Intracranial extra-axial chondromas: clues to computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis.

AIM: We aimed to describe the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of intracranial extra-axial chondroma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the imaging findings of CT and MR examinations of six patients (three men and three women, aged 21-66 years) with histopathological diagnoses of intracranial extra-axial chondroma. RESULTS: Four tumors were located in the frontal region and two in the cavernous sinus. All the tumors showed low signals on diffusion-weighted images and high signals on apparent diffusion coefficient maps without restricted diffusion. There was no perifocal edema in all the tumors. Cavernous sinus chondromas were associated with bone erosion and anterior displacement of the internal carotid arteries, but without calcification. Calcification was present in all frontal chondromas. All the tumors revealed low signals on T1-weighted MR images. Frontal chondromas revealed mixed signals, but cavernous sinus chondromas were brightly hyperintense on T2-weighted MR images. No enhancement was detected in the two chondromas. An intense homogeneous enhancement was detected in a cavernous sinus chondroma. CONCLUSION: The imaging appearances of frontal extra-axial chondromas and cavernous sinus chondromas may have different imaging appearances. Although there is a wide range of imaging findings, the absence of restricted diffusion, perifocal edema, enhancement, and presence of low signals on T1-weighted MR images in a well-circumscribed calcified extra-axial mass should suggest an intracranial chondroma.

Recurrence of lumbar disk herniation after microdiscectomy: a two-center retrospective analysis of 1214 cases and identification of risk factors.

Background/aim: To present the incidence of recurrent lumbar disc herniation (RLDH) and to identify radiological and patient-related risk factors that lead to recurrence after lumbar disc herniation (LDH) treatment with microdiscectomy. Materials and methods: Between January 2013 and December 2021, 1214 patients who had undergone microdiscectomy for LDH were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into two groups, the recurrent group and the non-recurrent group, and their demographic, clinical and radiologic characteristics were recorded. The association between the variables and RLDH was assessed by univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results: Mean ages were similar in the recurrent (51.48 ± 13.63) and non-recurrent(50.38 ± 14.53) groups (p=0.232). Males represented 59.6% of the recurrent group and 49.8% of the non-recurrent group (p=0.002). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that being a male (p=0.009), diabetes mellitus (p=0.038), smoking (p<0.001), grade 4&5 disc degeneration (p<0.001), and having protruded (p=0.002), extruded LDH (p<0.001), paracentral (p=0.008) and foraminal LDH (p=0.008) were independently associated with recurrence. Conclusion: To reduce RLDH frequency and need for revision surgery, modifiable risk factors should be minimized before and after the initial surgery. Also, in patients with unmodifiable risk factors, patients should be clearly informed about the risk for recurrence and possible alternative treatment methods should be considered.

Neuro-Behçet's Disease Mimicking Low-Grade Glioma Presenting with Drop Foot.

Behçet's disease is a multisystem inflammatory disease that manifests with oral-genital ulcers, skin lesions, arthritis, and ophthalmologic and neurovascular findings. Neurological involvement of Behçet's disease is called neuro-Behçet's disease, and it is a difficult entity to diagnose because of insufficient symptoms. We present a 26-year-old male patient with complaints of headache, dizziness, and drop foot in the right lower extremity. He underwent gross total tumor resection with the preliminary diagnosis of low-grade glioma, according to the preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Histopathological examination and further investigation revealed an interesting neuro-Behçet's disease case because of the localization and clinical occurrence of the lesion.

Posterior realignment of basilar invagination with facet joint distraction technique.

PURPOSE: We describe our experience with management of basilar invagination (BI) with the atlantoaxial dislocation (C1/C2) joint reduction technique, including posterior atlantoaxial internal fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2008 to 2018, eleven patients with atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) and BI underwent surgical reduction using C1/C2 the joint reduction technique with a fibular graft/peek cage placement followed by C1 lateral mass/C2 pedicle screw fixation. In two cases that we originally planned to perform C1/C2 joint reduction, occiput-C2 pedicle screw fixation was performed instead due to intraoperative challenges. Post-operative course and surgical complications will be discussed. RESULTS: A total of 13 patients, with an average age of 30.46 ± 13.23 years (range 12-57), were operated. In one patient, iatrogenic vertebral artery injury occurred without any neurological complication. JOA score improved from 10.45 ± 1.128 to 15.0 ± 1.949 (p < 0.0001, paired t-test). All radiological indices were improved (p at least < 0.001). No construct failure was seen in any of the patients with C1-2 facet joint distraction technique during follow-up, and no additional anterior decompression surgery was required. CONCLUSIONS: C1/C2 joint reduction technique with fibular graft/cervical PEEK cage of BI patients together with AAD seems to be an effective and safe surgical method of treatment.

Efficacy of prophylactic application of vancomycin powder in preventing surgical site infections after instrumented spinal surgery: A retrospective analysis of patients with high-risk conditions.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of prophylactic use of vancomycin powder against surgical site infections in patients with high-risk conditions who underwent posterior spinal instrumentation. METHODS: Data obtained from 209 patients who underwent posterior spinal instrumentation at a single institution from 2014 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were then divided into two groups: control group, including 107 patients (61 females, 46 males; mean age=54 years; age range=16-85 years), and treatment group, including 102 patients (63 females, 39 males; mean age=53 years; age range=14-90 years). All patients received the same standard prophylactic antibiotic regimen. In addition to the prophylactic antibiotic, vancomycin powder was applied locally to the surgical site in the treatment group. All patients were followed up for at least 90 days postoperatively. Infections were categorized as superficial and deep infections. Subgroup analysis of high-risk patients (Syrian refugees) was also performed. RESULTS: The infection rates were 1.96% (two patients) in the treatment group and 6.54% (seven patients) in the control group. A significant decrease in the infection rates was observed with local vancomycin powder application. Advanced age (>46 years) and prolonged surgical duration (>140 min) were found to be the main risk factors for surgical site infections (p=0.004 and p=0.028, respectively). The infection rates were 3.22% and 8.11% in the treatment and control groups of refugees, respectively. There were three superficial and four deep infections in the control group and one superficial and one deep infection in the treatment group. A dominance of staphylococcus infections was observed in the control group, whereas no significant dominance was observed in the treatment group. Three patients in the control group and one patient in the treatment group received implant removal. CONCLUSION: Evidence from this study has revealed that local application of vancomycin powder reduces the rate of surgical site infections after instrumented spinal surgery. The benefit of vancomycin application may be most appreciated in higher risk populations or in clinics with high baseline rates of infection. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Therapeutic Study.

Primary pituitary abscess mimicking meningitis in a pediatric patient.

INTRODUCTION: Pituitary abscess is a rare lesion of the pituitary gland that can cause morbidity and mortality in the absence of appropriate treatment. They are classified as primary and secondary pituitary abscesses. Primary pituitary abscesses occur in patients with no previous pituitary pathology. Secondary pituitary abscesses are detected in patients with existing pituitary pathologies. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 16-year-old female patient with primary pituitary abscess who was misdiagnosed initially and treated as meningitis. Following the visual disturbances, pituitary abscess was diagnosed, and she underwent abscess drainage via endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery and antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSION: Primary pituitary abscess can be clinically confused with other pathologies affecting the central nervous system. In order to avoid permanent sequelae in such patients, it should be kept in mind by physicians in similar cases. Satisfying results are obtained in these patients after appropriate treatment and dramatic improvement is achieved.

Reoperation does not provide a survival advantage in patients with recurrent Glioblastoma treated with irinotecan/bevacizumab treatment.

BACKGROUND: Treatment options for recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) have limited efficacy. Although reoperation is useful for both the confirmation of the diagnosis of recurring disease and the relief of the symptoms, its effect on survival is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaulate the impact of second surgery in recurrent GBM. METHODS: Patients with GBM followed in our center between January 2015 and April 2018 were analyzed retrospectively based on the treatment options. RESULTS: 25 patients diagnosed with recurrent GBM were analyzed. Ten patients (40%) were treated with chemotherapy following reoperation, and 15 patients (60%) were treated with only chemotherapy. No benefits of reoperation were observed in the univariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The second surgery in recurrent GBM has limited effect in clinical course.

Childhood Pineal Glioblastoma: Case Report.

Pineal glioblastomas (GBMs) are extremely rare tumors. Herein we will present a pediatric patient with GBM located in pineal region who was admitted with the symptoms of increased intracranial pressure and treated with surgical resection and radiotherapy. Introduction: Pineal region tumors are extremely rare accounting for less than 1% of all brain tumors. The most common type of pineal region tumors is germ cell tumor, followed by pineal parenchymal tumors, gliomas, atypical tumors, and the others. Case Report: A 5-year-old girl was admitted with complaints of headache, dizziness, imbalance in walking, and impaired vision for 1 month. Her neurological examination revealed a tendency to sleep, anisocoric pupillae, mesh eye pupil, dilated lateral gaze paralysis, and left hemiparasia (4/5 muscle strength). In magnetic resonance imaging, a mass was observed in the pineal region that infiltrates the right thalamus and right superior peduncle, isointense and hyperintense in T1 sections, hyperintense in T2 sections, having centrally contrasted areas in post-contrast sections. Due to the presence of evident hydrocephalus, a ventricular shunt was inserted and then through supracerebellar to infratentorial approach the lesion was removed subtotally. The histopathological diagnosis was GBM. GBMs in the pineal region are extremely rare tumors carrying poor prognosis. The patients are generally presented with the signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. GBMs should be kept in mind in differential diagnosis of tumors in the pineal region.

Comparison of dorsal intercostal perforator artery flap and primary closure in myelomeningocele repair.

PURPOSE: Of the many suggested techniques, we used dorsal intercostal perforator artery flap (DIPAF) for the closure of myelomeningocele defects. This study compared the outcomes of primary closure and DIPAF in the closure of myelomeningoceles. METHODS: Data of 24 patients that underwent myelomeningocele surgery at a single institution between November 2015 and September 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The primary closure group had 13 patients (54.17%) and the DIPAF group had 11 (45.83%). The mean age was 7.91 ± 13.27 days (1-60 days). Twelve patients were female and 12 were male. In 22 patients, the myelomeningocele sacs were in the lumbosacral region, while in 2, they were in the thoracolumbar region. The mean defect sizes were 14.20 ± 4.62 cm2 and 18.44 ± 3.49 cm2 in the primary closure and DIPAF groups, respectively. In each group, four patients had a kyphotic deformity. In the primary closure group, three patients had wound necrosis, two had wound dehiscence, and four had cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. In the DIPAF group, one patient had wound necrosis and one had CSF leakage. Significantly fewer complications related to the operation area were observed in the DIPAF group (p < 0.05). Increased defect size, kyphotic deformity, and presence of hydrocephalus were found to be risk factors for complications related to the operation area. CONCLUSION: This surgical treatment protects neural tissue, prevent CSF leakage, and reduce central nervous system infection rates in myelomeningocele patients. Closure technique with the fasciocutaneous skin flap has more satisfying results than primary closure.

Spine Metastasis of Thymic Carcinoma in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report and Comprehensive Literature Review.

INTRODUCTION: Thymic carcinoma metastases of the spinal column are very rare, especially in pediatric patients. To our knowledge, this is the first such pediatric case in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 14-year-old male patient with T12 and L1 metastases of thymic carcinoma. He had history of thymectomy and intrathoracic tumor resection 7 months previously. The patient's neurological condition deteriorated; therefore, tumor resection and decompression of the spinal canal were performed. He underwent instrumentation and fusion procedures to prevent spinal instability. CONCLUSION: The main purpose of the treatment is gross total resection of the thymic carcinoma. However, adjuvant methods such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy should be added to the treatment protocol in patients who have higher stage diseases or those in whom total tumor resection cannot be achieved.

Course of Urological Problems in Children with Spinal Dysraphism: Long-Term Follow-Up Results.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to evaluate the course of urinary problems in children with spinal dysraphism. METHODS: This multicenter study evaluated data on pediatric patients diagnosed with spinal dysraphism between 2010 and 2019. The neurological and urological conditions of the patients were examined retrospectively. This study focused on the course of urological problems. Urodynamic examinations including urodynamic bladder capacity, bladder pressure in maximal capacity, compliance, detrusor hyperactivity, uroflowmetry, and residual urine amount were evaluated. All patients underwent urinary system ultrasonography, urinalysis, hemogram and biochemical tests, and urodynamics at admission and follow-ups. RESULTS: A total 62 patients (35 males, 27 females) with a mean age of 7.50 ± 4.01 years and age range of 1-16 years were included in the study. Ultrasonographic evaluation revealed normal results in 32 patients and abnormal findings, including moderate-to-severe calyceal dilatation, parenchymal thinning, and residual urine, in 30 patients. At the time of diagnosis, culture-positive urinary tract infection was detected in 22 patients, and leukocyte and/or bacterial positivity was detected in 18 patients. The differences between bladder capacity, bladder pressure at maximal capacity, compliance, and detrusor hyperactivity at first admission and post-treatment were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Vesicoureteral reflux was also detected in 25 patients. Thirty patients underwent oral anticholinergic and antibiotic prophylaxis, while 17 additionally underwent clean intermittent catheterization. Five patients underwent intravesical Botox injection, clean intermittent catheterization, and medical treatment, and 10 patients underwent augmentation cystoplasty. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of urinary tract problems is high in patients with spinal dysraphism for whom early diagnosis is very important for both urologic and neurosurgical considerations. Early follow-up of urodynamics should be performed, and treatment should be carried out if necessary. Regular follow-up and appropriate treatment have positive effects on the quality of life of these patients and may also prevent the occurrence of severe renal dysfunction.

Outcome of Primary Bone Fragment Replacement in Pediatric Patients with Depressed Skull Fracture.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pediatric patients who were operated with the diagnosis of depressed skull fracture. METHODS: The records of pediatric patients who presented with traumatic head injury to multicenter neurosurgery clinics between 2002 and 2018 and who were operated with a diagnosis of depressed skull fracture were retrospectively reviewed. All of the patients underwent primary bone fragment replacement operation, and the patients' own bone flaps were used to repair depressed skull fractures in all of them. RESULTS: A total of 78 patients were included in the study. Of the study group, 20 patients presented with mild head injury, 37 had moderate head injury, and 21 had severe head injury. Dural injury was present in 67 patients (86%) and the dura was intact in 11 patients (14%). After surgery, 63 patients (81%) had good outcome, 8 patients (10%) had moderate disability, and 5 patients (6.5%) had severe disability. Two patients with multiple accompanying cranial pathologies died and the mortality rate was 2.5%. Infection was detected in only 2 of the 78 patients who were treated within the first 72 h after trauma. One of them had meningitis and the other skin infection. Both patients were treated with appropriate antibiotherapy. None of the patients in the study group had an infection involving the bone, such as osteomyelitis, or the tissues under the bone, such as subdural-epidu-ral empyema or abscess. None of the patients required reoperation and removal of the bone. CONCLUSION: In the present study, as the pathologies accompanying the depressed skull fractures of the patients increased, Glasgow Coma Scale scores at arrival and Glasgow Outcome Scale scores at discharge decreased. Regardless of whether the depressed fracture is simple or compound, primary bone fragment replacement with appropriate decontamination of the fractured bone and operation area via single-session intervention gives good results. It is important to perform the surgery as soon as possible to reduce the risk of contamination. Primary bone fragment replacement seems to be an appropriate treatment option for depressed skull fractures.

Giant cell tumor of the eleventh thoracic vertebra in a pediatric patient: an interesting case report and comprehensive literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Giant cell tumors of the mobile spinal column are very rare tumors, especially in the pediatric age group. Although they are benign tumors, they have locally aggressive growth pattern and high risk of recurrence. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 15-year-old female patient with thoracic giant cell tumor who underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty and had cement extravasation into the spinal canal. Because of the deterioration of the patient's neurological condition, total enbloc spondylectomy and cement excision were performed. She underwent instrumentation and fusion procedures in order to prevent spinal instability. CONCLUSION: The main purpose of the treatment is gross total resection of the giant cell tumor. However, adjuvant methods such as denosumab should be added to the treatment protocol in patients who are older than 2 years old and can not undergo gross total resection due to tumor size and anatomic localization.

Unusual Clinical Presentation and Association of Cranial Dermoid Tumor and Tethered Cord Syndrome.

Tethered cord syndrome (TCS), a neurological disorder characterized by the lower settlement of the conus medullaris, is a congenital spinal disease which is caused by split cord syndrome, meningomyelocele, and spinal tumors. Cranial dermoid tumor (CDT) is a congenital benign tumor which is generally located on the midline of the cranium. Even though TCS is highly associated with spinal dermoid tumor, the relationship of CDT and TCS is unusual. We pre-sent a case with an unusual symptom of CDT, motion-dependent pain, and an uncommon togetherness with TCS.

Lung Adenocarcinoma Metastasis Mimicking Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Root metastases of solid organ carcinomas are rare entities. Because of their rare occurrence, they can be confused with nerve sheath tumors, such as schwannomas or neurofibromas, when detected by magnetic resonance imaging. In this paper, we reported a case of a 72-year-old woman with S1 root metastasis originating from lung adenocarcinoma. In addition, we reviewed the literature and presented the diagnosis and treatment stages of this pathology. Surgical resection should be the main treatment for symptomatic metastases. Gross total resection of tumors is usually not possible with preservation of neurologic functions. Nerve root decompression, subtotal resection, and adjuvant treatments seem to represent the best treatment option for these patients.

Prognostic Significance of Indicators of Systemic Inflammatory Responses in Glioblastoma Patients

Background: High-grade gliomas, with glioblastomas as the most frequently observed histologic subtype, are the most common primary brain tumours in adults. It is considered that inflammatory responses play a major role in malignancies, including tumour progression. This study aimed to determine the prognostic significance of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the thrombocyte to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as indicators of systemic inflammatory response (SIR) in glioblastoma patients. Methods: A total of 90 patients treated for glioblastoma were retrospectively evaluated. Absolute counts were used to generate NLR and PLR. A SIR was considered to be present with an NLR ≥5 and/or PLR ≥150. Results: Median follow-up time was 11.3 months (range: 1-70 months). The 1-year and 2-year overall survival rates were 55.2% and 19.5%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that there was no correlation between overall survival and gender (p=0.184), comorbid disease (p = 0.30), clinical presentation (p = 0.884), or tumour lateralization (p = 0.159). Multivariate analysis showed that overall survival was significantly correlated with SIR based on NLR (HR: 2.41), and ECOG performance status (HR: 1.53). The prognostic factors that affected survival, other than SIR, were Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (p = 0.003), and tumour localization (p = 0.006). Conclusion: The present findings confirm that NLR based on peripheral blood counts prior to treatment can be used as a prognostic factor in patients with glioblastoma. Since tumour aggression increases and survival decreases as the NLR value rises, choice of treatment modality is facilitated for glioblastoma patients.

Use of programmable versus nonprogrammable shunts in the management of normal pressure hydrocephalus: A multicenter retrospective study with cost-benefit analysis in Turkey.

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt systems that are used in the treatment of normal pressure hydrocephalus are often associated with drainage problems. Adjustable shunt systems can prevent or treat these problems, but they may be expensive. The aim of our study is to compare the complications and total cost of several shunt systems.Patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus who underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunting between 2011 and 2016 were included in the study. The study involves patient consent and the informed consent was given. Complications and the average cost per person were compared between patients with adjustable and nonadjustable shunts. Shunt prices, surgical complications, and revision costs were taken into account to calculate the average cost.Of the 110 patients who were evaluated, 80 had a nonadjustable shunt and 30 had an adjustable shunt. In the group with adjustable shunts, the rates of subdural effusion and hematoma were 19.73% and 3.29%, respectively. In the group with nonadjustable shunts, these rates were 22.75% and 13.75%, respectively. One patient in the adjustable group underwent surgery for subdural hematoma, while 8 patients in the nonadjustable group underwent the same surgery. Ten patients required surgical intervention for subdural effusion and existing shunt systems in these patients were replaced by an adjustable shunt system. When these additional costs were factored into the analysis, the difference in cost between the shunt systems was reduced from 600 United States dollars (USD) to 111 USD.When the complications and additional costs that arise during surgical treatment of normal pressure hydrocephalus were considered, the price difference between adjustable and nonadjustable shunt systems was estimated to be much lower.

Melanotic schwannoma of the L5 root.

Melanotic neoplasm of the central nervous system is rare and the majority of them are metastatic. Melanotic schwannoma (MS) is an unusual variant of nerve sheath neoplasm accounting for less than 1% of primary nerve sheath tumors. A case involving a 36-year-old man with MS at the L5 root is presented. Surgery, differential diagnosis, radiology, histology, and treatment of this rare entity are discussed.

The Outcomes of Late Term Surgical Treatment of Penetrating Peripheral Nerve Injuries.

AIM: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the follow-up results of patients who received late-term surgical treatment for peripheral nerve lesions caused by penetrating injuries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 25 patients who underwent surgery for peripheral nerve injuries in our clinic between 2007 and 2013. The patients were evaluated with respect to age, gender, etiology of the trauma, the affected nerve, clinical examinations, electrophysiological findings, surgical techniques and functional outcomes. RESULTS: The study included 30 nerves of 25 patients (19 male, 6 female; mean age 30.1 years). The mean time between the initial injury and admission to our clinic was 11.5 months (range, 3 to 30 months). Cuts caused by glass were the most common cause of injury (68.5%). The most commonly injured nerves in our patients were the median nerve (43.4%) and ulnar nerve (26.6%). External neurolysis and decompression were performed in eleven patients, epineurotomy and internal neurolysis were performed in eight patients, epineural repair was performed in fourteen patients, fascicular repair was performed in three patients, and interfascicular anastomosis using sural nerve grafting was performed in five patients. Postoperative motor strength and electrophysiological analyses showed significant improvements. Better outcomes were obtained in cases with median nerve injuries rather than other nerve injuries. Additionally, patients undergoing external neurolysis and decompression exhibited better outcomes than those undergoing other surgical approaches. CONCLUSION: Although surgical treatment is recommended as early as possible for peripheral nerve injuries, late-term surgical treatments may provide positive outcomes.