Minimally invasive treatment of cervical1-2 epidural neurilemmoma / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the minimally invasive surgical method for cervical1-2 epidural neurilemmoma.@*METHODS@#The clinical features, imaging characteristics and surgical methods of 63 cases of cervical1-2 epidural neurilemmoma from July 2010 to December 2018 were reviewed and analyzed. Pain and numbness in occipitocervical region were the common clinical symptoms. There were 58 cases with pain, 30 cases with numbness, 3 cases with limb weakness and 2 cases with asymptomatic mass. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that the tumors located in the cervical1-2 epidural space with diameter of 1-3 cm. The equal or slightly lower T1 and equal or slightly higher T2 signals were found on MRI. The tumors had obvious enhancement. Individualized laminotomy was performed according to the location and size of the tumors, and axis spinous processes were preserved as far as possible. Resection of tumor was performed strictly within the capsule.@*RESULTS@#Total and subtotal resection of tumor were achieved in 60 and 3 cases respectively, and no vertebral artery injury was found. The operation time ranged from 60 to 180 minutes, with an average of 92.83 minutes. The hospitalization time ranged from 3 to 9 days, with an average of 5.97 days. All tumors were confirmed as neurilemmoma by pathology. There was no postoperative infection or cerebrospinal fluid leakage. There was no new-onset dysfunction except 9 cases of numbness in the nerve innervation area. The period of follow-up ranged from 6 months to 8 years (median: 3 years). All the new-onset dysfunction recovered completely. Pain disappeared in all of the 58 patients with pain. Numbness recovered completely in 27 patients while slight numbness remained in another 3 patients. Three patients with muscle weakness recovered completely. The spinal function of all the patients restored to McCormick grade Ⅰ. No recurrence was found on MRI. No cervical spine instability or deformity was found on X-rays.@*CONCLUSION@#It is feasible to resect cervical1-2 epidural neurilemmoma by full use of the anatomical space between atlas and axis and individual laminotomy. It is helpful to prevent cervical instability or deformity by minimizing the destruction of cervical2 bone and preserving normal muscle attachment to cervical2 spinous process. Strict intracapsular resection can effectively prevent vertebral artery injury.

CT and MRI Manifestations of Lumbar Spinal Epidural Angiolipoma / 中国医学影像学杂志

Purpose To investigate the imaging features of lumbar spinal epidural angiolipoma, and to improve the imaging diagnostic capability of the disease. Materials and Methods Four patients with lumbar spinal epidural angiolipoma confirmed by pathology were recruited in the study. CT and MRI images were reviewed and the imaging characteristics including the shape, size, location, density, and signal intensity were analyzed. Results The lesions located at the right front of the spinal canal in two cases, at the left front in one case, and the residual one case located directly behind the spinal canal. The longitudinal axis of the lesions paralleled to the longitudinal axis of the spine. The dura mater spinalis was compressed and inward shifted. All of the four cases showed homogeneous iso- or hypo-density on CT without calcification or necrosis in the lesions. The maximum diameter was 3 to 5 cm. The boundary was clear and smooth. Three lesions showed dumbbell-shaped and crossed foramen, but the adjacent bone were not absorbed or destructed. One lesion showed scallop-like. On MRI, four cases displayed slightly hypointense on T1WI and hyperintense on T2WI. On STIR images, the lesions showed hyperintense with patchy low signal intensity in it. The boundary of the lesions was clear. After administration of contrast media, two lesions presented remarkably homogeneous enhancement, one lesion showed dual tail sign, and one lesion displayed pen-tip-like at the both ends. Conclusion MRI plays an important role in locating the lesion and distinguishing internal tissue components of spinal angiolipoma, which is the gold standard for the diagnosis of the tumor. CT provides excellent supplement. The Combination of CT and MRI will improve the diagnostic accuracy of the spinal angiolipoma.

MRI Findings of Spinal Epidural Angiolipomas with Literature Review / 中国医学影像学杂志

Purpose To investigate the MRI findings and to improve the understanding of spinal epidural angiolipomas. Materials and Methods MRI findings were retrospectively analyzed in two cases of surgery and pathology proven spinal epidural angiolipomas. Relevant literatures were reviewed. Results Two cases of spinal epidural angiolipomas were located in the lumber and lower thoracic spinal canal. The tumors were elongated or spindle in shape within the epidural space, and parallel to the longitudinal axis. In both cases part of the tumors were hyperintense on T1WI and T2WI, attenuated on fat-saturated sequences with mild enhancement. Some areas were hypointenseon T1WI, hyperintenseon T2WI, unattenuated on fat-saturated sequences with apparent enhancement. Angiolipomas were classified according to the MRI features. One was type I and the other was type III. Both cases were non-infiltrative. Conclusion MRI shows the size, shape, MRI signals and the association with the adjacent structure of spinal epidural angiolipomas. The MRI classification is helpful for improving the understanding of the tumor. MRI is the best imaging modality to diagnose spinal epidural angiolipomas.

Thoracic Epidural Cavernous Hemangioma / 대한정형외과학회잡지

A 31-year-old male presented with severe back pain and paraparesis. Imaging studies demonstrated an extraosseous, extradural mass without bone invasion at the T11-T12 vertebral level, located dorsal to the thecal sac. The spinal cord was compressed ventrally. The lesion was completely excised after a T11-T12 laminectomy. Histopathological examination revealed a cavernous hemangioma. The patient's symptoms improved after excision of the lesion.

MRI Features of Spinal Epidural Angiolipomas

OBJECTIVE: To describe the MRI findings in ten patients of spinal epidural angiolipoma for differentiated diagnosis presurgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten surgically proved cases of spinal epidural angiolipomas were retrospectively reviewed, and the lesion was classified according to the MR findings. RESULTS: Ten tumors were located in the superior (n = 4), middle (n = 2), or inferior (n = 4) thoracic level. The mass, with the spindle shape, was located in the posterior epidural space and extended parallel to the long axis of the spine. All lesions contained a fat and vascular element. The vascular content, correlating with the presence of hypointense regions on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) and hyperintense signals on T2-weighted imaging, had marked enhancement. However, there were no flow void signs on MR images. All tumors were divided into two types based on the MR features. In type 1 (n = 3), the mass was predominantly composed of lipomatous tissue (> 50%) and contained only a few small angiomatous regions, which had a trabeculated or mottled appear. In type 2 (n = 7), the mass, however, was predominantly composed of vascular components (> 50%), which presented as large foci in the center of the mass. CONCLUSION: Most spinal epidural angiolipomas exhibit hyperintensity on T1WI while the hypointense region on the noncontrast T1WI indicates to be vascular, which manifests an obvious enhancement with gadolinium administration.

"Use of gelatin sponge in ""sandwich"" method for prevention of cerebrospinal fluid leakage after repair of spinal dura mater" / 中华骨科杂志

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of the sandwich method (medical glue +gelatin sponge+medical glue) in the repair of spinal dura mater to prevent the cerebrospinal fluid leakage.Methods From February 2007 to June 2011,54 patients with spinal subdural tumors underwent excision of tumor in our hospital.According to manner of repairing spinal dura mater,all patients were classified into two groups:routine group and sandwich group.There were 16 males and 7 females with an average age of 45.2±7.2 years in the routine group,while 19 males and 12 females with an average age of 44.2±6.4 years in sandwich group.In routine group,the spinal dura mater was repaired through running locked suture.In sandwich group,the spinal dura mater was repaired through running locked suture,painting medical glue around the dural incision,covering with gelatin sponge,and painting medical glue on the surface and margin of gelatin sponge successively.Results Compared with the routine group,the total volume of postoperative drainage in sandwich group decreased significantly on the very day,the first day,the second day,and the third day,and the incidence of cerebrospinal fluid leakage decreased significantly.Before discharge,hydrops happened in 3 cases in the routine group,and got well through aspiration,continuous pressure by sandbag,and prone position.Three months after operation,5 cases from the routine group got deep hydrops under the incision and no treatment was applied to them.There was no obvious abnormality in the sandwich group.Conclusion The sandwich method can improve the repair effect of spinal dura mater injury,reduce the volume of postoperative drainage,and decrease the incidence of cerebrospinal fluid leakage

A case of peripheral T cell lymphomas——unspecified in vertebra canal / 北京大学学报(医学版)

SUMMARY Peripheral T cell lymphomas-unspecified(PTCL-U) is an uncommon malignant tumor, accounting for 5%-7% of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Clinical feature of a case of PTCL-U was investigated and the optimal treatment protocol was proposed. The clinical presentation of this case was progressing limbs weakness with sudden paralysis. Multiple superficial lymph nodes swelling and decreased sensation in all modalities below T10 level were found in physical examination. Bilateral leg paralysis (Grade 0/5) with high muscle tension, overactive knee reflex, bilateral Babinski sign (+) were present. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) showed the mass, which was around spinal cord located in T6-T8 vertebra canal, with intense enhancement after the administration of gadolinium diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid. Abnormal signal in multiple centrums and accessories could also be found in MRI scan. Initial diagnosis was lymphoma, multiple systems involved. Laminectomy and epidural tumor resection were performed immediately. The dural sac was narrowed obviously by surrounding tumor. The result of pathological examination was PTCL-U. After operation, the level of pain sensation was descent, and touch sensation recovered. The patient received chemotherapy and his muscle strength was partly recovered in 4 months. Early diagnosis of peripheral T cell lymphomas-unspecified was difficult and easily misdiagnosed with poor prognosis. A review of literature showed central nervous system lesions occurred in advanced stage. However, the report of representation of intraspinal mass as initial symptom like the case was rare. For acute paraplegia, laminectomy and tumor resection should be performed as soon as possible. Regular radiotherapy and chemotherapy should be considered after operation. However, the value of local chemotherapy need to be further investigated.

Epidural Meningioma of the Upper Thoracic Spine in a Child: Case Report

Meningioma is the second most common primary intraspinal tumor. Most spinal meningiomas are located in the intradural extramedullary space and extradural meningiomas are less common. It is quite rare for this tumor to be found in the spinal epidural space of a child. These tumors may be easily confused as a malignant neoplasm because a metastatic lesion commonly located in the epidural space. We report a case of spinal epidural meningioma in a 12-year-old girl. Magnetic resonance findings led to the preoperative diagnosis of a metastatic lesion. The patient underwent total resection of the mass lesion and laminoplasty. She showed an excellent neurological recovery.