scholarly journals Neurosurgery guidelines for the care of people with spina bifida

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 467-477
Author(s):  
Jeffrey P. Blount ◽  
Robin Bowman ◽  
Mark S. Dias ◽  
Betsy Hopson ◽  
Michael D. Partington ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Outcome Analysis ◽  
Third Ventriculostomy ◽  
Tethered Spinal Cord ◽  
Structural Abnormalities ◽  
Maternal Risks ◽  
Chiari Ii ◽  
Related Stress

Myelomeningocele (MMC) arises from an early neural developmental anomaly and results in a variety of structural abnormalities and associated functional neurologic deficits. As such, neurologic issues are central to virtually all clinical problems. Neurosurgical intervention strives to correct or improve these defects and prevent secondary complications. These interventions include closure of the open myelomeningocele and management (across the life span) of hydrocephalus, the Chiari II malformation (C2M) and tethered spinal cord (TSC). The development of pre-natal closure techniques and reports of improved outcome with in-utero closure (IUMC) have revolutionized the neurosurgical approach to myelomeningocele. Controversies remain surrounding patient selection, maternal risks, technique of IUMC (endoscopic vs. open) and long-term outcomes. However, real gains include reduced rates of hydrocephalus, modestly improved motor capabilities and reduction in C2M morbidity. For many decades, the cornerstone of treatment of hydrocephalus for many decades has been the placement and support of ventricular shunts. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) with or without choroid plexus coagulation (ETV/CPC) is an appealing alternate strategy that avoids the morbidity and complications associated with shunts. The exact criteria for ETV-CPC candidacy and best metrics for outcome analysis remain active areas of debate and controversy. Similarly, neurosurgical management C2M, has centered upon the indications and clinical thresholds for performing posterior fossa surgical decompression. Tethered spinal cord management incorporates the diagnosis and surgical management of adhesions formed at the initial closure site, the consequent longitudinal traction related stress on the cord and the resulting neurologic signs and symptoms.

Congenital tethered spinal cord syndrome in adults

1998 ◽  
Vol 88 (6) ◽  
pp. 958-961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bermans J. Iskandar ◽  
Benjamin B. Fulmer ◽  
Mark N. Hadley ◽  
W. Jerry Oakes
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Tethered Cord ◽  
Tethered Cord Syndrome ◽  
Early Surgery ◽  
Split Cord Malformation ◽  
Tethered Spinal Cord ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The management of tethered spinal cord syndrome with onset of symptomatology occurring in adulthood remains controversial, although the necessity of early surgery in the pediatric tethered cord syndrome population is well established. To ascertain the results of surgery in adult patients with this anomaly, the authors undertook a retrospective review of 34 cases. Methods. The authors studied the hospital records of 34 consecutive patients who presented in adulthood with tethered cord syndrome and conducted follow-up phone interviews with 28 of them. The population consisted of 12 men and 22 women, ranging in age from 18 to 70 years (mean 34 years). The most common presenting feature was pain, followed by weakness and incontinence. All patients underwent surgery. The most common operative findings were tight filum terminale, split cord malformation, and lipomyelomeningocele, paralleling those observed in pediatric studies. Long-term surgical results and patient outcome ratings were encouraging. After a mean clinical follow-up period of 4 years, significant improvement occurred in 22 of 27 patients presenting with pain, 13 of 27 patients with motor or sensory dysfunction, and 11 of 18 patients with bowel and bladder disturbance. In addition, telephone interviews were obtained after a period of 8.6 years. Twenty-two (79%) of 28 patients called the operation a long-term success; 21 (75%) of 28 patients believed that they had significant postoperative improvement (and not just stabilization) in pain and/or neurological function. Surgical complications were generally minor. Nineteen (86%) of 22 employed patients returned to work after surgery. Two (33%) of six patients who were not employed before surgery worked full time postoperatively. Only two of the 28 patients interviewed had received Workers' Compensation benefits; both of these had good outcomes and returned to work. Conclusions. Tethered spinal cord syndrome in adults is an uncommon entity that can become symptomatic. Although surgery in adults involves greater risk of neurological injury than in children, it is a low-risk procedure with encouraging results. Because neurological deficits are generally irreversible, early surgery is recommended.

Microsurgical management of glomus spinal arteriovenous malformations: pial resection technique

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 523-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory J. Velat ◽  
Steve W. Chang ◽  
Adib A. Abla ◽  
Felipe C. Albuquerque ◽  
Cameron G. McDougall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Vascular Lesions ◽  
Morbidity Rate ◽  
Surgical Morbidity ◽  
Surgical Interventions ◽  
Spinal Arteriovenous Malformations

Object Intramedullary, or glomus, spinal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare vascular lesions amenable to resection with or without adjuvant embolization. The authors retrospectively reviewed the senior author's (R.F.S.'s) surgical series of intramedullary spinal AVMs to evaluate clinical and radiographic outcomes. Methods Detailed chart and radiographic reviews were performed for all patients with intramedullary spinal AVMs who underwent surgical treatment between 1994 and 2011. Presenting and follow-up neurological examination results were obtained and graded using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and McCormick Scale. Surgical technique, outcomes, complications, and long-term angiographic studies were reviewed. Results During the study period, 20 patients (10 males and 10 females) underwent resection of glomus spinal AVMs. The mean age at presentation was 30 ± 17 years (range 7–62 years). The location of the AVMs was as follows: cervical spine (n = 10), thoracic spine (n = 9), and cervicothoracic junction (n = 1). The most common presenting signs and symptoms included paresis or paralysis (65%), paresthesias (40%), and myelopathy (40%). Perioperative embolization was performed in the majority (60%) of patients. Pial AVM resection was performed in 17 cases (85%). Angiographically verified AVM obliteration was achieved in 15 patients (75%). At a mean follow-up duration of 45.4 ± 52.4 months (range 2–176 months), 14 patients (70%) remained functionally independent (mRS and McCormick Scale scores ≤ 2). One perioperative complication occurred, yielding a surgical morbidity rate of 5%. Three symptomatic spinal cord tetherings occurred at a mean of 5.7 years after AVM resection. No neurological decline was observed after endovascular and surgical interventions. No deaths occurred. Long-term angiographic follow-up data were available for 9 patients (40%) at a mean of 67.6 ± 60.3 months (range 5–176 months) following AVM resection. Durable AVM obliteration was documented in 5 (83%) of 6 patients. Conclusions Intramedullary AVMs may be safely resected with satisfactory clinical and angiographic results. The pial resection technique, which provides subtotal AVM nidus resection, effectively devascularized these lesions, as confirmed on postoperative angiography, without violating the spinal cord parenchyma, thereby potentially reducing iatrogenic injury.

scholarly journals Tethered Cord Syndrome

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-298
Author(s):  
Shawn Catmull ◽  
John Ashurst
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Emergency Physician ◽  
Cauda Equina Syndrome ◽  
Cauda Equina ◽  
Tethered Cord ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Conus Medullaris ◽  
Tethered Spinal Cord ◽  
Sensory Dysfunction

Tethered spinal cord syndrome refers to signs and symptoms of motor and sensory dysfunction related to increased tension on the spinal cord due to its abnormal attachment; it has classically been associated with a low-lying conus medullaris. Treatment is primarily surgical and has varying degrees of results. Although rarely diagnosed in the emergency department, the emergency physician must be aware of the disease in patients presenting with signs and symptoms concerning for cauda equina syndrome.

scholarly journals Congenital tethered spinal cord syndrome in adults

2001 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bermans J. Iskandar ◽  
Benjamin B. Fulmer ◽  
Mark N. Hadley ◽  
W. Jerry Oakes
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Tethered Cord ◽  
Tethered Cord Syndrome ◽  
Early Surgery ◽  
Split Cord Malformation ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Tethered Spinal Cord ◽  
Sensory Dysfunction

Object The management of tethered cord syndrome with onset of symptomatology occurring in adulthood remains controversial, although the necessity of early surgery in the pediatric tethered cord syndrome population is well established. To ascertain the results of surgery in adult patients with this anomaly, the authors undertook a retrospective review of 34 cases. Methods The authors studied the hospital records of 34 consecutive patients who presented in adulthood with tethered cord syndrome and conducted follow-up phone interviews with 28 of them. The population consisted of 12 men and 22 women, ranging in age from 18 to 70 years (mean 34 years). The most common presenting feature was pain, followed by weakness and incontinence. All patients underwent surgery. The most common operative findings were tight filum terminale, split cord malformation, and lipomyelomeningocele, paralleling those observed in pediatric studies. Long-term surgical results and patient outcome ratings were encouraging. After a mean clinical follow-up period of 4 years, significant improvement occurred in 22 of 27 patients presenting with pain, 13 of 27 patients with motor or sensory dysfunction, and 11 of 18 patients with bowel and bladder disturbance. In addition, telephone interviews were obtained after a period of 8.6 years. Twenty-two (79%) of 28 patients called the operation a long-term success; 21 (75%) of 28 patients believed that they had significant postoperative improvement (and not just stabilization) in pain and/or neurological function. Surgical complications were generally minor. Surgery-related complications included one cerebrospinal fluid leak and five pseudomeningoceles. Two patients complained of worsening motor or sensory dysfunction and one of worsening bladder dysfunction, whereas four patients experienced persistent pain and one complained of worsening pain postoperatively. According to the patients, the vast majority of these complications were minor. Nineteen (86%) of 22 employed patients returned to work after surgery. Two (33%) of six patients who were not employed before surgery worked full time postoperatively. Only two of the 28 patients interviewed had received Workers' Compensation benefits; both of these had good outcomes and returned to work. Conclusions Tethered spinal cord syndrome in adults is an uncommon entity that can become symptomatic. Although surgery in adults involves greater risk of neurological injury than in children, it is a low-risk procedure with encouraging results. Because neurological deficits are generally irreversible, early surgery is recommended.

Long-term functional outcome after untethering surgery for a tethered spinal cord in patients with anorectal malformations

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (9) ◽  
pp. 995-999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikihiro Inoue ◽  
Keiichi Uchida ◽  
Kohei Otake ◽  
Yuka Nagano ◽  
Tadanobu Shimura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Anorectal Malformations ◽  
Tethered Spinal Cord ◽  
Untethering Surgery

The horizontal sacrum as an indicator of the tethered spinal cord in spina bifida aperta and occulta

2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Shane Tubbs ◽  
Cuong J. Bui ◽  
Marios Loukas ◽  
Mohammadali M. Shoja ◽  
W. Jerry Oakes
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spina Bifida ◽  
Closed Form ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Tethered Spinal Cord ◽  
Spina Bifida Aperta

Object The authors report on symptomatic patients with myelomeningocele (MMC) and lipomyelomeningocele (LMMC) who were found to have changes in their lumbosacral angle (LSA) corresponding to the onset of symptoms indicative of a tethered spinal cord. Methods The authors review data obtained in these two cohorts of patients and compare the LSAs measured in the perinatal period with those seen when the patients presented with symptoms of a tethered spinal cord. Results Children with LMMC, roughly one third of studied cases, were symptomatic due to a tethered spinal cord at their most recent follow-up. In children in whom the MMC was the closed form at birth, 20 of 30 had symptoms that could be indicative of a tethered spinal cord at their most recent follow-up. The LSA was altered in both groups with symptoms. Conclusions Signs and symptoms indicative of a tethered spinal cord appear to correspond to increases in the LSA.

Three year results of endovascular therapy with a new generation nitinol stent for femoro-popliteal artery lesions - a single-center outcome analysis of a subcohort of MISAGO 2 study

VASA ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 340-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Kralj ◽  
Irene Boos ◽  
Uwe Müller-Bühl
Keyword(s):  
Popliteal Artery ◽  
Clinical Success ◽  
Ankle Brachial Index ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Outcome Analysis ◽  
Stent Fracture ◽  
Nitinol Stent ◽  
New Generation ◽  
Stent Stenosis

Background: Advances in stent technology have widened the field of indications for stent treatment of femoro-popliteal artery lesions, however the use of stents in bending arterial segments is restricted because some first- and second-generation nitinol stent designs did not respond well to the mechanical forces of femoro-popliteal segments in motion which pose a substantial risk of stent fracture inducing in-stent-stenosis. New generation nitinol stents are supposed to overcome these limitations but long-term results are rare. Patients and methods: In forty-five patients (mean age 68 y, range 50 - 85) with peripheral arterial disease (TASC II A-C, Rutherford category 2 - 5) forty-six lesions of the superficial femoral artery (37) or popliteal artery (9) were treated [25 high-grade stenoses, mean length 53 mm (range 30 - 145 mm); 21 chronic total occlusions, mean length 74 mm (range 30 - 180 mm)]. 74 % of lesions were located in the mobile bending arterial segments in the distal femoral or the popliteal segment. Clinical reevaluation performed at discharge, at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months included at least the measurement of ankle-brachial index (ABI) and duplex sonography. Results: Procedural success rate was 100 %. At 6, 12, 24, and 36 months, cumulative primary patency rate was 93.5 %, 84.8 %, 80.5 %, and 74.3 % (SE<10); freedom from target lesion revascularization rate was 95.7 %, 89.2 %, 84.9 %, and 79.3 % (SE<10); Rutherford category and ABI improved in all patients and clinical success was maintained in more than 85 % of patients. Conclusions: Sustained technical and clinical success and good clinical long-term results were achieved with Misago™ nitinol stent implantation in femoro-popliteal lesions with moderate risk for in-stent-stenosis, and in the distal femoral and popliteal mobile segment.

Long-Term Follow-Up After Spinal Cord Injury in Canada

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark I. Tonack ◽  
Sander L. Hitzig ◽  
B. Catharine Craven ◽  
Kent A. Campbell ◽  
Kathryn A. Boschen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Long Term Follow Up

OPEN HAEMORRHOIDS SURGERY IN SPINAL CORD INJURY PATIENTS

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khaled Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Anal Fissure ◽  
Open Surgery ◽  
Anal Fissures ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Grade Iii

This Pilot retrospective research conducted on the results of open surgery in patients with Grade III and IV haemorrhoids With SCI. No major complications had arisen at 6 weeks post-operative and all wounds had healed, but 1 patient Anal fissure recurrence. 75% of patients reported a substantial increase in anorectal anorexia during long-term follow-up. With symptoms. Five patients reported recurrences: three haemorrhoids (18 percent) and two anal fissures (25 percent).   Keywords: Haemorrhoids, Pilot retrospective research, Anorectal Anorexia.

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