Functional müllerian tissue within the conus medullaris generating cyclical neurological morbidity in an otherwise healthy female.

PURPOSE: Endometriosis is a common disease; however, ectopic müllerian tissue within the spine is a rare entity with the potential for producing significant neurological compromise. There are several postulated etiologies for this phenomenon, and only a few case reports are available in the world literature. Knowledge of this rare phenomenon is of paramount importance, since early diagnosis can lead to lessened neurological morbidity. METHODS: In this manuscript, we present a case report, discuss gynecological and neurosurgical perspectives relating to the treatment strategies for managing this entity, and propose an alternative explanation for such an occurrence from a neurogenetic standpoint. RESULTS: We present a case of spinal müllerianosis within the conus medullaris which was managed symptomatically for several years with an intracystic drain and subcutaneous reservoir. Over the years, it became clear that there was a cyclical presentation to her clinical malady, which at times was severe. Ultimately, she required surgical resection which aided in her diagnosis and subsequent treatment. CONCLUSION: Intraspinal müllerianosis is a rare location for an otherwise common disease in women and has the potential to create significant neurological morbidity by creating a mass lesion. Although the exact etiology remains unclear, the histogenic theories of embryologic origin appear most plausible. Treatment strategies for this condition may include hormonal therapy, obstetrical surgery, or open spinal surgery. This unusual and poorly understood disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis for intraspinal lesions presenting with hemorrhage in the clinical context of cyclical neurological symptoms.

Vagus nerve stimulation paired with rehabilitation for stroke: Implantation experience from the VNS-REHAB trial.

OBJECTIVE: Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) paired with rehabilitation delivered by the Vivistim® Paired VNS™ System was approved by the FDA in 2021 to improve motor deficits in chronic ischemic stroke survivors with moderate to severe arm and hand impairment. Vagus nerve stimulators have previously been implanted in over 125,000 patients for treatment-resistant epilepsy and the surgical procedure is generally well-tolerated and safe. In this report, we describe the Vivistim implantation procedure, perioperative management, and complications for chronic stroke survivors enrolled in the pivotal trial. METHODS: The pivotal, multisite, randomized, triple-blind, sham-controlled trial (VNS-REHAB) enrolled 108 participants. All participants were implanted with the VNS device in an outpatient procedure. Thrombolytic agents were temporarily discontinued during the perioperative period. Participants were discharged within 48 hrs and started rehabilitation therapy approximately 10 days after the Procedure. RESULTS: The rate of surgery-related adverse events was lower than previously reported for VNS implantation for epilepsy and depression. One participant had vocal cord paresis that eventually resolved. There were no serious adverse events related to device stimulation. Over 90% of participants were taking antiplatelet drugs (APD) or anticoagulants and no adverse events or serious adverse events were reported as a result of withholding these medications during the perioperative period. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the largest, randomized, controlled trial in which a VNS device was implanted in chronic stroke survivors. Results support the use of the Vivistim System in chronic stroke survivors, with a safety profile similar to VNS implantations for epilepsy and depression.

Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Aspiration of a Spinal Epidural Dermoid Cyst Extending From T10 to the Sacrum: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Dermoid cysts are space-occupying tumors that can occur anywhere in the neuroaxis. Although categorized as benign lesions, they can compromise normal structures, causing neurological function loss, and have a tendency to recur often requiring repeated surgical resections. We illustrate the case of an extensive epidural dermoid cyst in a 22-yr-old woman who presented with progressive loss of neurological motor function in her lower extremities as well as bowel and bladder incontinence. The tumor extended from T10 to the sacrum, and a conventional operation would have entailed serial laminectomies that would cross the thoracolumbar and lumbosacral junctions, possibly requiring an instrumented fusion. Given the fact that operation would have carried significant morbidity, especially with the high likelihood of symptomatic tumoral recurrence, we consulted with our urology colleagues to find a minimally invasive way of reducing the tumor burden and decompressing the neural elements. The patient was taken to the operating room and a limited open lumbosacral durotomy was performed. A flexible cystoscope was then passed in the epidural space and used to suction the tumor. Postoperative imaging showed adequate resection, and the patient recovered neurological function completely. She had mini-mal recurrence at 3 yr and remained asymptomatic. This technical video note showcases the potential for use of endoscopy for spine tumors that have an amenable consistency, even in highly eloquent areas such as the conus medullaris. It also serves to highlight the benefits of interdisciplinary cooperation when treating complex disease. This case report was written in compliance with our institutional ethical review board. Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and patient consent was waived in light of the retrospective and deidentified nature of the data presented in accordance with the University of Texas SouthWestern IRB. Patient consent was waived for writing this manuscript in light of the retrospective and deidentified nature of the data presented in accordance with our institutional IRB.

Traumatic Lumbar Interdural Cyst with Intradural Expansion and Compression of the Cauda Equina: Case Report and Surgical Video.

Intradural arachnoid cysts are common entities that can be congenital, or caused by infectious, inflammatory, or even traumatic processes. However, true "inter"-dural cysts formed between the two lamellae of the lumbar dura without any fistulous arachnoid connection are rare. We present the case of a post-traumatic interdural cyst formation of the lumbar spine that compressed the roots of the cauda equina causing acute unrelenting pain. The cyst walls were formed by the true dural layers, and the cavity was filled with blood degradation products without any arachnoid connection to the subdural space. A commented video that details the diagnostic and surgical aspects of this case, alongside intraoperative footage is provided.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Multiple Brain Metastases From Renal-Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Brain metastases (BM) pose a significant problem in patients with metastatic renal-cell carcinoma (mRCC). Local and systemic therapies including stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) are rapidly evolving, necessitating reassessments of outcomes for modern patient management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The mRCC patients with BM treated with SRS were reviewed. Patient demographics, clinical history, and SRS treatment parameters were identified. RESULTS: Among 268 patients with mRCC treated between 2006 and 2015, 38 patients were identified with BM. A total of 243 BM were treated with SRS with 1 to 26 BMs treated per SRS session (median, 2 BMs). The median (range) BM size was 0.6 (0.2-3.1) cm and median (range) SRS treatment dose was 18 (12-24) Gy. Treated BM local control rates at 1 and 2 years were 91.8% (95% confidence interval, 85.7-95.4) and 86.1% (95% confidence interval, 77.1-91.7), respectively. BM control declined for larger tumors. Survival after 1-year was 57.5% (95% CI 40.2-71.4) for all patients. Survival was not statistically different between patients with < 5 BM versus ≥ 5 BM. Survival was prognostic based on International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database (IMDC) risk groups in patients with < 5 BM. Two patients experienced grade 3 radiation necrosis requiring surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: SRS is effective in controlling BM in patients with mRCC. Over half of treated patients survive past a year, and no differences in survival were noted in patients with > 5 metastases. Prognostic risk categories based on systemic disease (IMDC) are predictive of survival in this BM population, with limited rates of symptomatic radiation necrosis.

Improved Survival Outcomes for Kidney Cancer Patients With Brain Metastases.

BACKGROUND: Brain metastases (BM) occur frequently in patients with metastatic kidney cancer and are a significant source of morbidity and mortality. Although historically associated with a poor prognosis, survival outcomes for patients in the modern era are incompletely characterized. In particular, outcomes after adjusting for systemic therapy administration and International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) risk factors are not well-known. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective database of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treated at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center between 2006 and 2015 was created. Data relevant to their diagnosis, treatment course, and outcomes were systematically collected. Survival was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Patients with BM were compared with patients without BM after adjusting for the timing of BM diagnosis, either prior to or during first-line systemic therapy. The impact of stratification according to IMDC risk group was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 56 (28.4%) of 268 patients with metastatic RCC were diagnosed with BM prior to or during first-line systemic therapy. Median overall survival (OS) for systemic therapy-naive patients with BM compared with matched patients without BM was 19.5 versus 28.7 months (P = .0117). When analyzed according to IMDC risk group, the median OS for patients with BM was similar for favorable- and intermediate-risk patients (not reached vs. not reached; and 29.0 vs. 36.7 months; P = .5254), and inferior for poor-risk patients (3.5 vs. 9.4 months; P = .0462). For patients developing BM while on first-line systemic therapy, survival from the time of progression did not significantly differ by presence or absence of BM (11.8 vs. 17.8 months; P = .6658). CONCLUSIONS: Survival rates for patients with BM are significantly better than historical reports. After adjusting for systemic therapy, the survival rates of patients with BM in favorable- and intermediate-risk groups were remarkably better than expected and not statistically different from patients without BM, though this represents a single institution experience, and numbers are modest.

A DEMONSTRATION OF A PRESURGICAL BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE EVALUATION FOR CATEGORIZING PATIENTS FOR IMPLANTABLE THERAPIES: A PRELIMINARY STUDY.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the potential efficacy of a presurgical behavioral medicine evaluation (PBME) screening algorithm with patients undergoing evaluation for implantable pain management devices. METHODS: Sixty patients were evaluated for prognostic recommendations regarding outcomes from surgery for spinal cord stimulators and intrathecal pumps. Diagnostic interviews, review of medical charts, and psychosocial and functional measures were used in the initial evaluation. RESULTS: Patients were classified into one of four prognostic groups, from low to increasing risks: Green, Yellow-I, Yellow-II, and Red. The Green group showed the most positive biopsychosocial profile, while the Red groups showed the worst profiles. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study suggests that the PBME algorithm may be an effective method for categorizing patients into prognostic groups. Psychological and adverse clinical features appear to have the most power in the classification of such patients.

Presurgical Behavioral Medicine Evaluation (PBME) for implantable devices for pain management: a 1-year prospective study.

To reduce poor surgical outcomes, presurgical psychological evaluations are used to better predict prognosis. The current study investigated the utility of a revised Presurgical Behavioral Medicine Evaluation (PBME) algorithm, developed specifically for patients who were candidates for implantable devices. Patients were categorized into a Green, Yellow I, Yellow II, or Red prognosis group, with Green having the best, and Red having the worst, prognosis for good surgical outcomes. Variables, including gender, disability payment status, and involvement in pending litigation, were found to be significantly different among the groups in a sample of 95 consecutive patients. Analysis of data at the initial evaluation indicated that patients within the Red group endorsed significantly more physical/functional limitations, depressive symptomatology, and psychosocial distress than the Green group. In a 12-month follow-up analysis, significant differences among the four groups on various psychosocial measures were found. In addition, post-hoc tests revealed specific significant differences among the groups. A repeated measures analysis of the initial evaluation, 6-month, and 12-month follow-up data revealed that these measures were also significantly affected by the prognostic group. Lastly, nonparametric analysis indicated that there were significant differences among the groups on total risk factor scores as determined by the PBME algorithm.