ABSTRACT
Background: Microsurgical and endoscopic approaches are accepted alternatives for the management of symptomatic arachnoid cyst. However, given their ability to visualize critical neurovascular structures with less morbidity, less dissection needs, and high success rates, endoscopic approaches are excellent options for the management of this pathology. Case Description: We present the case of an otherwise healthy 8-year-old male who presented with a chronic history of disabling headache that augmented with exercise and interrupted his sleep. He had a normal neurological examination. Neuroimaging studies depicted a right middle fossa Galassi III arachnoid cyst with no associated hydrocephalus, marked displacement of adjacent cortex, and apparent connection with the basal cisterns. Given the severity of the symptoms, and the size and compressive effect of the arachnoid cyst, surgical management through and endoscopic approach was undertaken. We performed a right temporal burr hole, right above the zygomatic arch to avoid vessels of the Sylvian fissure and to allow an optimal trajectory to the medial edge of the cyst and the target cisterns. We proceeded to identify the endoscopic anatomy of the surrounding structures to perform and adequate fenestration of multiple arachnoid membranes, obtaining an adequate cystocisternal communication. We then performed closure in a standard fashion. The patient was neurologically unchanged after the procedure and was discharged on postoperative day 2. The postoperative images revealed a dramatic reduction in the cyst dimensions with resolution of its compressive effect. Conclusion: Endoscopic management of arachnoid cyst offers several advantages such as the visualization of the cyst boundaries and critical adjacent structures, and the need for a less extensive dissection having a success rate between 83% and 92%. It is important to perform a wide multifocal fenestration as a key step to avoid cyst reclosure.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is a good alternative for the surgical treatment of lumbar degenerative disc disease. The primary vascular complications regarding this intervention involve the common iliac vein bifurcation complex (CIVC). Currently, no classification system allows defining which patients are more prone to these complications. We aimed to perform a retrospective study evaluating the anatomy of the common iliac CIVC at the L5-S1 disc proposing a novel classification system as it relates to the ALIF difficulty. METHODS: 91 consecutive patients who underwent ALIF at the L5-S1 level were included. We categorize the CIVC at the L5-S1 disc space into four types according to the veins position along the disc space. The patient records were reviewed for demographic information, surgical characteristics, and complications. The surgical difficulty was rated at the end of the procedure. RESULTS: 54% of the patients were women. The mean age was 52.5 ± 14.8 years. Mean surgical bleeding was 152 ml (range 20ml -3000 ml), and mean surgical time was 79 ± 13.3 minutes. Berbeo-Diaz-Vargas (BDV) classification type 4 was found in 43.9% of the patients. The surgical complexity was associated with the bleeding magnitude and surgical time spent (p<0.01), not being related to the corporal mass index or sacral slope. Bleeding magnitude, surgical time, and surgical complexity were significantly related to the BDV classification system (p<0.01). Weighted Cohen´s kappa index for the BDV scale was 0.89 (95% IC 0.822 - 0.974). CONCLUSIONS: BDV scale is a reliable and reproducible tool for the classification of CIVC significantly related to a higher incidence of bleeding, prolonged operating time, and increased perceived difficulty by the surgeon.
