Revolutionizing Treatment for Chronic Subdural Hematoma: Promising Outcomes With Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization.

Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a common condition that typically requires surgical intervention. Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) has emerged as a potential alternative treatment option, although the choice of embolization material remains a topic of debate. In this case series, we report on the outcomes of 10 patients with cSDH who underwent MMAE. Most patients experienced symptom relief and a significant reduction in cSDH size post-procedure. Despite the presence of comorbidities and risk factors, most patients had positive outcomes following MMAE treatment. Only one patient required surgical intervention after the MMAE procedure due to the progression of symptoms, while MMAE successfully prevented recurrence in most patients. Our findings suggest that MMAE can be a promising treatment option for selected patients with cSDH. However, further studies are needed to compare the efficacy and safety of different embolization materials in MMAE procedures for cSDHs.

Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula: Insights Into Operative Management.

Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula (SDAVF) is a rare and complex vascular condition with significant neurological consequences if left untreated. We present a case of SDAVF in a 46-year-old male who presented with progressive myelopathy. The patient presented with a three-month history of progressive lower extremity weakness, numbness, urinary retention, constipation, and gait disturbance. The spine's magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed diffuse T2 hyperintensity and contrast enhancement from T11 to L1, raising the suspicion of an intradural spinal cord lesion. Further evaluation with spinal angiography revealed an SDAVF at the level of T11-T12. The patient underwent surgical resection of the fistula, His lower extremity weakness and numbness improved significantly after surgery, and he was discharged with a plan for close follow-up. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment prevent neurological deficits and improve patient outcomes. Surgical resection of the fistula can significantly improve neurological symptoms and should be considered a treatment option for SDAVF.

Cervical Myelocystocele: A One-in-50,000 Congenital Abnormality of the Spinal Cord.

Neural tube defects are a group of birth defects that affect the development of the spinal cord and brain. Myelomeningocele is a type of neural tube defect that results in the protrusion of the spinal cord and meninges through a defect in the vertebral column. While myelomeningocele is a relatively rare condition, cervical myelomeningocele is extremely uncommon. The condition can lead to various neurological problems and atrophies and is typically diagnosed in the first trimester of pregnancy using an ultrasound examination. Surgical intervention is typically recommended to repair the affected vertebral column. In this report, we describe the case of a four-month-old baby boy who was diagnosed with a cervical myelocystocele and successfully treated surgically. The patient had an excellent postoperative status, and this case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in the management of this rare condition.

Navigating treatment options for sacral spine lymphoma: A medical journey.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Early clinical presentations of spinal processes involving the epidural space are often vague and can mimic other spinal nerve impingements. Patients with NHLs frequently experience neurological problems due to metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC). CASE PRESENTATION: In this case report, we present a 66-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLCBL) of the sacral spine after a recurrence of cauda equine syndrome. The patient initially presented with back discomfort, radicular pain, and muscle weakness, which progressed to weakness in the lower extremities and bladder dysfunction over a few weeks. The patient was treated by surgical decompression and the biopsy result revealed a diagnosis of DLBCL. Further workup proved the tumor is primary and the patient as treated with radio- and chemotherapy. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The varied distribution of symptoms based on the spinal level of the lesion makes early clinical diagnosis of spinal NHL challenging. In this case, the patient's initial symptoms closely resembled intervertebral disc herniation or other spinal nerve impingements, which delayed the diagnosis of NHL. The abrupt onset and progression of neurological symptoms in the lower extremities and bladder dysfunction raised the suspicion of MSCC. CONCLUSION: NHLs can present as metastatic spinal cord compression, which can cause neurological problems. Early clinical diagnosis of spinal NHLs is challenging due to the vague and varied presentations. A high index of suspicion for MSCC should be maintained in patients with NHLs who present with neurological symptoms.