Surgical outcome of spinal schwannoma and neurofibroma

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome and surgical complications in patients with spinal schwannoma or neurofibroma surgically treated at the Hospital das Clínicas of the State University of Campinas. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study, using medical records of patients operated between 2011 and 2021. The sample distribution was verified using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The dynamics between qualitative variables were assessed using Fisher's exact test. We used means analysis to assess patient improvement based on Frankel scores. RESULTS: A total of 16 patients were evaluated, of whom 56.25% (9) were men and 43.75% (7) were women. There were 13 (81.25%) patients with schwannomas and 3 (18.75%) with neurofibromas. Patients with deficits had neurological improvement, such as walking or with at least Frankel D or E after surgery. Laminectomy, performed in 8 patients (50%), and laminoplasty, used in 9 patients (56.25%), were the main techniques. CONCLUSION: The surgical approach was proved to be an effective and safe alternative to the treatment of these tumors, with neurological improvement and minor surgical complications.

Síndrome de compresión medular de etiología infecciosa

El síndrome de compresión medular es una urgencia neuroquirúrgica debido a que un diagnóstico precoz y un tratamiento temprano podría revertir las incapacitantes secuelas ocasionadas por esta enfermedad. Las causas de este síndrome pueden ser traumática, metastásica, infecciosa y vascular (hematomas). La etiología infecciosa no es frecuente y el principal germen involucrado suele ser Staphylococcus aureus. A continuación presentamos el caso de una paciente de 58 años con síndrome de compresión medular de etiología infecciosa quien fue ingresada en el Servicio de Clínica Médica del Centro Médico Nacional.

Spinal cord compression syndrome is a neurosurgical emergency because early diagnosis and early treatment could reverse the disabling consequences caused by this disease. The causes of this syndrome can be traumatic, metastatic, infectious, and vascular (hematomas). Infectious etiology is not frequent and the main germ involved is usually Staphylococcus aureus. Below we present the case of a 58-year-old patient with spinal cord compression syndrome of infectious etiology who was admitted to the Medical Clinic Service of the National Medical Center.

Mielopatía dorsal aguda como presentación atípica de una neurocisticercosis espinal

La neurocisticercosis espinal es una enfermedad infecciosa poco frecuente. Su presentación puede ser extraespinal o intraespinal y la mayoría de casos es de evolución subaguda o crónica. Se presenta el caso de una paciente mujer de 55 años, natural y procedente de Lima, Perú, con cuadro clínico de una paraparesia aguda secundaria a una mielopatía dorsal por lesiones quísticas de cisticercosis espinal. La paciente recibió tratamiento médico y quirúrgico con una evolución clínica y de imágenes favorable. Es importante considerar en nuestro contexto epidemiológico, la cisticercosis espinal como diagnóstico diferencial, ante un cuadro clínico de mielopatía aguda, ya que el adecuado enfoque diagnóstico y tratamiento oportuno de esta rara entidad pueden mejorar el pronóstico de los pacientes.

Spinal neurocysticercosis is an infectious and rare disease. Its presentation can be extraspinal or intraspinal and most cases are of subacute or chronic evolution. We report the case of a 55-year-old female patient from Lima, Peru with a 2-day history of acute paraparesis secondary to dorsal myelopathy due to cystic lesions of spinal cysticercosis. The patient received medical and surgical treatment with a favorable clinical and imaging evolution. In our epidemiological context, it is important to consider a spinal cysticercosis as a differential diagnosis when faced with a clinical picture of acute myelopathy, since the appropriate diagnostic approach and timely treatment of this rare entity can improve the prognosis of patients.

Severe kyphoscoliosis patients with type III spinal cord on preoperative apex MRI: preoperative traction does improve the safety of correction surgery / 中华骨科杂志

Objective:To analyze the radiographic improvements after Halo-gravity traction in severe kyphoscoliosis patientswith type III spinal cord on preoperative apex MRI, and to assess the clinical outcomes and surgical safety of Halo-gravity traction in this cohort.Methods:A total of 47 severe thoracic kyphoscoliosis patients with type III spinal cord on preoperative apex MRI who underwent preoperative Halo-gravity traction followed by one-stage posterior spinal fusion from February 2019 to June 2021 in the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 18 males and 29 females with an average age of 22.5±12.8 years (range, 9-60 years). The average duration of traction was 7.4±3.9 weeks (range, 4-16 weeks). Radiographic parameters were measured including the coronal Cobb angle, distance between C 7 plumb line and center sacral vertical line (C 7PL-CSVL), sagittalglobal kyphosis (GK) and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) atpre-traction, post-traction and post-operation, respectively. The traction correction rate was measured as "traction degree before traction-traction degree after traction)/traction degree before traction" and the surgical correction rate was represented as "traction degree before traction-postoperative degree)/ traction degree before traction". The Frankel scoring system was used for the evaluation of neurological status at pre-traction, post-traction and post-operation. Results:All of 47 patients underwent the Halo-gravity traction and posterior spinal correction surgery. The C 7PL-CSVL was 35.7±16.9 mm at initial visit. At post-operation, C 7PL-CSVL was improved to 22.0±13.7 mm ( t=13.75, P<0.001), and the improvement rate was 39.9%±15.5%. The GK was 110.9°±22.1° at initial visit, which was improved to 84.1°±19.9° ( t=8.84, P<0.001) after Halo-gravity traction with an average correction of 23.7%±8.9%. At post-operation, GK was improved to 65.3°±19.3° ( t=10.63, P<0.001), and the improvement rate were 40.1%±20.7%. The SVA was 43.8±19.5 mm at initial visit. At post-operation, SVA was improved to 21.1±14.9 mm ( t=10.32, P<0.001), and the improvement rate were 53.1%±27.0%. A total of 14 patients showed neurological deficits of lower limbs at pre-traction, of which 8 patients had significant neurological improvement after Halo gravity traction; 3 patients had significant neurological improvement after surgery, and the remaining 3 patients had no significant neurological improvement during treatment. No new neurological deficits were observed after Halo-gravity traction or surgery. Conclusion:For severe kyphoscoliosis patients with type III spinal cord on preoperative apex MRI, the Halo-gravity traction could effectively correct the deformity, improve neurological function, enhance the tolerance of spinal cord to surgery and reduce the risk of intraoperative iatrogenic neurological deficit.

Comparative clinical and imaging study of C 3, 4 spondylotic myelopathy in different age groups / 中华骨科杂志

Objective:To compare the clinical features, X-ray, CT, MRI imaging findings of C 3, 4 single segment cervical spondylotic myelopathy among the elderly group, the middle-aged group and the young group. Methods:The medical records and imaging data of 51 cases of single segment C 3, 4 cervical spondylotic myelopathy treated from January 2017 to December 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 10 cases in the young group, including 8 males and 2 females, 23-44 years, with an average age of 35.8±7.62 years; 14 cases in the middle-aged group, including 9 males and 5 females, 48-60 years, with an average age of 53.21±4.14 years; 27 cases in the elderly group, including 24 males and 3 females, 61-84 years, with an average age of 68.04±5.97 years. Based on the medical record data, the differences in clinical manifestations among the three groups (initial symptoms, symptom distribution, pathological sign distribution and JOA score) were analyzed. Based on the imaging data, the static factors (cervical osteophyte, alignment and thickness of cervical ligamentum flavum) and dynamic factors [overall cervical range of motion (ROM), individual segment cervical ROM, cervical instability and cervical nuchal ligament calcification] were analyzed. Anatomical factors (C 2-C 7 Cobb angle, C 4-C 7 Cobb angle, C 3 vertebral canal diameter, C 4 vertebral diameter, C 3 Pavlov ratio, C 4 Pavlov ratio) and spinal cord compression (spinal cord signal, compression position and compression nature) were also analyzed. Results:There were no statistically significant difference in gender distribution and height in three groups of patients ( P>0.05). In terms of clinical manifestations, there were statistically significant differences among the three groups in initial symptoms and chief symptoms ( P<0.05). The elderly group had upper limb weakness as the first symptom, lower limb weakness and abnormal gait as the chief complaint; the middle-aged group had upper limb numbness as the first symptom, upper limb numbness and weakness as the chief complaint; the young group had upper limb pain as the first symptom, upper limb numbness as the chief complaint. There were statistically significant differences in Hoffmann sign and Babinski sign among the three groups ( P<0.05). Hoffmann sign and Babinski sign were more common in the elderly group than in the young group ( P<0.05). There were significant differences among the three groups in total JOA score, JOA score of motor and lower limb motor JOA ( P<0.05). The total JOA score in the elderly group was lower than that in the young group ( P<0.05), especially for motor JOA score ( P<0.05), and lower limb motor JOA score ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in first symptoms distribution, symptoms distribution, biceps reflex, triceps reflex, radial reflex or knee tendon reflex among the three groups ( P>0.05). In terms of static factors, there was significant difference in alignment and thickness of cervical ligamentum flavum among the three groups (P<0.05). The elderly group was more prone to slip than the young and middle aged groups ( P<0.05). The thickness of ligamentum flavum in the elderly group (2.18±0.68 mm) was thicker than that in the young group (1.60±0.30 mm) and the middle-elderly group (1.60±0.62 mm) ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in cervical osteophyte among the three groups ( P>0.05). In terms of dynamic factors, there were statistically significant difference in C 3-C 7 ROM, C 4-C 7 ROM, C 3, 4 ROM and ossification of nuchal ligament among the three groups ( P<0.05). In the elderly group, C 3-C 7 ROM (22.18°) was larger than that in the young group (21.27°) ( P<0.05), while in the elderly group C 4-C 7 ROM (9.60°) was smaller than that in the young group (14.19°) ( P<0.05). In the elderly group, C 3, 4 ROM (15.30°) was larger than that in the young group (9.97°) ( P<0.05), and the elderly group was more prone to nuchal ligament calcification than the young and the middle-elderly group ( P<0.05). There were no significant difference among the three groups in C 4, 5 ROM, C 5, 6 ROM, C 6, 7 ROM or cervical instability ( P>0.05). For spinal cord compression, there were statistically significant differences among the three groups in the compression nature, compression location and MRI T2WI spinal cord signal ( P<0.05). The elderly group was more prone to anterior and posterior bony compression. The elderly group was more likely to show high signal intensity on spinal cord MRI T2WI than the young group ( P<0.05). For anatomical factors, there were statistically significant differences in C 2-C 7 Cobb, C 3 vertebral diameter and C 3 Pavolv among the three groups ( P<0.05) . The C 2-C 7 Cobb of the elderly group (21.06°) was larger than that of the young group (16.45°) ( P<0.05), and the C 3 diameter of the elderly group (9.61±0.33 mm) was smaller than that of the young group (10.38±1.19 mm) ( P<0.05). The C 3 Pavolv of the elderly group (0.52±0.03) was lower than that of the young group (0.59±0.11) ( P<0.05). In the presence of lordosis, C 4-C 7 Cobb in the elderly group (4.96°±4.05°) was smaller than that in the young group (12.42°±4.83°) and the middle-aged group (10.07°±6.14°) ( P<0.05). In the presence of kyphosis, C 4-C 7 Cobb in the elderly group (4.02°±1.19°) was larger than that in the young group (0.06°±0.01°) and the middle-aged group (1.83°±0.93°) ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in C 3-C 7 Cobb, C 4 vertebral diameter or C 4 Pavolv among the three groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Young patients mostly have anteriorly soft compression of disc herniation, and most of them complain of neck and upper limb pain, while spinal cord compression and clinical manifestations are relatively mild. For the elderly patients, most of them have C 3 retrolisthesis, with the pinching type bony compression of spinal cord from both anteriorly and posteriorly, and their complaints are usually upper limb numbness, mostly accompanied by radiographically severe spinal cord compression and clinically gait abnormalities. In the middle-aged patients, the rigid compression of anterior calcified disc herniation is the main reason, and the numbness of upper limb is the chief complain.

Progress of decompression surgery for spinal metastases / 中国骨伤

The spine is the most common site of bone metastases from malignant tumors, with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression occurring in about 10% of patients with spinal metastases. Palliative radiotherapy and simple laminectomy and decompression have been the main treatments for metastatic spinal cord compression. The former is ineffective and delayed for radiation-insensitive tumors, and the latter often impairs spinal stability. With the continuous improvement of surgical techniques and instrumentation in recent years, the treatment model of spinal metastases has changed a lot. Decompression surgery underwent open decompression, separation surgery, minimally invasive surgery and laser interintermal thermal ablation decompression. However, no matter what kind of surgical plan is adopted, it should be assessed precisely according to the specific situation of the patient to minimize the risk of surgery as far as possible to ensure the smooth follow-up radiotherapy. This paper reviews the research progress of decompression for spinal metastases.

Neurological recovery after surgical treatment in patients with thoracolumbar trm / Recuperação neurológica após tratamento cirúrgico em pacientes com trm toracolombar / Recuperación neurológica después de del tratamiento quirúrgico en pacientes con lme toracolumbar

ABSTRACT Objective: Evaluate the neurological recovery with a follow-up of 06 (six) months in victims of thoracic and lumbar fractures who underwent spinal decompression in less than 24 hours, between 24 and 48 hours, and more than 48 hours after the trauma. Methods: Data were collected on patients seen at a large public hospital in Belo Horizonte, between 2014 and 2018, who were victims of SCI who presented with neurological deficits at initial care, and the neurological recovery presented. Results: 41 SCI patients were evaluated, whose mean age was 34 years. There was a predominance of thoracic spine fractures (65.9% of the cases) and classified as AO Spine type C (75%). Regarding the time variable, about 68% of the patients were submitted to surgical treatment more than 48 hours after the trauma. It was observed that both the patients submitted to surgical decompression within less than 24 hours, and those operated on more than 48 hours after the trauma showed a slight neurological improvement at the 6-month follow-up. However, no statistical significance was found. It is worth noting that even when analyzing the 41 patients of the study, regardless of the surgical interval, it was impossible to observe a statistically significant neurological improvement at the 6-month follow-up. Conclusion: Our study could not demonstrate significant differences between those patients who operated early in less than 24 hours and those who operated after more than 48 hours. Level of Evidence III; Comparative retrospective study.

Resumo: Objetivo: Avaliar a recuperação neurológica com um acompanhamento de 06 (seis) meses em vítimas de fraturas torácicas e lombares submetidos a descompressão medular em menos de 24 horas, entre 24 e 48 horas e em mais de 48 horas do trauma. Métodos: Foram coletados dados relativos a pacientes atendidos em hospital público de grande porte de Belo Horizonte, no período de 2014 e 2018, vítimas de TRM que apresentavam déficits neurológicos no atendimento inicial, e a recuperação neurológica apresentada. Resultados: Foram avaliados 41 pacientes vítimas de TRM, cuja idade média foi de 34 anos. Observou-se predomínio de fraturas na coluna torácica (65.9% dos casos) e classificadas como AO Spine tipo C (75%). Em relação a variável tempo cerca de 68% dos pacientes foram submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico com mais de 48h decorridas do trauma. Observou-se que tanto nos pacientes submetidos a descompressão cirúrgica com menos de 24h quanto nos operados com mais de 48h após o trauma houve discreta melhora neurológica no follow-up de 6 meses. Não foi constatada, todavia, significância estatística. Cabe destacar ainda que mesmo analisando o conjunto dos 41 pacientes do estudo, independente do intervalo cirúrgico, não foi possível constatar melhora neurológica com significância estatística na reavaliação de 6 meses. Conclusão: Nosso trabalho não conseguiu demonstrar diferenças significativas entre aqueles pacientes operados precocemente em menos de 24 horas daqueles operados em mais de 48 horas. Nível de evidência III; Estudo retrospectivo comparativo.

Resumen: Objetivo: Evaluar la recuperación neurológica con un acompañamiento de 06 meses en víctimas de fracturas torácicas y lumbares sometidos a la descompresión medular en menos de 24 horas, entre 24 y 48 horas y en más de 48 horas del trauma. Métodos: Se recogieron datos de pacientes atendidos en un gran hospital público de Belo Horizonte, en el período de 2014 y 2018, víctimas de TRM que presentaban déficits neurológicos en el atendimiento inicial y la recuperación neurológica presentada. Resultados: Fueron evaluados 41 pacientes víctimas de TRM, cuya edad media fue de 34 años. Se ha observado una preponderancia de fracturas en la columna torácica (65.9% de los casos) y clasificadas como AO Spine tipo C (75%). En relación a la variable tiempo, un 68% de los pacientes fueron sometidos al tratamiento quirúrgico con más de 48h transcurridas del trauma. Se ha observado que tanto en los pacientes sometidos a la descompresión quirúrgica con menos de 24 horas cuanto en los operados con más de 48h tras el trauma hubo discreta mejora neurológica en "follow-up" de 6 meses. No fue averiguada, sin embargo, significancia estadística. Conviene resaltar todavía que, aunque analizando el conjunto de los 41 pacientes de estudio, independiente del intervalo quirúrgico, no fue posible observar mejora neurológica con significancia estadística en la revaluación de 6 meses. Conclusión: Nuestro trabajo no consiguió demostrar diferencias significativas entre aquellos pacientes operados tempranamente en menos de 24 horas de aquellos operados en más de 48 horas. Nivel de Evidencia III; Estudio retrospectivo comparativo.

Early complications of surgical treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy / Complicações precoces do tratamento cirúrgico de mielopatia cervical espondilótica

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the early postoperative complications associated with the surgical approach of the cervical spine of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), comparing the anterior surgical, the posterior surgical, and the combined approaches. Methods: This is a retrospective study based on a database with 169 patients. Demographic data, such as gender and age, and surgical data, such as surgical approach, number of segments with arthrodesis, surgical time, and complications, were evaluated. Complications were divided into major (deep surgical wound infection, intercurrence with the implant, early new compression, and heart failure) and minor (dysphagia, superficial infection, pain, urinary intercurrence, neuropraxia of the C5 root, acute confusional state, and surgical wound hematoma). Results: This included 169 patients, 57 women (33.7%) and 112 men (66.2%). Age ranged from 21 to 87 years, with a mean of 56.48 (± 11) years. Of these, 52 (30.8%) underwent the anterior approach; 111 (65.7%), the posterior approach; and 6 (3.5%), the combined approach. Conclusion: As in the literature, we evinced dysphagia, pain, and superficial infection of the surgical wound as the most frequent postoperative complications. However, it was impossible to establish a statistical relationship between the incidence of complications and surgical time, access route, and number of fixed segments. Level of Evidence III, Retrospective Comparative Study.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar as complicações pós-operatórias precoces associadas à abordagem cirúrgica da coluna cervical de pacientes portadores de mielopatia cervical espondilótica (MCE), comparando a abordagem cirúrgica anterior, a abordagem cirúrgica posterior e a abordagem combinada. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo baseado em um banco de dados com 169 pacientes. Foram avaliados dados demográficos, como gênero e idade, e dados cirúrgicos, como abordagem cirúrgica realizada, número de segmentos artrodesados, tempo cirúrgico e complicações. As complicações foram divididas em maiores (infecção profunda da ferida operatória, intercorrência com o implante, nova compressão precoce, insuficiência cardíaca) e menores (disfagia, infecção superficial, dor, intercorrência urinária, neuropraxia da raiz de C5, estado confusional agudo, hematoma de ferida operatória). Resultados: Foram incluídos 169 pacientes, sendo 57 do sexo feminino (33,7%) e 112 do masculino (66,2%). A idade variou de 21 a 87 anos, com média de 56,48 anos (± 11). Destes, 52 (30,8%) foram submetidos à abordagem anterior, 111 (65,7%) à abordagem posterior e 6 (3,5%) à abordagem combinada. Conclusão: Assim como na literatura, evidenciamos a disfagia, a dor e a infecção superficial da ferida operatória como as complicações pós-operatórias mais frequentes. No entanto, não foi possível estabelecer uma relação estatística da incidência de complicações com o tempo cirúrgico, a via de acesso e o número de segmentos fixados. Nível de Evidência III, Estudo Retrospectivo Comparativo.

Post-thoracotomy paraplegia after oxidized cellulose spinal compression

ABSTRACT Post-thoracotomy paraplegia after non-aortic surgery is an extremely uncommon complication. A 56-year-old woman presented with a 1-year history of progressive shortness of breath. Computed tomography revealed a locally advanced posterior mediastinal mass involving the ribs and the left neural foramina. Tumor excision with a left pneumonectomy was performed. Post-resection, bleeding was noted in the vicinity of the T4-T5 vertebral body, and the bleeding point was packed with oxidized cellulose gauze (Surgicel®). Postoperatively, the patient complained of bilateral leg numbness extending up to the T5 level, with bilateral paraplegia. An urgent laminectomy was performed, and we noted that the spinal cord was compressed by two masses of Surgicel® with blood clots measuring 1.5 × 1.5cm at T4 and T5 levels. The paraplegia did not improve despite the removal of the mass, sufficient decompression, and aggressive postoperative physiotherapy. Surgeons operating in fields close to the intervertebral foramen should be aware of the possible threat to the adjacent spinal canal as helpful hemostatic agents can become a preventable threat.

Compresión medular por quiste hidático de partes blandas: reporte de un caso / Compression of the bone marrow caused by hydatid cyst of the soft tissues: a case report from Sociedad Médica Universal / Compressão da medula espinhal devido a cisto hidático de partes moles: relato de um caso

El quiste hidatídico en Uruguay continúa siendo un problema de salud pública. A pesar de los esfuerzos realizados en prevención primaria y secundaria, es una patología con alta incidencia. La hidatidosis de partes blandas es infrecuente. Su incidencia se estima en 0,5% a 5,3%. El objetivo de esta publicación es presentar un caso clínico de un paciente portador de una compresión medular, producto de una hidatidosis muscular lumbar complicada, hecho extremadamente infrecuente. Los sitios más frecuentes de infestación por equinococosis hidatídica son hígado (75%), pulmones (15%) cerebro (2-4%) tracto genitourinario (2%-3%). La afectación espinal ocurre en menos del 1%. Los síntomas de compresión no son habituales, pero es una de las posibles complicaciones, hecho que motiva la publicación del caso clínico.

Summary: Hydatid cyst continues to be a public health problem in Uruguay despite efforts made in primary and secondary prevention, and in fact, its incidence is high. Hydatid cyst of the soft tissues is rather unusual. Estimated incidence ranges between 0.5 and 5.3%. The study aims to present the clinical case of a patient carrier of bone marrow compression caused by a complicated lumbar hydatid cyst, something significantly rare. Liver (75%), lungs (15%), brain (2-4%), genitourinary tract (2-3%) are the most frequent sites where hydatid cyst is found. Spinal cord compromise occurs in less than 1%. Compression symptoms are not frequent, although it is one of the potential complications, what resulted in the clinical case being published.

O cisto hidático continua sendo um problema em nível de saúde pública no Uruguai, mesmo com os esforços realizados na prevenção primária e secundária, sendo uma patologia com alta incidência. A hidatidose dos tecidos moles é rara; sua incidência é estimada em 0,5% a 5,3%. O objetivo desta publicação é apresentar o caso clínico de um paciente com compressão medular, produto de uma complicada doença hidática muscular lombar, evento extremamente raro. Os locais mais frequentes de infestação por equinococose hidática são fígado (75%), pulmões (15%), cérebro (2-4%) e trato geniturinário (2-3%). O envolvimento da coluna ocorre em menos de 1% dos casos. Os sintomas de compressão não são comuns, mas é uma das possíveis complicações e motivo da publicação deste caso clínico.

Mielopatía cervical degenerativa: una patología cada vez más frecuente y que requiere diagnóstico y manejo precoz

Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction in adults. Its prevalence is increasing as a result of population aging. The diagnosis of DCM is often delayed or overlooked, resulting in secondary neurologic morbidity. The natural course of DCM typically presents as a gradual neurological deterioration, with symptoms ranging from muscle weakness to complete paralysis, with variable degrees of sensory deficits and sphincter dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electrophysiological studies allow the assessment of spinal cord function and its structural damage to determine treatment and clinical outcomes. All patients with signs and symptoms consistent with DCM should be referred to a spine surgeon for assessment and tailored treatment. Those patients with mild DCM can be managed non-operatively but require close monitoring and education about potentially alarming signs and symptoms. Surgery is not currently recommended for asymptomatic patients with evidence of spinal cord compression or cervical spinal stenosis on MRI, but they require a structured follow-up. Patients with moderate or severe DCM require surgical decompression to avoid further progression. The objective of this review is to raise awareness of degenerative cervical myelopathy and its increasing prevalence as well as to aid non-surgical healthcare workers for a timely diagnosis and management of this disabling condition.

Generalidades de las principales urgencias en el paciente oncológico: revisión de tema / Overview of the main emergencies in cancer patients: Review / Generalidades das principais urgências no paciente oncológico: revisão de tema

Las urgencias oncológicas son complicaciones comunes de la evolución natural del tumor o de su manejo. Algunas pueden presentarse de manera sutil y ser pasadas por alto, lo que aumenta la morbimortalidad. El objetivo de esta revisión narrativa es recopilar información actualizada de las principales complicaciones oncológicas, para ello se realizó una revisión de artículos originales, revisiones sistemáticas y narrativas en bases de datos como Scopus, SciELO, PubMed, ScienceDirect y en el buscador Google Scholar. Se seleccionaron 63 referencias que mostraran información relevante acerca de las urgencias oncológicas planteadas para el desarrollo del artículo. En la revisión se discute que las complicaciones pueden clasificarse de acuerdo con su origen en infecciosas (neutropenia febril), metabólicas (síndrome de lisis tumoral e hipercalcemia maligna) y obstructivas (síndrome de vena cava superior, obstrucción intestinal, compresión medular y taponamiento cardiaco). El diagnóstico requiere un alto índice de sospecha, el médico debe tener la capacidad resolutiva y el conocimiento necesarios para el manejo y hacer uso racional de los recursos diagnósticos. Es necesario adoptar medidas terapéuticas que impacten positivamente en el pronóstico y que reduzcan la morbimortalidad.

Oncological emergencies are common complications resulting from the natural evolution of the tumor or its management; however, some of them may be subtle or even overlooked, which contributes to greater morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to gather updated information on the main oncological complications. A narrative literatura review was performed by searching for original articles, systematic reviews and narratives, in databases such as Scopus, SciELO, PubMed, ScienceDirect and in the Google Scholar search engine. 63 references were selected that addressed relevant information about the oncological emergencies raised for the development of the article. According to their origin, complications can be classified into infectious (febrile neutropenia), metabolic (tumor lysis syndrome and malignant hypercalcemia) and obstructive (superior vena cava syndrome, intestinal obstruction, spinal cord compression and cardiac tamponade). Facing these complications requires a high level of suspicion; the physician must be able to resolve each complication and have the necessary knowledge to approach each case, with a rational use of diagnostic resources. It is also necessary to adopt therapeutic measures that positively impact patients. patient prognosis, decreasing morbidity and death.

As urgências oncológicas são complicações comuns da evolução natural do tumor ou do seu manejo. Algumas podem apresentar-se de maneira sutil e ser passadaspor encima, o que aumenta a morbimortalidade. O objetivo desta revisão narrativa é recopilar informação atualizada das principais complicações oncológicas, para isso se realizou uma revisão de artigos originais, revisões sistemáticas e narrativas em bases de dados como Scopus, SciELO, PubMed, ScienceDirect e no buscador Google Scholar. Se selecionaram 63 referências que mostraram informação relevante sobre às urgências oncológicas apresentadas para o desenvolvimento do artigo. Na revisão se discuteque as complicações podem classificar-se de acordo com a sua origem em infecciosas (neutropenia febril), metabólicas (síndrome de lise tumoral e hipercalcemia maligna) e obstrutivas (síndrome de veia cava superior, obstrução intestinal, compressão medular e entupimento cardíaco). O diagnóstico requere um alto índice de suspeita, o médico deve ter a capacidade resolutiva e o conhecimento necessário para o manejo e fazer uso racional dos recursos diagnósticos. É necessário adotar medidas terapêuticas que impactem positivamente no prognóstico e que reduzam a morbimortalidade.

Adulto con hematoma medular epidural espontáneo

RESUMEN El hematoma espinal es una entidad clínica poco frecuente. Se necesita de una alta sospecha clínica para su diagnóstico precoz y tratamiento oportuno. Habitualmente se presenta en forma de deterioro neurológico súbito debida a la compresión medular mecánica producida por sangre en el canal medular. Presentamos el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino de 53 años, consumidor de bebidas alcohólicas (ron paraguayo) en forma diaria que presenta un deterioro neurológico brusco comprometiendo miembros superiores e inferiores. Con la resonancia magnética se llega al diagnóstico de hematoma epidural a nivel de C4-C5 y mielopatía compresiva de los segmentos adyacentes.

ABSTRACT The spinal hematoma spinal is a infrequent clinical entity. A high clinical suspicion is needed for early diagnosis and timely treatment. It usually presents as a sudden neurological deterioration due to mechanical spinal cord compression caused by blood in the spinal canal. We present the case of a 53-year-old male patient, a daily consumer of alcoholic beverages (Paraguayan rum) who presented sudden neurological deterioration compromising upper and lower limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging leads to a diagnosis of epidural hematoma at the C4-C5 level and compressive myelopathy of the adjacent segments.

Discectomía transtorácica extrapleural sin fusión para resección de hernia del disco dorsal calcificada gigante: Reporte de caso y revisión de literatura / Transthoracic extrapleural discectomy without fusion for dorsal disc herniation resection giant calcified: case report and review of literature

RESUMEN Introducción: Las hernias del disco torácico calcificadas son poco frecuentes y su abordaje representa un desafío quirúrgico cuando son gigantes y sintomáticas. La discectomía transtorácica extrapleural puede considerarse un abordaje seguro para resecar el fragmento de disco calcificado y descomprimir la médula espinal. Caso clínico: Hombre de 53 años con dorsalgia media irradiada a región inframamaria y dificultad progresiva para deambular, paraparesia proximal moderada, nivel sensitivo T8 y retención urinaria. Las imágenes demostraron una gran hernia de disco T6-7 calcificada que causaba una compresión severa de la médula espinal. El paciente se sometió a discectomía transtorácica extrapleural T6-7 más corpectomía parcial T6 sin fusión. El paciente toleró bien el procedimiento sin complicaciones y las imágenes postoperatorias al mes de la cirugia demostraron la descompresión de la médula espinal. En el seguimiento, la dorsalgia irradiada, el nivel sensitivo, la paraparesia y la retención urinaria mejoraron.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Calcified thoracic disc herniation are rare and their approach represents a surgical challenge when they are large and symptomatic. Extrapleural Transthoracic discectomy can be considered a safe approach to resection of the calcified disc fragment and spinal cord descompression. Clinical case: 53-year-old man with middle dorsalgia radiating to the inframammary region and progressive difficulty walking, proximal paraparesis moderate, sensory level T8 and urinary retention. The images demonstrated a large T6-7 disc herniation calcified causing severe spinal cord compression. The patient underwent T6-7 extrapleural transthoracic discectomy plus T6 partial corpectomy without fusion. The patient tolerated the procedure well without complications and postoperative imaging demonstrated descompression of spinal cord. At followup, irradiated dorsalgia, paraparesis, sensitive level and urinary retention improved.

Costs analysis of spinal column metastases surgical treatment / Análise dos custos do tratamento cirúrgico das metástases da coluna vertebral

ABSTRACT Introduction End-of-life cancer treatment is associated with substantial healthcare costs. Objective This study aimed to analyze the surgical treatment cost of spinal metastasis and epidural compression patients undergoing surgical treatment. Methods A retrospective cost analysis of 81 patients with spinal metastasis and epidural compression undergoing surgical treatment. Cost evaluation was defined in the following categories: medications, laboratory and imaging tests, nursery, recovery room, intensive care unit, surgical procedure, and consigned material. The cost of pain improvement, functional activity, and survival was also evaluated. Results The total cost of surgical treatment for 81 patients was $3,604,334.26, and the average value for each patient was $44,497.95. The highest costs were related to implants (41.1%), followed by hospitalization (27.3%) and surgical procedure (19.7%). Conclusion The cost of surgical treatment for spinal metastases is one of the most expensive bone complications in cancer patients. The cost of treatment related to outcomes showed differences according to the outcome analyzed. Hospital stay, tests, drugs, and intensive care play an important role in some of the costs related to the specific outcome. Level of Evidence II, Retrospective Study.

RESUMO Introdução O tratamento do câncer em fim de vida está associado a custos substanciais em saúde. Objetivo O objetivo do estudo foi analisar o custo do tratamento cirúrgico de pacientes com metástase espinhal e compressão peridural submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico. Métodos Uma análise retrospectiva de custos de 81 pacientes com metástase espinhal e compressão peridural submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico. A avaliação de custos foi definida nas seguintes categorias: medicamentos, exames laboratoriais e de imagem, enfermaria, sala de recuperação, unidade de terapia intensiva, procedimento cirúrgico e material consignado. O custo relacionado à melhora da dor, atividade funcional e sobrevida também foi avaliado. Resultados O custo total do tratamento cirúrgico de 81 pacientes foi de R $ 3.604.334,26 e o valor médio de cada paciente foi de R $ 44.497,95. Os maiores gastos foram relacionados com implantes (41,1%), seguidos de internação (27,3%) e procedimento cirúrgico (19,7%). Conclusão O custo do tratamento cirúrgico para metástases espinhais é um dos mais caros entre as complicações ósseas em pacientes com câncer. O custo do tratamento relacionado aos desfechos apresentou diferença de acordo com o desfecho analisado e a permanência hospitalar, exames, medicamentos e terapia intensiva tem papel importante em alguns dos custos relacionados ao desfecho específico. Nível de Evidência II, Estudo retrospectivo.

Effects of ganglioside GM1 and erythropoietin on spinal cord injury in mice: Functional and immunohistochemical assessments

ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate the functional and immunohistochemical effects of ganglioside GM1 and erythropoietin following experimental spinal cord injury. Methods: Thirty-two male BALB/c mice were subjected to experimental spinal cord injury using the NYU Impactor device and were randomly divided into the following groups: GM1 group, receiving standard ganglioside GM1 (30 mg/kg); erythropoietin group, receiving erythropoietin (1000 IU/kg); combination group, receiving both drugs; and control group, receiving saline (0.9%). Animals were evaluated according to the Basso Mouse Scale (BMS) and Hindlimb Mouse Function Score (MFS). After euthanasia, the immunohistochemistry of the medullary tissue of mice was analyzed. All animals received intraperitoneal treatment. Results: The GM1 group had higher BMS and MFS scores at the end of the experiment when compared to all other groups. The combination group had higher BMS and MFS scores than the erythropoietin and control groups. The erythropoietin group had higher BMS and MFS scores than the control group. Immunohistochemical tissue analysis showed a significant difference among groups. There was a significant increase in myelinated axons and in the myelinated axon length in the erythropoietin group when compared to the other intervention groups (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Erythropoietin and GM1 have therapeutic effects on axonal regeneration in mice subjected to experimental spinal cord injury, and administration of GM1 alone had the highest scores on the BMS and MFS scales.

Spinal cord occupation ratio (SCOR) and its application in the diagnosis of cervical spinal cord compression in Mucopolysaccharidoses

Abstract Introduction Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) can lead to cervical spinal cord compression (SCC). Diagnostic scores for SCC in MPS use the obliteration of the passage of cerebrospinal fluid in the anterior and posterior spinal cord in the sagittal section of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The spinal cord occupation ratio (SCOR) published, by Nouri et al (2018), establishes the spinal cord filling index for the spinal cord, identifying disproportionate spinal cord occupation in the canal. When evaluating congenital canal stenosis, the risk of spinal cord injury has been considered increased when the SCOR is ≥70% in the median sagittal plane or ≥ 80% in the axial plane. Although these values ​​have not been validated for MPS populations, they could be useful. Objective To verify the SCOR in MPS patients with diagnosis of cervical SCC comparing the SCOR with other markers proposed in the existing MPS SCC scores, such as the extent of gliosis, clinical impact and the SCC assessment as represented by the obliteration of CSF flow. Methods We reviewed imaging tests of the cervical spine from MPS patients with previously confirmed SCC, using the SCOR measure in the median sagittal plane, evaluation of the presence and extent of spinal gliosis on MRI, evaluation of the clinical impact using a clinical score and evaluation of the images for the obliteration of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) flow. Results Thirty-one MRI of 24 different patients were included. The average SCOR was 87.1%. This was lower (81.6%) in patients without gliosis, when compared to those with focal (90.5%) and extensive (97%) gliosis. The only patient with gliosis associated with a lacunar lesion, resulting from an acute compressive injury, had a 68% SCOR, due to the atrophic spinal cord injury. As expected, SCOR was higher in patients with total or partial CSF obliteration, but one among the 3 patients without CSF flow obliteration, with a 76% SCOR, had already developed focal gliosis and mild clinical abnormalities. Patients with more extensive gliosis had higher clinical scores. Four patients had more than one imaging scan evaluated. SCOR upward trend showed an annual average increase of 3.8%. Discussion & Conclusions The use of SCOR allows the diagnosis of cervical spinal canal stenosis in an objective way. It is possible that the cut-off values used by Nouri et al in patients with congenital stenosis could be useful to diagnose cervical stenosis in MPS patients, preceding the finding of CSF flow obstruction, presence of gliosis or clinical abnormalities. Furthermore, the use of SCOR may assist in the longitudinal evaluation of disease progression. Better follow-up and timely diagnosis allows for scheduling of surgery at the best clinical moment, minimizing complications.

Surgery associated with radiotherapy in patients affected by metastatic medular compression: scientific production of the health area / Cirurgia associada à radioterapia em pacientes acometidos por compressão medular metastática: produção científica da área da saúde

INTRODUCTION: The spine is the most frequent area of bone metastasis in patients with systemic neoplastic disease. The goal of its treatment is immediate decompression, in order to prevent deterioration or reverse the deficit in neurological functionOBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics of the scientific literature on the effectiveness of surgery associated with radiotherapy to improve the neurological deficit caused by metastatic spinal cord compressionMETHODS: Descriptive study based on bibliometric and scientometric methods. Using both, it is possible to qualify, verify and give meaning to the data and have, as a result, a broad study about the productions of the theme in question. Articles published in the National Library of Medicine (Pubmed), Web of Science and Virtual Health Library (VHL) were used, searched using keywords obtained from the Descriptors in Health Sciences (DeCS), of the VHLRESULTS: The searches resulted in 131 articles. After filtering by reading titles, 100 articles were selected for reading the abstract. At the end of the collection, 15 articles were selected. Of these, the year of publication was distributed every two years for analysis, with a significant growth in 2015 and 2016. As for the origin of the studies, 60% (n = 9) had data collection developed in China, Japan or the United States of America. Regarding the gender of the sample, 57.14% of them contained the predominantly or totally male sample and 42.85% female. Regarding the histological type of tumor, there was a wide variation between studies. In some of them, the sample contained different groups of tumor diagnosisCONCLUSION: The combination of surgery with postoperative radiotherapy proved to be effective and more efficient than these alone for the treatment of patients affected by metastatic neurological compression

INTRODUÇÃO: A coluna vertebral é a área mais frequente de metástase óssea em pacientes com doença neoplásica sistêmica. O objetivo do seu tratamento a descompressão imediata, a fim de evitar deterioração ou reverter o déficit da função neurológicaOBJETIVO: Analisar as características da literatura científica sobre a eficácia da cirurgia associada a radioterapia para melhora do déficit neurológico causado por compressão medular metastáticaMÉTODO: Estudo descritivo, a partir dos métodos da bibliometria e cientometria. Utilizando ambos, pode-se qualificar, constatar e atribuir sentido aos dados e ter, como resultado, um estudo amplo acerca das produções do tema em questão. Foram utilizados artigos publicados no National Library of Medicine (Pubmed), Web of Science e Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), pesquisados através de palavras-chave obtidas no Descritores em Ciências da Saúde (DeCS), da BVSRESULTADOS: As buscas resultaram em 131 artigos. Após a filtragem por leitura de títulos, selecionou-se 100 artigos para leitura do resumo. Ao final da coleta foram selecionados 15 artigos. Destes, o ano de publicação foi distribuído bienalmente para análise, com um crescimento significativo no ano de 2015 e 2016. Quanto à procedência dos estudos, 60% (n = 9) tiveram a coleta dados desenvolvida na China, Japão ou Estados Unidos da América. Em relação ao sexo da amostra, 57,14% deles continham a amostra predominante ou totalmente masculina e 42,85% feminina. Em relação ao tipo histológico do tumor, houve uma grande variação entre os estudos. Em alguns deles, a amostra continha grupos diferentes de diagnostico tumoralCONCLUSÃO: A combinação de cirurgia com radioterapia pós-operatória se mostrou eficaz e mais eficiente do que estas isoladas para o tratamento de pacientes acometidos por compressão neurológica metastática

Posttraumatic Arachnoid Cyst in the Thoracic Spine with Medullary Compression: Case Report / Cisto aracnóide após trauma na coluna torácica com compressão medular: Relato de caso

Abstract Arachnoid cysts are rare; they can occur at all levels of the dural sac, and can have a congenital, traumatic, iatrogenic or inflammatory origin. In the present article, we report a patient presenting a compressive thoracic myelopathy due to an unusual intradural arachnoid cyst with posttraumatic manifestation and its resolution, in addition to a literature review on the subject. These cysts mainly occur at the thoracic spine, followed by the lumbar, lumbosacral and thoracolumbar spines. Traumatic cysts are caused by an injury to the inner dural layer. These lesions produce neurological deficits through a mass effect on the spinal cord. Concomitant compressive myelopathy is even rarer. In case of myelopathy, cyst resection or drainage is the treatment of choice, and it must be performed immediately. Although rare, arachnoid cysts can be a complication of spine fractures; as such, orthopedists and neurosurgeons, who commonly see these injuries, must be prepared for this unusual situation.

Resumo Cistos aracnóides são raros, podem ocorrer em todos os níveis do saco dural, e sua origem pode ser congênita, traumática, iatrogênica ou inflamatória. Neste artigo, relatamos o caso de uma paciente com mielopatia torácica compressiva decorrente de um cisto aracnóide intradural incomum, de manifestação pós-traumática, assim como sua resolução, além de realizar revisão da literatura sobre o tema. A principal localização é na coluna torácica, seguida das colunas lombar, lombossacra e toracolombar. O cisto com origem traumática é causado por lesão da camada interna da dura-máter. Essas lesões produzem déficit neurológico por meio de efeito de massa sobre a medula espinhal. A existência de mielopatia compressiva associada é mais rara ainda. A ressecção ou drenagem dos cistos na vigência de mielopatia deve ser imediata, sendo o tratamento de escolha. Apesar de raros, podem ser uma complicação de fraturas da coluna vertebral que são muito comuns na prática de ortopedistas e neurocirurgiões, que devem estar preparados para essa situação incomum.

Cervical Myelopathy Secondary to Gout: Case Report / Mielopatia cervical secundária a gota: Relato de caso

Abstract Gout is a crystalline arthropathy frequent in the population, but gouty spondyloarthropathy, also called axial gout, is uncommon. The current case report presents a rare case of cervical myelopathy secondary to axial gout. A 50-year-old female patient, without previous pathologies, presented with loss of strength, altered sensitivity, and pyramidal release for 2 years. The computed tomography showed a lytic image in the spinous process of C7, and signs of myelopathy with myelomalacia on magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine. After the surgical procedure and biopsy of the material, the diagnosis was gout, and treatment for the pathology was started, with complete improvement of the condition. The diagnosis of axial gout should be included in the spectrum of the differential diagnosis of diseases that affect the spine. Although gouty spondyloarthritis (or spondylitis) is uncommon, there is an underestimated occurrence due to the lack of investigation of the cases. The early diagnosis and treatment of the pathology can prevent patients from presenting complications of the disease, as reported in the present study.

Resumo A gota é uma artropatia cristalina frequente na população; entretanto, a espondiloartropatia gotosa, também chamada de gota axial, é incomum. O presente relato de caso apresenta um caso raro de mielopatia cervical secundária a gota axial. Uma paciente de 50 anos de idade, sem patologias prévias, apresentou quadro de perda de força, alteração de sensibilidade e liberação piramidal há 2 anos. A tomografia computadorizada evidenciou imagem lítica no processo espinhoso de C7, e sinais de mielopatia com mielomalácia foram observados na ressonância magnética da coluna cervical. Após o procedimento cirúrgico e biópsia do material, o diagnóstico foi de gota, e o tratamento para a patologia foi iniciado, com melhora completa do quadro. O diagnóstico de gota axial deve ser incluído no espectro do diagnóstico diferencial das doenças que acometem a coluna vertebral. Apesar de a espondiloartrite gotosa ser incomum, há uma ocorrência subestimada devido a não investigação dos casos. O diagnóstico precoce e tratamento da patologia pode evitar que pacientes apresentem complicações da doença, como a relatada no presente estudo.