Role of Combined Vertebroplasty and Spinal Decompression in the Management of Aggressive Vertebral Hemangiomas.

BACKGROUND: There are different surgical modalities designed to manage aggressive vertebral hemangioma (VH) that causes neurological symptoms. The selection of the best approach is still controversial. It is crucial to safely achieve neurological recovery with the elimination of the risk of recurrence. The combined use of surgical decompression and vertebroplasty is one of the surgical modalities that are used to manage these cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2012 to January 2019, nine patients with aggressive VH were retrospectively included in the study. All of them were operated upon using combined surgical decompression and vertebroplasty. We evaluated all the patients preoperatively, immediate postoperative, 1 month, and 12 months later. Clinical and radiological outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Affected spinal levels were dorsal in six cases and lumbar in three cases. There was no postoperative worsening of the preoperative neurological status. For the cases presented with sciatica, the mean VAS score has dropped from 8.33 preoperatively to 2.67 postoperatively. One month later, all of them are free from the radicular pain. For the cases presented with myelopathy, they regain their motor power in both lower limbs over a period of 4 weeks with a mean Nurick grade of 1.17. The postoperative radiological studies revealed near total occlusion of the VH with the maintenance of the vertebral body height. No clinical or radiological signs of spinal instability or recurrence are observed over the period of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The combined use of surgical decompression and vertebroplasty is considered a safe and effective modality in the management of aggressive VHs.

Combined Transpedicular-Transarticular Approach for Ventrally Located Thoracic Intradural Meningiomas.

BACKGROUND: The ventrally located intradural meningiomas in the thoracic spine are still considered a challenge for all spine surgeons. Many surgical approaches were developed to excise the lesion without violating the neural structures. They differ in their invasiveness, safety, and efficacy. One of these approaches is the postero-lateral combined transpedicular-transarticular approach (TPA-TAA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2016 to December 2018, all patients with ventrally located thoracic meningiomas were operated on using the combined TPA-TAA. We evaluated all the patients preoperatively, immediate postoperative, and 6 months later. Clinical and functional outcomes were assessed using the muscle strength grade and the Nurick grading system. Magnetic resonance imaging was obtained for all patients postoperative and at 6 months later. RESULTS: After 6 months, all patients experienced clinical and functional improvement. The mean muscle strength grade rose from 3.8 preoperatively to 4.8 after 6 months. According to the Nurick grading system, the mean preoperative grade was 4.4 and dropped to 1.8 after 6 months. Minor transient complications such as superficial wound infection and the cerebrospinal fluid leak were observed in 1 patient for each. Gross total tumor excision was achieved in all patients. No cases of tumor recurrence were noted during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: This combined TPA-TAA is considered a safe and effective approach in excising ventrally located intradural thoracic meningiomas with minimal postoperative morbidities.

The Role of Combined Posterior and Anterolateral Retroperitoneal Approach in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Burst Lumbar Fractures.

CONTEXT: Combined posterior and anterolateral retroperitoneal approach is very important for the treatment of unstable burst lumber fractures with retropulsed fragments. AIMS: The aim of the study is to evaluate the role of combined posterior and anterolateral retroperitoneal approach in the treatment of unstable burst lumber fractures. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a retrospective clinical case series study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 41 patients with unstable lumber burst fractures with retropulsed fragment. Frankel scale score and Denis pain score were used to evaluate the functional outcome. All patients were surgically treated using combined posterior and anterolateral retroperitoneal approach. They were followed for 1 year postoperatively. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Using SPSS version 21, data were presented as mean ± standard deviation, and percentage and paired sample and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for data analysis. RESULTS: the functional state of all patients improved after surgery. According to the Frankel and Denis pain scores, there was a significant improvement in patients' scores postoperatively compared to preoperative ones (P = 0.001). Visceral manifestations were present in 16 cases (36.6%) with complete improvement postoperatively except two cases. There is a significant improvement as regards pre- and postoperative regional kyphotic angle (9.12 ± 10.03) and vertebral body height (3.14 ± 0.37). Unintended durotomy occurred in six cases treated by stitching using absorbable sutures and fat graft. Wound infection was present in two cases treated by antibiotics and daily dressing. A solid fusion was achieved in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Combined posterior and anterolateral retroperitoneal approach is feasible and effective in surgical exposure and treatment of unstable burst lumber fractures with retropulsed fragments.

Spontaneous Resorption of Herniated Lumbar Disk: Observational Retrospective Study in 9 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous resorption of herniated lumbar disk was explained in the literature by different mechanisms, and multiple predictive factors for resorption were reported in numerous studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the phenomena of spontaneous resorption of herniated lumbar disk without surgery (mechanisms, predictive factors, expected time for resorption, and proper time for conservative treatment). METHODS: This retrospective clinical case series included 9 patients with herniated lumbar disk on initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The mean age was 39 ± 6.3 years, and the male to female ratio was 2:1. All patients presented with back pain and sciatica without motor deficit. All patients refused surgical intervention; therefore, they were treated conservatively. Patients were followed-up clinically and radiologically (MRI) in the outpatient clinic on regular visits (for 18 months). RESULTS: Spontaneous resorption of herniated disk was found in all patients in a mean time of 8.7 ± 3.2 months. All patients recovered clinically in a mean time of 5.7 ± 1.6 weeks by conservative treatment. Large and/or sequestrated disks were associated with rapid resorption. Early recovery patients showed early spontaneous resorption of the disk. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous resorption of herniated lumbar disk can occur by different mechanisms (retraction, dehydration, and inflammatory mediated mechanism). Large and/or sequestrated disks are essential predictive factors for rapid spontaneous resorption. Furthermore, early clinical recovery is usually associated with quick resorption of the herniated disk.