Impact of surgery on ambulatory status in patients with symptomatic neoplastic spinal cord compression in southern brazil / Impacto da cirurgia sobre a capacidade de ambulatória em pacientes com compressão neoplásica sintomática da medula espinalno sul do brasil / Impacto de la cirugía en la capacidad de ambulación en pacientes con compresión medular neoplásica sintomática en el sur de brasil

ABSTRACT Background: Spinal cord compression is a common complication of spine metastasis and multiple myeloma. About 30% of patients with cancer develop symptomatic spinal metastases during their illness. Prompt diagnosis and surgical treatment of these lesions, although palliative, are likely to reduce the morbidity and improve quality of life by improving ambulatory function. Study Design: Retrospective review of medical records. Objective: To evaluate postoperative functional recovery and the epidemiological profile of neoplastic spinal cord compression in two neurosurgical centers in southern Brazil. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of all patients who underwent palliative surgery for symptomatic neoplastic spine lesion from metastatic cancer, in two neurosurgical centers, between January 2003 and July 2021. The variables age, sex, neurological status, histological type, affected segment, complications and length of hospitalization were analyzed. Results: A total of 82 patients were included. The lesions occurred in the thoracic spine in 60 cases. At admission, 95% of the patients had neurological deficits, most of which were Frankel C (37%). At histopathological analysis, breast cancer was the most common primary site. After surgery, the neurological status of 46 patients (56%) was reclassified according to the Frankel scale. Of these, 22 (47%) regained ambulatory capacity. Conclusion: Surgical treatment of metastatic spinal cord compression improved neurological status and ambulatory ability in our sample. Level of evidence II; Retrospective study.

RESUMO: Introdução: A compressão medular é uma complicação comum de metástases da coluna vertebral e de mieloma múltiplo. Cerca de 30% dos pacientes com câncer desenvolvem metástases sintomáticas na coluna no decorrer da doença. O diagnóstico imediato e o tratamento cirúrgico dessas lesões, embora paliativos, em geral reduzema morbidade e melhoram a qualidade de vidaao ampliar a capacidade de deambular. Desenho do estudo: Revisão retrospectiva de prontuários médicos. Objetivo: Avaliar a recuperação funcional pós-operatória e o perfil epidemiológico da compressão medular neoplásica em dois centros de neurocirurgia do sul do Brasil. Métodos: Analisamos retrospectivamente os dados de todos os pacientes submetidos à cirurgia paliativa de lesão neoplásica sintomática da coluna decorrente decâncer metastático, em dois centros neurocirúrgicos entre janeiro de 2003 e julho de 2021. Foram analisadas as variáveis idade, sexo, estado neurológico, tipo histológico, segmento acometido, complicações e tempo de internação. Resultados: Foram incluídos 82 pacientes no estudo. As lesões ocorreram na coluna torácica em 60 casos. À internação, 95% dos pacientes apresentavam déficits neurológicos, sendoa maioria classificada como Frankel C (37%). Na análise histopatológica, o câncer de mama foi o sítio primário mais comum. Depois da cirurgia, 46 pacientes (56%) tiveram o estado neurológico reclassificado pela escala de Frankel. Entre eles, 22 (47%) recuperaram a capacidade de deambular. Conclusões: O tratamento cirúrgico da compressão medular metastática melhorou o estado neurológico e a capacidade de deambulação em nossa amostra. Nível de evidência II; Estudo retrospectivo.

RESUMEN: Introducción: La compresión de la médula espinal es una complicación común de la metástasis de la columna vertebral y el mieloma múltiple. Aproximadamente el 30% de los pacientes con cáncer desarrollan metástasis espinales sintomáticas en el curso de la enfermedad. El diagnóstico precoz y el tratamiento quirúrgico de estas lesiones, aunque son paliativos, suelen reducir la morbilidad y mejor en lacalidad de vida al aumentar la de ambulación. Diseño del estudio: Revisión retrospectiva de registros médicos. Objetivo: Evaluarla recuperación funcional postoperatoria y el perfil epidemiológico de la compresión medular neoplásica en dos centros neuroquirúrgicos del sur de Brasil. Métodos: Analizamos retrospectivamente los datos de todos los pacientes sometidos a cirugía paliativa por lesión vertebral neoplásica sintomática por cáncer metastásico, en dos centros neuroquirúrgicos entre enero de 2003 y julio de 2021. Se analizaron las variables edad, sexo, estado neurológico, tipo histológico, segmento afectado, complicaciones y duración de la hospitalización. Resultados: Se incluyeron 82 pacientes en el estudio. Las lesiones se produjeron en la columna torácica en 60 casos. Al ingreso, el 95% de los pacientes presentaban déficits neurológicos y la mayoría de ellos eran clasificados como Frankel C (37%). En el análisis histopatológico, elcáncer de mama fue el sitio primario más común. Después de la cirugía, se reclasificó el estado neurológico de 46 pacientes (56%) por la escala de Frankel. Entre ellos, 22 (47%) recuperaron la capacidadde deambulación. Conclusiones: El tratamiento quirúrgico de la compresión medular metastásica mejoró el estado neurológico y la capacidad de deambulación en nuestra muestra. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudio retrospectivo.

Lymphoplasmacyte-Rich Meningioma of the Third Ventricle: Case Report

Introduction Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumors, accounting for up to 35% of the neoplasms in this category. Approximately 10­20% of these neoplasms are histologically atypical, and the lymphoplasmacyte-rich meningioma (LPM) corresponds to a very rare subtype of meningioma that is characterized histopathologically by massive infiltrates of inflammatory cells. The case described in the present study is the sixth case of an intraventricular LPM found in the literature and the first case considering the location in the third ventricle. Case Description A 21-year-old male without previous comorbidities sought medical attention due to visual impairment (complaining of intermittent visual blur) for 2 months. A magnetic resonance imaging of the brain confirmed the presence of a well-delimited solid mass in the third ventricle of 3.0 2.3 cmwith a cystic component that extended itself inferiorly and distorted the visual pathway anatomy. Neurosurgeons decided to access the lesion using an interhemispheric transcallosal approach with a transforaminal access, and the lesion was resected completely. The patient has an ambulatorial endocrinological follow-up and is neurologically stable 6 months after the procedure. No new visual deficits were noted. Conclusion Lymphoplasmacyte-rich meningioma is a very rare intracranial tumor, and the involvement of the third ventricle make this case unique.

Cervicothoracic Lordosis Can Influence Outcome After Posterior Cervical Spine Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies on the correlation between cervical sagittal balance with improvement in quality of life showed significant results only for parameters of the anterior translation of the cervical spine (such as C2-C7 SVA). OBJECTIVE: We test whether a new parameter, cervicothoracic lordosis, can predict clinical success in this type of surgery. METHODS: The focused group involved patients who underwent surgical treatment of cervical degenerative disk disease by the posterior approach, due to myelopathy, radiculopathy or a combination of both. Neurologic deficit was measured before and after surgery with the Nurick Scale, postoperative quality of life, physical and mental components of SF-36 and NDI. Cervicothoracic lordosis and various sagittal balance parameters were also measured. Cervicothoracic lordosis was defined as the angle between: a) the line between the centroid of C2 and the centroid of C7; b) the line between the centroid of C7 and the centroid of T6. Correlations between postoperative quality of life and sagittal parameters were calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients between 27 and 78 years old were evaluated. Surgery types were simple decompression (laminectomy or laminoforaminotomy) (3 patients), laminoplasty (4 patients) and laminectomy with fusion in 22 patients. Significant correlations were found for C2-C7 SVA and cervicothoracic lordosis. C2-C7 SVA correlated negatively with MCS (r=-0.445, p=0.026) and PCS (r=-0.405, p=0.045). Cervicothoracic lordosis correlated positively with MCS (r=0.554, p= 0.004) and PCS (r=0.462, p=0.020) and negatively with NDI (r=-0.416, p=0.031). CONCLUSION: The parameter cervicothoracic lordosis correlates with improvement of quality life after surgery for cervical degenerative disk disease by the posterior approach.

A simple scoring system for predicting early major complications in spine surgery: the cumulative effect of age and size of surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cumulative effect of risk factors associated with early major complications in postoperative spine surgery. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 583 surgically-treated patients. Early "major" complications were defined as those that may lead to permanent detrimental effects or require further significant intervention. A balanced risk score was built using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Ninety-two early major complications occurred in 76 patients (13%). Age > 60 years and surgery of three or more levels proved to be significant independent risk factors in the multivariate analysis. The balanced scoring system was defined as: 0 points (no risk factor), 2 points (1 factor) or 4 points (2 factors). The incidence of early major complications in each category was 7% (0 points), 15% (2 points) and 29% (4 points) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This balanced scoring system, based on two risk factors, represents an important tool for both surgical indication and for patient counseling before surgery.

A simple scoring system for predicting early major complications in spine surgery: the cumulative effect of age and size of surgery / Escore simples para predizer complicações precoces graves em cirurgia de coluna: o efeito cumulativo da idade e tamanho da cirurgia

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the cumulative effect of risk factors associated with early major complications in postoperative spine surgery. Methods Retrospective analysis of 583 surgically-treated patients. Early “major” complications were defined as those that may lead to permanent detrimental effects or require further significant intervention. A balanced risk score was built using multiple logistic regression. Results Ninety-two early major complications occurred in 76 patients (13%). Age > 60 years and surgery of three or more levels proved to be significant independent risk factors in the multivariate analysis. The balanced scoring system was defined as: 0 points (no risk factor), 2 points (1 factor) or 4 points (2 factors). The incidence of early major complications in each category was 7% (0 points), 15% (2 points) and 29% (4 points) respectively. Conclusions This balanced scoring system, based on two risk factors, represents an important tool for both surgical indication and for patient counseling before surgery.

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar os efeitos cumulativos dos fatores de risco associados com complicações precoces graves relacionadas à cirurgia da coluna. Métodos Análise retrospectiva de 583 pacientes tratados cirurgicamente. Complicações graves foram definidas como as que pudessem levar a danos permanentes ou que necessitassem de reinterveção. Um escore foi construído usando modelo de regressão logística. Resultados Noventa e duas complicações precoces graves ocorreram em 76 pacientes (13%). Idade > 60 anos e cirurgia > 3 níveis foram identificadas como fatores de risco independentes na análise multivariada. O escore foi definido como: 0 pontos (nenhum fator de risco), 2 pontos (1 fator) ou 4 pontos (2 fatores). A incidência de complicação grave precoce em cada categoria foi 7% (0 pontos), 15% (2 pontos) e 29% (4 pontos). Conclusões Esse escore balanceado baseado em 2 fatores de risco representa uma ferramenta útil na indicação cirúrgica e para o aconselhamento dos pacientes antes da cirurgia.

Alterações endocrinológicas após hemorragia subaracnóidea / Endocrinological Changes after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

A avaliação da função hipofisária na fase aguda ou tardia dos pacientes que sofrem hemorragia subaracnóidea (HSA) é infrequente; entretanto, a HSA apresenta um risco significante de disfunção pituitária, principalmente devido à vulnerabilidade da sua suplência vascular. Há poucos estudos tratando do tema, mas os existentes sugerem que distúrbios hormonais pós-hemorragia subaracnóidea são mais prevalentes do que inicialmente se suspeitava. Não somente a hipófise anterior parece estar envolvida nessas alterações; a hiponatremia no estágio agudo pode ser uma manifestação de disfunção da hipófise posterior. As alterações hormonais após HSA ainda recebem pouca atenção das equipes assistenciais, podendo ser uma das complicações potencialmentegraves sendo tratável quando há suspeição pelo diagnóstico clínico e laboratorial.

The evaluation of pituitary function in the acute and at late time in the patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is unusual. Meanwhile the SAH present with a high risc of pituitary disfunction primarily by the vulnerability of the vascular feeding vessels. Few studies about this subject suggest that hormonal disturbance are more prevalent that were suspected before. Both the anterior and posterior pituitary areinvolved. The hormonal changes after SAH are not well recognized by the physicians and can be treated even been a critical medical situation with clinical and laboratorial findings.

Cavernoma of the lateral ventricule presenting as speech arrests / Cavernoma do ventrículo lateral se apresentando como bloqueios da fala

Cavernous malformations (CM) are formed by dilated thin-walled vascular channels without intervening parenchyma and intraventricular lesions are rare. We report a case of an intraventricular cavernoma in a 54-year old female patient. She presented with speech arrests daily for 10 months. Neurological examination revealed no deficits. The brain MRI study revealed an intraventricular lesion at the level of the left atrium, heterogeneously hyperintense on both T1 and T2-weighted images. It was performed an interhemispheric transcallosal approach with gross-total resection of the lesion. The histological examination was compatible with the diagnosis of cavernous haemangioma. In the postoperative period the patient presented with transient right hemiparesis with recovery in two weeks. We briefly review the literature concerning intraventricular cavernomas...

Malformações cavenosas são formadas por canais vasculares dilatados e de paredes finas sem parênquima cerebral no interior. Lesões dessa natureza são raras nos ventrículos. Neste trabalho descrevemos um caso de cavernoma intraventricular em uma paciente feminina de 54 anos. Ela se apresentou clinicamente com bloqueios de fala diários nos últimos 10 meses. Nenhum déficit neurológico foi observado no exame. A ressonância magnética de encéfalo demonstrou lesão heterogênea na topografia do átrio ventricular esquerdo, hiperintensa em T1 e T2. Foi realizada abordagem interemisférica transcalosa com ressecção total da lesão. A análise histopatológica foi compatível com hemangioma cavernoso. No período pós-operatório a paciente apresentou hemiparesia direita, que melhorou em duas semanas. Revisa-se brevemente a literatura em relação a cavernomas intraventriculares...

Quantitative computed tomography and cranial burr holes: a model to evaluate the quality of cranial reconstruction in humans.

Current methods to evaluate the biologic development of bone grafts in human beings do not quantify results accurately. Cranial burr holes are standardized critical bone defects, and the differences between bone powder and bone grafts have been determined in numerous experimental studies. This study evaluated quantitative computed tomography (QCT) as a method to objectively measure cranial bone density after cranial reconstruction with autografts. In each of 8 patients, 2 of 4 surgical burr holes were reconstructed with autogenous wet bone powder collected during skull trephination, and the other 2 holes, with a circular cortical bone fragment removed from the inner table of the cranial bone flap. After 12 months, the reconstructed areas and a sample of normal bone were studied using three-dimensional QCT; bone density was measured in Hounsfield units (HU). Mean (SD) bone density was 1535.89 (141) HU for normal bone (P < 0.0001), 964 (176) HU for bone fragments, and 453 (241) HU for bone powder (P < 0.001). As expected, the density of the bone fragment graft was consistently greater than that of bone powder. Results confirm the accuracy and reproducibility of QCT, already demonstrated for bone in other locations, and suggest that it is an adequate tool to evaluate cranial reconstructions. The combination of QCT and cranial burr holes is an excellent model to accurately measure the quality of new bone in cranial reconstructions and also seems to be an appropriate choice of experimental model to clinically test any cranial bone or bone substitute reconstruction.

Abscesso cerebral por Actinomyces odontolyticus: relato de caso / Actinomycotic brain abscess: case report

Actinomicose é uma infecção supurativa crônica que tende a formar abscessos. O acometimento dos sistema nervoso central é evento raro, sendo crucial o diagnóstico diferencial com nocardiose para a seleção apropriada da terapia antimicrobiana. O manejo recomendado consiste na drenagem cirúrgica associada ao tratamento prolongado com antibióticos por, em média, 5 meses, além da erradicação do foco primário, quando identificado. Embora constitua uma forma tratável de abcesso cerebral causado por Actinomyces odontolyticus em paciente imunocompetente, cuja evolução desfavorável possa estar relacionanda à restrição do espectro antimicrobiano após identificação do agente etiológico.

Early surgical treatment of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis.

BACKGROUND: Craniosynostosis, a premature fusion of cranial sutures, can happen as an isolated defect (nonsyndromic) or as part of a syndrome. It may lead to raised intracranial pressure and deformity of both the cranial and facial skeletons. Early surgery is usually the best treatment choice. The aim of this study was to review the experience of a multidisciplinary staff with the surgical treatment of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis. METHODS: All the nonsyndromic craniosynostosis cases treated surgically from 1991 to 2005 at 2 neurosurgical centers were reviewed. The variables analyzed were sex, age, weight, type of deformity, estimated volemia, surgical technique, surgical time, blood loss, PO hospitalization time, and complications. All data were stored in a database and analyzed with Microsoft Access (Microsoft Corp, Seattle, WA) and SPSS V11.0 (SPSS, Inc, Chicago, IL). RESULTS: The sample consisted of 120 patients (70 males, 50 females). Six patients were excluded because of their atypical timing of treatment (average age, 72 months). The final average age was 7.08 months (variation, 1-18), and the average weight was 7.8 kg. The types of deformities found were scaphocephaly (n = 54, 45%), plagiocephaly (n = 27, 22%), trigonocephaly (n = 19, 16%), brachycephaly (n = 16, 13%), and oxycephaly (n = 4, 3%). The mean surgical time was 186 minutes and the mean PO hospitalization time was 6.8 days. The mortality on this series was 2.6% (3 patients). In the last operated cases, a significant improvement in morbid-mortality was observed. CONCLUSION: A multidisciplinary approach, including neurosurgeons, neurologists, and pediatricians, and appropriate training of the clinical surgical staff can minimize the risks and decrease the complications in the treatment of craniosynostosis, leading to a satisfactory outcome.

Stereotactic computed tomography-guided brain biopsy: diagnostic yield based on a series of 170 patients.

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic CT-guided biopsy is a valuable and safe procedure for diagnosing intracranial lesions. The objectives of this article are to analyze the diagnostic yield in a series of stereotactic CT-guided brain biopsies and to evaluate whether predictive factors may influence diagnostic yield. METHODS: The medical records of a series of patients who underwent stereotactic CT-guided brain biopsy from 1993 to 2005 in a neurosurgical center were reviewed. Clinical data were stored and analyzed with Microsoft Access (Microsoft Corp, Seattle, WA) and SPSS V11.0 software (SPSS, Inc, Chicago, IL). The following variables were analyzed: age, sex, anatomopathologic diagnosis, lesion topography and volume, postsurgical complications, and predictive factors that may affect diagnostic yield. RESULTS: One hundred seventy patients (102 males, 68 females; average age, 48.5 years) were analyzed. Stereotactic CT-guided biopsies allowed diagnosis in 157 cases (92%). The most frequent anatomopathologic diagnoses were high-grade glioma (n = 45), low-grade glioma (n = 31), nonspecific inflammatory lesions (n = 19), metastasis (n = 10), and lymphoma (n = 10). The most frequent topographies were frontal (n = 42), basal ganglia (n = 40), and parietal (n = 27) and front-parietal lobes (n = 9). Complications occurred in 5 patients (2.9%). Mortality rate was 1.2% (2 patients). Age had a positive impact, whereas female sex negatively affected diagnostic yield. All other predictive factors analyzed were not significant. CONCLUSION: Stereotactic CT-guided brain biopsies performed presented acceptable anatomopathologic diagnostic rate. Age had a positive impact, whereas female sex negatively affected diagnostic yield in this series.

Tumores não hipofisários da região selar / Nonpituitary tumors of the sellar region

A hipófise, a sela túrcica e a região peri-selar podem ser acometidas por uma série de lesões, incluindo tumores benignos e malignos, bem como uma ampla variedade de doenças não neoplásicas. Os aspectos clínicos e radiológicos podem auxiliar no diagnóstico diferencial destas lesões. Porém, em muitos casos, somente a análise histopatológica pode estabelecer o diagnóstico definitivo. Neste artigo, revisamos principais tumores não hipofisários da região selar e peri-selar, ressaltando seus aspectos endócrinos mais relevantes.

[Nonpituitary tumors of the sellar region]. / Tumores não hipofisários da região selar.

The pituitary gland, sella turcica and the parasellar region can be involved by a wide variety of lesions, including benign and malignant neoplasms as well as a wide variety of non neoplastic tumor-like lesions. Clinical and radiological aspects could help in the differential diagnosis of these lesions. Nevertheless, in many cases only the histopathological analysis could establish the definitive diagnosis. In this paper, we review the nonpituitary tumors of the sellar region emphasizing the associated hormonal disturbances.

Holmes tremor in association with bilateral hypertrophic olivary degeneration and palatal tremor: chronological considerations. Case report.

Hypertrophic olivary degeneration (HOD) is a rare type of neuronal degeneration involving the dento-rubro-olivary pathway and presents clinically as palatal tremor. We present a 48 year old male patient who developed Holmes' tremor and bilateral HOD five months after brainstem hemorrhage. The severe rest tremor was refractory to pharmacotherapy and botulinum toxin injections, but was markedly reduced after thalamotomy. Magnetic resonance imaging permitted visualization of HOD, which appeared as a characteristic high signal intensity in the inferior olivary nuclei on T2- and proton-density-weighted images. Enlargement of the inferior olivary nuclei was also noted. Palatal tremor was absent in that moment and appears about two months later. The delayed-onset between insult and tremor following structural lesions of the brain suggest that compensatory or secondary changes in nervous system function must contribute to tremor genesis. The literature and imaging findings of this uncommon condition are reviewed.

Holmes tremor in association with bilateral hypertrophic olivary degeneration and palatal tremor: chronological considerations. Case report

Hypertrophic olivary degeneration (HOD) is a rare type of neuronal degeneration involving the dento-rubro-olivary pathway and presents clinically as palatal tremor. We present a 48 year old male patient who developed Holmes' tremor and bilateral HOD five months after brainstem hemorrhage. The severe rest tremor was refractory to pharmacotherapy and botulinum toxin injections, but was markedly reduced after thalamotomy. Magnetic resonance imaging permitted visualization of HOD, which appeared as a characteristic high signal intensity in the inferior olivary nuclei on T2- and proton-density-weighted images. Enlargement of the inferior olivary nuclei was also noted. Palatal tremor was absent in that moment and appears about two months later. The delayed-onset between insult and tremor following structural lesions of the brain suggest that compensatory or secondary changes in nervous system function must contribute to tremor genesis. The literature and imaging findings of this uncommon condition are reviewed

Paraplegia como manifestaçäo inicial de medula presa: relato de caso / Paraplegia as initial manifestation of tethered spinal cord: case report

A medula presa (MP) é entidade pouco frequente que ocorre quando há restriçao da migraçao normal do cone medular por cistos, lipomas ou disrafismos espinhais. Esta patologia pode levar a paraplegia, distúrbios sensoriais e esficterianos. Relatamos o caso de uma menina de 22 meses que consultou com quadro de paraplegia. O diagnóstico de medula presa foi confirmado pela mielotomografia e a paciente foi submetida à cirurgia para liberaçao do filo terminal.

Pneumoencéfalo e pneumorraque causados por pneumotórax e luxação vertebral torácica: relato de caso / Oneumocephalus and pneumorrhachis caused by pneumothorax and thoracic spine dislocation

Um caso de pneumoencéfalo e pneumorraque provocados por pneumot¢rax e luxação vertebral torácica é apresentado. A presença de ar dentro do crânio ou do canal vertebral deve chamar a atenção para a possibilidade de pneumot¢rax e fratura ou luxação da coluna vertebral. O reconhecimento do pneumoencéfalo é importante na escolha dos gases anestésicos para os procedimentos cir£rgicos.