Young boy with abdominal wall abnormality.
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We evaluated the intraoperative utility of monitoring median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) in 31 consecutively hospitalized neurosurgical patients (mean age 55.3 +/- 2.1 years) who underwent spinal cord decompression for cervical herniated disc, spondylosis, or tumor. Pre- and postoperative standard neurological examinations included evaluation of motor function, sensory responses, gait, tone, and reflexes. Evoked potentials were recorded from clavicular Erb's (N9) and contralateral cortical (N20) points. Intraoperatively, SEP measurements were obtained after the onset of anesthesia (baseline control) and were repeated throughout the operative procedures. N20 and N9-N20 conduction latencies were measured for each SEP recording; disappearance of the SEP waveform was interpreted as a nonquantifiable increase in latency. Follow-up neurological examinations were made immediately after and up to 6 months following surgery. Postoperatively, the 31 study subjects were assigned to one of two groups based on neurological evaluation: 27 group I subjects had either no change or improvement (good outcome) whereas four group II subjects had postoperative neurological deterioration (poor outcome). Intraoperative N9-N20 interpeak latency was found to increase during cervical decompression in six of 27 group I and in two of four group II subjects. Only two of the Group I subjects exhibited increases > 10% (14 and 19%, respectively). Intraoperative communication to the surgeon of a marked increase of N9-N20 latency during positioning for cervical traction clearly obviated a poor outcome in one group I subject; Upon removal of traction, latency decreased and significant changes in neurological function were not detected postoperatively. The SEP waveform disappeared in two of the group II and in none of the group I subjects. In the two group II subjects exhibiting increases of N9-N20 latencies, increments were > 20%. These findings indicate that in patients undergoing cervical spinal cord decompression, disappearance of SEPs or increases > 20% in the N9-N20 interpeak latency are suggestive of operative conditions that place patients at risk for poor neurological outcome.
This paper reports two cases of benign extramedullary tumors of the foramen magnum studied by computed tomography (CT). The first case was a neurinoma; the second was a meningioma. Several different CT findings allowed a correct preoperative diagnosis of the location and nature of the tumors. In view of the invasiveness of traditional diagnostic methods and of the encouraging, although limited, experience of the present cases, the role of CT in the diagnosis of these lesions is promising.
The computed tomography (CT) findings in 10 patients who presented with lumbosacral radicular symptoms are reported. The CT scans were performed after the more commonly used radiologic studies, including plain films and myelography, had failed to completely define the nature or extent of the underlying disease process. The final diagnoses were metastatic neoplasm to the spine and soft tissue in six cases, primary neoplasm of the sacrum or soft tissue in three cases, and tuberculous osteomyelitis and abscess in one case. The limitations and potential complications of the various radiologic examinations are discussed, and the potential value of CT in selected patients with lumbosacral neuropathy is presented.
A case of intraspinal metastatic carcinoma that presented on combined cervical and lumbar puncture metrizamide myelography as complete blocks at T2 and T12 is described. The extent of disease in the long segment of the spinal canal was inaccessible to conventional myelography. This case illustrates the importance of postmyelogram CT for accurate assessment of disease and for treatment planning.
Seventy-six patients with either Hodgkin disease or non-Hodgkin lymphoma underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging as part of their evaluation. In this report the unique and common MR findings of these neoplasms are reviewed in each of the major anatomic sites. Further, the impact of these findings on therapy decisions and follow-up is emphasized.
OBJECTIVE: Plexiform neurofibromas with sizable intraspinal extensions and resultant spinal cord compromise pose challenging management problems, because these lesions may involve multiple nerves and engulf adjacent vascular and visceral structures. In this report, we review our experience with the surgical treatment of these lesions. METHODS: Patients were identified by a detailed review of hospital medical records and the database of our multidisciplinary neurofibromatosis clinic. Ten patients had large plexiform neurofibromas that extended intraspinally, producing a combination of myelopathy and radiculopathy. Two patients exhibited single-level intraspinal growth, and eight showed multilevel involvement. Four patients showed bilateral plexiform neurofibromatous growth intraspinally, with "hourglass" compression of the spinal cord. Operative approaches and outcomes were reviewed in detail. RESULTS: Gross total resection of the symptomatic intraspinal tumor component was achieved for nine patients. The management of the extraspinal component was individualized, depending on the pattern and extent of involvement of the surrounding structures. Nine patients experienced complete recovery of neurological function postoperatively; the remaining patient demonstrated significant functional improvement. With a median follow-up period of 4 years, only one patient has developed recurrent intraspinal compression, in this case from tumor involvement by the same plexiform lesion at a lower spinal level. Two patients treated early in the series using standard laminectomy approaches developed significant kyphotic deformities, necessitating subsequent fusion. Based on these initial results, osteoplastic laminotomy techniques were used in the last five cases, allowing anatomic reconstruction of the involved levels; none of these latter patients has developed significant kyphosis, with a median follow-up period of 3 years. CONCLUSION: Radical resection of intraspinal tumor components in patients with neurofibromatosis 1 and large plexiform neurofibromas can help to preserve excellent neurological function. Technical factors in the management of these lesions are presented.
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Immortalized in surgical history for the introduction of "antiseptic wax," Sir Victor Horsley played a pivotal role in shaping the face of standard neurosurgical practice. His contributions include the first laminectomy for spinal neoplasm, the first carotid ligation for cerebral aneurysm, the curved skin flap, the transcranial approach to the pituitary gland, intradural division of the trigeminal nerve root for trigeminal neuralgia, and surface marking of the cerebral cortex. A tireless scientist, he was a significant player in discovering the cure for myxedema, the eradication of rabies from England, and the invention of the Horsley-Clarke stereotactic frame. As a pathologist, Horsley performed research on bacteria and edema and founded the Journal of Pathology. Horsley's kindness, humility, and generous spirit endeared him to patients, colleagues, and students. Born to privilege, he was nonetheless dedicated to improving the lot of the common man and directed his efforts toward the suffrage of women, medical reform, and free health care for the working class. Knighted in 1902 for his many contributions to medicine, Sir Victor met an untimely death during World War I from heat stroke at the age of 59. An iconoclast of keen intellect, unlimited energy, and consummate skill, his life and work justify his epitaph as a "pioneer of neurological surgery."
OBJECTIVE: The transoral approach is an elegant reliable surgical procedure that provides anterior exposure of the cranial base and the craniocervical junction. Our objective was to demonstrate the advantages of neuronavigation in planning and performing the transoral approach. METHODS: Three patients with chordomas and one patient with rheumatoid atlantoaxial subluxation were considered for a neuronavigated transoral procedure. For image guidance, the Stryker navigation system (Stryker Instruments, Kalamazoo, MI) was used. Registration was performed with individually constructed occlusal splints with four markers. RESULTS: The transoral approach was successfully used for two patients with chordomas involving the cranial base and the upper spine and for one patient with dislocation of the dens and medullary compression. In one case, preoperative simulation of the approach and trajectory planning demonstrated that adequate resection could not be achieved via the transoral route, and a paracondylar suboccipital approach was used. The registration accuracy achieved with the occlusal splint was less than 1 mm. CONCLUSION: Neuronavigation is a useful tool for planning and performing a transoral approach. It optimizes preoperative planning, clarifies and secures resection limits, and reduces overall surgical morbidity. Registration with an occlusal splint with four markers proved to be an attractive alternative to conventional systems.
Merkel cell tumor is an unusual, aggressive malignancy of skin that has been considered to be derived from cutaneous Merkel cells. We are reporting a case of Merkel cell tumor overlying the left scapula with metastases to the thoracic spine and pleura. The tumor was found incidentally in a 23-year-old pregnant black woman. The tumor recurred locally 5 months after initial wide excision. Subsequently, a second wide excision of the recurrent tumor with ipsilateral axillary dissection was performed. The course of the disease was complicated by local recurrence and formation of distant metastases to pleura and spine. At the end-stage of the disease, the patient was found to have a cardiac murmur, and echocardiography revealed a mass in the anterior wall of the right ventricle that was suspicious for a metastatic lesion. The patient expired from extensive distant metastases 23 months after diagnosis.
Hemicorporectomy is typically performed with a circumferential truncal incision, and the wound is closed primarily. Wound disruption is a common complication, especially at the base of the wound closure and posteriorly at the lumbar vertebral level. We report a case of the use of bilateral subtotal thigh flaps for the closure of a hemicorporectomy wound in a patient with a defect extending up to the high lumbar region. The subtotal thigh flap is a well-vascularized thick flap that provides a firm support for the abdominal viscera and is a large flap that can be used to close even a high lumbar defect.
Images of bony densities on routine chest radiographs may simulate intrathoracic disease processes. Such entities include images produced by normal anatomic structures, anatomic variants, and benign processes. Most commonly, chest disease was simulated by virtue of projection or poor visualization of the bony density in question on the routine chest radiograph. The true nature of the "abnormal" images produced was usually revealed by further roentgenographic evaluation using specialized radiographic technics or additional views.
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The jugular foramen syndrome and its more common variants have been described. Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the head and neck was discussed and its relation to cranial nerve dysfunction was reviewed, with presentation of an unusual case of plasmacytoma resulting in a variant of the jugular foramen syndrome.
Low back pain is a common cause of disability and reason for seeking medical care. Surgery rates for low back pain are escalating, and the overall costs exceed $1 billion. Primary care physicians are increasingly responsible for the initial evaluations and management of these individuals. Recognition of surgical indications by these physicians will decrease costs by initiating management and will limit morbidity by expediting appropriate referrals. The important aspects of the evaluation of low back pain are reviewed in this article. Surgical indications in low back pain including infection, tumor, degenerative conditions, and nonacute traumatic sequelae are discussed.
A case of thoracic chordoma successfully treated with surgical excision is reported and described. Thoracic chordomata presenting as posterior superior mediastinal tumors occur infrequently and may be highly malignant lesions. Early radical surgery through thoracotomy provide the best hope of cure, and radiation offers only temporary regression of tumor.
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