Lumbar nerve root biopsy with fascicle dissection and functional mapping: how I do it.

BACKGROUND: Lumbosacral plexopathies with unclear etiology are a rare entity. In certain cases, if workup unrevealing and medical management is suboptimal, an open lumbar nerve root biopsy may be considered. METHOD: A standard lumbar laminectomy is performed for access to the intradural contents. The dura is opened at midline in a standard fashion. Single nerve roots are selected and stimulated for an EMG response. A nerve fascicle is then dissected and stimulated before excision. CONCLUSION: Lumbar nerve root biopsy is feasible and safe. All non-invasive workup needs to be completed and negative before performing this procedure.

Sex diversity in spine surgery fellowship training: analysis of recent trends and program characteristics associated with increased diversity.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Sex diversity in the spine surgery workforce remains limited. Accelerated efforts to recruit more female trainees into spine surgery fellowship training may help promote diversity and inclusion in the emerging spine surgery workforce. PURPOSE: This study assessed the representation of female trainees in spine surgery fellowship training and program factors associated with greater sex diversity among fellows. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This was a cross-sectional analysis of spine surgery fellows in the United States during the 2016-2017 to 2022-2023 academic years. PATIENT SAMPLE: N/A. OUTCOME MEASURES: Representation (%) and participation-to-prevalence ratios (PPRs) defined as the participation of female trainees in spine surgery fellowship training divided by the prevalence of female trainees in previous training cohorts. PPR values <0.8 indicated underrepresentation. METHODS: Sex diversity was assessed among spine surgery faculty, spine surgery fellows, orthopaedic surgery residents, neurosurgery residents, and allopathic medical students. Fellowship program characteristics associated with increased sex diversity were calculated with chi square tests. RESULTS: There were 693 spine surgery fellows and 41 were female (5.9%). Sex diversity in spine surgery fellowship training decreased over the study period (6.4% vs. 4.1%, p=.025). Female trainee representation in spine surgery fellowship training was less than that in orthopaedic surgery residency (14.2%, PPR=0.42), neurosurgery residency (17.1%, PPR=0.35), and allopathic medical school (47.6%, PPR=0.12) training (p<.001). There were 508 faculty at 78 spine surgery fellowships and 25 were female (4.9%). There were 3 female fellowship program directors (3.8%). Fellowship program characteristics associated with increased sex diversity included the presence of female faculty (p=.020). Additional program characteristics including geographic region, accreditation status, number of faculty and fellows were not associated with sex diversity (p>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Female representation in spine surgery fellowship training decreased over the study period and remains underrepresented relative to earlier stages of medical and surgical training. There was a positive association between female faculty and increased sex diversity among fellows. Greater efforts are needed to create training environments that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in spine surgery fellowship training.

Resolution of atlanto-occipital cyst with conservative management: A case report and review of the literature.

Background: Spinal synovial cysts are cystic dilatations of synovial sheaths that extrude into the spinal canal. Despite their generally benign behavior, they can cause severe symptoms due to compression of neural structures. They are most commonly found in the lumbar spine and are rare in the cervical region, especially at the atlanto-occipital junction. Case Description: A 65-year-old presented with neck pain and headaches. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a degenerative cyst within the anterior foramen magnum causing anterior spinal cord and brainstem compression. Multiple surgical treatment options were discussed, and he was prescribed methylprednisolone and immobilization of his cervical spine with a rigid collar. One month later, the patient reported dramatic improvement of his symptoms, and no surgery was performed. One year later, his pain had remained much improved with the continued use of the collar and pain management (i.e., using anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants). The 1-year follow-up MRI showed the atlanto-occipital cyst compressing the cervicomedullary junction had completely resolved along with the brainstem compression. Conclusion: A 65-year-old presented with myelopathy attributed to a large anterior foramen magnum atlanto-occipital cyst compressing the cord. Conservative management for 1 month with a rigid cervical collar and steroids resulted in marked neurological improvement; at 1 year follow-up, the patient was markedly improved with an MR that demonstrated spontaneous cyst regression.

The Middle Meningeal Artery: Branches, Dangerous Anastomoses, and Implications in Neurosurgery and Neuroendovascular Surgery.

The middle meningeal artery (MMA) has always been the workhorse corridor for devascularization of dural-based intracranial lesions and, more recently, has been established as a target for the endovascular management of chronic subdural hematomas. The MMA anatomy is complex and deceitful, and its territory of irrigation (including cranial nerves) is poorly understood. Furthermore, MMA variations and anastomoses are more frequent than expected, which may predispose to procedure-related morbidity. A literature search was conducted in electronic databases per PRISMA guidelines for studies describing normal and abnormal MMA anatomy including variations in MMA origin and dangerous anastomoses. Our institutional case series of greater than 100 MMA embolizations for management of chronic subdural hematomas were reviewed for abnormal MMA anatomy, and clinically relevant case examples are presented. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of the MMA to provide a better understanding and appreciation of this artery, including pearls and pitfalls, that we hope will aid the neurosurgeon and neurointerventionalist in safely tackling these lesions.

Clinical and radiographic characteristics of sacral arteriovenous fistulas: a multicenter experience.

OBJECTIVE: Available data on management of sacral arteriovenous fistulas (sAVFs) are limited to individual case reports and small series. Management includes observation, endovascular embolization, or surgical ligation, with no clear guidelines on the optimal treatment modality. The authors' objective was to report their multiinstitutional experience with management of sAVF patients, including clinical and radiographic characteristics and postprocedural outcomes. METHODS: The electronic medical records of patients with a diagnosis of spinal arteriovenous fistula treated from January 2004 to December 2019 at the authors' institutions were reviewed, and data were summarized using descriptive statistics, including percentage and count for categorical data, median as a measure of central tendency for continuous variables, and interquartile range (IQR) as a measure of dispersion. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients with sAVFs were included. The median (IQR) age was 65 (57-73) years, and 73% (n = 19) of patients were male. Lower-extremity weakness was the most common presenting symptom (n = 24 [92%]), and half the patients (n = 13 [50%]) reported bowel and bladder sphincter dysfunction. The median (IQR) time from symptom onset to treatment was 12 (5.25-26.25) months. Radiographically, all patients had T2 hyperintensity at the level of the conus medullaris (CM) (n = 26 [100%]). Intradural flow voids were identified in 85% (n = 22) of patients. The majority of the lesions had a single identifiable arterial feeder (n = 19 [73%]). The fistula was located most commonly at the S1 level (n = 13 [50%]). The site where the draining vein connects to the pial venous plexus was seen predominantly at the lumbar level (n = 16 [62%]). In total, 29 procedures were performed: 10 open surgeries and 19 endovascular embolization procedures. Complete occlusion was achieved in 90% (n = 9) of patients after open surgery and 79% (n = 15) after endovascular embolization. Motor improvement was seen in 68% of patients (n = 15), and bladder and bowel function improved in 9 patients (41%). At last follow-up, 73% (n = 16) of patients had either resolution or improvement of the pretreatment intramedullary T2 signal hyperintensity. CONCLUSIONS: T2 hyperintensity of the CM and a dilated filum terminale vein are consistent radiographic signs of sAVF, and delayed presentation is common. Complete occlusion was achieved in almost all patients after surgery, and endovascular embolization was effective in 70% of the patients. Further studies are needed to determine the best treatment modality based on case-specific characteristics.