Obturator to Femoral Nerve Transfer: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Injury to the femoral nerve can cause femoral nerve palsy,1 resulting in severe ambulation difficulties and loss of sensory function in the anteromedial thigh and medial calf.2,3 Treatment options focus on nerve repair by direct coaptation, nerve grafting, or nerve transfer.3 If the proximal nerve stump is inaccessible, the location of nerve injury is at a distance from the site of muscle innervation, and/or there is a large nerve gap, nerve transfer may be a promising alternative treatment option.4-6 Nerve transfer uses only one coaptation site and allows for a faster recovery time due to a shorter nerve regeneration distance.2,3 A 32-year-old woman presented with persistent and severe proximal right lower extremity weakness after a right retroperitoneal femoral nerve schwannoma resection at an outside institution. After surgery, she reported that she could not flex her right hip or extend her right knee. MRI demonstrated a right femoral nerve gap defect (7.5 cm) at the schwannoma resection site. A right obturator to femoral nerve transfer was performed (see Video). 1.5-year follow-up visit showed that she had begun to have evidence of active recruitment of the right quadriceps muscle and started walking without a knee brace. 2.5-year follow-up visit showed improving strength (4-) in her right quadriceps muscle, independent walking for longer distances, and participation in sporting activities. The patient consented to the procedure, and the patients and any identifiable individuals consented to publication of his/her image. Institutional Review Board approval was not required for this single case observational surgical video.

Risk factors for vascular injuries in anterior lumbar interbody fusion: a single-institution retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Vascular injuries in anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) occur due to the vascular manipulation needed to achieve optimal disc space exposure. In this study, the authors aimed to evaluate intraoperative vascular injuries in patients undergoing single- and multilevel ALIF at a large tertiary academic center. METHODS: Prospectively collected data specifically addressing postoperative complications in patients who underwent ALIF by neurosurgery spine faculty working with a specialized vascular surgeon were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic characteristics and intraoperative data were collected. Patients were split into vascular injury and non-vascular injury groups. Outcome comparisons were conducted using the chi-square exact and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests for categorical and continuous data, respectively. Logistic regression was used to investigate associations with vascular injury, with univariate analysis first conducted to identify candidate associations. Based on these results, variables demonstrating a between-groups test statistic of p < 0.10 were included in the multivariate analysis to determine the independent predictors of vascular injuries. RESULTS: In total, 323 patients who underwent ALIF procedures were identified: 51% were male (n = 166) and 49% were female (n = 157). The mean age was 57.1 years, with 56% (n = 182) having undergone prior lumbar surgery. Vascular injuries were encountered intraoperatively in 7.1% (n = 23) of patients, and the majority (91% [n = 21]) involved the left common iliac vein. Patients with vascular injuries were statistically older (mean 63.6 vs 56.6 years), had greater incidence rates of coronary artery disease, opioid use, multilevel ALIF surgery involving the L2-3 level, and surgery involving multiple disc spaces, had more multilevel anterior instrumentation, and experienced greater blood loss during surgery and longer length of stay (all p < 0.05). Overall, there was 1 death (0.3%) secondary to aortic artery injury. Multivariate analysis identified opioid use, multilevel ALIF involving L2-3, and multiple interbodies as statistically independent predictors of vascular injury (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Identifying patient risk factors can reduce the risk of vascular injuries in ALIF. Opioid use, multilevel ALIF involving L2-3, and multiple interbodies were independent predictors of vascular injuries in ALIF.

Evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of 3D contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography versus digital subtraction angiography in spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas.

OBJECTIVE: Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs) often go undiagnosed, leading to irreversible spinal cord dysfunction. Although digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is the gold standard for diagnosing SDAVF, DSA is invasive and operator dependent, with associated risks. MR angiography (MRA) is a promising alternative. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of MRA as an equal alternative to DSA in investigating, diagnosing, and localizing SDAVF. METHODS: Prospectively collected data from a single neurosurgeon at a large tertiary academic center were searched for SDAVFs. Eligibility criteria included any patient with a surgically proven SDAVF in whom preoperative DSA, MRA, or both had been obtained. The eligible patients formed a consecutive series, in which they were divided into DSA and MRA groups. DSA and MRA were the index tests that were compared to the surgical SDAVF outcome, which was the reference standard. Accurate diagnosis was considered to have occurred when the imaging report matched the operative diagnosis to the correct spinal level. Comparisons used a two-sample t-test for continuous variables and Fisher-Freeman-Halton's exact test for categorical variables, with p < 0.05 specifying significance. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted to investigate group associations with DSA and MRA accuracy. Positive predictive value, sensitivity, and accuracy were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 27 patients with a mean age of 63 years underwent surgery for SDAVF. There were 19 male (70.4%) and 8 female (29.6%) patients, and the mean duration of symptoms at the time of surgery was 14 months (range 2-48 months). Seventeen patients (63%) presented with bowel or bladder incontinence. Bivariate analysis of the DSA and MRA groups further revealed no significant relationships between the characteristics and accuracy of SDAVF diagnosis. MRA was found to be more sensitive and accurate (100% and 73.3%) than DSA (85.7% and 69.2%), with a subanalysis of the patients with both preoperative MRA and DSA showing that MRA had a greater positive predictive value (78.6 vs 72.7), sensitivity (100 vs 72.7), and accuracy (78.6 vs 57.1) than DSA. CONCLUSIONS: In surgically proven cases of SDAVFs, the authors determined that MRA was more accurate than DSA for SDAVF diagnosis and localization to the corresponding vertebral level. Incomplete catheterization at each vertebral level may result in the failure of DSA to detect SDAVF.

Ventro-Lateral Meningioma of the Cervico-Thoracic Junction: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Meningiomas are one of the most common intradural extramedullary tumors.1 Symptoms often arise from cord compression, with gross total resection leading to the most optimal patient outcomes.2,3 Utilization of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring can increase patient safety through real-time assessment of neural structures and reduce postoperative neurologic complications.4 In this video, we describe the operative techniques for the resection of a meningioma located at the cervico-thoracic junction. A 43-year-old female patient presented with 6 months of bilateral leg numbness and gait disturbances. MRI of the cervical spine demonstrated a cervical thoracic ventral meningioma causing severe cord compression from the bottom of the C6 lamina to the top of the T1 lamina. Surgical resection with intraoperative neuromonitoring with somatosensory-evoked potentials, motor-evoked potentials, and free-running electromyography was recommended. A partial C6-T1 laminectomy was routinely performed, and the dura was opened using a paramedian approach to allow for maximal tumor visualization. The tumor was carefully dissected and debulked, achieving gross total resection. Postoperatively, the patient experienced improvements in preoperative symptoms with no perioperative complications, and the final pathology confirmed the intradural lesion was a meningioma. This video illustrates the surgical technique and management of a spinal meningioma at the cervico-thoracic junction. Patient consent was obtained for their participation in this surgical video.

Surgical resection of an intradural extramedullary spinal tumor.

Large ventrally located spinal meningiomas are typically resected via a posterolateral or lateral approach. Optimal outcomes are associated with good preoperative functional status (i.e., modified McCormick grade < 4), while recurrence rates may be predicted by degree and quality of resection (i.e., low Simpson grade). This video describes the operative techniques for resection of a large ventral C2 intradural extramedullary meningioma in a 71-year-old male presenting with hemibody sensory loss and abnormal gait. A paramedian approach was performed, allowing for adequate exposure and gross-total resection. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 2 and showed near-complete resolution of sensory deficits.

Recurrent Peroneal Intraneural Ganglion Cyst: Management and Review of the Literature.

Intraneural ganglion cysts have been reported to affect the common peroneal nerve. Peroneal intraneural ganglion cysts are managed through surgical intervention. Despite surgical intervention, intraneural ganglion cysts can recur. Common intraneural ganglion cyst recurrence patterns have been proposed based on the initial surgical management of the cyst. These patterns all emphasize the importance of treatment of the proximal tibiofibular (TF) joint to reduce the risk of cyst recurrence. Although joint resection is the favored intervention in the literature, joint arthrodesis is an option for certain patients. Here, we present a case of a peroneal intraneural ganglion cyst and its recurrence in a 36-year-old male who had previously undergone surgical removal of the cyst three months prior, as well as a review of the current literature that aims to add to our current understanding of intraneural cysts.

Surgical Management of a Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula.

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs) may have subtle clinical presentations and are often misdiagnosed. Clinical status gradually deteriorates following symptom onset making prompt identification and management essential. Here we present a case of a 67-year-old patient with rapidly progressing motor and sensory deficits to eventual right hemiplegia. Following imaging and surgical intervention, a thoracic SDAVF was identified and resected. This case report highlights a unique SDAVF with a stroke-like presentation. For patients with such presentation, without a clear source of intracranial pathology, spinal causes such as SDAVF could be considered.

Spinal Epidermoid Tumor: A Case Report.

Spinal epidermoid tumors are rare tumors with typical symptoms including low back pain, radiculopathy, weakness, sensory disturbances, and bowel/bladder dysfunction. Here we present a rare case of a spinal epidermoid tumor in a 44-year-old female patient with a previous surgical history of epidural anesthesia with two cesarean sections. Our report aims to highlight the rare development of this type of tumor following epidural anesthesia, a routine part of labor management.

Traumatic Irreducible Pediatric Radial Head Dislocations: A Unique Case and Review of the Literature.

Background: Irreducible radial head dislocations are uncommon injuries and blocks to reduction typically result from interposed soft tissue. We report the case of a pediatric patient who sustained an irreducible radial head dislocation with a concomitant posterior elbow dislocation and coronoid process fracture. To the author's knowledge, irreducible radial head dislocations presenting as part of a terrible triad like constellation of injuries have not been previously reported. A case-based review of the literature was also performed. Case Description: A 7-year-old male presents to our pediatric hospital as a transfer from an outside hospital after sustaining a posterolateral radial head and posterior elbow dislocation secondary to a fall. CT imaging and 3D reconstruction revealed a Type 1 coronoid process fracture. At our institution, closed attempts at reduction in the operating room under fluoroscopy with general anesthesia were also unsuccessful. Open reduction of the radial head and repair of the soft tissue structures was ultimately required to stabilize the patient's elbow injury. Conclusion: Irreducible pediatric radial head dislocations are rare and inherently unstable injuries. To the authors' knowledge, there are no prior reports of irreducible radial head dislocations that present in a terrible triad like fashion with a coronoid process fracture and posterior elbow dislocation. In the present report, successful treatment of this injury required open reduction and soft tissue repair. Level of Evidence: IV.