Global Epidemiology of Pediatric Traumatic Spine Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Traumatic spine injury (TSI) leads to significant morbidity and mortality in children. However, the global epidemiology of pediatric TSI is currently unknown. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the global incidence of pediatric TSI and the burden of cases. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Scopus were searched for reports in June 2021 and updated in March 2023 with no restrictions on language or year of publication. A meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the global incidence of pediatric TSI and, subsequently, the number of cases of pediatric TSI worldwide and the proportion requiring spine surgery. RESULTS: Of 6557 studies, 25 met the inclusion criteria. Road traffic accidents (64%) were responsible for most cases reported in the literature, followed by falls (18%). The global incidence of TSI in children aged ≤20 years was estimated to be 14.24 of 100,000 children, or 375,734 children, with an estimated 114,975 requiring spine surgery. Across the World Bank income classification groups, lower middle-income countries had the highest pediatric TSI case burden (186,886 cases, with 57,187 requiring spine surgery). Across the World Health Organization regions, countries in the Southeast Asia region had the largest number of projected cases at 88,566, with 27,101 requiring surgical management, followed closely by the African region, with 87,235 projected cases and 26,694 requiring surgical management. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric TSI represents a large healthcare burden globally. Interventions targeting both injury prevention and strengthening of neurosurgical capacity, especially in low resource settings, are needed to address this global health challenge.

Retrospective Study of 57 Patients Submitted to Dorsal Root Entry Zone Lesioning by Radiofrequency for Brachial Plexus Avulsion Pain.

BACKGROUND: Dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) lesioning may be used to treat neuropathic pain in patients with traumatic brachial plexus injuries. The clinical outcome after surgery is variable in the medical literature. We aimed to report the surgical outcome after DREZ lesioning by radiofrequency and to analyze prognostic factors such as the presence of a spinal cord injury identified before surgery. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study that included 57 patients who had experienced traumatic brachial plexus injuries and exhibited neuropathic pain that did not respond to conservative treatment methods. They were submitted to DREZ lesioning. We defined the inclusion and exclusion criteria, collected sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and identified and classified spinal cord lesions based on magnetic resonance imaging. We applied statistical tests to evaluate the association between pain intensity after surgery and the radiological profile and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Immediately after surgery, the pain outcome was considered good or excellent in 50 patients (89.28%). At the last follow-up, it was good or excellent in 39 patients (68.43%). There was no association (P > 0.05) between the pain outcome and the variables analyzed (time interval between trauma and DREZ lesioning, presence of spinal cord injury, age, the number of avulsed roots, and the type of pain). CONCLUSIONS: DREZ lesioning using radiofrequency represents a significant therapeutic approach for managing neuropathic pain after a traumatic brachial plexus injury. Importantly, we found that the presence of a spinal cord injury is not associated with the surgical outcome.

Spinal hydatid cyst as cause of neurological injury in a patient from Brazilian amazon region.

Echinococcus granulosus infection is the primary cause of spinal hydatidosis. We describe the case of a 22-year-old man from the Brazilian Amazon region with crural spastic paraparesis and back pain. Radiological examinations showed multilocular lesions involving compression of the thoracic spine and rib injury. The patient underwent vertebrectomy with spinal stabilization and thoracoplasty with resectioning of the costal arch. Subsequently, the patient was prescribed oral treatment with albendazole. Marked recovery of the neurological status was achieved. Bone hydatid disease is rare, accounting for 0.5%-0.4% of all hydatid cysts, affecting the spine in 50% of cases. The treatment of choice is surgery accompanied by antiparasitic medication.

Clinical and radiological outcomes of the neuromuscular scoliosis treatment with s2-alar-iliac screw by intraoperative navigation / Resultados clínico-radiológicos do tratamento da escoliose neuromuscular com parafusos s2-alar-ilíaco guiados por navegação intraoperatória / Resultados clínico-radiológicos del tratamiento de la escoliosis neuromuscular con tornillos s2-alar-ilíacos guiados por navegación intraoperatoria

ABSTRACT Objective: Analyze the clinical and radiological aspects of the S2AI screw technique in patients with neuromuscular scoliosis undergoing deformity correction surgery by intraoperative navigation. Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records of patients undergoing neuromuscular scoliosis correction surgery with the S2-alar-iliac technique between 2017-2020. Results: In the total sample of 35 patients, 18 (51.4%) were female, with an average age of 14.9. The average preoperative coronal curve was 100° ± 26.2, with an average correction of 55% ± 16.3, with an average coronal curve of 44.8°± 19.5 at the end of surgery and 45 ° ± 19.6 at the end of follow-up. The average preoperative pelvic obliquity was 27.9°± 10.9, with a correction rate of 66.1% ± 27.6, being 8.2° ± 5.4 at the end of surgery and 9 .4°± 7.0 at the end of the follow-up. The average of operated levels was 17.3± 0.7. All 70 S2 screws had a diameter of 7mm. The average duration of surgeries was 416 ± 86 minutes, with estimated intraoperative bleeding of 921 ± 394.1 ml. The average density of screws in the sample was 1.3 ± 0.2 screws per level, and the average density in the lumbosacral spine was 1.5 ± 0.2. Conclusions: Intraoperative navigation can contribute to the rate of complications related to the S2AI screw decrease; in addition, the length of this screw appears to have significant relevance in maintaining the correction throughout the follow-up. Level of evidence IV; Case series.

RESUMO: Objetivo: Analisar os aspectos clínicos e radiológicos da técnica do parafuso S2AI em pacientes com escoliose neuromuscular submetidos à cirurgia de correção de deformidade com auxílio de navegação intraoperatória. Métodos: Análise retrospectiva de prontuários de pacientes submetidos a cirurgia de correção de escoliose neuromuscular com técnica S2-alar-ilíaco entre 2017-2020. Resultados: Do total da amostra de 35 pacientes, 18 (51,4%) eram do sexo feminino, com média de idade de 14,9. A média da curva coronal pré-operatória foi de 100° ± 26,2, com correção média de 55% ± 16,3, com uma média da curva coronal de 44,8°± 19,5 ao final da cirurgia e de 45° ± 19,6 ao final do seguimento. A obliquidade pélvica média pré-operatória foi de 27,9°± 10,9, com uma taxa de correção de 66,1% ± 27,6, sendo de 8,2° ± 5,4 ao final da cirurgia e de 9,4°± 7,0 ao final do seguimento. A média de níveis operados foi de 17,3± 0,7. Todos os 70 parafusos de S2 apresentavam diâmetro de 7mm. O tempo médio de duração das cirurgias foi 416 ± 86 minutos, com estimativa de sangramento intraoperatório de 921 ± 394,1 ml. A densidade média de parafusos da amostra foi de 1.3 ± 0.2 parafusos por nível e a densidade média na coluna lombossacra de 1,5 ± 0,2. Conclusões: A navegação intraoperatória pode contribuir com a diminuição da taxa de complicações relacionadas ao parafuso de S2AI, além disso, que o comprimento deste parafuso aparenta ter uma relevância significativa na manutenção da correção ao longo do seguimento. Nível de evidência IV; Série de casos.

RESUMEN: Objetivo: Analizar los aspectos clínicos y radiológicos de la técnica del tornillo S2AI en pacientes con escoliosis neuromuscular sometidos a cirugía de corrección de deformidades con ayuda de navegación intraoperatoria. Métodos: Análisis retrospectivo de historias clínicas de pacientes sometidos a cirugía de corrección de escoliosis neuromuscular con la técnica S2-alar-ilíaca entre 2017-2020. Resultados: De la muestra de 35 pacientes, 18 (51,4%) eran mujeres, con una edad media de 14,9 años. La curva coronal media preoperatoria fue 100° ± 26,2, con una corrección media del 55% ± 16,3, con una curva coronal media de 44,8° ± 19,5 al final de la cirugía y de 45° ± 19,6 al final del seguimiento. La oblicuidad pélvica preoperatoria media fue de 27,9° ± 10,9, con una tasa de corrección del 66,1% ± 27,6, siendo de 8,2° ± 5,4 al final de la cirugía y de 9,4°± 7,0 al final del seguimiento. El promedio de los niveles operados fue de 17,3± 0,7. Los 70 tornillos S2 tenían un diámetro de 7 mm. La duración promedio de las cirugías fue de 416 ± 86 minutos. Sangrado intraoperatorio estimado de 921 ± 394,1 ml. La densidad media de tornillos en la muestra fue 1,3 ± 0,2 tornillos por nivel y la densidad media en columna lumbosacra fue 1,5 ± 0,2. Conclusiones: La navegación intraoperatoria puede contribuir a la disminución de complicaciones relacionadas con el tornillo S2AI, además, la longitud de este tornillo parece tener una relevancia significativa en el mantenimiento de la corrección durante todo el seguimiento. Nivel de evidencia IV; Series de casos.

Neuromuscular Choristoma: Report of Five Cases With CTNNB1 Sequencing.

Neuromuscular choristoma (NMC) are lesions of the peripheral nervous system characterized by an admixture of skeletal muscle fibers and nerves fascicles that are frequently associated with desmoid fibromatosis (DF). Mutations in CTNNB1, the gene for ß-catenin protein, are common in DF and related to its pathogenesis. They are restricted to exon 3, with 3 point mutations: T41A, S45F, and S45P. To understand the pathogenesis of NMC, we tested CTNNB1 status in 5 cases of NMC whether or not they were associated with DF. The screening of mutations in CTNNB1 gene was based on amplicon deep sequencing using the ION Proton platform. Three patients had the S45F mutation; in 2 the mutation was common to both lesions and in one the DF was wild type while the NMC had the S45F mutation. One patient had a T41A mutation in the NMC and no associated DF. In the last patient, the DF lesion had a T41A mutation; there was no lesion with the S45P mutation. The presence of similar CTNNB1 mutations in NMC/DF-associated lesions and sporadic DF reinforces the relationship between both lesions and points to a common pathogenic mechanism.

Intercostal to musculocutaneous nerve transfer in patients with complete traumatic brachial plexus injuries: case series.

BACKGROUND: To recover biceps strength in patients with complete brachial plexus injuries, the intercostal nerve can be transferred to the musculocutaneous nerve. The surgical results are very controversial, and most of the studies with good outcomes and large samples were carried out in Asiatic countries. The objective of the study was to evaluate biceps strength after intercostal nerve transfer in patients undergoing this procedure in a Western country hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 39 patients from 2011 to 2016 with traumatic brachial plexus injuries receiving intercostal to musculocutaneous nerve transfer in a rehabilitation hospital. The biceps strength was graded using the British Medical Research Council (BMRC) scale. The variables reported and analyzed were age, the time between trauma and surgery, surgeon experience, body mass index, nerve receptor (biceps motor branch or musculocutaneous nerve), and the number of intercostal nerves transferred. Statistical tests, with a significance level of 5%, were used. RESULTS: Biceps strength recovery was graded ≥M3 in 19 patients (48.8%) and M4 in 15 patients (38.5%). There was no statistical association between biceps strength and the variables. The most frequent complication was a pleural rupture. CONCLUSIONS: Intercostal to musculocutaneous nerve transfer is a safe procedure. Still, biceps strength after surgery was ≥M3 in only 48.8% of the patients. Other donor nerve options should be considered, e.g., the phrenic or spinal accessory nerves.

Comparison Between Supraclavicular Versus Video-Assisted Intrathoracic Phrenic Nerve Section for Transfer in Patients With Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injuries: Case Series.

BACKGROUND: The phrenic nerve has been extensively reported to be a very powerful source of transferable axons in brachial plexus injuries. The most used technique used is supraclavicular sectioning of this nerve. More recently, video-assisted thoracoscopic techniques have been reported as a good alternative, since harvesting a longer phrenic nerve avoids the need of an interposed graft. OBJECTIVE: To compare grafting vs phrenic nerve transfer via thoracoscopy with respect to mean elbow strength at final follow-up. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted among patients who underwent phrenic nerve transfer for elbow flexion at 2 centers from 2008 to 2017. All data analysis was performed in order to determine statistical significance among the analyzed variables. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients underwent supraclavicular phrenic nerve transfer, while 28 underwent phrenic nerve transfer via video-assisted thoracoscopy. Demographic characteristics were similar in both groups. A statistically significant difference in elbow flexion strength recovery was observed, favoring the supraclavicular phrenic nerve section group against the intrathoracic group (P = .036). A moderate though nonsignificant difference was observed favoring the same group in mean elbow flexion strength. Also, statistical differences included patient age (P = .01) and earlier time from trauma to surgery (P = .069). CONCLUSION: Comparing supraclavicular sectioning of the nerve vs video-assisted, intrathoracic nerve sectioning to restore elbow flexion showed that the former yielded statistically better results than the latter, in terms of the percentage of patients who achieve at least level 3 MRC strength at final follow-up. Furthermore, larger scale prospective studies assessing the long-term effects of phrenic nerve transfers remain necessary.

Brachial Plexus Injuries with Ulnar Musculocutaneous Transfer: 78 Cases Study Focused on Possible Postoperative Complications

Objective To analyze 78 cases of brachial plexus injury submitted to the Oberlin technique between 2003 and 2012. The potential complications of this technique were analyzed, especially motor damage or hypoesthesia of the hand. Method Medical records from patients with brachial plexus injuries at the levels of the C5-C6 and C5-C6-C7 vertebrae were retrospectively analyzed. Cases submitted to the Oberlin procedure with or without concomitant brachial plexus procedures between 2003 and 2012 were evaluated. The minimum follow-up period was of 1 year. In addition to the clinical examination, electromyography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brachial plexus were used to diagnose and locate the nerve damage. Results A total of 78 surgical patients met the inclusion criteria. Postoperative neurological changes, mostly transient, were observed in 18 patients. Hypoesthesia in the ulnar side of the handwas observed in seven cases; neuropathic pain in five cases; allodynia in four cases, and hand motor loss in two cases. Conclusion Based on the results of the present case series, we conclude that there are few sequelae in the donor nerve territory compared with the benefit of the Oberlin technique on the recovery of elbow flexion after brachial plexus injuries.

Results of Phrenic Nerve Transfer to the Musculocutaneous Nerve Using Video-Assisted Thoracoscopy in Patients with Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury: Series of 28 Cases.

BACKGROUND: The phrenic nerve can be transferred to the musculocutaneous nerve using video-assisted thoracoscopy, aiming at the recovery of elbow flexion in patients with traumatic brachial plexus injuries. There are few scientific papers in the literature that evaluate the results of this operative technique. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate biceps strength and pulmonary function after the transfer of the phrenic nerve to the musculocutaneous nerve using video-assisted thoracoscopy. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out in a sample composed of 28 patients who were victims of traumatic injury to the brachial plexus from 2008 to 2013. Muscle strength was graded using the British Medical Research Council (BMRC) scale and pulmonary function through spirometry. Statistical tests, with significance level of 5%, were used. RESULTS: In total, 74.1% of the patients had biceps strength greater than or equal to M3. All patients had a decrease in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s, with no evidence of recovery over time. CONCLUSION: Transferring the phrenic nerve to the musculocutaneous nerve using video-assisted thoracoscopy may lead to an increase in biceps strength to BMRC M3 or greater in most patients. Considering the deterioration in the parameters of spirometry observed in our patients and the future effects of aging in the respiratory system, it is not possible at the moment to guarantee the safety of this operative technique in the long term.

Benefits of spinal meningioma resection.

BACKGROUND: Spinal meningiomas account for approximately 40% of intradural extramedullary tumors. As they are usually slow growing, some patients are often diagnosed late in the clinical course when they have developed myelopathy. METHODS: Here, we retrospectively studied a cohort of 51 patients undergoing surgery for spinal meningiomas. The median follow-up period was 45.9 months (range, 1-168 months). Assessment included evaluation of functional outcomes (e.g., comparison of the pre and postoperative status using the modified McCormick Functional Scale) and identification of prognostic factors. RESULTS: Seventeen patients with grade IV (McCormick Scale) neurological deficits on admission underwent surgical resection; 4 of 5 grade III (McCormick Scale) and 14 patients (Grade IV) improved within 2.11 months (mean time) postoperatively. There was no surgical mortality and the morbidity rate was 16%. CONCLUSION: Patients with advanced neurological deficits/myelopathy (Grades III or IV on the McCormick Scale) improved following surgical resection of spinal meningiomas.

Idiopathic Spinal Cord Herniation­Case Report

Idiopathic spinal cord herniation is a rare cause of progressivemyelopathy, especially in the absence of a history of spinal or surgical trauma. The radiological diagnosis ismade through a myelography or an MRI exam. The spinal cord is pushed anteriorly, buffering the dural defect and leading inmost cases to Brown-Séquard syndrome. The present study describes the case of a male patient with a clinical picture of progressive thoracicmyelopathy. In the clinical and radiological investigation, an idiopathic spinal cord herniation on the chest level was identified. During the surgery, the spinal cord was reduced to the natural site, taking its usual elliptical shape, and the dural defect was repaired with a dural substitute. The numbness of the patient improved, and the shocks in the lower limbs disappeared. A postoperative MRI confirmed the surgical reduction of the herniation and the restoration of the anterior cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) column to the spinal cord. The authors describe the clinical, radiological, intraoperative, and postoperative evolution.

Outcome following phrenic nerve transfer to musculocutaneous nerve in patients with traumatic brachial palsy: a qualitative systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The phrenic nerve can be transferred to the musculocutaneous nerve in patients with traumatic brachial plexus palsy in order to recover biceps strength, but the results are controversial. There is also a concern about pulmonary function after phrenic nerve transection. In this paper, we performed a qualitative systematic review, evaluating outcomes after this procedure. METHOD: A systematic review of published studies was undertaken in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Data were extracted from the selected papers and related to: publication, study design, outcome (biceps strength in accordance with BMRC and pulmonary function) and population. Study quality was assessed using the "strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology" (STROBE) standard or the CONSORT checklist, depending on the study design. RESULTS: Seven studies were selected for this systematic review after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. One hundred twenty-four patients completed follow-up, and most of them were graded M3 or M4 (70.1 %) for biceps strength at the final evaluation. Pulmonary function was analyzed in five studies. It was not possible to perform a statistical comparison between studies because the authors used different parameters for evaluation. Most of the patients exhibited a decrease in pulmonary function tests immediately after surgery, with recovery in the following months. Study quality was determined using STROBE in six articles, and the global score varied from 8 to 21. CONCLUSIONS: Phrenic nerve transfer to the musculocutaneous nerve can recover biceps strength ≥M3 (BMRC) in most patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury. Early postoperative findings revealed that the development of pulmonary symptoms is rare, but it cannot be concluded that the procedure is safe because there is no study evaluating pulmonary function in old age.

Oberlin's procedure in children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy.

PURPOSE: Most cases of obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) involve C5 and C6 nerve roots (Erb's palsy). In those cases, re-establishing the elbow flexion is the primary goal of surgery. The partial transfer of the ulnar nerve to the musculocutaneous nerve (Oberlin's procedure) is widely used in adults, but incipient in children. The purpose of this study is to describe the results obtained with such procedure as regards the improvement of the elbow flexion and donor nerve morbidity. METHOD: Thirteen children aged 9 to 15 months underwent Oberlin's procedure. They were assessed preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively using the active movement scale and also according to the functionality of the affected limb. All of them were evaluated because of the possibility of movement loss resulting from the donor nerve. We used the non-parametric, statistic Wilcoxon signed rank test (α = 0,05) method. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in the active elbow flexion between pre- and postoperative periods. Eleven children presented functional improvement. All of them maintained negative cookie test 1 year after the surgery. We did not observe any loss related to the donor nerve in terms of wrist flexion. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that Oberlin's procedure can be an effective and safe alternative to treat elbow flexion in Erb's palsy.

Compressão medular decorrente de hiperdrenagem de derivação ventriculoperitoneal: uma rara complicação / Spinal cord compression caused by ventriculoperitoneal shunt overdrainage: a rare complication

A derivação ventriculoperitoneal (DVP) representa uma forma importante e comum de tratamento da hidrocefalia. Entretanto, pode ocorrer uma série de complicações durante a sua instalação ou por causa de seu mau funcionamento, como infecção, obstrução e hiperdrenagem liquórica. Nesse trabalho, descrevemos uma rara complicação em que um paciente submetido à DVP evoluiu com tetraparesia progressiva. Investigação posterior evidenciou hiperdrenagem da válvula, levando a diminuição do retorno venoso intracraniano, dilatação do plexo venoso epidural e consequente compressão medular no nível da junção bulbomedular. Após o diagnóstico, fizemos o ajuste no nível de desempenho da válvula, e o paciente evoluiu com melhora clínica. Concluímos que o conhecimento desse tipo de complicação associada à disfunção de DVP pode levar a um diagnóstico mais precoce e melhor resposta ao tratamento. O tratamento envolve a correção do fator causal, ou seja, a hiperdrenagem...

The ventriculoperitoneal shunt represents an important and common treatment of hydrocephalus. However, there may be a number of complications during installation or due to a malfunction, such as infection, obstruction and overdrainage. In this paper, we described a rare complication in a patient submitted to a shunt who evolved to progressive tetraparesis. Further investigation showed valve overdrainage, leading to a decrease in venous return, intracranial epidural venous plexus dilatation and consequent cord compression at cervicomedullary junction. After the diagnosis, we adjusted the level of performance of the valve and the patient clinically improved. We concluded that the knowledge of this kind of complication related to shunt dysfunction may take to an early diagnosis and a better treatment response. The treatment involves correcting the causative factor which is the overdrainage...

Kyphectomy in meningomyelocele children: surgical technique, risk analysis, and improvement of kyphosis.

PURPOSE: Kyphosis is a major complication of spina bifida, causing skin ulcers and osteomyelitis. This study examined the clinical and surgical characteristics of eight patients who underwent surgery, as well as improvement of their postoperative kyphosis angulations. METHOD: The authors reviewed eight cases submitted to surgery between 2006 and 2010. Surgical intervention was indicated for osteomyelitis and recurrent ulcers at the curvature apex. Osteotomies and spine stabilization were performed. The patients' clinical characteristics were analyzed, as were the surgical techniques employed, variables of surgical complications, and angle range of the kyphosis deformity postcorrection. RESULTS: There were no deaths. The average age at the time of surgery was 11 years old. The level of neurological injury was T10 in four patients and T12 in four. Average amount of bleeding during surgery was 1,442 ml, (range, 340 to 3,200 ml). Improvement of kyphosis angle was evident in all patients. The average difference between preoperative and postoperative kyphosis angle was 63.2. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery performed by a multidisciplinary team minimizes risks. Despite the high number of complications published in the literature, the results found in this study were excellent with regards to improving kyphosis angle, as well as facilitating rehabilitation and daily care of children.

Mortality is higher in patients with leptomeningeal metastasis in spinal cord tumors.

UNLABELLED: Spinal cord tumors are a rare neoplasm of the central nervous system (CNS). The occurrence of metastases is related to poor prognosis. The authors analyzed one series of metastasis cases and their associated mortality. METHODS: Clinical characteristics were studied in six patients with intramedullary tumors with metastases in a series of 71 surgical cases. RESULTS: Five patients had ependymomas of which two were WHO grade III. The patient with astrocytoma had a grade II histopathological classification. Two patients required shunts for hydrocephalus. The survival curve showed a higher mortality than the general group of patients with no metastases in the CNS (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Mortality is elevated in patients with metastasis and greater than in patients with only primary lesions. The ependymomas, regardless of their degree of anaplasia, are more likely to cause metastasis than spinal cord astrocytomas.

Mortality is higher in patients with leptomeningeal metastasis in spinal cord tumors / Mortalidade é mais elevada na disseminação metastática leptomeníngea em tumores da medula espinhal

Spinal cord tumors are a rare neoplasm of the central nervous system (CNS). The occurrence of metastases is related to poor prognosis. The authors analyzed one series of metastasis cases and their associated mortality. METHODS: Clinical characteristics were studied in six patients with intramedullary tumors with metastases in a series of 71 surgical cases. RESULTS: Five patients had ependymomas of which two were WHO grade III. The patient with astrocytoma had a grade II histopathological classification. Two patients required shunts for hydrocephalus. The survival curve showed a higher mortality than the general group of patients with no metastases in the CNS (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Mortality is elevated in patients with metastasis and greater than in patients with only primary lesions. The ependymomas, regardless of their degree of anaplasia, are more likely to cause metastasis than spinal cord astrocytomas.

Tumores da medula espinhal são neoplasias raras do sistema nervoso central (SNC). A ocorrência de metástases é relacionada a pior prognóstico. Os autores analisaram uma série de casos de metástases e a mortalidade relacionada. MÉTODO: Foram estudadas as características clínicas em seis pacientes com metástases tumorais numa série de 71 casos operados. RESULTADOS: Cinco pacientes tinham ependimomas e dois dos quais foram grau III pela classificação da OMS. O paciente portador de astrocitoma tinha classificação histopatológica de grau II. Dois pacientes necessitaram de derivação devido à hidrocefalia. A curva de sobrevivência mostrou mortalidade mais elevada no grupo de pacientes com disseminação pelo SNC (p<0,0001). CONCLUSÃO: A mortalidade, além de elevada em pacientes com metástases, é maior do que em pacientes apenas com lesão primária. Os ependimomas, independentemente do seu grau de anaplasia, costumam causar mais metástases do que os astrocitomas medulares.

Spinal cord trauma in children under 10 years of age: clinical characteristics and prevention.

PURPOSE: This study analyzed the clinical characteristics of spinal cord injury (SCI) in children 10 years of age and younger, forms of prevention, and ways to improve treatment. METHODS: Ninety-three children were reviewed between 1996 and 2009. The variables studied were type, age, cause, neurological level, association between SCI and traumatic brain injury (TBI), arthrodesis surgery, time elapsed between trauma and diagnosis, and causes of death. The statistical evaluations were done using the chi-square and ANOVA scales, in the SPSS program version 11.0. RESULTS: The most common cause was automobile crash accidents. Getting run over by a car was second (29.1 %), followed by firearm injuries (11.8 %). The thoracic spine was the most commonly impacted area. Evaluation showed that 83.9 % had complete neurological injury. Associated TBI was present in 35.5 % of the cases. Only 21.5 % of the patients required arthrodesis of the spine. In 31.2 % of the cases, myelopathy was not diagnosed at the time of the accident. There was no statistical correlation between TBI and a delayed diagnosis of SCI (p=0.231). Five children (5.4 %) died. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that the cause of the trauma is associated to the child's age and that prevention is important. Trauma from automobile crash accidents was the main cause, and, in older children, firearm injuries are an important risk. Spinal cord injury was not always diagnosed in children at the time of accident. Educating family members and training emergency teams to adequately treat children with multiple traumas are measures that can help reduce the incidence of SCIs and neurological damage.