Cervicomedullary junction mature teratoma with pulmonary differentiation and diastematomyelia in an adult - A rare case.

Background: Intradural extramedullary teratomas in the cervical or cervicomedullary region are rare in adults. Case Description: We report a symptomatic, mature teratoma at the cervicomedullary junction in a 52-year-old Hispanic female who also has a type I diastematomyelia in the thoracolumbar spine. The patient underwent surgical resection of the lesion with the resolution of presenting symptoms. Histopathology of the lesion revealed a mature cystic teratoma with pulmonary differentiation. Conclusion: We discuss the case along with a review of pertinent literature and considerations with regard to the diagnosis, etiology, prognosis, and management of this unusual pathology.

Proximal Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion and Extracranial-Intracranial Bypass for Treatment of Fusiform and Giant Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the treatment of intracranial fusiform and giant internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms via revascularization based on our institutional experience. METHODS: An institutional review board-approved retrospective analysis was performed of patients with unruptured fusiform and giant intracranial ICA aneurysms treated from November 1991 to May 2020. All patients were evaluated for extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass and ICA occlusion. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were identified. Initially, patients failing preoperative balloon test occlusion were treated with superficial temporal artery (STA)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass and concurrent proximal ICA ligation. We then treated them with STA-MCA bypass, followed by staged balloon test occlusion, and, if they passed, endovascular ICA coil occlusion. We treat all surgical medically uncomplicated patients with double-barrel STA-MCA bypass and concurrent proximal ICA ligation. The mean length of follow-up was 99 months. Symptom stability or improvement was noted in 85% of patients. Bypass graft patency was 92.1%, and all surviving patients had patent bypasses at their last angiogram. Aneurysm occlusion was complete in 90.9% of patients completing proximal ICA ligation. Three patients experienced ischemic complications and 4 patients experienced hemorrhagic complications. CONCLUSIONS: Not all fusiform intracranial ICA aneurysms require intervention, except when life-threatening rupture risk is high or symptomatic management is necessary to preserve function and quality of life. EC-IC bypass can augment the safety of proximal ICA occlusion. The rate of complete aneurysm occlusion with this treatment is 90.9%, and long-term bypass graft-related complications are rare. Perioperative stroke is a major risk, and continued evolution of treatment is required.

Feasibility and Accuracy of Robot-Assisted, Stereotactic Biopsy Using 3-Dimensional Intraoperative Imaging and Frameless Registration Tool.

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted stereotactic biopsy is evolving: 3-dimensional intraoperative imaging tools and new frameless registration systems are spreading. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the accuracy and effectiveness of a new stereotactic biopsy procedure. METHODS: Observational, retrospective analysis of consecutive robot-assisted stereotactic biopsies using the Neurolocate (Renishaw) frameless registration system and intraoperative O-Arm (Medtronic) performed at a single institution in adults (2019-2021) and comparison with a historical series from the same institution (2006-2016) not using the Neurolocate nor the O-Arm. RESULTS: In 100 patients (55% men), 6.2 ± 2.5 (1-14) biopsy samples were obtained at 1.7 ± 0.7 (1-3) biopsy sites. An histomolecular diagnosis was obtained in 96% of cases. The mean duration of the procedure was 59.0 ± 22.3 min. The mean distance between the planned and the actual target was 0.7 ± 0.7 mm. On systematic postoperative computed tomography scans, a hemorrhage ≥10 mm was observed in 8 cases (8%) while pneumocephalus was distant from the biopsy site in 76%. A Karnofsky Performance Status score decrease ≥20 points postoperatively was observed in 4%. The average dose length product was 159.7 ± 63.4 mGy cm. Compared with the historical neurosurgical procedure, this new procedure had similar diagnostic yield (96 vs 98.7%; P = .111) and rate of postoperative disability (4.0 vs 4.2%, P = .914) but was shorter (57.8 ± 22.9 vs 77.8 ± 20.9 min; P < .001) despite older patients. CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted stereotactic biopsy using the Neurolocate frameless registration system and intraoperative O-Arm is a safe and effective neurosurgical procedure. The accuracy of this robot-assisted surgery supports its effectiveness for daily use in stereotactic neurosurgery.

Perioperative dual antiplatelet therapy for patients undergoing spine surgery soon after drug eluting stent placement.

BACKGROUND: Performing emergent spinal surgery within 6 months of percutaneous placement of drug-eluting coronary stent (DES) is complex. The risks of spinal bleeding in a "closed space" must be compared with the risks of stent thrombosis or major cardiac event from dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) interruption. METHODS: Eighty relevant English language papers published in PubMed were reviewed in detail. RESULTS: Variables considered regarding surgery in patients on DAPT for DES included: (1) surgical indications, (2) percutaneous cardiac intervention (PCI) type (balloon angioplasty vs. stenting), (3) stent type (drug-eluting vs. balloon mechanical stent), and (4) PCI to noncardiac surgery interval. The highest complication rate was observed within 6 weeks of stent placement, this corresponds to the endothelialization phase. Few studies document how to manage patients with critical spinal disease warranting operative intervention within 6 months of their PCI for DES placement. CONCLUSION: The treatment of patients requiring urgent or emergent spinal surgery within 6 months of undergoing a PCI for DES placement is challenging. As early interruption of DAPT may have catastrophic consequences, we hereby proposed a novel protocol involving stopping clopidogrel 5 days before and aspirin 3 days before spinal surgery, and bridging the interval with a reversible P2Y12 inhibitor until surgery. Moreover, postoperatively, aspirin could be started on postoperative day 1 and clopidogrel on day 2. Nevertheless, this treatment strategy may not be appropriate for all patients, and multidisciplinary approval of perioperative antiplatelet therapy management protocols is essential.

Pediatric Gliomas: Molecular Landscape and Emerging Targets.

Next-generation sequencing of pediatric gliomas has revealed the importance of molecular genetic characterization in understanding the biology underlying these tumors and a breadth of potential therapeutic targets. Promising targeted therapies include mTOR inhibitors for subependymal giant cell astrocytomas in tuberous sclerosis, BRAF and MEK inhibitors mainly for low-grade gliomas, and MEK inhibitors for NF1-deficient BRAF:KIAA fusion tumors. Challenges in developing targeted molecular therapies include significant intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity, highly varied mechanisms of treatment resistance and immune escape, adequacy of tumor penetrance, and sensitivity of brain to treatment-related toxicities.

Spontaneous Resolution of Dural and Pial Arteriovenous Fistulae Arising After Superficial Temporal Artery to Middle Cerebral Artery Bypass for Moyamoya Disease.

BACKGROUND: Superficial temporal artery (STA)-to-middle cerebral artery bypass is frequently performed for moyamoya disease. We discuss an unusual case in a moyamoya patient complicated by the development of dural and pial arteriovenous fistulae (AVF). Both AVF then spontaneously resolved 2 years after surgery. CASE DESCRIPTION: A patient in the fifth decade of life presented after multiple strokes resulting in right-sided weakness and numbness. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed remote strokes, and angiography revealed Suzuki grade 3 moyamoya angiopathy bilaterally. With a diminutive left STA, we initially performed left-sided dual-vessel pial synangioses. After radiographic evidence of robust revascularization and improved hemispheric perfusion, a combined right STA-middle cerebral artery bypass was done. However, routine 8-month postoperative angiography identified dural and pial AVF within the prior operative field. On the 2-year surveillance cerebral angiogram, both AVF were no longer present. CONCLUSIONS: AVF as a complication of revascularization surgery is rare. Here, we discuss the possible pathophysiologic mechanisms that we theorize may have contributed and current treatment options and indications. We also review the literature surrounding this phenomenon.

Cangrelor Bridging Within 6 Months of a Drug-Eluting Stent in a Patient for Emergency Cervical Spine Surgery: A Case Report.

The recommended duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after drug-eluting stent placement presents a dilemma for patients with recent stenting who require urgent or emergency noncardiac surgery. We present the case of a patient with recent drug-eluting stent placement (<6 months) on dual antiplatelet therapy who underwent successful emergency cervical spine surgery with antiplatelet therapy bridged using cangrelor, an intravenous P2Y12 inhibitor antiplatelet agent. Our experience illustrates the multidisciplinary approach to a patient with high thrombotic and bleeding risk who underwent neurosurgery off both aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor.

Spontaneous Regression of a Third Ventricle Colloid Cyst.

BACKGROUND: Colloid cysts represent 0.5%-1% of intracranial tumors and most commonly occur in the third ventricle near the Monro foramen. Although benign, if the lesion obstructs the foramen abruptly, sudden death may ensue. Evolution of these cysts is poorly understood. Spontaneous regression has been reported in only 2 other cases. Management of such cysts depends on whether the cyst continues to grow, its location, and clinical presentation. Incidental asymptomatic colloid cysts are typically followed with neuroimaging surveillance. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present a case of an incidental third ventricle colloid cyst in a 46-year-old patient who was managed conservatively with neuroimaging surveillance. Thereafter, she started developing some working memory deficits and intermittent headaches, with the cyst volume increasing, leading to the decision to perform a resection. However, the cyst underwent spontaneous regression before the scheduled surgery date, 3 years after initial diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: This case confirms that some colloid cysts could regress spontaneously. Disappearance of the cyst is not necessarily accompanied by clinical worsening, as was reported by other investigators who noted deteriorating neurologic deficits as a result of worsening hydrocephalus. Assuming the cysts rupture, some patients tolerate the contents of the cyst leaking into the ventricular system, whereas others may mount an inflammatory reaction, causing a disruption in cerebrospinal fluid flow. In addition, it is still unclear what factors increase the likelihood of cysts to suddenly rupture.