Should we fear cement leakage during kyphoplasty in percutaneous traumatic spine surgery? A single experience with 76 consecutive cases.

OBJECTIVE: Although kyphoplasty is widely used to repair osteoporotic and pathologic vertebral fractures, balloon kyphoplasty and vertebral body stenting are new treatment options in cases of traumatic spinal injury. To our knowledge, there are no literature data on the incidence of cement leakage whereas these two percutaneous techniques are commonly used to repair non-pathologic fractures. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the clinical characteristics and the incidence of cement leakage associated with balloon kyphoplasty and vertebral body stenting in the percutaneous treatment of traumatic spinal injury. METHODS: A series of 76 consecutive kyphoplasties (50 with vertebral body stenting and 26 balloon kyphoplasties) were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative computed tomography scans were analyzed in order to detect cement leakage and grade it as minor, moderate or major. RESULTS: The overall leakage rate was 50%. None of the leakages gave rise to clinical symptoms. Although balloon kyphoplasty and vertebral body stenting did not differ in terms of the leakage rate, the latter technique was associated with a lower leakage volume. The Magerl type, fracture level and use of concomitant osteosynthesis did not appear to significantly influence the leakage rate. CONCLUSION: Vertebral body stenting can reduce the amount of cement leakage due to a better cohesion of the bone fragments after kyphosis correction and maintenance.

[Type II proatlantal artery with unusual origin of the occipital artery feeding of a type IV dural arteriovenous fistula: case report]. / Artère proatlantale de type II avec origine atypique d'une artère occipitale alimentant une fistule artérioveineuse durale de type IV : cas clinique.

CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 49 year-old woman, who presented with an intracranial haemorrhage. During cerebral angiography investigations, we observed an unusual vertebral artery that originated from the external carotid artery and an uncommon origin of the occipital artery from the vertebral artery feeding a dural arteriovenous fistula grade IV. This rare vertebral artery origin is probably the remnant of a type II proatlantal artery. In addition, the origin of the occipital artery evoked a vascular development disease including a dural arteriovenous fistula which may be the result. These multiple vascular abnormalities could be explained by embryologic disorders.

Perfusion MRI as a neurosurgical tool for improved targeting in stereotactic tumor biopsies.

OBJECTIVE: Stereotactic biopsies are subject to sampling errors (essentially due to target selection). The presence of contrast enhancement is not a reliable marker of malignancy. The goal of the present study was to determine whether perfusion-weighted imaging can improve target selection in stereotactic biopsies. METHODS: We studied 21 consecutive stereotactic biopsies between June 2009 and March 2010. Perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was integrated into our neuronavigator. Perfusion-weighted imaging was used as an adjunct to conventional MRI data for target determination. Conventional MRI alone was used to determine the trajectory. RESULTS: We found a linear correlation between regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and vessel density (number of vessels per mm(2); R = 0.64; p < 0.001). Perfusion-weighted imaging facilitated target determination in 11 cases (52.4%), all of which were histopathologically diagnosed as glial tumors. For glial tumors, which presented with contrast enhancement, perfusion-weighted imaging identified a more precisely delimited target in 9 cases, a different target in 1 case, and exactly the same target in 1 other case. In all cases, perfusion-selected sampling provided information on cellular features and tumor grading. rCBV was significantly associated with grading (p < 0.01), endothelial proliferation (p < 0.01), and vessel density (p < 0.01). For lesions with rCBV values ≤1, perfusion-weighted MRI did not help to determine the target but was useful for surgical management. CONCLUSIONS: For stereotactic biopsies, targeting based on perfusion-weighted imaging is a feasible method for reducing the sampling error and improving target selection in the histopathological diagnosis of tumors with high rCBVs.

[Brown-Sequard syndrom complicating a C6 teardrop fracture associate with an occult vertebral artery dissection: case report]. / Syndrome de Brown-Séquard compliquant une fracture teardrop de C6 associée à une dissection d'une artère vertébrale asymptomatique : à propos d'un cas.

CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 27-year-old man, presenting a C6 tear-drop fracture associated to medullar contusion with a Brown-Sequard syndrome. An asymptomatic right vertebral artery dissection in its V2 portion was also discovered by the radiologic investigations. A surgical treatment and antiplatelet therapy were performed. The patient outcome was quite satisfactory.

[Subependymomas of lateral ventricle. Analysis of our series and review of literature]. / Les subépendymomes (astrocytomes subépendymaires) du ventricule latéral. Analyse de notre série et revue de la littérature.

Subependymoma is a benign lesion, slow-growing neoplasm, representing 0.2 to 0.7 % of intracranial tumors. They are often clinically silent, incidentally discovered at autopsy. These symptoms are related to big volume. They are attached to the septum pellucidum, leading to hydrocephalus by Monro foramen obstruction. Overall mean age at diagnosis is 39 years with more males than females. At CT-scan, subependymoma shows a slightly low attenuation compared to gray matter. There is no or mild enhancement following contrast injection. On MR T1-weighted imaging, subependymoma is isointense and hyperintense on MR T2-weighted imaging. Intramural calcifications and cystic components are noted in 20 to 30 % of patients. Peritumoral oedema is absent. Immunohistochemicals studies show intense positivity for S-100 and GFAP. The treatment is surgical with an excellent prognosis.

[Rare tumors of the lateral ventricle. Review of the literature]. / Les tumeurs rares du ventricule latéral. Revue de la littérature.

Metastases of lateral ventricle (LV) are attached to choroidal plexus. Primary source is cancer of kidney. Two thirds of patients are male. Oligodendrogliomas occur in young females. Signs of increased intracranial pressure are a constant feature. These tumors are found in anterior portion of the LV with severe enhancement and clumped calcifications. Treatment is surgical. Cavernomas have a preponderance of rapid growth with a bleeding revelation. Seizures are rare. Rebleeding is frequent and justifies a surgical treatment. Schwannomas are a rare entity in which the majority of patients are very young. MRI shows calcifications, cystic components and a strong enhancement. They are limited to sporadic cases, never associated with neurofibromatosis. Arachnoid cysts are located in the atrium and/or in the occipital horn. Patients are young (mean age < 40 years). MRI demonstrates an intracystic lesion with signal intensity similar to the CSF. Best treatment is an endoscopic fenestration. Epidermoid cysts occur in third decade. These pearly tumors appear isointense or a little hyperintense on T1-weighted imaging, very characteristic. They are enhanced after gadolinium injection and appear strongly hyperintense on T2-weighted imaging. An incomplete removal with a thorough long-term follow-up is necessary. Cavernomas of LV are hyperintense on T1- and T2-weighted imaging. They have a bleeding risk of 25 to 45%. Therefore, they must be operated.

[Bilateral failure of fusion between pedicles and body of C7]. / Défaut de fusion corporéo-pédiculaire bilatéral de C7.

We expose the case of a 48-year-old woman suffering of a chronic bilateral C7 radiculalgy and bilateral C7 failure of fusion between pedicles and body. According to spine embryogenesis we bring three hypothesis to explain this failure of fusion. Then we show that bilateral C6-C7 foraminal compression can arise from local cervical spine instability due to C7 and disk development abnormalities. The treatment proposed is dissectomy bone graft and anterior osteosynthesis leading to clinical and radiological good results. The patient went back to work after three months.

Non-traumatic pseudocyst of Glisson capsule complicating a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid pseudocysts in the peritoneal cavity following ventriculoperitoneal shunt are relatively uncommon. In these complications, perforation of solid organs is unusual. CASE DESCRIPTION: A case of subcapsular hepatic pseudocyst is described. A 48-year-old man treated by ventriculoperitoneal shunt presented with abdominal pain. Laboratory examinations revealed hepatic cytolysis. The CT-scan of the abdomen demonstrated a small ovoid non-enhanced cystic collection in the subcapsular area of hepatic segment V. Percutaneous hepatic fine-needle aspiration of the cyst guided by abdominal ultrasonography showed no abnormal findings. Peritoneal reimplantation at a different site was performed. The clinicopathological features of this entity are described and treatments are discussed. CONCLUSION: Reinsertion of the catheter at a different abdominal site is effective in non-infections cases. In contrast, a temporary external drainage with adequate antibiotic treatment followed by shunt reinsertion is necessary to treat a documented infection of CSF collections.

[Odontoid process fracture in elderly patients over 70 years: morbidity, handicap, and role of surgical treatment in a retrospective series of 27 cases]. / Fracture de l'odontoïde chez le sujet de plus de 70 ans: morbidité, handicap et place du traitement chirurgical. A propos d'une série de 27 patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Odontoid process fractures of the axis are frequent in elderly patients. However, the impact in terms of handicap and morbidity in this particular population are unknown. The role of surgical treatment remains controversial. METHODS: We present a retrospective series of patients aged 70 years or older with odontoid fractures treated in our department between 1998 and 2006. Two cohorts were defined (surgery versus conservative) and compared. Morbidity, handicap, and radiographic fusion were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were treated. The mean age was 80.67 years. Five patients died early during hospitalization. Fractures were type II in 66.7% of the cases and type III in 33.3%. Orthopedic treatment was chosen in 44.4% of the cases. A non-union at the fracture site was found in 33% of the cases and morbidity in 41.7% of the cases was found after a 1-year follow-up. Surgery was performed in 40.7% of the cases. There was 18% non-union and no morbidity after 1-year of follow-up. Morbidity was statistically lower in the surgery group (p=0.037), particularly in cases of type II fracture (p=0.0063); no statistically significant difference was found for non-union at the fracture site (p=0.64) except for type II fractures (p=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Odontoid fractures in the elderly are a very frequent problem. Immediate mortality is still high but appears correlated to associated lesions. Today's treatments must preserve autonomy for these patients. For elderly patients, the treatment must be chosen in relation to the fracture analysis. In our opinion, surgical management is the treatment of choice for unstable fractures (type II). Conservative management is indicated for stable fractures.

[Follicular dural lymphoma. Case report]. / Lymphome folliculaire méningé. A propos d'un cas.

A case of a meningeal B-cell lymphoma is described. A 48-year-old man presented with an episode of grand mal seizure following a brain injury. An initial diagnosis of extradural hematoma was made based on the results of the cerebral computerized tomography scan. Magnetic resonance images demonstrated an enhanced mass with a dural tail attached to the meningeal layer of the temporal bone, suggesting a meningioma "en plaque". The mass was surgically excised. Tumoral removal was subcomplete (Simpson 2). Operative inspection also suggested a meningioma, but histological analysis and electron microscopy revealed a grade IV follicular B-cell lymphoma. Biological studies were normal. An extensive workup found an external iliac adenopathy with several osseous locations on PET. The patient underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Three years after the first symptoms appeared, the patient is alive and free of symptoms. The clinicopathological features and treatments were discussed.

Tension pneumocephalus and rhinorrhea revealing spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid fistula of the anterior cranial base.

Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid fistulas (CSFFs) of the anterior skull base are extremely rare. We report a case of spontaneous CSFF of the ethmoid cribriform plate presenting with rhinorrhea and tension pneumocephalus. We discuss the physiopathology, the radiological management, and the treatment of spontaneous CSF fistulas related to the anterior skull base. A 58-year-old woman was admitted to our institution for headaches with clear rhinorrhea persisting over several days. Antecedents were unremarkable. An episode of epistaxis three days before was reported. Clinical examination showed clear rhinorrhea, headaches, and anosmia. The CT scan showed voluminous epidural and subdural pneumocephalus with mass effect on both frontal and temporal lobes. A high-resolution CT scan with bone reconstruction showed a 2-mm bony defect of the cribriform plate. Surgery consisted of epidural frontal anterior skull base repair. Postsurgery follow-up was uneventful. At one year, the patient was asymptomatic apart from the persistence of anosmia. Spontaneous CSF fistulas are uncommon and can be associated with tension pneumocephalus. The physiopathology remains unclear. Their treatment by complete exclusion of the fistula is necessary because of the lethal risk of pneumococcus meningitis.

[Giant prebulbomedullary arachnoid cyst. Case report and review of the literature]. / Kyste arachnoïdien géant prébulbomédullaire. Cas clinique et revue de la littérature.

Usual locations of arachnoid cyst are the middle cranial fossa in 50-60%, cerebellopontine angle (10%) and suprasellar area (10%). Most of these malformations are asymptomatic. Premedullar arachnoid cysts are extremely rare. All previous cases reported were operated. We report a case of an asymptomatic giant craniocervical junction arachnoid cyst with a follow up of five years. In 2002, an adolescent consulted for persistent cervical pain. Encephalic MR showed a giant ventral craniocervical junction arachnoid cyst. Neurologic examination was normal. Conservative treatment was decided with a clinical follow up and repeated MR in case of persistent cervicalgia. Craniocervical junction arachnoid cysts are anecdotic. Medical care cannot be standardized. Pathogenesis and management are discussed.

[Primary intramedullary lymphoma. Case report]. / Lymphome primitif intramédullaire. A propos d'un cas.

A 66-year-old female presented primary intramedullary spinal cord lymphoma. This patient was referred for lower limbs weakness, which had developed six weeks earlier and right C5 radiculalgia. Physical examination revealed a medullary syndrome with Claude-Bernard-Horner syndrome. The diagnosis was established after MRI and biopsy (dorsal myelotomy). The patient was given chemotherapy and craniospinal adjuvant radiotherapy (30 Grays). The clinical, radiological and therapeutic features are discussed.

[Paraganglioma of the cavernous sinus. Case report]. / Paragangliome du sinus caverneux. A propos d'un cas.

A case of paraganglioma arising from the cavernous area is presented. A 51-year-old woman presented with a parasellar mass causing decreased visual acuity, oculomotor nerve paresis and retro-orbital headaches without endocrinological dysfunction. Diagnosis was confirmed by histological appearance and electron microscopy. The patient was treated with surgery followed by radiation therapy consisting of 45 Gy. The clinicopathological features and the possible pathogenesis are discussed.

Lhermitte-Duclos disease and Cowden's syndrome. Report of two cases.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Lhermitte-Duclos disease, or dysplastic cerebellar gangliocytoma is a rare entity characterized by a hamartomatous lesion in the posterior fossa. Cowden's syndrome, or hamartoma-neoplasia syndrome is a rare underdiagnosed autosomal dominant genodermatosis with high incidence of malignant tumors. Several recent reports suggest that Lhermitte-Duclos disease may be a component of Cowden's syndrome. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We report two cases of Lhermitte-Duclos and Cowden disease occurring in adult patients. A 40-year-old woman had symptoms of raised intracranial pressure and macrocephaly. She displayed the stigmata of fibrocystic breast disease, thyroid goitre. Clinical examination showed mucocutaneous lesions. Her mother, brother and uncle had manifestations of Cowden's disease. An asymptomatic 38-year-old male had bilateral optic nerve drusen related to a cerebellar neoplasm. He exhibited manifestations of Cowden's syndrome and his familial history confirmed this hypothesis. INTERVENTION: The first patient was operated on for Lhermitte-Duclos disease. A conservative strategy was performed for the second patient and the clinical and imaging follow-ups were uneventful over 5 years. CONCLUSION: We stress the possibility that Lhermitte-Duclos and Cowden disease might be a peculiar form of phakomatosis. A conservative strategy can be chosen without neurological signs because of slow tumor growth. However, these patients should be carefully examined and followed up because of the risk of future malignancy.

Melanocytic schwannomas. Report of three cases.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Melanocytic tumors are rare. The literature reports less than 40 cases and suggests that they behave aggressively, can recur and progress to malignancy. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We report three patients with melanocytic schwannomas located in the cervical spine, in the thoracic spine and in the lumbar spine. In the two first cases, these symptoms were a spinal cord compression whereas the last patient presented symptoms of cruralgy. IMAGING: MRI always showed an extramedullary intradural tumor arising from the root destroying the intervertebral foramen. INTERVENTION: The patients underwent laminectomy and the excision was complete. Immunohistochemical stains were positive to S100 and HMB45 antibodies. The evolution was unfavourable for two patients with local recurrence and leptomeningeal metastasis. CONCLUSION: These three cases demonstrate that melanocytic schwannomas have a guarded prognosis because of their metastatic potential, especially for young people.

[Aneurysmal rupture during embolization with Guglielmi detachable coils]. / Les ruptures anévrismales intracrâniennes per-embolisation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determinate the frequency, causes, management and outcome of aneurysmal rupture occurring during embolization. We present our experience with this severe and feared complication. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 314 acute cerebral aneurysms that were treated with endovascular coiling. These patients were identified and the management and outcomes were recorded. The literature was reviewed. RESULTS: Six patients had an intraprocedural aneurysmal rupture. This complication occurred sporadically. Prevalence was 1.9%. Of these six, four were women and two were men. The mean age was 68 years (range: 43-74 years). Four aneurysms were located in the anterior circulation and two in the posterior circulation. Perforation occurred during microcatheterization of the aneurysm in one case and during coil deposition in five cases. In these five patients, aneurysmal rupture resulted from detachment of the first coil in three patients and detachment of the third and last coil in two patients. Hemodynamic changes were noted for one patient. The Glasgow Outcome Scale score at last follow-up examination was 1 in three patients and 3 in one patient (fair recovery). Mortality was 33% and morbidity was 16.7%. CONCLUSION: Aneurysmal perforation during embolization is a rare event (1.8 to 4.4%). When perforation is recognized, embolization can be completed immediately with further coil deposition and reversal of anticoagulation therapy.

[Contribution of percutaneous acrylic vertebroplasty for tumor-related spinal cord compression]. / Interet de la vertébroplastie percutanée acrylique dans les compressions médullaires tumorales.

We report two cases of spinal cord compression due to vertebral hemangioma in the first patient and myeloma in the other. Vertebroplasty was performed in both patients, combined with surgery for the first and radiotherapy for the second. Postprocedural pain decreased within 24 hours. Indications for percutaneous vertebroplasty are limited to aggressive vertebral hemangiomas, malignant spinal tumors including metastasis, multiple myeloma and solitary bone plasmocytoma. Vertebroplasty consolidates the vertebral body and reduces the risk of hemorrhage. It allows provides a rapid analgesic effect, radicullomedullary decompression associated with neurosurgery, spinal stabilization and can restrict progression of vascular malformations or tumors. Incidents and complications appear to be rare.

[Transarticular atlanto-axial screw fixation for treatment of C1-C2 instability]. / Fixation atloïdo-axoïdienne par vissage postérieur tras-articulaire de C1-C2.

Posterior transarticular screw fixation of the C1-C2 complex has become an accepted method of arthrodesis for patients requiring posterior C1-C2 fusion. Since 2000, four patients (2 males and 2 females) were treated with this surgical approach for management of atlantoaxial instability, including odontoid fracture with unilateral C1-C2 luxation, odontoid pseudarthrosis, complex congenital malformation of the craniovertebral junction and rheumatoid arthritis. All patients underwent stabilization with 2 transarticular C1-C2 screws, without any posterior interspinous graft. Patients were maintained in a rigid cervical orthesis 3 months postoperatively. Results were good, without any complication, after a short mean follow-up (8 months). Technical aspects of the technique are reported, The risk of screw malpositioning and vertebral artery or neural injury is minimal and can be lowered by using preoperative CT scan and MRI, and by using intraoperative fluoroscopy. Transarticular C1-C2 screw fixation proves to be a major surgical approach for treatment of atlantoaxial instability.

[Imaging of tumors of the third ventricle]. / Imagerie des tumeurs du troisième ventricule.

MR imaging now appears as the best tool for diagnosis and pre-therapeutic assessment of tumors arising in the third ventricle (V3), as MR images can be obtained in the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes. MRI makes certain the location of the tumor in the V3 and delineates the anatomical landmarks in order to plan the surgical approach. It also allows the evaluation of associated hydrocephalus. Colloid cysts, choroid plexus papillomas, cavernomas, subependymal giant cell astrocytomas and germ-cell tumors may exhibit specific radiological features.