Foraminoplastic Superior Vertebral Notch Approach with Reamers in Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy : Technical Note and Clinical Outcome in Limited Indications of Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy

To describe the details of the foraminoplastic superior vertebral notch approach (FSVNA) with reamers in percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) and to demonstrate the clinical outcomes in limited indications of PELD. Retrospective data were collected from 64 patients who underwent PELD with FSVNA from August 2012 to April 2014. Inclusion criteria were high grade migrated disc, high canal compromised disc, and disc protrusion combined with foraminal stenosis. The clinical outcomes were assessed using by the visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and modified MacNab criteria. Complications related to the surgery were reviewed. The procedure used a unique approach, using the superior vertebral notch as the target and performing foraminoplasty with only reamers under C-arm control. The mean age of the 55 female and 32 male patients was 52.73 years. The mean F/U period was 12.2+/-4.2 months. Preoperative VAS (8.24+/-1.25) and ODI (67.8+/-15.4) score improved significantly at the last follow-up (VAS, 1.93+/-1.78; ODI, 17.14+/-15.7). Based on the modified MacNab criteria, excellent or good results were obtained in 95.3% of the patients. Postoperative transient dysthesia (n=2) and reoperation (n=1) due to recurred disc were reported. PELD with FSVNA could be a good method for treating lumbar disc herniation. This procedure may offer safe and efficacious results, especially in the relatively limited indications for PELD.

Radicular Compression by Intraspinal Epidural Gas Bubble Occurred in Distant Two Levels after Lumbar Microdiscectomy

The authors report a case of symptomatic epidural gas accumulation 2 weeks after the multi-level lumbar surgery, causing postoperative recurrent radiculopathy. The accumulation of epidural gas compressing the dural sac and nerve root was demonstrated by CT and MRI at the distant two levels, L3-4 and L5-S1, where vacuum in disc space was observed preoperatively and both laminectomy and discectomy had been done. However, postoperative air was not identified at L4-5 level where only laminectomy had been done in same surgical field, which suggested the relationship between postoperative epidural gas and the manipulation of disc structure. Conservative treatment and needle aspiration was performed, but not effective to relieve patient's symptoms. The patient underwent revision surgery to remove the gaseous cyst. Her leg pain was improved after the second operation.

Tethered Cord Syndrome ; Surgical Indication, Technique and Outcome

OBJECTIVE: The authors tried to reveal some unique features of lipomeningomyelocele (LMMC), including clinical presentation, factors precipitating onset of symptoms, pathologic entities of LMMC associated with tethered cord syndrome, and surgical outcome in LMMC patients. METHODS: Seventy-five patients with LMMC were enrolled in this study. Neuro-imaging and intraoperative findings allowed classification of LMMC into three Types. The patients were divided into two groups by age : A (51 patients), from birth to 3 years, and B (24 patients), from 3 to 24 years. For prevention of retethering of the cord, a mega-dural sac rebuilding procedure was performed in 15 patients. RESULTS: During a mean postoperative follow-up period of 4 years, the surgical outcome was satisfactory in terms of improved pain and motor weakness, but disappointing with reference to the resolution of bowel and bladder dysfunction. Among these 75 patients with LMMC, preoperative deficits were improved after surgery in 29 (39%), remained stable in 28 (37%), changed slightly in 13 (17%), and worsened in 5 (7%). Patients in group A achieved better outcomes than those in group B. Depending on the type of lesion, patients with types I and II LMMC have better outcomes than those with type III LMMC. Finally, retethering of the cord with neurological deterioration occurred in 4 (5.3%) of the 75 patients, but no retethering was found in the 15 patients who were recently treated with a mega-dural sac rebuilding procedure. CONCLUSION: Our data continue to support the opinion that early diagnosis and optimal surgery are still essential for the treatment of patients with LMMC, since there is a high likelihood of residual neurological functions that can be preserved. Based on our surgical experience of untethering and decompression of lipomas, a mega-dural sac repair is useful to prevent retethering of the cord.

Endoscopic Spinal Surgery for Herniated Lumbar Discs

OBJECTIVE: So called "minimally invasive procedures" have evolved from chemonucleolysis, automated percutaneous discectomy, arthroscopic microdiscectomy that are mainly working within the confines of intradiscal space to transforaminal endoscopic technique to remove herniated epidural disc materials directly. The purpose of this study is to assess the result of endoscopic spinal surgery and favorable indications in the thoracolumbar spine. METHODS: The records of 71 patients, 73 endoscopic procedures, were retrospectively analysed. Yeung Endoscopic Spine Surgery system with 7 mm working sleeve and 25degrees viewing angle was used. The mean follow up period was 6 months (range,3-9). RESULTS: Operated levels were from T12-L1 disc down to L5-L6 or S1 disc. Of 71 cases, 2 patients underwent transforaminal endoscopic surgery twice due to recurrence after initial operation. MacNab's criteria was used to assess the outcome. Favorable outcome, excellent or good, was seen in 78% (57 procedures) of the patients. Among 11 fair outcomes, only 1 procedure was followed by secondary open procedure, laminectomy with discectomy. Two of 5 poor outcomes were operated again by same procedure which resulted in fair outcomes. One patient with aggravated cauda equina syndrome remained poor and a lumbar fusion procedure was performed in other patient with poor outcome. There were 2 postoperative discitis that were treated with conservative care in one and anterior lumbar interbody fusion in the other. CONCLUSION: Evolving technology of mechanical, visual instrument enables minimal invasive procedure possible and effective. The transforaminal endoscopic spinal surgery can reach as high as T12-L1 disc level. The rate of favorable outcome is mid-range among reported endoscopic lumbar surgery series. Authors believe that the outcome will be better as cases accumulate and will be able to reach the rate of standard open microsurgery.

Endocrinological Results of the Transsphenoidal Microsurgery for Cushing's Disease

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the clinical and endocrinological results of the transsphenoidal microsurgery for ACTH secreting pituitary adenomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 1995 to August 2000, 18 patients underwent transsphenoidal microsurgery for Cushing's disease. We analyzed the surgical results of 17 patients, one patient who was previously operated from other hospital was excluded. Age of the patients were 18 to 61 years old(mean 37.7), male to female ratio was 1: 3.3, and follow-up period was 3 to 50 months(mean 20.3). The selection of candidates for transsphenoidal exploration was based on endocrinologic criteria. Magnetic resonance imaging was the preferred radiologic test. Selective inferior petrosal sinus sampling of adrenocorticotropic hormone futher refined the diagnosis when endocrinologic and radiologic procedures were not definitive. RESULTS: Results of the preoperative endocrinological test were: level of serum ACTH 29.4 to 225ng/dL(mean 93.88ng/dL); serum cortisol 11.9 to 47.5ng/dL(mean 27.49ng/dL); 24-hour urine free cortisol 235 to 1019ng/day(mean 571.0ng/day). Inferior petrosal sinus sampling for ACTH was performed in 11 patients and all were confirmed by Cushing's disease and we could predict the laterality of the tumor in 9 of 11 patients. We performed transsphenoidal selective adenomectomy in 5 patients, adenomectomy and subtotal hypophysectomy in 2 patients, adenomectomy and partial hypophysectomy in 9 patients, and in the remaining one patient, hemihypophysectomy followed by total hypophysectomy due to remission failure. Fifteen of 17 patients(88.2%) showed endocrinological remission. Glucocorticoid replacement therapy was performed in all the patients who showed remission for 1 to 24 months(mean 5.9 months), and 6 patients received steroid over 6 months. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the direct demonstration of a tumor in the pituitary gland by MRI is the most important and definitive diagnostic tool and the location of a mass should be confirmed with increased level of ACTH by the inferior petrosal sinus sampling. Transsphenoidal microsurgery is effective treatment modality for Cushing's disease and the immediate postoperative evaluation of the surgical resection of the tumor is very important. The patients should show hypocortisolism, decreased, subnormal serum ACTH and cortisol levels and 24-hours urine free cortisol. We performed 18 transsphenoidal microsurgery for Cushing's disease in 17 patients and 15 patients(88.2%) showed endocrinological remission.

Surgical Tacties for Large Sellar and Parasellar Tumors

We analyzed 56 operations in 45 patients with sellar and parasellar tumors from March, 1990 to May, 1995, to evaluate the determining factors in selecting the surgical approaches for large and giant sellar and suprasellar tumors, based on clinical, endocrinological and radiological findings. The definition of "large" is when the longest diameter of the tumor is more than 20mm on radiographic studies and the term "small" is applied to tumor of diameter below 19mm. The results were as follows: 1) Number of the patients with small tumor was 14(31.1%) and all of them were treated with single stage transsphenoidal approach, and 42 operations were performed in 31(68.9%) patients with large tumors. 2) The approaches for large tumors were: transsphenoidal approach in 32 cases: pterional approach 5 cases: subfrontal interhemispheric approach 4 cases; and subfrontal paramedian approach 1 case. 3) The rate of complete removal for large and giant tumors in the first operation was 29.0%; in second operation, 72.7%; overall the rate was 54.8%. 4) Complications were; transient type diabetes insipidus in 24 cases; meningitis 2 cases; hypothalamic injury 3 cases; CSF rhinorrhea 1 case; and cerebral infarction 1 case; and death 1 case. 5) There was significant relationship between the size of the tumor and tumor types(p0.05) but not wih destruction of the sellar floor(p0.05). 7) In case of incomplete removal with first transsphenoidal approach, a second operation seems to be helpful. 8) In second stage transcranial approach following first transsphenoidal approach, it is easier to remove the tumor due to the decreased tumor size and thus, a reduced need for marked brain retraction. From our findings, we suggest guidelines in choosing the surgical approach for sellar and parasellar tumors as follows: 1) Many of the tumors in the sellae and suprasellar area can be removed successfully by transsphenoidal approach. 2) Taranssphenoidal approach can be repeated safely in stage O, A, B and C, if the diaphragm sella remains intact. 3) Tanscranial approach is recommended primarily in stage D & E, if intrasellar portion of the tumor is not significant or opening of the diaphragm sella is narrow. 4) Transsphenoidal approach followed by transcranial approach is adequate in stage D & E, if significant amount of the tumor remaining in the sella or sellar floor is severely destructed(Grage III, IV).

Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest for the Management of Complex Basilar tip Aneurysm with Moyamoya Disease

Giant and complex aneurysm of the posterior circulation can pose several technical challenges with high operative morbidity. Recent advances in cardiac surgery have raised interest in the technique of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest for the management of giant and complex intracranial aneurysms of posterior circulation. The criteria for selecting patients for this procedure can be based on a preoperative analysis of available studies that suggests high risk with standard intervention. Using the technique of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, we have successfully operated on a case of complex basilar tip aneurysm with MoyaMoya disease resulting in no significant neurological complications. We therefore suggest that patients with giant and complex intracranial aneurysms of posterior circulation might benefit from the use of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest technique.

A Study on the Effect of Temporary Clipping on Surgical Outcome of Cerebral Aneurysms

The author analyzed the postoperative results in 96 patients who underwent temporary clipping during cerebral aneurysm surgery from July, 1990 to April, 1995. 1) The overall outcome were as follows:excellent(55.2%), good(21.9%), poor(16.7%), dead(6.3%) and its results were relatively similar to those of the patients who did not have the temporary clipping. 2) The patients were divided into 4 groups according to the site of the temporary clip application. The safe durations of temporary clipping were as follows:In the 1) anterior cerebral artery clipping group, 5 minutes for Hunt-Hess grade 1 & 2 patients and 2 minutes and 30 seconds for Hunt-Hess grade 3 & 4 patients, In the 2) middle cerebral artery clipping group, 5 minutes;In the 3) internal carotid artery clipping group, 5 minutes in Hunt-Hess grade 1 & 2 and 2 minutes for Hunt-Hess grade 3 & 4;The only one patient in the 4) basilar artery clipping group showed excellent outcome after 3 minutes of temporary clipping. Therefore, we concluded that the temporary clipping tecnique would be very useful to dissect the aneurysmal neck, to prevent and control the premature rupture without influencing the outcome. Furthermore, use of the cerebral protective agent, intraoperative cerebral blood flow monitoring and avoidance of excessive and prolonged hypotension during cerebral aneurysm surgery might be very helpful for preventing the cerebral ischemia and increasing the safety duration of the temporary clipping.

Surgical Planning for Thoracolumar Spine Fracture

Many of the thoracolumbar spine fracture may be managed conservatively by postural reduction. But postural reduction alone cannot treat all the patient with thoracolumbar spine fracture properly. Recently, more patients with thoracolumbar spine fracture are managed surgically with the advance of surgical technique and instrument. Surgery may be performed by either anterior or posterior approach according to many factors. Generally initial management of patient with thoracolumbar spine fracture is conservative and surgery is delayed for spinal fusion, but early surgery with decompression of spinal cord and fusion of the vertebral body seems to be more proper in unstable fracture with compression of spinal cord by bony fragment and incomplete neurological deficit. Authors analyzed 52 cases of thoracolumbar spine fracture and made a proper management plan and proper surgical approach.

The Optimal Surgical Direction Concerning the Pterional Approach to the Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms

The anterior communicating artery is one of common sites of intracranial aneurysms, and the anterior communicating artery aneurysms are operated by pterional approach most commonly. Anatomical variation around anterior communicating artery is one of the limiting factors in surgery. Pterional approach can be made from either left or right side according to many factors, such as, dominant feeding artery, shape, size and direction of aneurysm, vascular anomaly and variation around anterior communicating artery, existence of hematoma, and multiple aneurysms. Authors analyzed 62 cases of anterior communicating artery aneurysm and discussed optimal surgical direction in pterional approach and evaluated the usefulness of position of bilateral A1-A2 junction in lateral compression angiogram. The results were as follows: 1) In the existence of another aneurysm in the carotid or middle cerebral artery, optimal surgical direction is to the side of another aneurysm. 2) Significant amount of hematoma should be considered in selecting the surgical direction. 3) If the aneurysm is large, thrombosed, and fundus is broad, the approach should be made to the side which facilitate the exposure of the neck of aneurysm first. 4) Right side approach has advantages that nondominant hemisphere is retracted and surgical manipulation is convenient with small craniotomy. 5) Exposure of the neck of the aneurysm and temporary clip is easier when approach is made along the main feeding artery. 6) Approach to the side of posteriorly placed A1-A2 junction can be another useful option in selecting optimal surgical direction.

Primary Pituitary Abscess: Case Report

Pituitary abscess may be caused by direct extension of contiguous infections from purulent sphenoid sinusitis, meningitis or cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis. It also develop after craniotomy or transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. In some cases, it was associated with primary pituitary tumor or cyst which were vulnerable to infection because of impaired circulation, areas of necrosis or local immunological impairment. Primary pituitary abscess may also occur without any preceding infection. Since the clinical features, computed tomographic findings, and laboratory data of primary pituitary abscess were similar to pituitary tumor, preoperative diagnosis of pituitary abscess is difficult. Inhomogenous enhancement with central low density and focal bulge at the level of diaphragm was reported to be compatible with computed tomographic findings of pituitary abscess.