scholarly journals Spinal Nerves Schwannomas: Experience on 367 Cases—Historic Overview on How Clinical, Radiological, and Surgical Practices Have Changed over a Course of 60 Years

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacopo Lenzi ◽  
Giulio Anichini ◽  
Alessandro Landi ◽  
Alfonso Piciocchi ◽  
Emiliano Passacantilli ◽  
...  

Background.Spinal schwannomas are common benign spinal tumors. Their treatment has significantly evolved over the years, and preserving neurological functions has become one of the main treatment goals together with tumor resection.Study Design and Aims.Retrospective review focused on clinical assessment, treatment techniques, and outcomes.Methods.A retrospective study on our surgical series was performed. Clinical and operative data were analyzed. In regard to neurophysiologic monitoring, patients were retrospectively divided into two groups comparing the outcomes before and after introduction of routine intraoperative neurophysiology tests.Results.From 1951 to 2010, 367 patients overall were treated. Diagnosis was obtained using angiography and/or myelography (pre-CT era), MRI, or CT scan. A posterior spinal approach was used for most patients; complex approaches were adopted for treatment of giant/dumbbell tumors. A trend of neurophysiology monitoring decreasing the rate of post-op neurological deficits was observed but was not statistically significant enough to draft evidence-based conclusions.Conclusions.Clinical and radiological assessment of spinal schwannomas has markedly changed over the course of 50 years. Diagnostic tools have improved, and detection of recurrence has become way more sensitive. Neurophysiologic monitoring has become a useful intraoperative tool to guide resection and prevent post-op neurological impairment.

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 839-849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wataru Ishida ◽  
Joshua Casaos ◽  
Arun Chandra ◽  
Adam D’Sa ◽  
Seba Ramhmdani ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEWith the advent of intraoperative electrophysiological neuromonitoring (IONM), surgical outcomes of various neurosurgical pathologies, such as brain tumors and spinal deformities, have improved. However, its diagnostic and therapeutic value in resecting intradural extramedullary (ID-EM) spinal tumors has not been well documented in the literature. The objective of this study was to summarize the clinical results of IONM in patients with ID-EM spinal tumors.METHODSA retrospective patient database review identified 103 patients with ID-EM spinal tumors who underwent tumor resection with IONM (motor evoked potentials, somatosensory evoked potentials, and free-running electromyography) from January 2010 to December 2015. Patients were classified as those without any new neurological deficits at the 6-month follow-up (group A; n = 86) and those with new deficits (group B; n = 17). Baseline characteristics, clinical outcomes, and IONM findings were collected and statistically analyzed. In addition, a meta-analysis in compliance with the PRISMA guidelines was performed to estimate the overall pooled diagnostic accuracy of IONM in ID-EM spinal tumor resection.RESULTSNo intergroup differences were discovered between the groups regarding baseline characteristics and operative data. In multivariate analysis, significant IONM changes (p < 0.001) and tumor location (thoracic vs others, p = 0.018) were associated with new neurological deficits at the 6-month follow-up. In predicting these changes, IONM yielded a sensitivity of 82.4% (14/17), specificity of 90.7% (78/86), positive predictive value (PPV) of 63.6% (14/22), negative predictive value (NPV) of 96.3% (78/81), and area under the curve (AUC) of 0.893. The diagnostic value slightly decreased in patients with schwannomas (AUC = 0.875) and thoracic tumors (AUC = 0.842). Among 81 patients who did not demonstrate significant IONM changes at the end of surgery, 19 patients (23.5%) exhibited temporary intraoperative exacerbation of IONM signals, which were recovered by interruption of surgical maneuvers; none of these patients developed new neurological deficits postoperatively. Including the present study, 5 articles encompassing 323 patients were eligible for this meta-analysis, and the overall pooled diagnostic value of IONM was a sensitivity of 77.9%, a specificity of 91.1%, PPV of 56.7%, and NPV of 95.7%.CONCLUSIONSIONM for the resection of ID-EM spinal tumors is a reasonable modality to predict new postoperative neurological deficits at the 6-month follow-up. Future prospective studies are warranted to further elucidate its diagnostic and therapeutic utility.


2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. E13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrei F. Joaquim ◽  
K. Daniel Riew

Management of intradural spinal tumors requires posterior decompressive techniques. Cervical spine deformity secondary to sagittal and/or coronal imbalance after a laminectomy may result in significant cervical pain and functional deterioration, as well as neurological deficits in the most severe cases. In this paper, the authors discuss the management of cervical spine deformity after intradural tumor resection, with emphasis on the surgical strategies required to reestablish acceptable cervical spine alignment and to correct postoperative deformity. In general, after an oncological evaluation, assessing the alignment, extent, and flexibility of the deformity is mandatory before surgical planning. Rigid deformities require an osteotomy and, most often, combined approaches to restore cervical alignment. Flexible deformities can often be treated with a single approach, although a circumferential approach has its advantages.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-78
Author(s):  
Sean M. Barber ◽  
Sanjay Konakondla ◽  
Jonathan Nakhla ◽  
Jared S. Fridley ◽  
Jimmy Xia ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEOncological outcomes for many malignant primary spinal tumors and isolated spinal metastases have been shown to correlate with extent of resection. For tumors with dural involvement, some authors have described spinal dural resection at the time of tumor resection in the interest of improving oncological outcomes. The complication profile associated with resection of the spinal dura for oncological purposes, however, and the relative influence of resecting tumor-involved dura on progression-free survival are not well defined. The authors performed a systematic review of the literature and identified cases in which the spinal dura was resected for oncological purposes in the interest of better understanding the associated risks and outcomes of this technique.METHODSElectronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus) were systematically searched to identify studies that reported clinical and/or oncological outcomes of patients with malignant spinal neoplasms undergoing resection of tumor-involved dura at the time of surgical intervention.RESULTSTen articles describing 15 patients were included in the analysis. The most common tumor histologies were chordoma (3/15, 20%), giant cell tumor (3/15, 20%), epithelioid sarcoma (2/15, 13.3%), osteosarcoma (2/15, 13.3%), and metastasis (2/15, 13.3%). Procedure-related complications were reported in 40% of patients. A trend was seen toward an increased complication rate in redo (66.7%) versus index (16.7%) operations, but this trend did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.24). New, unexpected postoperative neurological deficits were seen in 3 patients (of 14 reporting, 21.4%). A single patient experienced a profound, unexpected neurological deterioration (paraparesis/paraplegia) after surgery, which reportedly improved considerably at latest follow-up. Tumor recurrence was seen in 3 cases (of 12 reporting, 25%) at a mean of 28.34 ± 21.1 months postoperatively. The overall mean radiographic follow-up period was 49.6 ± 36.5 months.CONCLUSIONSResection of the spinal dura for oncological purposes is rarely performed, although a limited number of reports and small series have demonstrated that it is feasible. Spinal dural resection is primarily performed in patients with isolated, primary spinal neoplasms with an intent to cure. The risk associated with spinal dura resection is nontrivial and the complication profile is significant. The influence of dural resection on oncological outcomes is not well defined, and further study is needed before definitive conclusions may be drawn regarding the oncological benefit of dural resection for any particular patient or pathology.


2001 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hahnah Kasowski ◽  
Joseph M. Piepmeier

Tumors that arise within the ventricles present a unique surgical challenge. Because of their deep location, relatively large size, and their association with hydrocephalus, surgical planning requires a careful assessment of the optimal method to access the lesion and to provide adequate exposure for tumor resection. The transcallosal approach to the lateral ventricles often is the best procedure by which to achieve these goals. Partial sectioning of the corpus callosum does not cause significant neurological deficits; however, if the surgery induces additional brain injury, the neurological deficits can be more severe in the presence of a callosotomy. Knowledge of the techniques of transcallosal surgery and careful preoperative planning can reduce the risk of permanent neurological impairment; these range from protection of the cortical veins that drain into the superior sagittal sinus to brain relaxation and ventricular drainage, as well as proper identification of anatomical landmarks within the ventricle. The transcallosal approach can offer a relatively easy access to the lateral and third ventricles, and with proper planning it can reduce the morbidity associated with resection of lesions within these compartments.


2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-8
Author(s):  
Lorne Direnfeld ◽  
Christopher R. Brigham ◽  
Elizabeth Genovese

Abstract The AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides), does not provide a Diagnosis-based estimate of impairment due to syringomyelia, a disorder in which a cyst (syrinx), develops within the central spinal cord and destroys neural tissue as it expands. The AMA Guides, however, does provide an approach to rating a syringomyelia based on objective findings of neurological deficits identified during a neurological examination and demonstrated by standard diagnostic techniques. Syringomelia may occur after spinal cord trauma, including a contusion of the cord. A case study illustrates the rating process: The case patient is a 46-year-old male who fell backwards, landing on his upper back and head; over a five-year period he received a T5-6 laminectomy and later partial corpectomies of C5, C6, and C7, cervical discectomy C5-6 and C6-7; iliac crest strut graft fusion of C5-6 and C6-7; and anterior cervical plating of C5 to C7 for treatment of myelopathy; postoperatively, the patient developed dysphagia. The evaluating physician should determine which conditions are ratable, rate each of these components, and combine the resulting whole person impairments without omission or duplication of a ratable impairment. The article includes a pain disability questionnaire that can be used in conjunction with evaluations conducted according to Chapter 3, Pain, and Chapter 17, The Spine.


Phlebologie ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (02) ◽  
pp. 104-111
Author(s):  
J. L. Villavicencio

Summary Objective: To increase awareness on the severe impact of the nutcracker syndrome in women with undiagnosed disease. Patients and methods: We reviewed the medical literature and analyzed six representative series with 73 patients with nutcracker syndrome. Women with left flank pain, dyspareunia, dysuria, dysmenorrhea, micro- or macrohaematuria and pelvic congestion symptoms, should be carefully investigated for evidence of meso aortic left renal vein compression. A good number of our colleagues do not believe in the existence of the nutcracker syndrome and send these patients in a long pilgrimage in search of someone who can help them to get relief to their pain. New and improved imaging techniques can assist in the diagnosis but retrograde reno-gonadal phlebography and renocaval gradient are the most reliable diagnostic tools. Results: Among an assortment of treatment techniques, renal vein transposition and endovenous stenting were the two most commonly used procedures. There are no long term studies on renal vein stenting in children and young adults. Its use in these cases should be carefully considered. The nutcracker syndrome may present with pelvic congestion symptoms and its diagnosis missed. The patient's age, severity of symptoms and haemo dynamic renal studies should guide the treatment. Conclusion: An increased awareness of the existence of the nutcracker syndrome may prevent many unfortunate undiagnosed women from spending many months and often years of suffering.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-330
Author(s):  
E. S. Ovcharenko ◽  
V. V. Erichev ◽  
S. I. Risovannij ◽  
T. V. Aksenova ◽  
S. V. Melekhov ◽  
...  

Relevance. A long-term inflammation in the oral cavity, unreasonable treatment of periodontal patients with antibiotics cause imbalance between certain types of fungal-bacterial associations accompanied by oral dysbiosis and change of local immune status. So, development and application of new comprehensive diagnosis and treatment techniques in periodontal patients, use of products for correction of microbiota and local immunity are a current and a long-term task. Purpose is to optimize the comprehensive treatment protocol of inflammatory periodontal diseases by introducing probiotics and evaluation of oral microbiome and cytokine profile.Materials and methods. 140 patients were examined. Of these 60 patients had chronic generalized plaque-induced gingivitis and 60 patients suffered from moderate chronic generalized periodontitis. Bacterial and fungal microbiome was assessed and the host immune response was evaluated in all patients before and after the treatment. Half of the patients were treated conventionally and the other half were treated according to a modified scheme: probiotic “Bifidumbacterin Forte” was added.Results. A large number of yeast-like fungi Candida and commensal bacteria were detected in periodontal pockets of patients with chronic generalized plaque-induced gingivitis and moderate chronic generalized periodontitis. That correlates with a significant increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL—8), decrease of concentration of INF-γ and increase of antiinflammatory cytokine IL-4.Conclusion. Changes in clinical, microbiological and immunological values during a modified combination therapy with a probiotic and during a conventional treatment demonstrated that effectiveness of treatment of chronic gingivitis and chronic periodontitis increased by 40% and 37% respectively.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (22) ◽  
pp. 4784
Author(s):  
Vietsch ◽  
Peran ◽  
Suker ◽  
van den Bosch ◽  
Sijde ◽  
...  

Clinical follow-up aided by changes in the expression of circulating microRNAs (miRs) may improve prognostication of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients. Changes in 179 circulating miRs due to cancer progression in the transgenic KrasG12D/+; Trp53R172H/+; P48-Cre (KPC) animal model of PDAC were analyzed for serum miRs that are altered in metastatic disease. In addition, expression levels of 250 miRs were profiled before and after pancreaticoduodenectomy in the serum of two patients with resectable PDAC with different progression free survival (PFS) and analyzed for changes indicative of PDAC recurrence after resection. Three miRs that were upregulated ≥3-fold in progressive PDAC in both mice and patients were selected for validation in 26 additional PDAC patients before and after resection. We found that high serum miR-125b-5p and miR-99a-5p levels after resection are significantly associated with shorter PFS (HR 1.34 and HR 1.73 respectively). In situ hybridization for miR detection in the paired resected human PDAC tissues showed that miR-125b-5p and miR-99a-5p are highly expressed in inflammatory cells in the tumor stroma, located in clusters of CD79A expressing cells of the B-lymphocyte lineage. In conclusion, we found that circulating miR-125b-5p and miR-99a-5p are potential immune-cell related prognostic biomarkers in PDAC patients after surgery.


Author(s):  
Mizuho Inoue ◽  
Mohamed Labib ◽  
Alexander Yang ◽  
A. Samy Youssef

AbstractA case of a recurrent sphenocavernous meningioma is presented. The patient is a 42-year-old male who presented with an episode of transient right-sided numbness. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a large left sphenocavernous meningioma. The patient underwent a frontotemporal craniotomy for tumor resection. Near total resection was achieved with minimal residual in the left cavernous sinus (CS) and orbital apex. The pathology was consistent with meningioma, World Health Organization (WHO) grade I. A follow-up MRI was done 9 months after surgery and showed a growth of the residual tumor, which was treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy. Tumor growth was detected on serial imaging over a 4-year period. Surgical resection was offered. A left frontotemporal craniotomy with pretemporal transcavernous approach was performed. The bone flap was reopened and the dura was opened in a Y-shaped fashion. The roof of the optic canal was drilled off, and the falciform ligament was opened to decompress the optic nerve. The tumor was disconnected from the anterior clinoid region (the anterior clinoid process was eroded by the tumor) and reflected off the wall of the lateral CS. Tumor was adherent to the V2 fascicles (the lateral CS wall was resected in the first surgery) and was sharply dissected off. Gross total resection was achieved. The pathology was consistent with meningioma, WHO grade I. The patient had an unremarkable postoperative course without any new neurological deficits.The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/KVBVw_86JqM.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S658-S658
Author(s):  
Andrew H Karaba ◽  
Paul W Blair ◽  
Kevin M Martin ◽  
Mustapha O Saheed ◽  
Karen C Carroll ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Neuroinvasive West Nile Virus (WNV) often leads to prolonged neurological deficits and carries a high case fatality rate. The CSF IgM (MAC-ELISA) is preferred over the CSF nucleic acid-based test (NAAT) by the CDC due to its higher sensitivity. However, our hospital system was observed to have an over-utilization of NAAT testing compared with MAC-ELISA testing. The primary objective was to compare the number of MAC-ELISA and NAAT WNV tests ordered before and after a diagnostic stewardship intervention. The secondary objectives were to determine whether this change to lead to any cost savings and increased detection of probable cases of WNV-ND. Methods In an effort to increase the use of the MAC-ELISA and to decrease unnecessary NAAT testing, the NAAT test was removed in April 2018 from the test menu in the electronic health record of a health system comprising five hospitals in the Maryland and Washington, D.C. area. NAAT testing remained possible via a paper order form. This study was a retrospective review of WNV testing done on CSF samples from July 2016 through December 2018. The seasonal and yearly number of total tests, positive tests, and total costs were determined from the period of July, 2017 to April, 2018 and were compared with May, 2018 to January, 2019. A paired t-test was performed to evaluate for differences in total testing, total positives, and total costs during non-winter months before and after the intervention. Results A total of 12.59 MAC-ELISA tests/month (95% CI: 10.29, 14.89) increased to 41 tests/month (95% CI: 34.35, 47.65) which was significantly different (P < 0.001). In contrast, there were 46.23 NAAT tests/month (95% CI: 39.55, 52.91) which decreased to 0 NAAT tests/month after the intervention (P < 0.001). This resulted in an average decrease in WNV test spending from $7200 per month to $471 per month (P < 0.001). Preceding the intervention in test ordering, 0.23% of WNV CSF tests were positive (NAAT+MAC-ELISA) while 2.44% WNV CSF tests were positive after the intervention (P = 0.03). Conclusion Elimination of electronic WNV NAAT ordering is an effective way of decreasing inappropriate WNV NAAT testing, decreasing associated costs, and may lead to improved diagnosis of WNV-ND. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


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