Analysis of Risk Factors and Management of Cerebrospinal Fluid Morbidity in the Treatment of Spinal Dysraphism

OBJECTIVE: Spinal dysraphism defects span wide spectrum. Wound dehiscence is a common postoperative complication, and is a challenge in the current management of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and wound healing. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the risks of CSF-related morbidity in the surgical treatment of spinal dysraphism. METHODS: Ten patients with spinal dysraphism were included in this retrospective study. The median age of the cohort was 4.8 months. To assess the risk of CSF morbidity, we measured the skin lesion area and the percentage of the skin lesion area relative to the back surface for each patient. We then analyzed the relationship between morbidity and the measured skin lesion area or related factors. RESULTS: The overall median skin lesion area was 36.2 cm2 (n=10). The percentage of the skin lesion area relative to the back surface ranged from 0.6% to 18.1%. During surgical reconstruction, 4 patients required subsequent operations to repair CSF morbidity. The comparison of the mean area of skin lesions between the CSF morbidity group and the non-CSF morbidity group was statistically significant (average volume skin lesion of 64.4+/-32.5 cm2 versus 27.7+/-27.8 cm2, p<0.05). CSF morbidity tended to occur either when the skin lesion area was up to 44.2 cm2 or there was preexisting fibrosis before revision with an accompanying broad-based dural defect. CONCLUSION: Measuring the lesion area, including the skin, dura, and related surgical parameters, offers useful information for predicting wound challenges and selecting appropriate reconstructive surgery methods.

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.

Coexistence of Subcutaneous Dermoid Cyst and Lipomyelomeningocele

Although lipomyelomeningocele and dermoid cyst are formed during a similar embryologic developmental stage of 'neural tube formation', they are caused by entirely different embryologic mechanisms. We encountered a case, which has not been previously reported, that had a lumbar subcutaneous dermoid cyst associated with lipomyelomeningocele. A 52-year-old man presented with a slowly growing lumbar mass of 3 years duration, which had been present since birth. Lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) showed lipomyelomeningocele at the L3, 4 and 5 levels and a subcutaneous cystic mass of high signal intensity on the T2 weighted image and iso or low signal intensity on the T1 weighted image. He underwent total resection of the lumbar subcutaneous mass. Intraoperative findings and histological examination were consistent with the preoperative diagnosis of a' dermoid cyst.' We demonstrate that the formation of a dermoid cyst might coexist with lipomyelomeningocele during the embryologic developmental stage.

Lipomyelomeningocele with Thoracic Spinal Cord Tumor in VATER Association: A case report

VATER association represents vertebral defects, anal atresia, tracheo-esophageal fistula with esophageal atresia, renal abnormalities and radial limb dysplasia. The probability of the simultaneous occurrence of any three of these defects is so unlikely that it suggests a sporadic non-random association. This non-random association appears to be related to mesodermal defects in early developmental period. We experienced one case of VATER association in 21 months old male child having vertebral anomalies with severe scoliosis, rib defects, imperforated anus, right renal agenesis, lipomyelomeningocele, spinal cord tumor. We reported a case of VATER association with brief review of related literature.

Evaluation of Urodynamic Study and Somatosensory Evoked Potentials before and after Operation in Children with Lipomyelomeningocele / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To evaluate prourodynamic study and somatosensory evoked potentials(SEPs)before and after operation of children with lipomyelomeningocele(LMMC)and its clinical significance.Methods Urodynamic study(UDS)and SEPs in 31 cases of LMMC who underwent microsurgical release within 1 week preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively were conducted.The 4 parameters used for UDS evaluation were bladder volume,compliance,detrusor activity and residual urine;parameters used for SEPs evaluation were latent period and amplitude.Results There was a statistics significant difference between operation and control group;the similar result was attented in the comparison of before and after operation,also in the comprison of the improved group and the group without improvement after operation.Conclusions UDS and SEPs investigation can provide guidance for the treatment of tethered cord syndrome(TCS)and evaluate clinical prognosis.These cases with the severity changing in UDS and somatosensory shall be avoided unnecessary action in operation.

Lipomyelomeningocele: Clinical analysis of 14 Cases

Lipomyelomeningocele is the most common malformation leading to spinal cord tethering. Nonetheless, these lesion continues to pose a challenge in patient management. The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical feature, candidate for surgical repair, and outcome of lipomyelomeningocele in young children and adults. We studied the magnetic resonance images and/or lumbar myelo-CT of lipomyelomeningocele performed between January 1987 and September 1995 at our institutions and reviewed the pertinent medical records and radiologic stuies to detemine clinical feature, surgical candidate, and outcomes of these patients. Of the 14 cases(11 female and 3 males) studied, the most common factor that caused these patients to seek help was the cosmetic effect of the mass on their back, followed by urinary incontinence, and weakness of lower extremities. The patients' age ranged from 2 months to 21 years(mean, 5.0 years). All the patients underwent immediate surgical management that consisted of removal of lipoma, untethering of the cord, and complete dural sac repair. Follow up for these patients ranged from 6 to 82 months(median, 54 mo). None of the patients that underwent surgical correction before the emergence of neurological deficit had ever developed neurological deficits or uninary incontinence at the time of surgery, improved significantly. In conclusion, early detection and prophylactic surgery is imperative to prevent permanent neurological deficits and urinary dysfunction.