[Management of patients with vestibular schwannoma type IV]. / Management von Patienten mit Vestibularisschwannomen Typ IV.

BACKGROUND: Vestibular schwannomas (VSs) are benign, slow-growing tumors that are classified by the Koos and Hannover grading scales. Despite extensive study, the management of large VS remains controversial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2003 and 2018, 61 patients with VS grade IV were treated in our institution. Patient data and radiological images were retrospectively analyzed. Additionally, we performed a subgroup analysis of patients with and without fourth ventricle distortions. RESULTS: Most patients presented with multiple symptoms, like hearing loss in 55 patients (90 %), trigeminal nerve affection in 16 (26 %), facial nerve affection in 7 (12 %), ataxia in 27 (45 %), and symptoms associated with increased intracranial pressure caused by hydrocephalus in 4 patients (7 %). Patients with type IV b VS presented significantly more often with ataxia, tonsillar herniation, and hydrocephalus. Complete tumor resection was achieved in 48 patients (79 %) and near-total resection was achieved in 12 patients (20 %). During long-term follow-up, 90 % of the patients had favorable outcomes regarding facial nerve function (House and Brackman grade I-III). In six patients (10 %), a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was inserted. More than 90 % of the patients had > 70 % functional impairment based on the Karnofsky Index. DISCUSSION: Large VS is often associated hydrocephalus, ataxia, multiple cranial nerve impairments, and clinical signs of increased intracranial pressure. Primary microsurgical resection, as the primary treatment option, is associated with good outcomes in patients with large VS.

[Application of transarticular C1/2 screws connected with C1 lateral mass screws in a rod-screw system]. / Die Anwendung von transartikulären Schrauben C1/2, verbunden mit C1-Massa-lateralis-Schrauben in einem Schrauben-Stab-System.

Fractures of the second cervical vertebra with involvement of the odontoid process can mostly be treated conservatively by immobilization. In the case of high-grade unstable fractures and pseudarthrosis dorsal C1/2 spondylodesis should be considered.Based on established atlantoaxial osteosynthesis techniques for dorsal C1/2 spondylodesis, a polyaxial screw-rod system with C1/2 transarticular screws connected with C1 lateral mass screws was carried out in a 56-year-old male patient with dislocated odontoid fracture.No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. During a follow-up of 36 months there was no screw loosening or dislocation.The presented alternative technique of dorsal C1/2 spondylodesis is a safe and effective method for stabilizing the atlantoaxial movement segment in cases of posttraumatic instability.

Vertebral Body Osteolysis 6 Years After Cervical Disk Arthroplasty.

Cervical arthroplasty is an accepted and widely performed surgical intervention with usually favorable outcomes. We report a rare case of a 37-year-old woman who presented with vertebral body osteolysis, 6 years after two-level cervical arthroplasty (C5-C6 and C6-C7). The patient showed no initial complications, but at year 6 she presented with neck and radicular arm pain. Diagnostic imaging revealed osteolysis of the vertebral body C6. The patient subsequently underwent removal of the two prostheses and C6 corpectomy, followed by bridging C5 to C7 and anterior fixation. During surgery, the mantle of the prostheses appeared broken, with the core expulsed anteriorly and embedded in granulomatous scar tissue. Pathologic evaluation of the samples showed partially proliferating fibroblasts, giant cell reaction, and textile particles. Postoperatively, clinical symptoms resolved with no residual deficits. Additional research should be performed to assess the long-term complications of this procedure that should be included in the patient informed consent materials.

Three-point atlantoaxial fixation with C1-C2 transarticular screws and C1 lateral mass screws.

BACKGROUND: Based on established posterior atlantoaxial fixation techniques, we present a novel technique that uses a polyaxial screw rod system and utilizes a combination of C1 lateral mass and C1-C2 transarticular screws. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of six men and four women (mean age: 57, range: 20-86). Indication for atlantoaxial fixation was type II odontoid fractures or pseudarthrosis after odontoid fracture (n = 7), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 2) and os odontoideum (n = 1). RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 48 months (range: 24-72). There were no intraoperative complications such as vertebral artery, nerve root or spinal cord injury. Post-operative imaging showed no screw malposition. During follow-up, no patient had screw loosening, screw fracture or bone absorption around the screws. Clinically, patient neck pain improved in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: C1 lateral mass and C1-C2 transarticular polyaxial screw rod fixation is a novel and potentially effective surgical technique for achieving immediate rigid immobilization of the C1-C2 motion segment. However, further biomechanical studies should be performed to prove our clinical results.

Association between vertebral artery hypoplasia and vertebral artery aneurysms: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective case-control study is to determine the association of vertebral artery hypoplasia (VAH) and other anatomical variants with saccular vertebral artery posterior inferior cerebellar artery (VA-PICA) aneurysms. METHODS: The prevalence of VAH, vertebral artery (VA) atresia, VA aplasia, and PICA aplasia was analyzed using CT angiography in 64 patients with VA-PICA aneurysms (43 ruptured and 21 unruptured) and compared to 128 age- and sex-matched controls. Logistic regression was performed to identify independent risk factors for aneurysm formation. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed patients with VA-PICA aneurysms had significantly higher incidence of VAH (53% vs. 17%; odds ratio [OR] 4.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4-9.4; p < 0.0001) and VA aplasia (14% vs. 1%; OR 20.8; 95% CI 2.5-168.0; p = 0.004) compared with controls. Multivariate analysis identified VAH (odds ratio, 3.6; 95% CI 1.8-7.3; p < 0.0001) as an independent strong risk factor for VA-PICA aneurysm formation. VA-PICA aneurysms are detected significantly more often in the dominant VA, which is contralateral to VAH. Other anatomical variants are not related to aneurysm formation. CONCLUSIONS: VAH and VA aplasia are potential risk factors for VA-PICA aneurysms. Altered hemodynamics caused VAH may result in intracranial aneurysm formation. Additional research should clarify the pathophysiological association of VAH, VA aplasia, or vascular occlusion with arteriosclerosis and intracranial aneurysm formation.

Radiological and Clinical Outcome after Multilevel Anterior Cervical Discectomy and/or Corpectomy and Fixation.

BACKGROUND: Multilevel anterior cervical decompression and fixation of four and more levels is a common surgical procedure used for several diseases. METHODS: We reviewed the radiological and clinical outcomes after anterior cervical discectomy or corpectomy and fixation of four and more levels in 85 patients (55 men and 30 women) with an average age of 59.6 years. Surgical indication was multilevel cervical degenerative myelopathy and radiculopathy in 72 (85%) patients, multilevel cervical spondylodiscitis in four (5%), complex traumatic cervical fractures in four (5%), metastatic cervical spine tumor in two (2%), and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in three (3%) patients. RESULTS: There were no severe intraoperative complications such as spinal cord or vertebral artery injury or dissection. Seventy-three patients had four, 10 patients had five, and two patients had six anterior cervical level fixations. The visual analog scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) scale scores improved (6.9 to 1.3 (p < 0.001) and 13.9 to 16.5 (p < 0.001), respectively). The Cobb angle increased from 5.7° to 17.6° postoperatively (p < 0.001). Secondary posterior fixation was necessary in three cases due to pseudarthrosis. CONCLUSION: The anterior approach appears to be optimal for ventral compressive pathology and lordosis restoration to the cervical spine. Limitations of multiple level decompression and fixation included increasing pseudoarthrosis rates, especially after corpectomy, and increasing fused level numbers.

Clinical features, microsurgical treatment, and outcome of vestibular schwannoma with brainstem compression.

BACKGROUND: Presenting symptoms, treatment considerations, and outcome are strongly related to the extension of vestibular schwannomas (VS). The aim of the current retrospective study was to analyze the clinical features, microsurgical treatment, and outcome of VS with brainstem compression. METHODS: Forty-nine patients presented with VS (Hannover grading scale T4a or T4b) in our department. A subgroup analysis was performed among patients without (T4a) and with (T4b) compression and dislocation of the fourth ventricle. RESULTS: Patients with type T4b VS presented significantly more often with long tract signs/ataxia (P < 0.05), tonsillar herniation (P < 0.001), and preoperative hydrocephalus (P < 0.01). No significant difference was found between the groups regarding hearing loss and facial nerve, trigeminal nerve, and lower cranial nerve function. Gross total resection was achieved in 83% of the cases, near total resection was achieved in 15% of the cases, and subtotal resection was performed in 2% of the cases. One patient died after massive postoperative bleeding caused by a coagulopathy. At last follow-up, 69% of the patients had excellent facial nerve function (Grade I-II) and the remaining 31% a fair outcome. Six patients (12%) required permanent ventriculoperitoneal shunting. Hearing was preserved in two patients. Forty-six patients (94%) were independent without occasional assistance (Karnofsky scale 70-100%). CONCLUSIONS: VS with brainstem compression is frequently associated with hydrocephalus, ataxia, long tract signs, multiple cranial nerve disorders, and occasionally, signs of intracranial hypertension. Primary microsurgical resection is an appropriate management option for large VS.