Evaluation of lordosis recovery after lumbar arthrodesis and its clinical impact.

BACKGROUND: Posterior lumbar arthrodesis has become a widely used therapeutic option to correct sagittal imbalances in patients suffering from degenerative lumbar conditions. However, in western Africa, there is no study have reported long-term outcome of posterior lumbar arthrodesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the restoration of adequate lordosis and the patient's postoperative quality of life. METHOD: The study was retrospective. From January 2012 to December 2019, 80 patients who underwent posterior lumbar arthrodesis for lumbar degenerative diseases were included with a mean follow-up of 43.2 months. Mean age was 50.8 years (SD = 12.2). Preoperative and postoperative patients' symptoms were assessed by the visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and 12-item Short Form (SF-12). Pre- and post-operative radiographic evaluation included lumbar lordosis measured (LLm), pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope (SS), and pelvic stilt (PS). Theoretical lumbar lordosis (LLt) was defined by the following: LL = 0.54 × PI + 27.6. Data analysis was done using the statistical software "R." The risk of error was 5% (p < 0.05). RESULT: The mean pelvic incidence was 57.23°. There was no statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative lumbar lordosis (p = 0.2567). There was no statistical difference between preoperative and postoperative PI-LL (p = 0.179). There was a statistically significant difference between the pre and postoperative clinical scores (p < 0.001). Statistical analysis showed a correlation between recovery of lumbar lordosis and improvement in physical component of SF-12 (PCS) (p < 0.05) and lumbar and radicular VAS (p < 0.05) for the subgroup of narrow lumbar spine. There was a statistical relationship between the restoration of lumbar lordosis and improvement in PCS (p = 0.004) and VAS (p = 0.003) for the subgroup of isthmic lysis spondylolisthesis. DISCUSSION: The root decompression performed in most patients could explain the clinical improvement regardless of recovery of lordosis. The failure to consider spinal parameters and sagittal balance of patients in the surgery could explain no restoration of lumbar lordosis. Our study had limitations inherent to its retrospective character such as the classic selection bias. CONCLUSION: Satisfactory correction of spinopelvic alignment may improve long-term clinical signs.

Cervical Spinal Cord Herniation After Laminectomy.

Following a recent cervical laminectomy, a 67-year-old female patient developed neck pain and torticollis after a coughing episode. On physical examination, manifestations of neck pain, stiffness, and 4/5 quadriparesis were noted. Magnetic resonance imaging findings indicated the presence of herniation of the cervical medulla, accompanied by cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Consequently, surgical intervention was performed to reposition the herniated cord within its original subarachnoid space, thereby averting potential recurrence. The patient experienced complete resolution of symptoms within a few days postoperatively. It is important to recognize that postoperative cervical spinal cord herniation following laminectomy is an infrequent complication that manifests with a delayed onset. Surgical repair serves as the main therapeutic modality.

Multiple Cerebral Aneurysms Treated by Microsurgical and Endovascular Technique.

Treatment of multiple intracranial aneurysms is challenging. Neurologic status, aneurysm morphology, location, ruptured/unruptured status, availability of equipment, and patient preference are among the factors influencing the choice of treatment modality.1 Ideally, a 1-stage procedure is recommended whenever possible.2 However, patients with multiple aneurysms located in both the anterior and posterior circulation are less likely to be treated with a single procedure.3 We present the case of a 52-year-old patient who presented with recurrent headaches and progressive onset of a right eye ptosis evolving for 2 months. Her medical history was significant: an episode of eclampsia 20 years ago and high blood pressure managed with amlodipine. On physical examination, the patient was neurologically intact except for an isolated right eye ptosis. She had a brain angioscanner that revealed 1 right A1 aneurysm, 1 left M1 aneurysm, and 1 vertebrobasilar junction aneurysm. After discussion, we proposed a 2-stage procedure including a unilateral right pterional approach for right A1 and left M1 aneurysms and an endovascular treatment for the vertebrobasilar junction aneurysm. As illustrated in Video 1, both anterior circulation aneurysms were successfully clipped and the patient was discharged on day 4 with an intact neurologic status. Thirty days later, she underwent an endovascular coiling of the vertebro-basilar junction aneurysm uneventfully. She was able to return to work 2 weeks after discharge. The patient consented to publication of her images.

Establishing the First Neurosurgical Skill Laboratory in West Africa: An Initiative for an Affordable Regional Education Center.

Background: The benefits of a neurosurgical skill laboratory (NSL) are unquestionable. Despite the increasing number of sub-Saharan African neurosurgeons, few cadaveric laboratories are available for neurosurgical education. The first of its kind in West Africa, a NSL opened in 2019 in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire to promote neurosurgeons' education and technical skills. We have described our experience in creating and running this facility. Methods: NSL is a private academic center in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. It includes 2 rooms dedicated to cadaveric hands-on training and microscopic neurosurgery and multipurpose rooms, which contain 7 table-mounted microscopes and 3 endoscopes. The designed layout replicates an operating room. The curriculum was designed to meet the needs for training for complex brain and spine surgeries. Results: The training covers skull base (conventional and extended) approaches, microsuturing, and anterolateral and posterior approaches for spine surgeries. The training was open to residents and consultants. The faculty members included anatomists, neurosurgeons, otolaryngologists, and orthopedists. Additionally, the NSL welcomes fellows from foreign countries. Fellows from 4 countries have been trained, and 14 educational activities have been organized. Conclusions: In the present report, we have provided insight into a sub-Saharan African neurosurgical laboratory striving toward an affordable and self-sustainable center. The short-term goal of the NSL is to be a center for developing technical skills for African neurosurgeons for better patient outcomes.

Early Experience of Endoscopic Endonasal Transphenoidal Surgery for Pituitary Adenoma: Preliminary Report of 56 Cases Operated in a West African Institution.

BACKGROUND: Although endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has been popularized worldwide for pituitary adenoma surgery, in sub-Saharan Africa, neurosurgeons are still only starting their experience with it. This study was designed to assess the early results of EEA for pituitary adenoma from an under-equipped environment, namely, the Department of Neurosurgery of the Teaching Hospital of Yopougon Abidjan and Bouaké in Ivory Coast. METHODS: The data of 56 cases of EEA for pituitary adenoma surgery performed between 2016 and March 2019 at the Teaching Hospital of Yopougon-Abidjan and Bouaké were retrospectively assessed. Pre- and postoperative neuro-ophthalmologic and hormonal status were analyzed. Moreover, the quality of tumor removal, and pre- and postoperative complications were also evaluated. RESULTS: In this study, there were nonfunctional adenomas (20), prolactinoma (18), Cushing disease (9), and acromegaly (3). A reduced visual acuity and/or visual field defect was observed in 49 cases. The mean operation time was 225 ± 94.7 minutes. The tumor removals were complete in 57.14%, subtotal in 35.71%, and partial in 7.14%. These led to a visual improvement in 69.64%. Postoperative complications were cerebrospinal fluid leaks (19.64%), diabetes insipidus (12.50%), visual worsening (7.14%), meningitis (3.57%), and carotid injury (3.57%) that led to death. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the early surgical experience using EEA for treating pituitary adenoma in an under-equipped environment. Although the postoperative complication rate was relatively high, refinements of local surgeons' technique would lead to a better patient outcome.