Short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of chemonucleolysis with condoliase for painful lumbar disc herniation and analysis regarding intradiscal injection area.

Percutaneous chemonucleolysis with condoliase has been available for painful lumbar disc herniation since 2018 in Japan. This study investigated clinical and radiographic outcomes three months after the administration because the secondary surgical removal is most required during this period for the insufficient pain relief, and analyzed whether the differences of intradiscal injection areas affected the clinical outcomes. We retrospectively investigated 47 consecutive patients (males, 31; median age, 40 years) three months after the administration. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Questionnaire (JOABPEQ), a visual analog scale (VAS) score for low back pain, and VAS scores for pains and numbness in the lower limbs. Radiographic outcomes were analyzed in 41 patients, using parameters such as mid-sagittal disc height and maximal protrusion length of herniation on MRI preoperatively and at the final follow-up. Postoperative median evaluation period was 90 days. The effective rate of low back pain based on the pain-related disorders at baseline and the last follow-up in the JOABPEQ reached 79.5%. The postoperative proportion of VAS scores recovery ≥ 2 points and ≥ 50% for pains in the lower limbs were 80.9% and 66.0%, respectively, revealing satisfactory effectiveness. Preoperative median mid-sagittal disc height significantly reduced from 9.5 to 7.6 mm postoperatively. There were no significant differences in pain relief in the lower limbs by injection areas in the center and the dorsal 1/3rd near the herniation of nucleus pulposus. Chemonucleolysis with condoliase revealed satisfactory short-term outcomes after the administration regardless of intradiscal injection areas.

Longest survival by the combination of radiation-therapy and resection in patient with metastatic spinal paragangliomas from primary-neck lesion with succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDHB) mutation.

Metastatic paraganglioma (MPG) of the spine is a rare condition, with no established management. Herein, we report the longest survival case of a primary neck tumor that caused spinal MPG with a succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDHB) mutation (c.470delT, p.L157X) which could have promoted its malignancy. This male patient initially presented with a left neck PG which was diagnosed by a biopsy when he was 54 years-old. Simultaneously performed additional examinations revealed the spinal metastatic tumors on the T5-7 vertebrae and L3 vertebra-sacrum. These primary neck and metastatic spinal tumors' growths were once suppressed under the radiation therapy. Nineteen years later, he developed acute progressive paraparesis due to a mass located at the T2-3 level, tightly compressing the spinal cord, and protruding into the left thoracic cavity. We resected the maximum possible area of tumor in the spinal canal, confirmed MPG by histological examination, and then, we administered radiation therapy of 40 Gy in 20 fractions. Eventually, the patient was able to walk unaided with no evidential tumor recurrence for 3 years after treatment. Generally, clinical feature of MPG with SDHB mutation from abdominal lesion is thought to be poor prognosis. However, our case suggests the possibility of long-term control of spinal MPG with the adequate combination of radiation therapy and resection if metastatic lesions from primary-neck lesion with an SDHB mutation are remained to spine.

[What are the Criteria for Deciding Posterior Cervical Decompression with/without Fusion?]

We herein report on the knowledge regarding posterior cervical decompression with or without posterior fusion mainly performed in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy in the past decade(2011-2020). In cases of preoperative cervical kyphosis >15° in the C2-7 Cobb angle, with a horizontal displacement >3 mm, and severe local kyphosis at an intervertebral space in dynamic lateral radiography, posterior fusion should be considered over laminoplasty. However, a short fusion may be sufficient in cases with apparent single local instability. Moreover, in cases with normal or mild kyphotic alignment compared to severe global cervical kyphosis, further development of laminoplasty or laminectomy aimed at the preservation and reconstruction of the posterior cervical structure is expected to maintain the alignment and avoid the unnecessary use of a spacer or mini-plate for the re-closure of the opened lamina in laminoplasty. A properly planned surgical strategy is mandatory in posterior cervical decompression. The choice of surgical procedure should not be based on a compelling motivation regarding familiarity with a surgical method or usage of implants but rather on the pathophysiology of myelopathy, age and sex of the patient, and the presence of osteoporosis, instability, or alignment.

[The Clinical Features of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks--Based on Our Experiences].

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, which usually occurs idiopathically or traumatically as a rare situation, is a rare disease that causes orthostatic headache or idiopathic chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). We report our therapeutic experience of consecutive 20 cases for this disease, and review the current status and problems. Consecutive 20 patients (11 women; age 44.7±12.1 years) between April, 2006 and March, 2014, who were diagnosed by MRI and/or CT myelography (CTM), were evaluated retrospectively about clinical features. The main symptoms were as follows: orthostatic headache only; 10 cases, orthostatic headache with CSDH; 6, and none-orthostatic headache accompanied with CSDH; 4. As a treatment, direct surgeries were performed in 2 cases. Epidural blood patch (EBP) was applied in 14 cases (direct surgery was performed finally in the early one case), and widespread EBP with a single lumbar entry point utilizing an intravenous catheter was performed especially in the latest 9 cases. Another 5 cases were treated simply with the administration of a drip infusion regardless of the drainage for CSDH. Of 10 cases suffering from headache only, the headache disappeared completely or it was relieved in 9 cases. Of 10 cases accompanied with CSDH, recurrence of hematoma was prevented in all cases with a drip infusion after the drainage in one case and EBP after the drainage in another 9 cases. It was certified that we could diagnose CSF leak correctly with MRI and/or CTM and control this disorder almost completely with widespread EBP utilizing an intravenous catheter.

Changes in Intervertebral Disc Properties after Intradiscal Injection of Condoliase for Painful Lumbar Disc Herniation.

The detailed changes in disc properties after intradiscal injection of condoliase remain controversial. At 3 and 9 months after administration, radiographic changes in discs were investigated. A total of 41 patients (men, 25; median age, 46 years) who underwent regular follow-up magnetic resonance imaging at 3 and 9 months after administration without additional invasive therapy were retrospectively investigated. The intensity changes of the nucleus pulposus based on the Pfirrmann disc grading system, midsagittal disc height, and maximum protrusion length of herniation were assessed. In addition, disc height changes were compared between 24 patients aged <50 years (young group) and 17 patients aged ≥50 years (over 50s group). The overall mean disc heights were 9.1, 7.5, and 7.6 mm preoperatively, at 3 months, and at 9 months, respectively, with a significant reduction at 3 months (P < 0.001) and no significant changes thereafter. The mean maximum protrusion length of herniation significantly and gradually decreased. The overall proportions of Pfirrmann disc grades after administration were equivalent between 3 and 9 months. However, the recovery from Pfirrmann disc grades IV to III was confirmed in 8 of 17 cases (47.1%) between 3 and 9 months, whereas 6 of 20 cases (30.0%) showed a decline from III to IV. Patients in the young group with pretreatment disc height >11 mm had the greatest reduction in disc height than the over 50s group. In conclusion, the clinical outcomes in the over 50s group were comparable to those in the young group after injection of condoliase, whereas young patients with higher disc were more susceptible to disc height reduction.

Utilizing a Guiding Catheter to Improve Endovascular Therapy Outcomes for Acute Vertebrobasilar Artery Occlusion in Patients with Tortuous Vessels.

Objective Stable and swift placement of a guiding catheter in endovascular therapies for acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion is often difficult because of the tortuous bends of the vertebral or subclavian artery especially in older people. The use of a delivery assist guiding catheter (DAGC) shortens the time with stable support to deliver a therapeutic treatment catheter to the target lesions. Herein, we reported the clinical and radiographic outcomes in endovascular therapies utilizing the DAGC for acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusions in actual clinical settings. Materials and Methods Between January 2018 and December 2021, 33 consecutive patients (males, 20[60.6%]; median age, 78 years) using a DAGC for acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion were analyzed retrospectively. Reperfusion was graded using postinterventional angiograms based on the "thrombolysis in cerebral infarction" (TICI) classification. Furthermore, the time from puncture to recanalization and the rate of effective recanalization achievement were investigated. Results Effective recanalization with TICI 2b or 3 was achieved in 28 (84.8%) patients, and the median time from puncture to recanalization was only 44 minutes, despite the high rate of older patients in our cohort. In contrast, asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage as a complication was observed in only 3 (9.1%) patients. Conclusion The DAGC contributes to the shortening of recanalization time and improves the outcomes of endovascular therapies for acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion.

Acute-Phase Intraoperative Findings of Traumatic Spinal Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage.

The acute-stage intraoperative findings of the spinal dural laceration in patients with traumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage have not been clearly revealed so far. Herein, we report an interesting case of traumatic CSF leakage in a patient who underwent acute-stage direct closure for a dural laceration similar to a stab at the C1/2 level. Because a 41-year-old man strongly twisted his neck, he had a typical orthostatic headache. Whole-spine T2 fat-saturated magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomographic myelography were examined, and fluid collection between the intrathecal site and epidural dorsal space, including soft tissue, was confirmed as a direct CSF leakage at the C1/2 level. Direct surgical closure was performed 13 days after the onset of symptoms, and dural laceration with sharp edges was detected on the right side at the C1/2 level. The laceration was sutured and coated with dural sealant. Finally, the patient's orthostatic headache was relieved completely after the operation.

Preliminary Results on Radiological Hypermobility at Upper Adjacent Disc Level in Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion Compared to Advanced Dynamic Stabilization.

Whether posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is effective in patients older than 55 years remains questionable because of the high prevalence of adjacent segment disease. We retrospectively investigated early clinical outcomes and radiological changes at upper adjacent disc (UAD) level in such age-group patients who underwent advanced dynamic stabilization (ADS) or PLIF. ADS or PLIF were performed in patients with grade 1 spondylolisthesis or disc degeneration complicated by apparent vacuum phenomenon. All patients suffered from neurological symptoms in lower limbs with/without low back pain. In all, 16 patients (six females; mean age, 69.0 ± 8.5 years) who underwent ADS and 14 patients (seven females; mean age, 67.8 ± 9.3 years) who underwent PLIF were followed-up, and preoperative and postoperative final disc height (DH) and range of motion (ROM) were investigated retrospectively using dynamic radiography at the operated and UAD levels. Clinical data of patients who underwent ADS and PLIF were as follows: postoperative follow-up, 459.3 ± 263.5 and 507.7 ± 288.3 days; preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, 14.4 ± 4.1 and 13.4 ± 4.5; and recovery rate of JOA score, 67.5 ± 18.5 and 50.1 ± 23.4%, respectively. Recovery rate of JOA score in ADS group was significantly high compared to PLIF group (P = 0.044). At UAD level, ROM decreased from 4.7 ± 2.9° preoperatively to 3.6 ± 2.6° postoperatively in the ADS group and increased from 3.4 ± 4.1° preoperatively to 5.6 ± 2.8° postoperatively with significant hypermobility (P = 0.020) in the PLIF group. ADS has the advantage in clinical outcomes even in the postoperative early stage, avoiding the early hypermobility at UAD level, compared to PLIF in patients older than 55 years.

Facet Joint- and Nuchal Ligament-Sparing Laminectomy is Not Inferior to Conventional Open-Door Laminoplasty from Clinical and Radiologic Perspectives.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the noninferiority of facet joint- and nuchal ligament-sparing laminectomy (FNL) compared with conventional open-door laminoplasty. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 31 patients who underwent FNL (7 women; median age, 71 years) and 29 patients who underwent laminoplasty (9 women; median age, 61 years) with cervical myelopathy due to degenerative cervical spine diseases. The surgical concept in laminectomy was to spare the facet joints and nuchal ligament, providing laminectomy with deviation to the side of dominant symptoms. In both groups, recovery rate of Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, mean decompression ratio (decompressed width/distance between outermost edges of the lateral mass on computed tomography ×100) at decompressed laminas, and pre- and postoperative final cervical Cobb angle and cervical sagittal vertical axis were mainly examined. RESULTS: Clinical and radiologic median data with interquartile range for patients who underwent FNL and laminoplasty were as follows: postoperative follow-up, 783.0 days (535.0-1128.0 days) and 731.0 days (524.0-1213.5 days); preoperative JOA score (full score 17), 13.0 (9.5-15.0) and 13.0 (10.0-14.0); recovery rate of JOA score, 72.2% (33.3-100.0%) and 50.0% (31.0-75.0%); and mean decompression ratio, 41.9% (40.0-43.6%) and 51.6% (48.9-55.4%), respectively. The FNL group showed a comparable recovery rate of JOA score to the laminoplasty group, despite the significantly smaller mean decompression ratio (P < 0.001). Furthermore, no significant differences in pre- or postoperative median cervical Cobb angle or sagittal vertical axis were observed between groups. CONCLUSIONS: FNL was not inferior to conventional open-door laminoplasty in terms of clinical or radiologic outcomes, reducing the detachment of muscle from each lamina.

Efficacy of the Insertion-support Guiding Catheter in Approaching Intracranial or Craniocervical Lesions in Patients with the Difficulty of Extracranial Trans-arterial Access.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the efficacy of the insertion-support guiding catheter (ISGC) for approaching target lesions during endovascular therapy in patients with severe atherosclerotic or tortuous arteries. Case Presentations: The ISGC is an 8 Fr, JB2 shape, stiff-type, short guiding catheter. We used ISGC for 52 patients between April 2007 and March 2018, microcatheters or therapeutic devices were delivered to target lesions via ISGC in 46 (88.4%) of the 52 patients, and none of them developed associated complications. Herein, we present three representative cases. Conclusions: An ISGC is useful for vascular intervention in patients with atherosclerotic or tortuous arteries.

Neurosurgical versus endovascular treatment of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas: a multicenter study of 195 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to compare the treatment success rates of primary neurosurgical and endovascular treatments in patients with spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs). METHODS: Data from 199 consecutive patients with thoracic and lumbosacral spinal dAVFs were collected from 18 centers. Angiographic and clinical findings, the rate of initial treatment failure or recurrence by procedures, risk factors for treatment failure, complications, and neurological outcomes were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Spinal dAVFs were frequently detected in the thoracic region (81%), fed by a single feeder (86%), and shunted into an intradural vein via the dura mater. The fistulous connection between the feeder(s) and intradural vein was located at a single spinal level in 195 patients (98%) and at 2 independent levels in 4 patients (2%). Among the neurosurgical (n = 145), and endovascular (n = 50) treatment groups of single dAVFs (n = 195), the rate of initial treatment failure or recurrence was significantly higher in the index endovascular treatment group (0.68% and 36%). A multivariate analysis identified endovascular treatment as an independent risk factor with significantly higher odds of initial treatment failure or recurrence (OR 69; 95% CI 8.7-546). The rate of complications did not significantly differ between the two treatment groups (4.1% for neurosurgical vs 4.0% for endovascular treatment). With a median follow-up of 26 months, improvements of ≥ 1 point in the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score and Aminoff-Logue gait and Aminoff-Logue micturition grades were observed in 111 (56%), 121 (61%), and 79 (40%) patients, respectively. Independent risk factors for lack of improvement in the Aminoff-Logue gait grades were multiple treatments due to initial treatment failure or recurrence (OR 3.1) and symptom duration (OR 1.02). CONCLUSIONS: Based on data obtained from the largest and most recently assessed multicenter cohort, the present study shows that primary neurosurgery is superior to endovascular treatment for the complete obliteration of spinal dAVFs by a single procedure.

Microsurgical versus endovascular treatment of spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas with intradural venous drainage: a multicenter study of 81 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Spinal arteriovenous shunts are rare vascular lesions and are classified into 4 types (types I-IV). Due to rapid advances in neuroimaging, spinal epidural AVFs (edAVFs), which are similar to type I spinal dural AVFs (dAVFs), have recently been increasingly reported. These 2 entities have several important differences that influence the treatment strategy selected. The purposes of the present study were to compare angiographic and clinical differences between edAVFs and dAVFs and to provide treatment strategies for edAVFs based on a multicenter cohort. METHODS: A total of 280 consecutive patients with thoracic and lumbosacral spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) and edAVFs with intradural venous drainage were collected from 19 centers. After angiographic and clinical comparisons, the treatment failure rate by procedure, risk factors for treatment failure, and neurological outcomes were statistically analyzed in edAVF cases. RESULTS: Final diagnoses after an angiographic review included 199 dAVFs and 81 edAVFs. At individual centers, 29 patients (36%) with edAVFs were misdiagnosed with dAVFs. Spinal edAVFs were commonly fed by multiple feeding arteries (54%) shunted into a single or multiple intradural vein(s) (91% and 9%) through a dilated epidural venous plexus. Preoperative modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Aminoff-Logue gait and micturition grades were worse in patients with edAVFs than in those with dAVFs. Among the microsurgical (n = 42), endovascular (n = 36), and combined (n = 3) treatment groups of edAVFs, the treatment failure rate was significantly higher in the index endovascular treatment group (7.5%, 31%, and 0%, respectively). Endovascular treatment was found to be associated with significantly higher odds of initial treatment failure (OR 5.72, 95% CI 1.45-22.6). In edAVFs, the independent risk factor for treatment failure after microsurgery was the number of intradural draining veins (OR 17.9, 95% CI 1.56-207), while that for treatment failure after the endovascular treatment was the number of feeders (OR 4.11, 95% CI 1.23-13.8). Postoperatively, mRS score and Aminoff-Logue gait and micturition grades significantly improved in edAVFs with a median follow-up of 31 months. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal epidural AVFs with intradural venous drainage are a distinct entity and may be classified as type V spinal vascular malformations. Based on the largest multicenter cohort, this study showed that primary microsurgery was superior to endovascular treatment for initial treatment success in patients with spinal edAVFs.

Novel Assessment of Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics by Time-Spatial Labeling Inversion Pulse Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with Chiari Malformation Type I.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics at the craniocervical junction (CCJ) using Time-SLIP magnetic resonance imaging to demonstrate the significance of ventral and dorsal combined CSF dynamics in assessing CSF flow disturbance in patients with Chiari malformation type I. METHODS: Fifteen examinations were performed in 9 cases of CM-I (3 female patients; mean age, 24.7 years; age range, 11-46 years) before or after craniocervical decompression. The longitudinal maximum movement of the caudal edge of tagged midsagittal CSF at the CCJ was measured as length of motion (LOM), and total on the ventral and dorsal sides was defined as total LOM. RESULTS: In 8 conditions, where it was concluded that no craniocervical decompression was necessary or where symptoms improved following craniocervical decompression based on the clinical symptoms, total LOM was 49.8 ± 13.1 mm. In contrast, in the 7 cases where craniocervical decompression was mandatory, total LOM was 23.2 ± 9.2 mm. Significant differences were identified between the 2 groups. Total LOM <35.0 mm resulted to indicate the insufficiency of CSF dynamics, because it corresponded to the necessity of craniocervical decompression based on patients' symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Time-SLIP MRI enabled clinicians to use novel dynamic indices, such as CSF motions, in addition to the conventional findings acquired by MRI. In particular, it was essential to examine combined ventral and dorsal CSF dynamics in assessing CSF patency at the CCJ in patients with CM-I.

Excellent Outcomes of Large-Volume Epidural Blood Patch Using an Intravenous Catheter in 15 Consecutive Cases with Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of large-volume epidural blood patch (EBP) remain unclear in patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. We report excellent outcomes from 15 consecutive CSF leak cases that underwent a large-volume EBP using an intravenous catheter from a single lumbar entry point, together with outcomes from 4 patients who underwent direct surgical closure or drip-and-rest therapy during the same period. METHODS: Nineteen patients with idiopathic CSF leaks were enrolled in this study since November 2011 (12 women; mean age, 43.3 ± 14.0 years). Patient demographic data, radiologic findings, symptoms, administrated therapies, complications, and clinical courses were investigated retrospectively. RESULTS: Different types of headache were observed, including typical orthostatic headache alone (n = 10), orthostatic headache with chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) (n = 3), and posture-unrelated headache accompanied with CSDH (n = 6). Regarding treatments, in 1 case, direct surgical closure was performed. In 15 cases, large-volume EBPs were performed, and the volume of injected blood was 44.8 ± 21.6 mL. The other 3 cases were treated by simple drip infusion regardless of the drainage for CSDH. Out of 9 cases with accompanied CSDH, recurrence of subdural hematoma was completely prevented by the application of an EBP after drainage in 5 cases and without drainage in 3 cases, and by simple intravenous drip-and-rest therapy after drainage in 1 case. Among 10 patients suffering from typical orthostatic headache alone, symptoms disappeared completely in 7 cases and were relieved in 3 cases. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate here a perfect control of spinal CSF leaks with the administration of a large-volume EBP through an intravenous catheter.

Contrast-less stent placement for vertebral artery origin stenosis.

We performed stent placement under intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), without the use of contrast medium, in a male patient in his 70s who had vertebral artery origin stenosis and decreased renal function. Satisfactory dilatation was achieved without complications, and the patient remained asymptomatic at 2 years of follow-up. We now report the details of this procedure. Stent placement under IVUS guidance may be useful in patients in whom contrast medium is contraindicated.

[Prolonged cerebral salt wasting following craniopharyngioma surgery and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: a case report].

A 9-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital with daytime urinary incontinence for the past one year. MRI showed craniopharyngioma occupying the third ventricle. The tumor was excised by interhemispheric approach. Because hyponatremia and polyuria with high renal loss of sodium were observed on postoperative day 3, hydrocortisone and DDAVP were replaced. On postoperative day 24, successive general convulsions and hyponatremia recurred, and MRI FLAIR imaging showed marked brain edema in the bilateral parieto-occipital lobes. This finding disappeared late in the course of treatment, and the case was diagnosed as posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. The pathophysiology of cerebral salt wasting and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a craniopharyngioma patient are also discussed in the article.

Dynamic stabilization for degenerative spondylolisthesis and lumbar spinal instability.

Lumbar interbody fusion is a widely accepted surgical procedure for patients with lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis and lumbar spinal instability in the active age group. However, in elderly patients, it is often questionable whether it is truly necessary to construct rigid fixation for a short period of time. In recent years, we have been occasionally performing posterior dynamic stabilization in elderly patients with such lumbar disorders. Posterior dynamic stabilization was performed in 12 patients (6 women, 70.9 ± 5.6 years old at the time of operation) with lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis in whom % slip was less than 20% or instability associated with lumbar disc herniation between March 2011 and March 2013. Movement occurs through the connector linked to the pedicle screw. In practice, 9 pairs of D connector system where the rod moves in the perpendicular direction alone and 8 pairs of Dynamic connector system where the connector linked to the pedicle screw rotates in the sagittal direction were installed. The observation period was 77-479 days, and the mean recovery rate of lumbar Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score was 65.6 ± 20.8%. There was progression of slippage due to slight loosening in a case with lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis, but this did not lead to exacerbation of the symptoms. Although follow-up was short, there were no symptomatic adjacent vertebral and disc disorders during this period. Posterior dynamic stabilization may diminish the development of adjacent vertebral or disc disorders due to lumbar interbody fusion, especially in elderly patients, and it may be a useful procedure that facilitates decompression and ensures a certain degree of spinal stabilization.

A novel technique of multiple-site epidural blood patch administration for the treatment of cerebrospinal fluid hypovolemia.

OBJECT: An epidural blood patch (EBP) is a widely accepted standard procedure to treat CSF hypovolemia, especially when the epidural CSF leak is detected by spinal MRI or CT myelography (CTM). In quite a few cases, however, the leaked CSF is spread over a large area along the spinal epidural space, making it difficult for the surgeon to clearly identify the true leakage points. In such cases, autologous blood can be infused at multiple spinal levels with multiple entries. In this paper, the authors have devised a new multiple-site EBP method with a single lumbar entry point by way of using an intravenous catheter as a slidable device for continuous infusion. In this report, they introduce this new, single-entry, continuous multiple-site EBP administration technique and report some of the results that they have obtained. METHODS: An EBP was applied via an epidural catheter in 5 patients with spontaneous CSF hypovolemia (3 men and 2 women; mean age 47.2 years, range 34-65 years). The detection of an epidural CSF leak was based on MRI and/or CTM findings. In all cases, however, the leakage sites could not be identified clearly. The main symptoms of these patients were recurrent spontaneous chronic subdural hematoma with orthostatic headache (3 patients) and orthostatic headache only (2 patients). All patients underwent surgery in the prone position on an angiography table, and biplane fluoroscopy was used for accurate manipulation. After administration of a local anesthetic, the authors inserted a 4-Fr short sheath (which is standard in angiography) through the lumbar interlaminar window and placed it in the dorsal epidural space. They then introduced a 4.2-Fr straight catheter through the sheath and navigated it upward along a 35-gauge guidewire whose tip was moved upward beyond the cranial end of the detected CSF leakage. Blood was obtained from each patient from a previously secured venous entry on the forearm, and it was injected slowly into the epidural catheter. Each time, the authors tried to infuse as much autologous blood as possible into the epidural space, while moving the catheter gradually in the caudal direction in response to the patient's expression of pain. RESULTS: In all 3 cases of chronic subdural hematoma, its recurrence was prevented. In 1 patient, the orthostatic headache disappeared completely, and it was relieved in the other 4 patients. CONCLUSIONS: An efficient treatment option for CSF hypovolemia is provided by the new application method of EBP with the aid of an intravenous catheter as a slidable device, which enables infusion of a sufficient amount of autologous blood into multiple epidural areas with a single lumbar entry point.

Intramedullary schwannoma of the conus medullaris complicated by dense adhesion to neural tissue.

A 29-year-old man presented with an intramedullary schwannoma of the conus medullaris manifesting as an 8-month history of mild bladder dysfunction, sexual impotence, and paresthesia in the buttocks. Subtotal removal of the lesion was achieved, as part of the tumor showed dense adhesion to the rostral neural tissue, with only postoperative transient deterioration of bladder dysfunction. Intramedullary schwannoma, especially involving the conus medullaris and the proximal spinal cord, is relatively rare and the pathogenesis and pathophysiology are unclear. Complete resection is often advised to avoid recurrence, but tumor adhesion to neural tissue sometimes renders complete resection difficult, and may create the risk of unacceptable operative morbidity. The present case shows that transient neurological deterioration may occur even with just subtotal removal, leaving the adherent part. Therefore, recognition of the particular features and the strategy for treatment in intramedullary schwannoma of the conus medullaris is essential for making appropriate decisions on the degree of removal.

Rapid reduction of syrinx associated with traumatic intracranial hypotension by direct surgery: case report.

A woman in her early twenties presented with cerebellar tonsillar herniation with syrinx in the cervicothoracic spinal cord manifesting as postural headache after suffering trauma to the hip. She was treated under a diagnosis of traumatic intracranial hypotension. Cranial magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrated tonsillar herniation to the upper rim of the C1 lamina, associated with effacement of the basal cisterns and flattening of the pons against the clivus, sagging of the optic chiasm, and protrusion of the pituitary gland into the suprasellar cistern. Spinal MR imaging and computed tomography (CT) myelography showed cervicothoracic syrinx and arachnoid diverticulum. Three applications of epidural blood patches produced no improvement. Surgery identified cerebrospinal fluid leakage from two small holes in the spinal dural sac, slightly proximal from the origin of the left L1 root sleeve, and arachnoid diverticulum. These two holes were sutured and a few sheets of gelatin sponge were placed around the arachnoid diverticulum and sealed with fibrin glue. The cervicothoracic syrinx was reduced significantly and tonsillar herniation disappeared within 10 days. Simple surgical repair of the dural tears may rapidly improve symptoms and imaging findings in patients with tonsillar herniation caused by traumatic intracranial hypotension.