocal intraventricular and intracisternal fat deposits, which were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neuroaxis; in addition, a ruptured multiloculated cyst was identified within the sacral canal with proteinaceous/hemorrhagic debris, most consistent with a sacral dermoid cyst with rupture into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) space. An unruptured sacral cyst was later noted on numerous previous MRI scans. In our systematic review, we identified 20 similar cases, most of which favored surgical treatment. LESSONS Rupture of an intraspinal dermoid cyst must be considered when intracranial fat deposits are found in the context of cauda equina syndrome, meningism, or hydrocephalus. Complete tumor removal with close postoperative follow-up is recommended to decrease the risk of complications. CSF diversion must be prioritized if life-threatening hydrocephalus is present.

A Case Report of Spino-Pelvic Dissociation with Neurological Deficit in Pediatric Age Group

Transverse sacral fracture is a rare entity in the pediatric age group, primarily resulting from a fall from height. This case report stresses the importance of proper neurological assessment, adequate imaging and highlights different modalities of management of this fracture. We report a case of a 13-year-old child with type III Roy-Camille sacral fracture with associated bladder and bowel dysfunction. The patient underwent spinopelvic fixation and decompression of the sacral canal. The patient partially regained bowel and urinary function and had improved motor function after three months of follow-up. Operative management is generally advocated for such fractures. Keywords: Decompression; Bone fractures; Neural tube; Pediatrics; Sacrum

Incidence and Factors that Affect Anterior Sacral Foramen Leakage in Fluoroscopically Guided Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection

Background: During the caudal epidural steroid injection (CESI), sacral foramen leakage can occur. The aim of this study was to evaluate incidence and the correlation of anterior sacral foramen leakage with several factors. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients who underwent CESI. The epidural needle position and sacral foramen leakage (yes or no) in C-arm view were recorded. The following parameters were measured: 1) depth of the intervertebral disc at S1-S2, S2-S3, and S3-S4; 2) distances between the posterior borders of S1 and the apex of the sacral hiatus; and 3) depths of S1, S2 the sacral canal. Results: Ninety-one subjects were evaluated. The patients were predominately women (60%) with a mean age of 65.5 ± 11.6 years. There was leakage in 58% (53/91) of patients. One-level leakage occurred in the largest proportion of patients (27%). Age, gender, needle tip position, the depth of the intervertebral disc at S1-S2, S2-S3, and S3-S4, the distances between the posterior borders of S1 and the apex of the sacral hiatus, and the depths of S1, S2 the sacral canal were not correlated with sacral foramen leakage. Conclusion: We found leakage in 58% of patients regardless of age, gender, needle-tip position, the depth of the intervertebral disc at S1-S2, S2-S3, and S3- S4, the distances between the posterior borders of S1 and the apex of the sacral hiatus, and the depths of S1, S2 the sacral canal. Therefore, clinicians should be aware that leakage can occur in any circumstance. Keywords: incidence, factors, anterior, sacral, foramen, leakage, fluoroscopically, caudal, epidural, steroid, injection.

Neglected Tarlov cysts: a case of a Tarlov cyst with spermatorrhea

Background Tarlov cysts are a commonly misdiagnosed condition, which can present with many rare symptoms. We report a case of a Tarlov cyst with spermatorrhea and review the pertinent literature. Case presentation A 42-year-old male patient had a history of spermatorrhea for > 10 years, but was incorrectly diagnosed as the patient and the doctors consistently mistook the symptoms for a genitourinary disease. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that two cysts in the sacral canal. The diagnosis was Tarlov cyst. We performed surgery to remove the cyst and the symptoms of spermatorrhea disappeared after the operation. Conclusions This case demonstrates that orthopedics and urologists should improve their understanding of Tarlov cysts to avoid misdiagnosis and mistreatment.

Effects of Three Different Doses of Dexmedetomidine and Ropivacaine on Analgesia and the Stress Response in Hypospadias Surgery: A Randomized Trial

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the effects of three different doses of dexmedetomidine in caudal blocks on postoperative stress and pain after pediatric urethroplasty.Methods: A total of 160 children who underwent elective urethroplasty were enrolled in this study. They were randomly divided into four groups: groups D1, D2, and D3, in which the patients were injected respectively with a mixed solution of 1, 1.5, or 2 μg kg−1 of dexmedetomidine and 0.25% ropivacaine into the sacral canal; and group R, in which the patients were injected with 0.25% ropivacaine into the sacral canal. Cortisol and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels within 24 h, the incidence of adverse events in the circulatory system during surgery, onset time of the caudal block, duration of postoperative analgesia, the incidence of agitation during recovery, and other anesthetic adverse reactions were observed and recorded.Results: Compared with group R, cortisol and IL-6 levels in groups D1, D2, and D3 decreased within 24 h after the operation (T2–T6). The incidence of intraoperative hypertension, tachycardia, and shivering during the recovery period decreased, the onset time of the caudal block decreased, and the duration of postoperative analgesia increased (p < 0.01). Compared with group D1, the duration of postoperative analgesia increased in groups D2 and D3 (p < 0.01). Compared with groups D1 and D2, the incidence of excessive sedation and bradycardia in group D3 increased (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The administration of 1.5 μg kg−1 of dexmedetomidine appears to be most feasible in accelerating the onset of the caudal block, reducing stress and inflammation, stabilizing the circulation, increasing the duration of postoperative analgesia, and reducing anesthesia- and operation-associated adverse events.

Incidence of complete agenesis of dorsal wall of sacral canal: study of dry human sacra

Background: The human sacrum is a large, triangular shield-shaped bone formed by the fusion of five separate vertebrae along with the inter-vertebral discs. Gross morphology of sacrum shows a concave ventral surface, a convex dorsal surface and a triangular sacral canal. The sacral canal consists of an anterior wall formed by the fusion of the posterior aspect of the bodies of sacral vertebrae and the dorsal wall is formed by the fused laminae, spines and ossified ligamentum flava. Spina bifida is a developmental defect of sacral vertebrae, where the dorsal wall of sacral canal is partially or completely absent. The present study is an attempt to verify the incidence of complete agenesis of dorsal wall of sacral canal.Methods: Eighty six dry human sacra were collected from the undergraduate students and department of anatomy of three different medical colleges of Uttar Pradesh for the study of dorsal wall of sacral canal. Results: out of eighty six bones studied, two (2.33%) of the bones showed complete absence of the dorsal wall of the sacral canal.Conclusions: Complete agenesis of dorsal wall of sacral canal may lead to partial or complete failure of caudal epidural anaesthesia. Association between dorsal sacral agenesis and some other congenital malformations have also been reported by few authors. Anatomical knowledge of these variations of dorsal wall of sacral canal is important for anaesthetists, radiologists and spine surgeons.