The Change of Adjacent Segment and Sagittal Balance after Thoracolumbar Spine Surgery

OBJECTIVE: To characterize perioperative biomechanical changes after thoracic spine surgery. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients underwent spinal instrumented fusions and simple laminectomies on the thoracolumbar spine from April 2003 to October 2008. Patients were allocated to three groups; namely, the laminectomy without fusion group (group I, n = 17), the thoracolumbar fusion group (group II, n = 27), and the thoracic spine fusion group (group III, n = 14). Sagittal (ADS) and coronal (ADC) angles for adjacent segments were measured from two disc spaces above lesions at the upper margins, to two disc spaces below lesions at the lower margins. Sagittal (TLS) and coronal (TLC) angles of the thoracolumbar junction were measured from the lower margin of the 11th thoracic vertebra body to the upper margin of the 2nd lumbar vertebra body on plane radiographs. Adjacent segment disc heights and disc signal changes were determined using simple spinal examinations and by magnetic resonance imaging. Clinical outcome indices were determined using a visual analog scale. RESULTS: The three groups demonstrated statistically significant differences in terms of angle changes by ANOVA (p < 0.05). All angles in group I showed significantly smaller angles changes than in groups II and III by Turkey's multiple comparison analysis. Coronal Cobb's angles of the thoracolumbar spine (TLC) were not significantly different in the three groups. CONCLUSION: Postoperative sagittal balance is expected to change in the adjacent and thoracolumbar areas after thoracic spine fusion. However, its prevalence seems to be higher when the thoracolumbar spine is included in instrumented fusion.

Atlantoaxial Rotatory Fixation in Adults Patient

Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF) in adult is a rare disorder that occurs followed by a trauma. The patients were presented with painful torticollis and a typical 'cock robin' position of the head. The clinical diagnosis is generally difficult and often made in the late stage. In some cases, an irreducible or chronic fixation develops. We reported a case of AARF in adult patient which was treated by immobilization with conservative treatment. A 25-year-old female was presented with a posterior neck pain and limitation of motion of cervical spine after a traffic accident. She had no neurological deficit but suffered from severe defect on the scalp and multiple thoracic compression fractures. Plain radiographs demonstrated torticollis, lateral shift of odontoid process to one side and widening of one side of C1-C2 joint space. Immobilization with a Holter traction were performed and analgesics and muscle relaxants were given. Posterior neck pain and limitation of the cervical spine's motion were resolved. Plain cervical radiographs taken at one month after the injury showed that torticollis disappeared and the dens were in the midline position. The authors reported a case of type I post-traumatic AARF that was successfully treated by immobilization alone.

A Case of Postoperative Herpes Simplex Pneumonia

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) esophagitis is a rare disease and most of cases are reported in the immunocompromised patients2,3,11,15,17,18). We report a case of fatal HSV infection started from herpes labialis and esophagitis. She had initially suffered from perioral ulcer, esophagitis, and interstitial pneumonitis later and eventually died of respiratory insufficiency one month later after the aneurysmal surgery. She did not have any immunocompromised medical history and also had no evidence of herpes encephalitis in laboratory study and magnetic resonance image (MRI). With the availability of effective agents for the treatment of HSV infection, early recognition of HSV esophagitis is important because it may be clinically confused with Cushing ulcer and may be complicated with a fatal pneumonitis.

Bilateral Cortical Blindness Caused by Tentorial Herniation due to Brain Tumor

Two patients, one with glioblastoma multiforme (GM) in the right thalamus and the other with meningioma at the right frontal convexity, had suffered bilateral cortical blindness after transtentorial herniation. On one of those patients, bilateral cortical blindness had occurred due to acute obstructive hydrocephalus caused by GM and on the other patient, cortical blindness had developed after acute hemorrhage from meningioma. Bilateral occipital lobes of those patients showed signal change on the brain magnetic resonance image (MRI). There were no ophthalmologic abnormalities on fundoscopy and ophthalmologic examination. After recovery of consciousness, cortical blindness was detected in both patients, and during gradual recovery period, visual function was slowly recovered. The pattern of visual evoked potential (VEP) at 7 weeks and 12 weeks after herniation was normalized gradually. Cortical blindness due to herniation was reversible, even though the high signals of bilateral visual cortex still existed on MRI 16 months later in case 2.

Surgical Treatment of Squamous cell Carcinomas Arising in Scalp Burn Wounds: Two Case Reports

Marjolin's ulcer is a rare and often-aggressive cutaneous malignancy that arises in previously traumatized or chronically inflamed skin, particularly after burns. We experienced two cases after burns. Case I involved a forty eight year-old man who had suffered from a flame burn at the parietal scalp area, where had been initially described three years earlier as a full-thickness wound including the pericranium. The man consulted us for a persistent ulcerative and infected wound on the burned lesion during the last 24 months, which turned out on the contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to be the squamous cell carcinoma with involving the skull and the dura mater. Although the posterior auricular lymph node was enlarged on the ipsilateral side, recent positron emission tomography (PET) CT did not show any metastatic lesion. It was impossible for us to resect the intracranial involvement of the tumor radically, and the postoperative PET CT still showed a focal fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake around the wall of the superior sagittal sinus. We think that an aggressive combined approach is essential for treatment in early stages for a high success rate, before the intracranial structures are involved because there is no consensus on the treatment for advanced disease, and the results are generally poor. Case 1 also did not involve a radical resection because of the intracranial invasion to the wall of superior sagittal sinus and the possibility of damage to the major cortical veins. He received adjuvant radiotherapy and must be followed periodically. Case 2 involved an eighty six year-old women who suffered from a painful scalp ulcer lesion after flame burns three years earlier. Unlike case 1, neither tumor infiltration into the dura nor lymph node enlargement was observed on the contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission tomography (PET) CT. We did a radical resection of the tumor, including the involved bone, and a cranioplasty with bone cement.

Blindness Caused by Wrapping of the ICA Aneurysm

The incidence of blindness after aneurysm surgery is very rare. We experienced a case of unilateral blindness after internal carotid artery(ICA) aneurysm wrapping. A 43-year-old male immediately developed ipsilateral ocular pain and visual loss in his left eye after the treatment of a lateral ICA aneurysm by wrapping with muscle pieces. He had also multiple aneurysms, which were multilobulated anterior communicating artery (A-com), middle cerebral artery(MCA) and posterior communicating artery (P-com) aneurysms. Coilings were done for a part of A-com artery aneurysm and P-com artery aneurysm on admission. The remaining A-com artery aneurysm was clipped and ICA aneurysm was wrapped with temporal muscle piece. A retrobulbar optic neuropathy might have resulted from either direct injury or damage to small dural vessels of the posterior optic nerve. Actually, the optico-carotid space was tight and the optic nerve was compressed by swollen muscle piece. Despite releasing of compression of the optic nerve on second day, his visual loss was irreversible.

Mortality and Morbidity of Aneurysmal Neck Clipping during the Learning Curve

OBJECTIVE: Young neurosurgeons need to focus on the mortality and morbidity of aneurysmal neck clipping to develop a personal experience with an initial series. METHODS: Total 88 aneurysms from 75 patients who underwent neck clipping by the same operator from 2001 to 2004 were reviewed. Patients were divided into three groups: first year (Group I), second year (Group II), and third year (Group III) in each group. Location of aneurysm, age, Fisher grade, Hunter-Hess grade (H-H grade), postoperative Glasgow outcome scale (GOS), and complications related to surgical procedures were evaluated with Chi-square and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Fourteen patients had complications related to surgery (18.7%). The major causes of mortality and morbidity related to surgery were cerebral infarction, hemorrhage and brain swelling due to intraoperative rupture, brain retraction and vasospasm. Among the 4 cases of mortality were 2 patients in Group I, 1 patient in Group II and 1 patient in Group III, and location of aneurysms were 2 internal carotid artery(ICA) and 2 posterior communicating artery(PCoA) aneurysms. There were 4 morbidity and new neurological deficits in Group I, 4 in Group II and 2 in Group III. Although mortality and morbidity during the learning curve had a statistical significance in H-H grade, age (>60 years old), and aneurysm location (especially ICA aneurysm) as variables, mortality mainly occurred in ICA and PCoA aneurysms. CONCLUSION: Experienced supervision or endovascular approach should be considered for the treatment of ICA and PCoA aneurysms during the learning curve.

A Biomechanical Comparison among Three Surgical Methods in Bilateral Subaxial Cervical Facet Dislocation

OBJECTIVE: The biomechanical stabilities between the anterior plate fixation after anterior discectomy and fusion (ACDFP) and the posterior transpedicular fixation after ACDF(ACDFTP) have not been compared using human cadaver in bilateral cervical facet dislocation. The purpose of this study is to compare the stability of ACDFP, a posterior wiring procedure after ACDFP(ACDFPW), and ACDFTP for treatment of bilateral cervical facet dislocation. METHODS: Ten human spines(C3-T1) were tested in the following sequence: the intact state, after ACDFP(Group 1), ACDFPW(Group 2), and ACDFTP(Group 3). Intervertebral motions were measured by a video-based motion capture system. The range of motion(ROM) and neutral zone(NZ) were compared for each loading mode to a maximum of 2.0Nm. RESULTS: ROMs for Group 1 were below that of the intact spine in all loading modes, with statistical significance in flexion and extension, but NZs were decreased in flexion and extension and slightly increased in bending and axial rotation without significances. Group 2 produced additional stability in axial rotation of ROM and in flexion of NZ than Group 1 with significance. Group 3 provided better stability than Group 1 in bending and axial rotation, and better stability than Group 2 in bending of both ROM and NZ. There was no significant difference in extension modes for the three Groups. CONCLUSION: ACDFTP(Group 3) demonstrates the most effective stabilization followed by ACDFPW(Group 2), and ACDFP(Group 1). ACDFP provides sufficient strength in most loading modes, ACDFP can provide an effective stabilization for bilateral cervical facet dislocation with a brace.

A Study about Peritumoral Brain Edema in Meningiomas using Angiographic Pattern and MIB-1

OBJECTIVE: Peritumoral brain edema(PTBE) accounts for approximately 60% of meningiomas. It has not been identified why vasogenic edema, frequently shown in intra-axial tumors is also developed in extra-axial tumor such as meningiomas. Therefore, the authors assess the peritumoral brain edema of meningiomas with a focus on the angiographic pattern and expression of MIB-1 to clarify their correlation. METHODS: A total 32 cases of meningioma was studied. The authors attempted to identify 1) the location of PTBE and the edema index (EI), 2) the location and dominancy of pial supply compared with meningeal supply, 3) the biological activity of meningiomas indicated by the MIB-1 LI (labeling index), 4) their interaction. RESULTS: No PTBE was observed in the meningiomas without pial arterial supplement from internal carotid artery (ICA) and vertebral artery (VA). The PTBE of meningiomas with pial supply was developed intensely along the pial arterial supplement, and increased statistically in proportion to the extent of pial supply from ICA or VA rather than meningeal supply. Also, the MIB-1 LI in meningiomas tended to be larger in the tumors of the larger EI and the dominancy of pial supply. CONCLUSION: A strong correlation is found between the extent of PTBE in meningiomas and the dominancy of pial supply. The MIB-1 LI also tend to be associated with the PTBE. Therefore, the MIB-1 LI in benign meningiomas may represent not only the proliferative potential of the tumor, but also the biological activity like angiogenesis.

Clinical Features of Posterior Inferior Cerebella Artery Aneurysms / 대한뇌혈관외과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to characterize the distribution of posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysm, the computed tomography (CT) patterns of hemorrhage, and the clinical presentation thereof. METHODS: We reviewed the records 1050 patients with intracranial aneurysms treated at our institution between January 1999 and November 2003. Upon clinical review of radiological data and postoperative reports, we found 20 patients with PICA aneurysms. RESULTS: The incidence of PICA aneurysms was 1.9% of all intracranial aneurysms. The location of PICA aneurysms varied. Of the 20 PICA aneurysm cases, ruptured aneurysms accounted for 18 cases. Review of only these ruptured cases resulted in the following observations : Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) was presented in 94.4% of cases. Isolated infratentorial and supratentorial SAH was present in 7 cases (38.9%) and 2 cases (11.1%), respectively. SAH involving the infratentorial and supratentorial region was present in 8 cases (44.5%). Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) with or without associated SAH was seen in 77.8% of cases, whereas isolated IVH was seen in only one case. Perimedullary large hematoma was present in 50% of cases, while the hematoma was consistently thicker on the aneurysm side. Hydrochephalus was present in 16 cases (88.9%). Although patients' postoperative outcomes were excellent or good in 70% of the above cases, initial angiograms failed to reveal ruptured PICA aneurysms in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: PICA aneurysm is rare in most aneurysm cases. However, awareness of a possibility of PICA aneurysm and its features are still nonetheless important. IVH and hydrocephalus are commonly presented with a ruptured PICA aneurysm and complete vertebral angiography is a required to recognize this condition.

PLIF using Cages at the Instability Level and Additional Transpedicular Instrumental Fusion in Multilevel Degenerative Lumbar Disease

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of PLIF using cages on the unstable level and additional instrumented posterolateral fusion in patients with multilevel lumbar degenerative disease with segmental instability. METHODS: Clinical and radiological outcomes including the rate of bony fusion and changes in disc height, translation, and angular displacement on PLIF level, and its complications were analyzed in 28 patients (male:female=8:20) who were observed for more than 2 years (mean 30.6 months) between 1998 and 2000. RESULTS: The rate of successful fusion was 93% (26 patients). Clinical outcomes according to Prolos's classification were revealed with excellent in 10 patients (36%), good in 14 patients (50%), fair in 3 patients (10%), and poor in 1 patient (4%). The mean disc height on the PLIF level (35 levels including 6 patients with 2 levels PLIF) was changed from 0.48+/-0.11, preoperatively to 0.66+/-0.08 at 2-year follow-up by Farfan method (P<0.05). Mean vertebral body translation was decreased from 7.52+/-2.74mm, to 1.07+/-1.33mm and mean angular displacement was corrected from 11.21+/-4.43 degree to 1.03+/-0.62 degree (P<0.05). Permanent complications were relatively minimal. CONCLUSION: Favorable outcomes were achieved in 86% with relatively low surgical morbidity rates. It can be concluded that PLIF using cages on unstable lumbar segment and additional instrumented posterolateral fusion method is an effective stabilizing method for the multilevel lumbar degenerative disease with segmental instability in spite of its technical demanding and long operation time.

Surgical Results of Anterior Circulation Aneurysm by Inexperienced Neurosurgeon

OBJECTIVE: The authors report the surgical results of anterior circulation aneurysm surgery by inexperienced neurosurgeon and the results are compared to those of experienced one. METHODS: The pterional approach for the anterior circulation aneurysm was performed on 20 cases from July 2000 to July 2001 by experienced neurosurgeon. The pterional approach and orbitozygomatic with orbital rim osteotomy were performed on 10 cases respectively from Oct 2001 to May 2002 by inexperienced neurosurgeon. RESULTS: All of aneurysms were treated by direct clipping. Good outcomes(Glasgow Outcome Scale score 4 or 5) were achieved in 60%, fair(GOS score 3) 10%, poor(GOS score 1 or 2) 30% through pterional approach by inexperienced neurosurgeon. Good outcomes were achieved in 70%, fair 20%, poor 10% through orbital rim or orbitozygomatic approach by inexperienced neurosurgeon. Good outcomes were achieved in 65%, fair 20%, poor 15% by experienced neurosurgeon. CONCLUSION: The clinical outcomes of anterior circulation aneurysmal surgery through the orbital rim or orbitozygomatic osteotomy by inexperienced neurosurgeon showed no statistical differences compared with routine pterional approach. However, the authors could obtain lesser brain retraction and easy access of the target through the orbital rim or orbitozygomatic osteotomy.

Multiple Hemangioendotheliomas of the Spinal Cord and Cauda Equina: Case Report

A case of multiple hemangioendothelioma of the cauda equina nerve roots and conus medullaris is described. This case is the first report of intradural multiple hemangioendothelioma in Korea. A 74-year-old woman presented with a 4-month history of progressive bilateral leg weakness and lancinating leg pain especially at night. Magnetic resonance image revealed multiple enhancing nodular masses in the cauda equina nerve roots and pial surface of the conus medullaris. We performed total removal of conus medullaris mass and partial removal of two nerve rootlets masses. Two lesions were histologically examined and found to be hemangioendotheliomas

Spinal Extradural Arachnoid Cyst: Case Report

We report a case of thoracolumbar extradural arachnoid cyst in a 39-year-old male who presented with left lower thoracolumbar back pain, left buttock pain, hypesthesia in the left leg for three months. Magnetic resonance image revealed a cystic mass which lies posterior to the spinal cord from T12 to L2 vertebra level. The spinal cord was displaced anteriorly and flattened. We performed total laminectomy from lower half of T12 to upper half of L2 to remove cystic mass which was found to be an extradural lesion. There was a dural opening near the left L1 nerve root sleeve through which cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) was leaking and part of nerve roots were moving back and forth by CSF pulsation. A prompt improvement of the symptoms was noted after surgery. Possible mechanisms of spinal extradural arachnoid cyst and surgical intervention are discussed.

The Clinical Analysis of Bleeding Pattern in Patients with Ruptured Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysm

OBJECTIVES: The rupture of middle cerebral artery(MCA) aneurysm usually cause or is associated with higher incidence of intracerebral hemorrhages(ICH) than any other aneurysmal ruptures. Also, the outcome of patients who had ICH is known to be worse than patients who had subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) only. The authors report the bleeding pattern and outcome of ruptured MCA aneurysm patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total 106 ruptured MCA aneurysm patients who were surgically treated were included and they were divided into 2 groups by the initial brain CT findings according to the presence or absence of ICH over 10cc in amount. The clinical data were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: The overall mortality was 18.9%. Among 81 patients(76.4%) who had subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) only, 68 patients(84%) showed favorable outcome. Twenty five patients(23.6%) had ICH over 10cc in amount with or without SAH, and among them, 11 patients(44%) showed favorable outcome. The ICH was located in temporal lobe(15 patients, 60%), frontal lobe(3, 12%), sylvian fissure(6, 24%) and frontal-temporal lobe(1, 4%). Among 15 patients who had ICH in temporal lobe, only 4 patients(26.6%) showed favorable outcome and all 3 patients who had ICH in frontal lobe showed favorable outcome. CONCLUSION: ICH was presented in 23.6% of ruptured MCA aneurysm patients and the prognosis of patients with ICH was worse than patients with SAH only. The ICH was located mainly in the temporal lobe and sylvian fissure.

Outcome Analysis of the Patients with and without Anterior Plating in Multi-Level Degenerative Cervical Diseases

OBJECTIVES: The rates of pseudarthrosis for two- and three level fusion have been reported to be 17-63 and 50% without anterior cervical plating. The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of anterior cervical plating in the treatment of multilevel degenerative cervical disease such mostly the additional risks associated with hardware implants and its benefits, fusion rate and radiographic results, and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Forty-seven patients who underwent operations between 1993 and 1997 were retrospectively reviewed. The technique for operation was same for both groups(Smith Robinson with autologous iliac bone graft). Group I consisted of 35 consecutive patients treated with anterior cervical decompression and fusion with anterior cervical plate fixation. Group II consisted of 12 consecutive patients treated without plate fixation. We compared clinical outcomes by Prolo score, radiographic results in the rate of fusion, cervical lordosis by Gore angle, disc height by Farfan method, and surgical complications between two groups. RESULTS: The favorable clinical outcomes(excellent and good) by Prolo score were observed with the use of anterior cervical plate fixation(89% vs 75%). The successful fusion rate of multilevel cervical fusion was as seen with anterior cervical plate fixation(97% vs 75%). The overall graft complication rate in multilevel fusions was decreased, with anterior cervical plate fixation, and the hardware related complications were relatively minimal without serious consequences. CONCLUSION: Anterior cervical plate fixation in the treatment of multilevel cervical disorders is an effective stabilizing method which provides increased bony fusion rate, decreased graft complications, maintained cervical lordosis, early mobilization of the these patients without serious hardware related complications.

Pyogenic Spondylitis with Diffuse Spinal Epidural Abscess: A Case Report

No abstract available.

Rapid Spontaneous Resolution of Acute Subdural Hematoma

Usually, large amount of acute subdural hematoma needs prompt surgical removal. We report a case of rapid spontaneous resolution in a day. A 78-old female was admitted in comatose state after falling off from a bus. Initial brain CT scan revealed large amount of acute subdural hematoma that was completely resolved on follow-up brain CT taken 26hours after craniocerebral trauma. The spontaneous resolution needs redistribution of hematoma and dilution by CSF. The low density space between inner skull table and hematoma may suggest the possibility of spontaneous resolution.

Clinical Analysis of the Pattern of Anterior-Posterior Circulation in Patients with Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of study was to assess the status of posterior communicating artery in patient with aneurysms arising from the internal carotid-posterior communicating artery and the angiographic blood flow pattern of anterior-posterior circulation through the posterior communicating artery especially to the posterior cerebral artery. The clinical outcomes according to the pattern of posterior communicating artery and the blood flow to the posterior cerebral artery were analysed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data includes 41 cases of internal carotid-posterior communicating artery aneurysm among 248 cases of aneurysms which were operated from September 1993 to August 1998. The clinical informations were obtained by review of the records and radiologic films retrospectively. The statistical analysis were performed using Chi-square tests. RESULTS: The female was predominant and peak age was fifties. The operative result was in close relation with initial Hunt-Hess grades(p=0.039), Fisher grade(p=0.001) but showed no statistical differences with age(p=0.106). The flow pattern of posterior cerebral artery was mainly from both anterior and posterior circulation(28cases, 68%), and the size of posterior communicating artery was smaller than P1 segment of posterior cerebral artery in 28cases(68%) but each of them showed no statistical differences with outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Even though there were no statistical differences of outcome according to the size of posterior communicating artery and the pattern of blood flow to the posterior cerebral artery, it is mandatory to save the posterior communicating artery for the preservation of otherwise normal blood flow to the perforators and main branches of posterior circulation.

Effect of Decompressive Surgery on Neurological Outcome Following Incomplete Cord Injury of the Mid and Lower Cervical Spines

To determine the effects of decompressive surgery on neurological outcome following incomplete cord injury of the mid and lower cervical spines, 44 patients(decompression and stabilization group: stabilization or conservative treatment group=21:23) who underwent operations between 1993 and 1995 were retrospectively reviewed. We compared neurological outcome by Frankel's grade, Prolo economic and functional rating scale, and final ambulatory status between two groups. Also, we analysed MRI findings related to neurologic outcome in these cervical cord injured patients. With regard to upgrading scale by Frankel's grade, decompressive surgery group was more improved(98% vs 78%). With regard to Prolo's scale, decompressive surgery group were excellent in 24%, good in 52%, and fair in 24%. Stabilization only or conservative treatment group were as follows: excellent(22%), good(39%), fair(30%), and poor (9%). In the viewpoint of walking status, the result of decompressive surgery group was better(90% vs 74%). Initial MRI findings and neurological assesment correlated with neurological recovery. In conclusion, decompressive surgery may be more effective in patients with incomplete cord injury on mid or lower cervical spines when there are cord compressive lesions such as traumatic disc herniation, spondylotic spur, bony impingement in the spinal canal, and irreducible spinal malalignment unless major intramedullary hemorrhage is present.