Therapeutic Feasibility of Full Endoscopic Decompression in One- to Three-Level Lumbar Canal Stenosis via a Single Skin Port Using a New Endoscopic System, Percutaneous Stenoscopic Lumbar Decompression

STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective study involved 450 consecutive cases of degenerative lumbar stenosis treated with percutaneous stenoscopic lumbar decompression (PSLD). PURPOSE: We determined the feasibility of PSLD for lumbar stenosis at single and multiple levels (minimum 1-year follow-up) by image analysis to observe postoperative widening of the vertebral canal in the area. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The decision not to perform an endoscopic decompression might be due to the surgeon being uncomfortable with conventional microscopic decompression or unfamiliar with endoscopic techniques or the unavailability of relevant surgical tools to completely decompress the spinal stenosis. METHODS: The decompressed canal was compared between preoperative controls and postoperative treated cases. Data on operative results, including length of stay, operative time, and surgical complications, were analyzed. Patients were assessed clinically on the basis of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score for the back and legs and using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). RESULTS: Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging revealed that PSLD increased the canal cross-sectional area by 52.0% compared with the preoperative area at the index segment (p<0.001) and demonstrated minimal damage to the normal soft tissues including muscles and the extent of removed normal bony tissues. Mean improvements in VAS score and ODI were 4.0 (p<0.001) and 40% (p<0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PSLD could be an alternative to microscopic or microendoscopic decompression with various advantages in the surgical management of lumbar stenosis.

Mobility of Intradural Extramedullary Schwannoma at Spine : Report of Three Cases with Literature Review

Although very rare, a few cases of intradural extramedullary (IDEM) spinal tumor migration have been reported since Tomimatsu first reported a mobile schwannoma of the cervical cord in 1974. Schwannoma is a neurogenic tumor which originates from nerve sheath that it is relatively well-marginated tumor with little attachment or adhesion to surrounding tissue. Mobility of tumor in spinal canal sometimes can result in negative exploration at the expected area. We found three interesting cases in which different tumor locations observed in repeated magnetic resonance image (MRI) findings. All tumors were intradural and extramedullary schwannoma. We reviewed the literature about moving tumor in the spine through PUBMED search.

Surgical Treatment of Benign Fibrous Histiocytoma as a Form of Intraspinal Extradural Tumor at Lumbar Spine

A benign fibrous histiocytoma (BFH) is one of the fibrohistiocytic groups of soft-tissue tumors for which spinal involvement is extremely rare. To the best of our knowledge, most spine-originating BFHs are bone tumors. We report the first case of BFH occurring in the intraspinal extradural space on the lumbar spine. A 66-year-old female presented with severe claudication symptom. The preoperative magnetic resonance images showed a huge intraspinal, extradural, thecal-sac-compressing soft-tissue tumor that extended along the right L5 root to the neural foramen. The tumor was a relatively well-marginated, inhomogeneous soft-tissue mass with some fluid-containing cystic portions that were well enhanced by the gadolinium contrast dye. After a total facectectomy, the tumor was removed completely. The patient had a good neurological recovery without complications, and no recurrence was noted at the 6-month follow-up.

Morphologic Changes of L5 Root at Coronal Source Images of MR Myelography in Cases of Foraminal or Extraforaminal Compression

OBJECTIVE: Two findings easily found at coronal source images of MR myelography (MRM) were evaluated : dorsal root ganglion (DRG) swelling and running course abnormality (RCA) of L5 exiting root at foramen or extraforamen. We tried to find the sensitivity of each finding when root was compressed. METHODS: From 2004 July to 2006, one hundred and ten patients underwent one side paraspinal decompression for their L5 root foraminal or extraforaminal compression at L5-S1 level. All kinds of conservative treatments failed to improve leg symptom for several months. Before surgery, MRI, CT and MRM were done. Retrospective radiologic analysis for their preoperative MRM coronal source images was done to specify root compression sites and L5 root morphologic changes. RESULTS: DRG swelling was found in 66 (60%) of 110 patients. DRG swelling has statistically valuable meaning in foraminal root compression (chi-square test, p < 0.0001). Seventy-two (66%) in 110 patients showed abnormal alteration of running course. Abnormal running course has statistically valuable meaning in foraminal or extraforaminal root compression (chi-square test, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional MRM provides precise thin sliced coronal images which are most close to real operative views. DRG swelling and running course abnormality of L5 exiting root are two useful findings in diagnosing L5 root compression at L5-S1 foramen or extraforamen. MRM is thought to provide additional diagnostic accuracy expecially in L5-S1 foraminal and extraforaminal area.

Factors Affecting Recurrence After Soft Tissue Release for Talipes Equinovarus in Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Talipes equinovarus deformity associated with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita(AMC) is rigid and its treatment is still controversial. The purpose of this study is to review the trend of recurrence after soft tissue release, and to delineate the risk factors affecting recurrence. Forty-one clubfeet in 24 AMC patients underwent soft tissue release as the first operation at the average age of 1 year 2 months (range, 6 months - 5 years 11 months) and were followed up for an average of 5 year 6 months (range, 2 years 1 month 14 years 5 months). Types of soft tissue release were Turcos posteromedial release (PMR) in 26 cases and posteromediolateral release (PMLR) using the modified Cincinati incision in 15 cases. Recurrences occurred in seventeen clubfeet (41%). A variety of recurrent deformity was corrected by redo PMR or PMLR, osteotomy, talectomy, arthrodesis, or Ilizarov technique. Average number of operations was 1.5 per case. Four parameters were analyzed in relation to recurrence: type of arthrogryposis, initial equinus deformity, type of primary soft tissue release, and age at the first operation. Recurrence occurred in proportion to the severity of initial equinus deformity, and was more frequent in amyoplasia type than in distal arthrogryposis type. However, neither the type of soft tissue release nor the age at the first operation was significant contributing factor to recurrence.