Single-Stage Operation for Giant Schwannoma at the Craniocervical Junction with Minimal Laminectomy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Here we report a single-stage operation we performed on a patient with a large schwannoma that extended from the lower clivus to the cervico-thoracic junction caudally. A number of authors have previously performed multilevel laminectomy to remove giant schwannomas that extend for considerable length. This technique has caused cervical instability such as kyphosis or gooseneck deformity on several occasions. We removed the tumor with a left lateral suboccipital craniectomy with laminectomy only at C1 and without any subsequent surgery-related neurologic deficits. However, this technique requires meticulous preoperative evaluation on existence of Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cleft between the tumor and spinal cord on magnetic resonance imaging, of tumor origin located at the upper cervical root, and of detachment of tumor from the origin site.

Surgical Treatment for Falcotentorial Meningiomas

Among intracranial meningiomas, falcotentorial meningiomas, occurring at the junction of the falx cerebri and tentorial dural folds, are extremely rare. Because of their deep location, they are surrounded by critical structures, and have been regarded as one of the most challenging lesions for surgical treatment. In this study, we describe our surgical strategy for falcotentorial meningiomas and provide a review of our experience.

Change of Lumbar Motion after Multi-Level Posterior Dynamic Stabilization with Bioflex System : 1 Year Follow Up

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the change of range of motion (ROM) at the segments within the dynamic posterior stabilization, segments above and below the system, the clinical course and analyzed the factors influencing them. METHODS: This study included a consecutive 27 patients who underwent one-level to three-level dynamic stabilization with Bioflex system at our institute. All of these patients with degenerative disc disease underwent decompressive laminectomy with/without discectomy and dynamic stabilization with Bioflex system at the laminectomy level without fusion. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for back and leg pain, whole lumbar lordosis (from L1 to S1), ROMs from preoperative, immediate postoperative, 1.5, 3, 6, 12 months at whole lumbar (from L1 to S1), each instrumented levels, and one segment above and below this instrumentation were evaluated. RESULTS: VAS scores for leg and back pain decreased significantly throughout the whole study period. Whole lumbar lordosis remained within preoperative range, ROM of whole lumbar and instrumented levels showed a significant decrease. ROM of one level upper and lower to the instrumentation increased, but statistically invalid. There were also 5 cases of complications related with the fixation system. CONCLUSION: Bioflex posterior dynamic stabilization system supports operation-induced unstable, destroyed segments and assists in physiological motion and stabilization at the instrumented level, decrease back and leg pain, maintain preoperative lumbar lordotic angle and reduce ROM of whole lumbar and instrumented segments. Prevention of adjacent segment degeneration and complication rates are something to be reconsidered through longer follow up period.

Management of a Complicated Cerebral Aneurysm with Distal Migration of a Detachable Coil: A Case Report / 대한뇌혈관외과학회지

We describe our experience in which the migration of a coil into the parent artery occurred during the coil embolization. A feared complication during coil embolization of cerebral aneurysm is parent artery occlusion by migration of a detachable coil. Obstruction with migration of the coil into the parent artery may be especially hard to solve with an endovascular procedure. The patient had an unruptured internal carotid artery trunk aneurysm where endovascular treatment was performed with detachable coils. One of the packed coils escaped from the sac and migrated into the distal middle cerebral artery (MCA). Cerebral angiography demonstrated non-filling of a number of MCA branches. Repeated attempts at endovascular retrieval of the migrated coil were unsuccessful. Only after an emergent arteriotomy the migrated coil could be successfully removed. Subsequently, endovascular intra-arterial thrombolysis was required to dissolve the thrombus formed postoperatively in the distal MCA. The patient fully recovered with no neurological deficit. In our case a combined surgical and endovascular treatment of coil migration were performed.