Buckling of the Ligamentum Flavum as a Rare Complication of Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion: A Case Report

Introduction and Importance Neurological deterioration due to buckling of the ligamentum flavum (LF) is an uncommon complication after anterior cervical corpectomy or discectomy with fusion. Case Presentation In this report, we present the case of a 66-year-old male who underwent anterior cervical partial corpectomy of C5 and discectomy of prolapsed C5- C6 with fusion. Postsurgery, the patient displayed signs of neurological deterioration. Upon immediate cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), posterior canal stenosis and severe compression with cord signal due to LF buckling were detected. A posterior laminectomy procedure and canal decompression at the C5-C6 level with bone fusion were performed. Clinical Discussion Patient presented with walking difficulty, then walking disability, followed by bilateral upper and lower limb paresthesia with burning sensation. Examination showed ⅘ muscle strength in both handgrips. Further investigation showed brisk deep tendon reflexes, positive Hoffman sign unilaterally, equivocal Babinski sign, and progressive quadriparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed mild and diffuse building of some cervical discs, with spinal cord progression. We performed an anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF); a titanium mesh with plates and screws was used for fusion, with removal of a calcified and herniated subligamentous disc. Postoperatively, upper and lower limb strength deteriorated; immediate cervical and thoracic MRI showed LF buckling, which caused canal stenosis and severe compression. Urgent posterior laminectomy and canal decompression with bone fusion was scheduled on the same day. The patient underwent physiotherapy and regained upper and lower limb strength and his ability to walk. Conclusion This indicates the possibility of neurological deterioration as a result of LF buckling, whichmay be a result of LF thickening accompanied by hyperextension in the cervical region. In this regard, immediate imaging following signs of neurological complications after anterior cervical corpectomy or discectomy warrants early detection, which results in a better prognosis.

Spontaneous Epidural Hematoma of the Cervical Spine Mimicking a Cerebrovascular Accident: A Case Report

Objective The present study is a case report of a 57-year-old female with controlled hypertension who presented with spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) mimicking a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and was successfully treated by surgical decompression. Methods A 57-year-old woman with a medical history of hypertension presented with a sudden onset of weakness in the right upper and lower extremities. Weakness of grade 3/5 was noted in her right upper and lower extremities, but there was no motor weakness of the right facial muscles. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam of the cervical spine revealed an epidural hematoma extending from level C5 to level C7, causing spinal cord compression. Results During surgery, a cervical spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) was evacuated. Postoperatively, the power in both limbs improved to grade 5/5 just after surgery. Conclusions A high degree of suspicion, meticulous history taking, and physical examination have a great importance in these rare conditions because anticoagulant therapy as a routine treatment for ischemic CVA could be life-threatening.

Mielopatía aguda compresiva por absceso pulmonar. Presentación de un caso / Compressive acute myelopathy by pulmonary abscess. A case report

Las mielopatías constituyen un conjunto heterogéneo de procesos patológicos que directa o indirectamente afectan a la médula espinal. Son poco frecuentes y pueden ser producidos por variadas causas y vías de afectación, que conllevan a grandes secuelas y elevada discapacidad. Se describe un caso de mielopatía aguda compresiva desencadenada por un absceso pulmonar como causa y mecanismo de producción inusual. Hombre de 48 años, con antecedentes de salud y cuadro clínico de inicio brusco de paraparesia fláccida e hiporreflexia osteotendinosa de miembros inferiores asimétrica, con predominio derecho, nivel sensitivo dorsal a nivel de D4 y dolor a la percusión en procesos espinosos dorsales en D3-D6. Los estudios sanguíneos, inmunológicos y de líquido cefalorraquídeo resultaron irrelevantes, excepto muestra de signos indirectos de infección. La radiografía de tórax mostró la presencia del absceso pulmonar primario derecho y la afectación medular se corroboró a través de la realización de la resonancia magnética medular dorsal. Presentó pobre respuesta ante los esteroides parenteral, hasta que se inició la terapia antibiótica, de forma paulatina y con apoyo rehabilitador. Transcurridos tres meses se investigaron y fueron descartadas otras etiologías no compresivas. Las mielopatías agudas representan un grupo heterogéneo de trastornos con distintas etiologías y mecanismos de producción, a través de su estudio se evidenció como causa un absceso pulmonar con afectación medular, por lo que debe ser considerado en la extensa lista de diagnósticos diferenciales (AU).

Myelopathies are a heterogeneous group of pathological processes that directly or indirectly affect the spinal cord. They are rare and can be produced by different causes and affectation pathways leading to major consequences and high disability. A case of acute compressive myelopathy triggered by a lung abscess as unusual cause and production mechanism is described. It is the case of a man, aged 48 years, with a clinical history and symptoms of acute onset of flaccid paraparesis and asymmetric osteotendinous hyporeflexia of lower limbs, with right predominance, dorsal sensitive level at D4, and pain at percussion in D3-D6 dorsal spinal processes. Blood, immune and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies were irrelevant, but showing indirect signs of infection. Chest radiography showed the presence of the right primary lung abscess and spinal cord involvement was confirmed by performing dorsal medullar magnetic resonance (MRI). The patient had poor response to parenteral steroids until antibiotic therapy began, gradually and with rehabilitation support. After three months, other non-comprehensive etiologies were studied and ruled out. Acute myelopathies represent a heterogeneous group of disorders with different etiologies and production mechanisms. The study evidenced a lung abscess with spinal cord involvement as a cause, so it should be considered in the extensive list of differential diagnoses (AU).

Manifestações clínicas de tumores raquemedulares / Clinical manifestations of rachimedular tumors

A medula espinhal é a parte do Sistema Nervoso Central envolta pela coluna vertebral. Neoplasias primárias ou metastáticas podem causar compressão medular e acarretar quadros clínicos característicos de acordo com os tratos espinhais afetados. A anamnese e o exame físico são de suma importância para abordagem inicial.

The spinal cord is a part of the central nervous system protected by the vertebrae spine. Primary or metastatic neoplasm tumors could cause spinal compression resulting in characteristic clinical manifestations due to a specific spinal tract involved. History and physical exam have a role part as a first step approach in these patients.

Is there a right time for surgery in paraplegic patients secondary to non traumatic spinal cord compression? / Há um período exato para cirurgia em pacientes com paraplegia secundária à compressão medular não traumática?

Paraplegia is a well-defined state of complete motor deficit in lower limbs, regardless of sensory involvement. The cause of paraplegia usually guides treatment, however, some controversies remain about the time and benefits for spinal cord decompression in nontraumatic paraplegic patients, especially after 48 hours of the onset of paraplegia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefits of spinal cord decompression in such patients. We describe three patients with paraplegia secondary to non-traumatic spinal cord compression without sensory deficits, and who were surgically treated after more than 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. All patients, even those with paraplegia during more than 48 hours, had benefits from spinal cord decompression like recovery of gait ability. The duration of paraplegia, which influences prognosis, is not a contra-indication for surgery. The preservation of sensitivity in this group of patients should be considered as a positive prognostic factor when surgery is taken into account.

A paraplegia é uma condição de déficit motor completo dos membros inferiores, independente do envolvimento de sensibilidade. A causa da paraplegia normalmente guia o tratamento, porém existem controversas sobre o momento e o benefício da descompressão medular em pacientes paraplégicos, principalmente após 48 horas do início dessa condição. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o beneficio da descompressão medular nesses pacientes. Foram descritos três pacientes com paraplegia secundária à compressão medular não traumática, sem déficits sensoriais e que foram submetidos à cirurgia após 48 horas do início dessa condição. Todos os pacientes, inclusive aqueles com mais de 48 horas do início dos sintomas, apresentaram melhora neurológica com a descompressão medular, como a recuperação da habilidade de marcha. A duração da paraplegia, que influencia no prognóstico, não é uma contraindicação absoluta para o procedimento cirúrgico. A preservação de sensibilidade desse grupo de pacientes deve ser considerada como fator prognóstico positivo quando a cirurgia for levada em conta.

Médula anclada, dificultad diagnóstica en el adulto: reporte de un caso / Tethered cord, diagnostic difficulty in adult: report of a case

INTRODUCCIÓN: El síndrome de médula espinal anclada es una malformación de la región caudal de la columna vertebral. Es una enfermedad poco frecuente que aparece en el 5 por ciento de la población, de inicio inhabitual y diagnóstico tardío en el adulto. Puede llevar a disfunciones neurológicas, musculoesqueléticas, urológicas o gastrointestinales. PRESENTACIÓN DEL CASO: Paciente de sexo masculino de 50 años, con evidencia clínica e imagenológica de síndrome de médula anclada de inicio sintomático en la vida adulta, con historia de aparente incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo diagnosticada hace 10 años. Luego de estudio por urología se diagnostica hiperplasia prostática benigna, por lo que se realiza resección transuretral de próstata. Posterior a ello, persiste la incontinencia urinaria y la sintomatología, se solicita interconsulta con neurólogo diagnosticándose médula anclada asociada a lipoma lumbosacro. DISCUSIÓN: Los exámenes de imágenes obtenidos, junto a un examen físico dirigido, orientaron a un síndrome mucho más amplio como lo es el síndrome de médula anclada, en el que la clínica urológica inicial del paciente presentado es una de las muchas formas posibles de debut de un síndrome que a lo largo de la vida pasó desapercibido. La falta de antecedentes previos de disfunción medular en la infancia, es responsable de la complejidad para llegar al diagnóstico con mayor precisión. En adultos, el momento de la cirugía es controversial y no existe consenso neuroquirúrgico al respecto.

INTRODUCTION: The tethered spinal cord syndrome is a malformation of the caudal region of the spine. Is a rare disease that occurs in 5 percent of the population, with an unusual start, and late diagnosis in adult. It can lead to neurological, musculoskeletal, urologic or gastrointestinal disorders. CASE REPORT: Fifty-year old male patient with clinical and imaging evidence of tethered cord syndrome of symptomatic onset in adulthood, with urinary incontinence since 10 years ago. After study by urologist, benign prostatic hyperplasia is diagnosed and transurethral resection of the prostate is done, but urinary incontinence symptoms persist, requesting consultation with a neurologist who diagnosed tethered cord associated with a lumbosacral lipoma. DISCUSSION: The imaging examinations and the led physical examination, directed at a broader syndrome as tethered cord syndrome, in which patient’s initial clinical urological presented is one of the many possible manifestations of a syndrome throughout life go unnoticed. The absence of prior history of spinal cord dysfunction in childhood is responsible for the complexity to make the diagnosis more accurately. In adults, the time of surgery is controversial and no neurosurgical consensus exists.

Mal de Pott: uma doença milenar em um novo século / Pott's disease: an ancient disease in a new century

A tuberculose espinhal, também conhecida como Mal de Pott ou Doença de Pott, caracteriza-se como a forma mais frequente de tuberculose extrapulmonar. Apresentamos aqui o caso de uma paciente encaminhada ao Serviço de Neurologia do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre com um quadro de dois meses de evolução, apresentando sintomas de compressão medular. O diagnóstico de tuberculose espinhal foi realizado por punção guiada por tomografia computadorizada e a paciente foi submetida à drenagem do abscesso. Concomitantemente, foi iniciado o tratamento com RHZ e a paciente evoluiu com melhora dos sintomas neurológicos. Esse caso ilustra que mesmo pacientes com alterações neurológicas importantes devido à tuberculose medular podem apresentar melhora significativa com tratamento.

Spinal tuberculosis, also known as Pott's disease, is the most common form of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. We report on a patient referred to the Division of Neurology of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre presenting with spinal cord compression symptoms for two months. The diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis was rapidly done by a computerized tomography guided biopsy. The patient was submitted to abscess surgical draining and complementary RHZ treatment, with recovery of neurological symptoms. This case illustrates that even patients with severe neurological deficits due to spinal tuberculosis may have a good outcome with the appropriate treatment.

Profile of compressive myelopathy as evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging.

To evaluate spectrum of diseases causing compressive myelopathy and accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing these conditions, a total of 69 clinically diagnosed cases of compressive myelopathy were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging and results were tabulated. Caries spine was the commonest condition (24.6%) followed by metastasis spine (17.4%), ossified posterior longitudinal ligament (7.8%), primary bone tumours, nerve sheath tumours, intramedullary tumours and rare conditions like epidural abscess, spontaneous epidural haematoma, subdural haematoma, epidural lipomatosis, etc. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for diagnosing caries by magnetic resonance imaging was found to be 94%, 98% and 97% while that of metastasis spine was 91%, 98% and 97% respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging is the modality of choice for diagnosing compressive myelopathy.

Acute spinal epidural abscess: clinical presentations and surgical management

Spinal epidural abscess is a serious condition affecting males more than females causing spinal cord compression. Risk factors include imunocomprimise, septic lumbar puncture, or haematogenous spread of remote infections. The aim of this study was to highlight the common risk factors for epidural abscess and its management based on eliminating these factors. All patients in the present study underwent plain x-ray, CT scan of affected spine, MRI of the affected area of the spine, and bone scanning when needed. Once neurological symptoms appeared urgent decompression and evacuation of the pus with subsequent culture and sensitivity was done. Liver diseases and Diabetes Mellitus. Were the most risk factors among our patients. The lumbar spine was commonly affected than other areas of the vertebral column. Posterior laminectomy and decompression were done for 24 cases. Fluid puss collection was found in 21 patients whereas 3 patients had a fibrous granulation tissue. Discectomy and partial corpectomy were done when affection of the anterior column was found. Staph. Aurues was found in about 60% of the culture obtained from the abscess. Epidural abscess is best treated by urgent decompression and giving the appropriate antibiotic

Tetraparesis secondary to cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament: case report

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a rare cause of myelopathy in non-Oriental populations and relatively unrecognized by general practitioners. A case of an Afro-Brazilian 54-years-old woman presenting with tetraparesis due to cervical OPLL is presented. Emphasis is made for the inclusion of OPLL in the differential diagnosis of compressive cervical myelopathy.

Ossificação do ligamento longitudinal posterior (OLLP) é causa rara de mielopatia na população não Oriental e relativamente subdiagnosticada por clínicos gerais. Relata-se um caso de mulher de 54 anos descendência Afro-Brasileira com tetraparesia associada a OLLP cervical. Enfatiza-se a inclusão da OLLP como diagnóstico diferencial de mielopatia cervical compressiva.

Hematoma após anestesia peridural: tratamento conservador. Relato de caso / Hematoma after epidural anesthesia: conservative treatment. Case report

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O hematoma associado à compressão espinhal após anestesia peridural é uma complicação neurológica grave, apesar da pequena incidência relatada (1:150.000). É um episódio agudo, e o tratamento tradicionalmente aplicado é a descompressão cirúrgica de urgência. Mais recentemente, em casos específicos, o tratamento com corticosteróide tem sido aplicado como alternativa, com boa recuperação neurológica. O objetivo deste relato foi expor um caso de hematoma peridural com tratamento conservador e recuperação neurológica completa. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo feminino, 34 anos, estado físico ASA I, sem qualquer histórico de coagulopatia ou terapia anticoagulante, submetida à anestesia peridural com punção única, em L2-L3, para tratamento cirúrgico de varizes nos membros inferiores. Oito horas após a anestesia regional, ela ainda apresentava bloqueio motor completo (escala de Bromage), redução das sensibilidades térmica e dolorosa abaixo do nível L3, hiperalgesia na região plantar esquerda, preservação dos reflexos tendinosos e ausência de dor lombar. A tomografia computadorizada revelou hematoma peridural em L2 com compressão do saco dural. Dez horas após a punção peridural não havia progressão dos sinais e sintomas neurológicos. Optou-se, então, pelo tratamento com metilprednisolona em infusão venosa contínua (5,3 mg.kg-1 na primeira hora e 1,4 mg.kg-1.h-1 nas 23 horas subseqüentes). Oito horas após o início do tratamento, a paciente recuperou as sensibilidades térmica e dolorosa, e houve regressão total do bloqueio motor. Na 12ª hora, deambulava e referia dor na ferida operatória. O hematoma peridural não foi visualizado em nova tomografia computadorizada na 14ª hora após o início do tratamento. A paciente recebeu alta hospitalar 86 horas depois do início do tratamento conservador, sem comprometimento neurológico. Uma tomografia computadorizada de controle, após sete meses, mostrou o canal vertebral completamente...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hematoma associated with spinal compression after epidural anesthesia is a severe neurological complication, despite the reduced incidence reported (1:150,000). It is an acute episode and the traditional treatment includes urgent surgical decompression. More recently, treatment with corticosteroids has been used as an alternative, in specific cases, with good neurological resolution. The objective of this report was to present the case of an epidural hematoma treated conservatively with complete neurological recovery. CASE REPORT: Female patient, 34 years old, ASA physical status I, with no prior history of bleeding disorders or anticlotting treatment, underwent epidural anesthesia at the L2-L3 level for the surgical treatment of lower limb varicose veins. Eight hours after the regional anesthesia, the patient still presented complete motor blockade (Bromage scale), reduction of thermal and pain sensitivity below L3, hyperalgesia in the left plantar region, preserved tendon reflexes, and absence of lumbar pain. A CT scan showed an epidural hematoma in L2, with compression of the dural sac. Ten hours after the epidural puncture, there was no regression of neurological signs and symptoms. It was decided, then, to treat the patient with a continuous infusion of methylprednisolone (5.3 mg.kg-1 in the first hour and 1.4 mg.kg-1.h-1 in the following 23 hours). Eight hours after the beginning of the treatment, the patient recovered thermal and pain sensitivity and presented total regression of the motor blockade. On the 12th hour, she was walking and complained of pain in the surgical wound. The epidural hematoma was not visualized in a CT scan done 14 hours after the beginning of the treatment. The patient was discharged 86 hours after the beginning of the treatment without neurological deficits. A CT scan done after 7 months showed a completely normal spinal canal. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of the conservative approach...

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: O hematoma asociado a la compresión espinal después de la anestesia peridural es una complicación neurológica grave, a pesar de la pequeña incidencia relatada (1:150.000). Es un episodio agudo y el tratamiento tradicionalmente aplicado es la descompresión quirúrgica de urgencia. Recientemente, en casos específicos, el tratamiento con corticosteroide ha sido aplicado como alternativa y con una buena recuperación neurológica. El objetivo de este relato fue exponer un caso de hematoma peridural con tratamiento conservador y recuperación neurológica completa. RELATO DEL CASO: Paciente del sexo femenino, 34 años, estado físico ASA I, sin ningún historial de coagulopatía o terapia anticoagulante, sometida a la anestesia peridural con punción única, en L2-L3, para tratamiento quirúrgico de várices en los miembros inferiores. Ocho horas después de la anestesia regional, todavía presentaba bloqueo motor completo (escala de Bromage), reducción de las sensibilidades térmica y dolorosa por debajo del nivel L3, hiperalgesia en la región plantar izquierda, preservación de los reflejos tendinosos y ausencia de dolor lumbar. La tomografía computadorizada reveló hematoma peridural en L2 con compresión del saco dural. Diez horas después de la punción peridural no había progresión de las señales y síntomas neurológicos. Se optó entonces por el tratamiento con metilprednisolona en infusión venosa continua (5,3 mg.kg-1 en la primera hora y 1,4 mg.kg-1.h-1 en las 23 horas siguientes). Ocho horas después del inicio del tratamiento, la paciente recuperó las sensibilidades térmica y dolorosa y la regresión total del bloqueo motor. En la 12ª hora, deambulaba y refería dolor en la herida operada. El hematoma peridural no se visualizó en una nueva tomografía computadorizada en la 14ª hora después del inicio del tratamiento. La paciente recibió alta hospitalaria 86 horas después del inicio del tratamiento conservador, sin comprometimiento neurológico. Una...

Cervical cord compression secondary to mycetoma infection

Mycetoma is a chronic granulomatous subcutaneous infection caused by actinomycetes [actinomycetoma] or by true fungi [eumycetoma]. Clinically the disease is characterized by swelling, and sinuses in the affected part. Another characteristic feature of mycetoma is the formation of aggregates of the organism [grains] in the tissues, which are visible to the naked eye and are discharged through sinuses in the skin. The grains vary in colour, size and consistency depending on the causative agent [1, 2]. These features are helpful in making a tentative diagnosis of the causative organism. We report a 75 year's Sudanese female with spastic paraplegia of gradual onset, she has discharging sinuses in her neck. Cervical X-RAY and cervical MRI showed destruction of cervical vertebrae. Identification of the agent was established by the histological examination of the grains, by culture and serologic techniques. Mycetoma is a local chronic and progressive infection of the skin, subcutaneous tissues and bone. It is characterized by swelling that is often grotesque and disfiguring and by multiple sinus tracts that drain granule-containing pus [3]

Corticospinal Tract Compression by Hematoma in a Patient with Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Diffusion Tensor Tractography and Functional MRI Study

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate corticospinal tract compression that was due to a hematoma by using diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) and functional MRI (fMRI) in a patient with an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). A 23-year-old right-handed woman presented with severe paralysis of her right extremities at the onset of a spontaneous ICH. Over the first three days from onset, the motor function of the affected upper and lower extremities rapidly recovered to the extent that she was able to overcome applied resistance to the affected limbs, and her limbs regained normal function 3 weeks after onset. The tract of the right hemisphere originated from the primary sensori-motor cortex (SM1) and it passed through the known corticospinal tract pathway. However, the tract of the left hemisphere was similar to that of the right hemisphere except that it was displaced to the antero-medial side by the hematoma at the cerebral peduncle. Only the contralateral SM1 area centered on the precentral knob was activated during affected (right) or unaffected (left) hand movements, respectively. In conclusion, fMRI and DTT demonstrated a corticospinal tract compression due to hematoma in this patient. We conclude that the combined use of these two modalities appears to improve the accuracy of investigating the state of the corticospinal tract.

Hemodynamic parameters and neurogenic pulmonary edema following spinal cord injury: an experimental model

Edema pulmonar neurogênico é complicação séria e aumenta o risco de vida em pacientes com várias lesões do sistema nervoso central. Apresentamos uma experiência com 58 ratos Wistar machos e adultos. Foram formados dois grupos: controle (n=4) e experimental (n=54). O grupo experimental sofreu trauma raquimedular torácico médio com o cateter-balão de Fogarty contendo 20µL de salina por 5, 15, 30 ou 60 segundos de compressão. Os ratos foram anestesiados com pentobarbital sódico (p.s.), 60 mg/Kg intraperitoneal (i.p.). Foi investigada a relação entre a lesão medular e o tempo de compressão. A evolução neurológica foi quantificada e apresentada com 4, 24 e 48 horas da compressão para caracterizar a graduação da lesão nos diferentes grupos. A pior evolução ocorreu com 60 segundos de compressão. Seis animais morreram subitamente com edema pulmonar. Vinte ratos foram randomicamente distribuídos em um dos seguintes grupos: controle (1, n=4, anestesiados com p.s. i.p., 60 mg/Kg, mas sem compressão) e experimental (2, n=7, anestesiados com xilasina 10 mg/Kg e ketamina 75 mg/Kg) e (3, n=9, anestesiados com p.s. i.p., 60 mg/Kg). O índice pulmonar (100 x peso pulmonar / peso corporal) foi 0,395 ± 0,018 no grupo controle, 0,499 ± 0,060 no grupo 2, e 0,639 ± 0,14 no grupo 3. O exame histológico da medula espinhal mostrou rupturas no parênquima e hemorragia aguda. Comparando-se o índice pulmonar com o índice morfométrico através da microscopia óptica, evidenciou-se que ocorreu edema intra-alveolar relevante para índices acima de 0,55. A presente experiência sugere que o edema pulmonar induzido pela compressão medular é de natureza neurogênica e que o tipo de anestesia utilizada no experimento poderia ter participação na gênesis do edema pulmonar.

'Metastatic invasive mole' causing paraplegia.

We report a rare case of 'metastatic invasive mole' to the spinal cord causing paraplegia in a 19-year-old woman. There are no such histologically proven reports in the literature since the use of the tumour marker, beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-HCG) and chemotherapy. We stress the importance of considering this rare possibility in young woman with compressive myelopathy.

Siringomielia y embarazo: informe de un caso / Syringomielia and pregnancy. Report of a case

Este informe relata el caso de una mujer de 39 años de edad, cuarta gesta, que durante su primer embarazo desarrolló déficit neurológico de la mano izquierda, lentamente progresivo llegando a afectar en el curso de siete años, todo el miembro superior izquierdo y mano derecha. Durante este tiempo, tiene dos abortos y entre el tercero y cuarto embarazo, por la sospecha clínica, se realizan estudios de laboratorio y gabinete encontrándose en la electromiografía, lesión de las astas anteriores de la médula espinal a nivel cervical. Durante este cuarto embarazo, el déficit neurológico se acentuó y se decide su interrupción en forma electiva por medio de operación cesárea bajo bloque epidural a las 38 semanas de gestación. Según nuestro conocimiento, este caso de siringomielia y embarazo, es el primero comunicado en nuestro medio

Síndrome da medula tensionada na mielomeningocele: tratamento cirúrgico e resultados / Tethered spinal cord syndrome in myelomeningocele: surgical treatment and results

Setenta e oito pacientes com mielomeningocele foram submetidos à liberaçäo da medula espinhal que se encontrava tensionada em um período de sete anos. O nível neurológico dos pacientes antes da cirurgia de liberaçäo era torácico ou lombar alto em 19% dos casos, lombar baixo em 41% e sacral em 30%. Todos apresentavam sinais e sintomas típicos de medula tensionada: escoliose (86%), perda de funçäo muscular (49%), espasticidade dos membros inferiores (52%) e dor dorsal ou lombar (5%). Todos os casos tiveram o diagnóstico clínico comfirmado por tomografia computadorizada ou por imagem de ressonância magnética, os quais também demontraram a presença de hidromielia em 25% dos casos. O segmento variou de um a oito anos. Vinte e dois por cento dos pacientes mostraram melhora da espasticidade, em 73% näo houve alteraçäo e ela aumentou em 5%. Os pacientes que foram submetidos à rizotomia, concomitantemente, mostraram os melhores resultados. A perda da funçäo muscular melhorou em 34%, näo se alterou em 63% e se deteriorou em 3% dos casos. Todos os pacientes com dor melhoraram após a cirurgia. Na presença de escoliose, houve melhora em 10%, estabilizaçäo em 36% e aumento em 54% dos casos. Os melhores resultados foram encontrados em pacientes com baixo nível neurológico. Hidromielia e cifose estiveram associadas com os piores resultados