Is Cauda Equina Surgery Safe Out-of-Hours? A Single United Kingdom Institute Experience.

BACKGROUND: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) can have devastating neurological sequelae if surgical treatment is delayed. However, out-of-hours surgery (weekdays from 6:00 pm to 8:00 am and all weekend operations) can potentially result in higher rates of intraoperative complications, resulting in worse outcomes. In the present study, we have described our outcomes for patients with CES during an 8-year period (December 2011 to October 2019) with the aim of assessing the risk of out-of-hours surgery. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of inpatient events and outcomes at 6 months of follow-up. Patient demographics, symptoms, and management data were extracted, and a risk factor analysis was performed using logistic regression. The outcome measures were the incidence of complications and symptom changes at follow-up. Symptom outcome changes between 2 time points were analyzed using repeated measures. RESULTS: A total of 278 patients were included in the present study. Surgery out-of-hours (P = 0.018) and prolonged operations (P = 0.018) were significant risk factors for intraoperative complications. Improved outcomes at 6 months of follow-up were found for lower back pain, sciatica, altered saddle sensation, and urinary sphincter disturbance, with no significant changes for the remaining symptoms. Out-of-hours surgeries did not significantly affect individual symptom outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis has suggested that emergency decompressive surgery for patients with CES does not result in worsening of outcomes with out-of-hours surgery compared with in-hours. However, our findings also showed that no clear benefit exists to expediting surgery for those with severe presentations. Thus, decompressive surgery should be undertaken at the earliest possible time to safely do so.

Recurrent terminal ventricle cyst: a case report.

The terminal ventricle (TV) of Krause is a rare cystic dilation of the conus' central canal. Due to limited understanding surrounding its pathophysiology, optimal management remains controversial. We report a 25-year-old female presenting with acute paraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging spine revealed a cystic conus medullaris lesion in keeping with an incidental TV cyst. However, the patient experienced a rapid resolution of symptoms. We hypothesize that the TV cyst spontaneously ruptured and auto-decompressed. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an enlarging symptomatic TV cyst with spontaneous rupture and resolution of symptoms, highlighting the variable natural history of this condition.

Symptomatic Idiopathic Spinal Epidural Lipomatosis in 9 Patients: Clinical, Radiologic, and Pathogenetic Features.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic spinal epidural lipomatosis (SSEL) is characterized by hypertrophy of adipose tissue within the spinal canal and consequent neural compromise. The exact pathogenesis remains enigmatic. The authors describe a retrospective case series, define the full clinical spectrum, and discuss possible pathogenetic mechanisms. METHODS: The medical notes and imaging of 9 patients with SSEL undergoing surgery from 2008-2018 were analyzed. Seven patients presented secondary to lumbosacral spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL); 3 patients with chronic incomplete cauda equina syndrome (CES), 3 patients with acute CES (including a 25-week gravid patient and a 40-year-old patient with intravenous leiomyomatosis, both of whom had mild SEL) and 1 patient with chronic lumbar radiculopathy. In addition, 2 patients presented with progressive myelopathy secondary to thoracic SEL. RESULTS: Patients presenting with acute CES had a mean age of 37 years (range 23-49 years) and mean extradural fat (EF)-to-spinal canal (SC) ratio of 47% (range 41%-58%), in comparison with patients with chronic CES; mean age 61 years (range 58-65 years) and EF:SC ratio 72% (range 65%-80%). Patients underwent laminectomy and resection of EF at compressive levels. All patients with CES experienced complete resolution of symptoms at follow-up (range 1-48 months). CONCLUSIONS: The clinician should be astute to the radiologic features of SEL, particularly in patients presenting with CES in the absence of acute disk herniation. The outcome of patients with CES and SEL after surgery is excellent regardless of symptom duration. Venous impedance related to increased body mass index and EF deposition may play the predominant role in addition to mechanical compression in the pathogenesis of SSEL.

Conus Medullaris Arteriovenous Malformation Presenting with Acute Dysphagia and Intractable Hiccups.

BACKGROUND: Conus medullaris arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare spinal vascular malformations presenting most frequently with features of myelopathy (Foix-Alajounine syndrome), radiculopathy, bowel/bladder dysfunction, or acute spinal hemorrhage (Coup de poignard of Michon) causing profound neurological deficit. Here we present the case of a young patient with progressive dysphagia and intractable hiccups as a rare first presentation symptom of later verified conus medullaris AVM. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 21-year-old male patient presented with acute onset of dysphagia and persistent hiccups. His magnetic resonance imaging of the spine demonstrated a lesion at the T11 and T12 levels with an associated holocord syrinx and syringobulbia to the level of the medulla. The patient underwent a decompressive suboccipital craniectomy and C1 (atlas) laminectomy with wide myelotomy of the medulla followed by T11 and T12 laminectomy and AVM reduction. Two days after partial AVM occlusion the patient developed transient worsening of his symptoms. Repeat magnetic resonance imaging showed recurrence of dilatation of the central canal. A syringo-subarachnoid shunt was sited at the level of the previous myelotomy of the medulla, after which his neurological symptoms resolved completely. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first case report in the English literature to date of a conus AVM presenting with intractable hiccups. These are extremely rare sporadic vascular malformations, and although their natural history is poorly understood, symptomatic patients generally deteriorate, culminating in severe disability. Management requires a multimodality approach including combined endovascular and microsurgical treatment. The patient in our case made a full recovery confirmed at 2-year follow-up.