Neurological function after total en bloc spondylectomy for thoracic spinal tumors

2010 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideki Murakami ◽  
Norio Kawahara ◽  
Satoru Demura ◽  
Satoshi Kato ◽  
Katsuhito Yoshioka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Neurological Function ◽  
Neurological Symptoms ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Spinal Tumors ◽  
Preoperative Embolization ◽  
Spinal Cord Blood Flow ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
Bloc Spondylectomy ◽  
Frankel Grade

Object Total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) for thoracic spinal tumors may in theory produce neurological dysfunction as a result of ischemic or mechanical damage to the spinal cord. Potential insults include preoperative embolization at 3 levels, intraoperative ligation of segmental arteries, nerve root ligation, and circumferential dural dissection. The purpose of this study was to assess neurological function after thoracic TES. Methods The authors performed a retrospective review of 79 patients with thoracic-level spinal tumors that had been treated with TES between 1989 and 2006. Neurological function was retrospectively analyzed according to the Frankel grading system. Of the 79 cases, 26 involved primary tumors and 53 involved metastatic tumors. The number of excised vertebrae was 1 in 60 cases, 2 in 13, and ≥ 3 in 6. The Frankel grade before surgery was B in 1 case, C in 16, D in 29, and E in 33. Results At the follow-up, the Frankel grade was C in 2 cases, D in 24, and E in 53. Of 46 cases with neurological deficits before surgery, neurological improvement of at least 1 Frankel grade was achieved in 25 cases (54.3%). Although the Frankel grade did not change in 21 patients, improvement in neurological symptoms within the same Frankel grade did occur in these patients. There were no cases of neurological deterioration. Conclusions There was no neurological deterioration due to preoperative embolization, ligation of segmental arteries, or ligation of thoracic nerve roots. Each of the cases with preoperative neurological deficits showed improvement in neurological symptoms. Data in the current study clinically proved that TES is a safe operation with respect to spinal cord blood flow. In TES, the spinal cord is circumferentially decompressed and the spinal column is shortened. An increase in spinal cord blood flow due to spinal shortening in addition to decompression was considered to have brought about a resolution of neurological symptoms with TES.

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.

Cerebral and Two Spinal Meningiomas Removed from the Same Patient: Case Report

Neurosurgery ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 447-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Kandel ◽  
Eugeny Sungurov ◽  
Vladimir Morgunov
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Spinal Tumors ◽  
Patient Case ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
Spinal Meningiomas ◽  
One Year

Abstract An exceptional combination of an intracranial convexity and two thoracic spinal meningiomas in a 17-year-old girl is reported. The small meningioma in the left central parasagittal region was removed. One year later, paraplegia rapidly developed. Two meningiomas (one of them ossified) about 2 cm in size were removed from the midthoracic level of the spinal cord. The distance between the two spinal tumors was about 2 cm. One and one-half years after surgery the patient is well. The problem of multicentricity of meningiomas is discussed.

Perioperative acute neurological deficits in instrumented pediatric cervical spine fusions

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 528-538
Author(s):  
Bram P. Verhofste ◽  
Michael P. Glotzbecker ◽  
Michael T. Hresko ◽  
Patricia E. Miller ◽  
Craig M. Birch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Neurological Complications ◽  
Neurological Function ◽  
Spine Fusion ◽  
Neurological Symptoms ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Complex Disorder ◽  
Spine Instrumentation ◽  
Estimated Blood Loss ◽  
Cervical Spine Fusion

OBJECTIVEPediatric cervical deformity is a complex disorder often associated with neurological deterioration requiring cervical spine fusion. However, limited literature exists on new perioperative neurological deficits in children. This study describes new perioperative neurological deficits in pediatric cervical spine instrumentation and fusion.METHODSA single-center review of pediatric cervical spine instrumentation and fusion during 2002–2018 was performed. Demographics, surgical characteristics, and neurological complications were recorded. Perioperative neurological deficits were defined as the deterioration of preexisting neurological function or the appearance of new neurological symptoms.RESULTSA total of 184 cases (160 patients, 57% male) with an average age of 12.6 ± 5.30 years (range 0.2–24.9 years) were included. Deformity (n = 39) and instability (n = 36) were the most frequent indications. Syndromes were present in 39% (n = 71), with Down syndrome (n = 20) and neurofibromatosis (n = 12) the most prevalent. Eighty-seven (48%) children presented with preoperative neurological deficits (16 sensory, 16 motor, and 55 combined deficits).A total of 178 (96.7%) cases improved or remained neurologically stable. New neurological deficits occurred in 6 (3.3%) cases: 3 hemiparesis, 1 hemiplegia, 1 quadriplegia, and 1 quadriparesis. Preoperative neurological compromise was seen in 4 (67%) of these new deficits (3 myelopathy, 1 sensory deficit) and 5 had complex syndromes. Three new deficits were anticipated with intraoperative neuromonitoring changes (p = 0.025).Three (50.0%) patients with new neurological deficits recovered within 6 months and the child with quadriparesis was regaining neurological function at the latest follow-up. Hemiplegia persisted in 1 patient, and 1 child died due a complication related to the tracheostomy. No association was found between neurological deficits and indication (p = 0.96), etiology (p = 0.46), preoperative neurological symptoms (p = 0.65), age (p = 0.56), use of halo vest (p = 0.41), estimated blood loss (p = 0.09), levels fused (p = 0.09), approach (p = 0.07), or fusion location (p = 0.07).CONCLUSIONSAn improvement of the preexisting neurological deficit or stabilization of neurological function was seen in 96.7% of children after cervical spine fusion. New or progressive neurological deficits occurred in 3.3% of the patients and occurred more frequently in children with preoperative neurological symptoms. Patients with syndromic diagnoses are at higher risk to develop a deficit, probably due to the severity of deformity and the degree of cervical instability. Long-term outcomes of new neurological deficits are favorable, and 50% of patients experienced complete neurological recovery within 6 months.

Contrasting Actions of Naloxone in Experimental Spinal Cord Trauma and Cerebral Ischemia: A Review

Neurosurgery ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 845-849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan J. Hamilton ◽  
Peter McL. Black ◽  
Daniel B. Carr
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Cerebral Ischemia ◽  
Opiate Receptor ◽  
Neurological Function ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Spinal Cord Trauma ◽  
Cardiovascular Parameters ◽  
Naloxone Administration ◽  
Therapeutic Implications ◽  
Cord Injury

Abstract Endorphins have been implicated in the pathophysiology of both spinal cord injury and cerebral ischemia. This review examines the nature of the experimental evidence to support this hypothesis. Present studies suggest that naloxone administration improves neurological function and outcome in the setting of the spinal cord trauma by centrally inhibiting an opiate receptor-mediated diminution of spinal cord flow. In the setting of spinal shock, naloxone administration is associated with improvement in vital sign and cardiovascular parameters as measured by mean arterial pressure, cardiac output, body temperature, and ventilation. Experiments using a variety of animal stroke models similarly support the notion that naloxone improves neurological function in the setting of cerebral ischemia by a stereospecific opiate receptor-mediated effect, but this improvement does not seem to be accompanied by augmentation of blood flow to affected areas of the brain or by any improvement in vital signs or cardiovascular parameters as seen in spinal cord trauma. A variety of mechanisms are discussed to explain these observations. The therapeutic implications of administering opiate agonists and antagonists in the setting of neurological deficits are outlined for the neurosurgeon.

Preoperative embolization and intraoperative cryocoagulation as adjuncts in resection of hypervascular lesions of the thoracolumbar spine

2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 294-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Remi Nader ◽  
Brent T. Alford ◽  
Haring J. W. Nauta ◽  
Wayne Crow ◽  
Eric Vansonnenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Thoracolumbar Spine ◽  
Spinal Tumors ◽  
Preoperative Embolization ◽  
Physical Separation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Spinal Reconstruction ◽  
Estimated Blood Loss ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The purpose of this study was twofold. First the authors evaluated preoperative embolization alone to reduce estimated blood loss (EBL) when resecting hypervascular lesions of the thoracolumbar spine. Second, they compared this experience with intraoperative cryotherapy alone or in conjunction with embolization to minimize further EBL. Methods. Twelve patients underwent 13 surgeries for hypervascular spinal tumors. In 10 cases the surgeries were augmented by preoperative embolization alone. In one patient, two different surgeries involved intraoperative cryocoagulation, and in one patient surgery involved a combination of preoperative embolization and intraoperative cryocoagulation for tumor resection. When cryocoagulation was used, its extent was controlled using intraoperative ultrasonography or by establishing physical separation of the spinal cord from the tumor. In the 10 cases in which embolization alone was conducted, intraoperative EBL in excess of 3 L occurred in five. Mean EBL was of 2.8 L per patient. In one patient, who underwent only embolization, excessive bleeding (> 8 L) required that the surgery be terminated and resulted in suboptimum tumor resection. In another three cases, intraoperative cryocoagulation was used alone (in two patients) or in combination with preoperative embolization (in one patient). In all procedures involving cryocoagulation of the lesion, adequate hemostasis was achieved with a mean EBL of only 500 ml per patient. No new neurological deficits were attributable to the use of cryocoagulation. Conclusions. Preoperative embolization alone may not always be satisfactory in reducing EBL in resection of hypervascular tumors of the thoracolumbar spine. Although experience with cryocoagulation is limited, its use, in conjunction with embolization or alone, suggests it may be helpful in limiting EBL beyond what can be achieved with embolization alone. Cryocoagulation may also assist resection by preventing spillage of tumor contents, facilitating more radical excision, and enabling spinal reconstruction. The extent of cryocoagulation could be adequately controlled using ultrasonography or by establishing physical separation between the tumor and spinal cord. Additionally, somatosensory evoked potential monitoring may provide early warning of spinal cord cooling.

Use of Actuator-Driven Pulsed Water Jet in Brain and Spinal Cord Cavernous Malformations Resection

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 394-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiki Endo ◽  
Yoko Takahashi ◽  
Atsuhiro Nakagawa ◽  
Kuniyasu Niizuma ◽  
Miki Fujimura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Water Jet ◽  
Neurological Function ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Piezo Actuator ◽  
Partial Recovery ◽  
Cavernous Malformations ◽  
Brainstem Lesion ◽  
Pulsed Water Jet ◽  
Brain And Spinal Cord

Abstract BACKGROUND A piezo actuator-driven pulsed water jet (ADPJ) system is a novel surgical instrument that enables dissection of tissue without thermal damage. It can potentially resect intra-axial lesions while preserving neurological function. OBJECTIVE To report our first experience of applying an ADPJ system to brain and spinal cord cavernous malformations. METHODS Four patients (2 women and 2 men, mean age 44.5 years) with brain (n = 3) and spinal cord (n = 1) cavernous malformations were enrolled in the study. All surgeries were performed with the aid of the ADPJ system. Postoperative neurological function and radiological findings were evaluated. RESULTS The ADPJ system was useful in dissecting boundaries between the lesion and surrounding brain/spinal cord tissues. The pulsed water jet provided a clear surgical view and helped surgeons follow the margins. Water jet dissection peeled off the brain and spinal cord tissues from the lesion wall. Surrounding gliotic tissue was preserved. As a consequence, the cavernous malformations were successfully removed. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging confirmed total removal of lesions in all cases. Preoperative neurological symptoms completely resolved in 2 patients. The others experienced partial recovery. No patients developed new postoperative neurological deficits; facial palsy temporarily worsened in 1 patient who underwent a suprafacial colliculus approach for the brainstem lesion. CONCLUSION The ADPJ provided a clear surgical field and enabled surgeons to dissect boundaries between lesions and surrounding brain and spinal cord gliotic tissue. The ADPJ system is a feasible option for cavernous malformation surgery, enabling successful tumor removal and preservation of neurological function.

scholarly journals Spontaneous resolution of idiopathic thoracic spinal cord herniation: case report

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 306-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nardin Samuel ◽  
Christina L. Goldstein ◽  
Carlo Santaguida ◽  
Michael G. Fehlings
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Neurological Impairment ◽  
Primary Treatment ◽  
Spontaneous Resolution ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Thoracic Myelopathy ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
Spinal Cord Herniation ◽  
Idiopathic Spinal Cord Herniation

Spinal cord herniation is a relatively rare but increasingly recognized clinical entity, with fewer than 200 cases reported in the literature to date. The etiology of this condition remains unknown, and surgery is used as the primary treatment to correct the herniation and consequent spinal cord compromise. Some patients without clinical progression have been treated with nonoperative measures, including careful follow-up and symptomatic physical therapy. To date, however, there has been no published report on the resolution of spinal cord herniation without surgical intervention. The patient in the featured case is a 58-year-old man who presented with mild thoracic myelopathy and imaging findings consistent with idiopathic spinal cord herniation. Surprisingly, updated MRI studies, obtained to better delineate the pathology, showed spontaneous resolution of the herniation. Subsequent MRI 6 months later revealed continued resolution of the previous spinal cord herniation. This is the first report of spontaneous resolution of a spinal cord herniation in the literature. At present, the treatment of this disorder is individualized, with microsurgical correction used in patients with progressive neurological impairment. The featured case highlights the potential variability in the natural history of this condition and supports considering an initial trial of nonoperative management for patients with mild, nonprogressive neurological deficits.

Metastatic spinal tumors

2001 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert F. Heary ◽  
Christopher M. Bono
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Compression ◽  
External Beam Radiotherapy ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
Spinal Tumors ◽  
Surgical Approaches ◽  
Vascular Tumors ◽  
Preoperative Embolization ◽  
Intractable Pain ◽  
Primary Malignancy

Metastatic spinal tumors are the most common type of malignant lesions of the spine. Prompt diagnosis and identification of the primary malignancy is crucial to overall treatment. Numerous factors affect outcome including the nature of the primary cancer, the number of lesions, the presence of distant nonskeletal metastases, and the presence and/or severity of spinal cord compression. Initial management consists of chemotherapy, external beam radiotherapy, and external orthoses. Surgical intervention must be carefully considered in each case. Patients expected to live longer than 12 weeks should be considered as candidates for surgery. Indications for surgery include intractable pain, spinal cord compression, and the need for stabilization of impending pathological fractures. Whereas various surgical approaches have been advocated, anterior-approach surgery is the most accepted procedure for spinal cord decompression. Posterior approaches have also been used with success, but they require longer-length fusion. To obtain a stable fixation, the placement of instrumentation, in conjunction with judicious use of polymethylmethacrylate augmentation, is crucial. Preoperative embolization should be considered in patients with extremely vascular tumors such as renal cell carcinoma. Vertebroplasty, a newly described procedure in which the metastatic spinal lesions are treated via a percutaneous approach, may be indicated in selected cases of intractable pain caused by non- or minimally fractured vertebrae.

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