Spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage associated with early-onset cerebral amyloid angiopathy and Alzheimer's disease neuropathological changes five decades after cadaveric dura mater graft.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a small vessel disease, causing spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in the elderly. It is strongly associated with Alzheimer disease (AD), as most CAA patients show deposition of Aß-i.e. the basic component of parenchymal Alzheimer amyloid deposits-in the cerebral vessels. Iatrogenic early-onset CAA has been recently identified in patients with a history of traumatic brain injury or other cerebral as well as extra-cerebral lesions that led to neurosurgery or other medical procedures as intravascular embolization by cadaveric dura mater extracts many years before the first ICH event. In those patients, a transmission of Aß seeds from neurosurgical instruments or from cadaveric dura mater exposure was suggested. We report a 51-year-old woman with unremarkable family history who presented abruptly with aphasia and right hemiparesis. A cerebral left lobar haemorrhagic stroke was documented by neuroimaging. Accurate anamnesis revealed a neurosurgical procedure with cadaveric dura mater graft at the age of 2 years for an arachnoid cyst. The neuropathological examination of the cerebral parietal biopsy showed severe amyloid angiopathy in many leptomeningeal and cortical vessels, as well as abundant parenchymal Aß deposits, neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads. The mechanism involved in the human-to-human transmission of the Aß proteinopathy remains to be clarified. In our patient the cadaver derived dura used for grafting is a very strong candidate as the source of the transmission. A systematic monitoring of individuals who have had neurosurgical procedures in early life, especially those involving cadaveric dural grafts, is required to determine the ratio of those affected by CAA many years later and unaffected. Moreover, our report confirms that in addition to vascular and parenchymal Aß pathology, neurofibrillary changes indistinguishable from AD may develop in specific conditions with long latency period from the neurosurgical or embolization procedure.

Dural augmentation approaches and complication rates after posterior fossa decompression for Chiari I malformation and syringomyelia: a Park-Reeves Syringomyelia Research Consortium study.

OBJECTIVE: Posterior fossa decompression with duraplasty (PFDD) is commonly performed for Chiari I malformation (CM-I) with syringomyelia (SM). However, complication rates associated with various dural graft types are not well established. The objective of this study was to elucidate complication rates within 6 months of surgery among autograft and commonly used nonautologous grafts for pediatric patients who underwent PFDD for CM-I/SM. METHODS: The Park-Reeves Syringomyelia Research Consortium database was queried for pediatric patients who had undergone PFDD for CM-I with SM. All patients had tonsillar ectopia ≥ 5 mm, syrinx diameter ≥ 3 mm, and ≥ 6 months of postoperative follow-up after PFDD. Complications (e.g., pseudomeningocele, CSF leak, meningitis, and hydrocephalus) and postoperative changes in syrinx size, headaches, and neck pain were compared for autograft versus nonautologous graft. RESULTS: A total of 781 PFDD cases were analyzed (359 autograft, 422 nonautologous graft). Nonautologous grafts included bovine pericardium (n = 63), bovine collagen (n = 225), synthetic (n = 99), and human cadaveric allograft (n = 35). Autograft (103/359, 28.7%) had a similar overall complication rate compared to nonautologous graft (143/422, 33.9%) (p = 0.12). However, nonautologous graft was associated with significantly higher rates of pseudomeningocele (p = 0.04) and meningitis (p < 0.001). The higher rate of meningitis was influenced particularly by the higher rate of chemical meningitis (p = 0.002) versus infectious meningitis (p = 0.132). Among 4 types of nonautologous grafts, there were differences in complication rates (p = 0.02), including chemical meningitis (p = 0.01) and postoperative nausea/vomiting (p = 0.03). Allograft demonstrated the lowest complication rates overall (14.3%) and yielded significantly fewer complications compared to bovine collagen (p = 0.02) and synthetic (p = 0.003) grafts. Synthetic graft yielded higher complication rates than autograft (p = 0.01). Autograft and nonautologous graft resulted in equal improvements in syrinx size (p < 0.0001). No differences were found for postoperative changes in headaches or neck pain. CONCLUSIONS: In the largest multicenter cohort to date, complication rates for dural autograft and nonautologous graft are similar after PFDD for CM-I/SM, although nonautologous graft results in higher rates of pseudomeningocele and meningitis. Rates of meningitis differ among nonautologous graft types. Autograft and nonautologous graft are equivalent for reducing syrinx size, headaches, and neck pain.

Comparing the results of duraplasty using amniotic membrane versus pericranium as dural graft; concerning CSF leakage and pseudomeningocele.

Purpose: In many brain surgeries, dura cannot be primarily repaired and it is necessary to use a graft. Appropriate repair of dura plays a major role in preventing CSF leakage and meningitis. In the cases where sufficient Pericranium is not available for recovery, we need to use graft from other resources. The present study compares the results of amniotic membrane dural graft and pericranium dural graft in terms of CSF leakage and Pseudomeningocele. Materials and methods: This is a semi-empirical research. Thirty cases underwent dural graft with amnion membrane because of inadequate local pericranium for repair. There were 30 other historical cases that had undergone auto-graft dural graft with Pericranium in the same center.Results: The average age of the participants in Pericranium graft group (P, n = 30) and those in amniotic graft group (A, n = 30) was 39.1 ± 15 and 43.9 ± 19 years old, respectively. As for the P and A groups, there were 14 and 17 males, respectively. Two cases of CSF leakage (7%) were observed in P group, while none was reported in A group. There were 3 cases (10%) of meningitis in Pericranium group and 2 cases (7%) were reported in amnion group. Out of 2 cases of meningitis in group P, 2 cases were associated with CSF leak. 5 cases of Hydrocephalus (17%) were observed in group P and 9 cases (30%) were reported in group A. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in any complication. The frequency of hydrocephalus was significantly higher in posterior fossa craniotomy.Conclusion: Amniotic membrane may provide a good source for cases with a large dural defect and can be utilized for all ages. Of course, its application in cases of posterior fossa craniotomy needs to be carefully studied so that the best results may be obtained.

Early onset cerebral amyloid angiopathy following childhood exposure to cadaveric dura.

Amyloid-ß transmission has been described in patients both with and without iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease; however, there is little information regarding the clinical impact of this acquired amyloid-ß pathology during life. Here, for the first time, we describe in detail the clinical and neuroimaging findings in 3 patients with early onset symptomatic amyloid-ß cerebral amyloid angiopathy following childhood exposure to cadaveric dura (by neurosurgical grafting in 2 patients and tumor embolization in a third). Our observations provide further in vivo evidence that cerebral amyloid angiopathy might be caused by transmission of amyloid-ß seeds (prions) present in cadaveric dura and have diagnostic relevance for younger patients presenting with suspected cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Ann Neurol 2019; 1-7 ANN NEUROL 2019;85:284-290.

Dura mater graft-associated Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with 30-year incubation period.

Over 60% of all patients with dura mater graft-associated Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (dCJD) have been diagnosed in Japan. The incubation period has ranged from 1 to 30 years and the age at onset from 15 to 80 years. Here, we report a 77-year-old male Japanese autopsied dCJD case with the longest incubation period so far in Japan. He received a cadaveric dural graft at the right cranial convexity following a craniotomy for meningioma at the age of 46. At 30 years post-dural graft placement, disorientation was observed as an initial symptom of dCJD. He rapidly began to present with inconsistent speech, cognitive impairment and tremor of the left upper extremity. Occasional myoclonic jerks were predominantly observed on the left side. Brain MRI presented hyperintense signals on diffusion-weighted and T2-weighted images, at the right cerebral cortex. The most hyperintense lesion was located at the right parietal lobe, where the dura mater graft had been transplanted. Single-photon emission CT scan showed markedly decreased cerebral blood flow at the right parietal lobe. EEG revealed diffuse and slow activities with periodic sharp-wave complex discharges seen in the right parietal, temporal and occipital lobes. He died of pneumonia 9 months after onset. Brain pathology revealed non-plaque-type dCJD. Laterality of neuropathological changes, including spongiform change, neuronal loss, gliosis or PrP deposits, was not evident. Western blot analysis showed type 1 PrPCJD . Alzheimer-type pathology and PSP-like pathology were also observed.

Characterization and morphological comparison of human dura mater, temporalis fascia, and pericranium for the correct selection of an autograft in duraplasty procedures.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to characterize and compare the morphological characteristics of the dura mater, the pericranium, and the temporal fascia to ascertain the most adequate tissue to use as a dura graft. METHODS: 20 dura mater, 20 pericranium and 20 temporalis fascia samples were analyzed. Each of the samples was stained with hematoxylin and eosin, orcein, Van Gieson, Masson's trichrome and Verhoeff-Van Gieson (600 slides in total) for a general morphological evaluation, as well as a quantitative, morphometric and densitometric analysis of elastic fibers present in each of the tissues. RESULTS: The micro-densitometric analysis of the tissues indicated that the area occupied by the elastic fibers showed values of 1.766 ± 1.376, 4.580 ± 3.041, and 8.253 ± 4.467 % for the dura mater, the temporalis fascia and the pericranium, respectively (p < 0.05, all pairs). The values observed in the analysis of the density intensity were 3.42E+06 ± 2.57E+06, 1.41E+07 ± 1.28E+07, and 1.63E+07 ± 9.19E+06 for the dura mater, the temporalis fascia and the pericranium, respectively (p < 0.05), dura mater vs. temporalis fascia and dura mater vs. pericranium). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to compare the dura mater with tissues for dural autograft and to quantify the elastic component present in these tissues. The results indicate that the temporalis fascia is a better dural graft because of its intrinsic tissue properties.

Long-Term Outcomes After Small-Bone-Window Posterior Fossa Decompression and Duraplasty in Adults with Chiari Malformation Type I.

BACKGROUND: Small-bone-window posterior fossa decompression with duraplasty is one of the popular surgical options for Chiari malformation type I, but its efficacy is controversial and the risk factors of clinical outcome remain unclear. METHODS: The study cohort included 152 patients with Chiari malformation type I who received small-bone-window posterior fossa decompression at Beijing Tiantan hospital from January 2008 to September 2009. All patients underwent combined surgical procedures: a small-bone-window suboccipital decompression (diameter, 2.5-3 cm) and a C1 laminectomy (1.5- to 2-cm wide) followed by a duraplasty with an autologous graft. Clinical manifestations, radiologic features, and follow-up data during a 6-year span were analyzed. Risk factors associated with outcome were investigated by the use of χ(2) analysis and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The average follow-up duration was 74 months. Symptoms were improved in 126 patients (82.9%), remained stable in 21 patients (13.8%), and deteriorated in 5 patients (3.3%). There was no mortality. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans were available for all patients. Preoperatively, 112 patients were associated with syringomyelia, and the follow-up magnetic resonance images showed obvious reduction of syringomyelia in 73 patients (65.2%) and no significant change in 39 patients (34.8%). In addition, enlargement of the cistern magna was observed in 92 patients (85.2%). Regression analysis indicates preoperative motor dysfunction, brainstem herniation and basilar invagination may influence the clinical outcome (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Small-bone-window posterior fossa decompression with duraplasty is an effective and safe treatment option with a low complication rate. Motor dysfunction, brainstem herniation, and basilar invagination are predictors of poor clinical prognosis.

Autologous dural substitutes: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Duraplasty can be performed both by means of autologous tissues (such as galea-pericranium, temporal muscle, fascia lata) or by commercially available dural patches. Nowadays many neurosurgeons consider galea-pericranium duraplasty time-consuming, technically demanding or not adequate, thus dural surrogates are increasingly popular. In this prospective research we compared duraplasty using autologous galea-pericranium vs. dural patches in terms of postoperative long term results, ease/time required and costs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Research has been designed as prospective cohort study, that included 185 patients undergoing supratentorial elective neurosurgery with galea-pericranium or non-autologous duraplasty (minimum follow-up 12 months). Variables taken into account were: wound infection, CSF fistula, subcutaneous CSF collection, bone flap osteitis, brain abscess, empyema and tardive wound dehiscence (particularly after postoperative radiotherapy). Time for galea-pericranium collection, size of galea-pericranium harvest and dural defects were recorded in each case. Costs for non-autologous duroplasty were calculated. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were evident in long term postoperative results between the two groups. Mean time of galea-pericranium collection is less than 2min and enough galea-pericranium can be harvested in supratentorial approach to cover almost any dural defect. The only difference between the two groups is costs: an average of 268.7€/patient spent just for duraplasty. This figure is surely substantial if considered for the entire amount of surgeries performed in a department. CONCLUSIONS: Considering that in our study long term results are equivalent, that galea-pericranium duraplasty is feasible and rapid, our indications are in favor of saving a considerable amount of money since an ideal autologous dural substitute is available and "free".

Surgical treatment of Chiari I malformation with ventricular dilation.

Ventricular dilation affects 7% to 10% of patients with Chiari type I malformation (CIM), but the choice of surgical treatment is controversial. To study the surgical approaches for treating CIM with ventricular dilation and to evaluate the efficacy of posterior fossa decompression (PFD), clinical and imaging data of 38 adult patients who received surgical correction performed at the authors' department from 2004 to 2011 were reviewed. Ventricular dilation was defined as Evans' index > 0.30. Preoperative fundus examinations were done on all patients and no papilledema was found. Surgical procedures included a sub-occipital decompression and a C1 laminectomy, followed by a duraplasty with an autologous graft. Evans' index was measured before and after surgery respectively, and a paired samples t-test was performed to examine the difference. Factors predicting outcomes were investigated using logistic regression analysis. Follow-up was done to all patients with an average duration of 43 months. All postoperative magnetic resonance (MR) images showed a relief of cervicomedullary compression and recreation of the cisterna magna. Symptoms improved in 33 patients (86.8%), remained stable in 5 (13.2%), and no patient deteriorated. No significant change in ventricular size was observed after surgery (P = 0.257). Regression analysis showed duration of illness had a significant effect on clinical outcome (P = 0.034, OR = 12.5, 95% CI: 1.214, 128.661). Our study suggests that the intracranial pressure (ICP) of patients with CIM and ventricular dilation is usually normal. PFD with duraplasty is an effective and safe treatment for CIM with ventricular dilation. Treatment of ventricular dilation is unnecessary before PFD as long as there is no persistent headache, vomiting, and papilledema.

The efficacy and safety of modified Snyder-Thompson posterior scleral reinforcement in extensive high myopia of Chinese children.

BACKGROUND: To observe the efficacy and safety of modified Snyder-Thompson posterior scleral reinforcement in extensive high myopia of Chinese children. We had a retrospective design, and included a control group of children with natural progression of high myopia. METHODS: This study included 64 eyes in 41 Chinese children with extensive high myopia who underwent modified Snyder-Thompson posterior scleral reinforcement surgery (PSR group), and 17 eyes in 11 age- and myopia-matched children who wore spectacles (control group). The mean follow-up was 4.99 ± 1.3 years in the PSR group and 4.48 ± 1.3 years in the control group. Axial length, spherical equivalent (SE), uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and fundus examinations were recorded before and after treatment, and complications were noted. RESULTS: The mean change in SE at the end of the follow-up period was 1.5 ± 1.44 diopters (D) and 3.02 ± 1.57D in the PSR and control groups respectively. These changes were equivalent to an increase in axial length of 1.27 ± 0.54 mm and 2.05 ± 0.91 mm respectively. The PSR group showed less myopic progression and less eye elongation (p < 0.001). A notable increase in UCVA was only found in the PSR group (p = 0.0001). The improvement in BCVA was significantly greater in the PSR group (p = 0.0354). There were no serious complications of PSR surgery. CONCLUSION: The modified Snyder-Thompson PSR surgery was effective and safe in controlling extensive high myopia of Chinese children.

[Unsuccessful duraplasty technique or persisting/recanalized Sternberg's canal?]. / Frustrane Duraplastiktechnik oder persistierender/rekanalisierter Sternberg Kanal der Keilbeinhöhle?

Spontaneous rhinoliquorrhea with or without meningo-encephaloceles in the region of the sphenoid sinus occurs very infrequently. It is not uncommon that the attempt of transnasal endoscopic duraplasty in this region leads to recurrence of the CSF leak. The existence of a lateral craniopharyngeal canal can be a possible explanation for these failures.Retrospective analysis of 23 patients with rhinoliquorrhea of different pathogenesis in the region of the frontal and central skull base that were treated with transnasal, video-endoscopic surgical procedures in our department between 2006 and 2011.2 of 23 patients with proven rhinoliquorrhea following a transnasal video endoscopic duraplasty procedure showed a recurrence of the CSF leak. The computertomographic analysis with respect to the current literature indicated the presence of a craniopharyngeal canal at the lateral side of the sphenoid sinus. This canal is also known in the literature as Sternberg's canal. In contrast to the other 21 treated cases there were no planar skull base defects of different pathogenesis in these 2 cases, but a ontogenetically bony canal. The canal can reopen spontaneously or due to an external mechanical impact.The closure of this bony canal requires a modified surgical procedure such as sufficient padding of the bony canal and its sealing by a vascularized pedicle flap in contrast to the ordinary planar bony skull base defects.

Insight into the frequent occurrence of dura mater graft-associated Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: More than 60% of patients worldwide with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) associated with dura mater graft (dCJD) have been diagnosed in Japan. The remarkable frequency of dura mater grafts in Japan may possibly contribute to the elevated incidence of dCJD, but reasons for the disproportionate use of this procedure in Japan remain unclear. We investigated differences between dCJD patients in Japan and those elsewhere to help explain the more frequent use of cadaveric dura mater and the high incidence of dCJD in Japan. METHODS: We obtained data on dCJD patients in Japan from the Japanese national CJD surveillance programme and on dCJD patients in other countries from the extant literature. We compared the demographic, clinical and pathological features of dCJD patients in Japan with those from other countries. RESULTS: Data were obtained for 142 dCJD patients in Japan and 53 dCJD patients elsewhere. The medical conditions preceding dura mater graft transplantation were significantly different between Japan and other countries (p<0.001); in Japan, there were more cases of cerebrovascular disease and hemifacial spasm or trigeminal neuralgia. Patients with dCJD in Japan received dura mater graft more often for non-life-threatening conditions, such as meningioma, hemifacial spasm and trigeminal neuralgia, than in other countries. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the medical conditions precipitating dura mater graft may contribute to the frequent use of cadaveric dura mater and the higher incidence of dCJD in Japan.

Late favorable results of duroplasty with biocellulose: clinical retrospective study of 20 cases / Resultados tardios favoráveis de duraplastia com biocelulose: estudo clínico retrospectivo de 20 casos

Objective: Considering the importance of dural replacement in neurosurgery, mainly in times of advanced endoscopic skull base approaches, the authors report the late results after implanting of pure biocellulose membrane in 20 patients harboring different types of lesion, from 1996 to 1999, with objective of demonstrate its use in neurosurgery. Method: The casuistic was followed clinically and image studies were indicated when necessary. Dural substitution was achieved by continuous 4:0 prolene suture without additional glue. Results: The casuistic is constituted by four convexity or parasagittal meningiomas, three single cortical metastasis (melanoma, lung and renal carcinomas), two cerebellar gliomas (one multicentric GBM, one pilocytic cerebellar astrocytoma), one decompressive craniectomy for brain edema due to vasosespasm after aneurysm clipping one decompressive craniotomy for cerebral edema after hemorrhage of a giant fronto-parietal AVM, two mirror MCA aneurysms, one pineal and mesencephalic astrocitoma, one quadrigeminal cistern cyst, one accoustic schwanoma, one spontaneous cerebellar hematoma, one decompressive neurovascular operation for trigeminal neuralgia; 1 cauda equina ependimoma, one lombar myelomeningocele. Currently nine patients are alive, none had direct complication of implant. Recent NMR images of survivors do not show the membrane. Three wound infections could not be definitively attributed to patch. Conclusion: The material was considered safe for dural replacement. Due to inadequate elasticity of pure cellulose, the research was interrupted, waiting for a better product, which is currently being tested.

Objetivo: Tendo em vista a importância da substituição da dura-máter em tempos atuais, em que a cirurgia de base de crânio apresenta grande demanda, os autores reportam os resultados tardios após implante da membrana de biocelulose pura em 20 pacientes portadores de diversos tipos de lesões neurológicas, entre os anos 1996 e 1999, com a finalidade de demonstrar a viabilidade de seu uso em neurocirurgia. Método: A casuística foi acompanhada com avaliações clínicas periódicas, aleatoriamente realizadas, além de estudos de imagem, indicados quando necessários. A substituição dural foi realizada por sutura contínua de fio prolene 4:0, sem cola de fibrina adicional. Resultados: Foram operados quatro meningiomas parassagitais, três metástases corticais únicas (melanoma, pulmão e carcinoma renal), dois gliomas cerebelares (um GBM multicêntrico e um astrocitoma pilocítico), uma craniectomia descompressiva por edema cerebral hemisférico devido a vasoespasmo após clipagem de aneurisma, uma craniectomia descompressiva por edema após cirurgia de MAV frontoparietal, dois aneurismas de ACM em espelho, um astrocitoma de mesencéfalo e pineal, um cisto aracnóideo de cisterna quadrigeminal, um schwanoma de vestibulococlear, um hematoma cerebelar espontâneo, uma descompressiva neurovascular de trigêmeo, um ependimoma de cauda equina e um mielomeningocele lombar. Atualmente nove pacientes estão vivos e nenhum apresentou complicação relativa ao implante. Exames de RNM recentes dos sobreviventes não mostrou alteração especial no local do implante, não sendo possível reconhecer a membrana. Três infecções de ferida não foram definitivamente relacionadas ao implante. Conclusão: O material foi considerado seguro para substituir a dura-máter. Por causa da inadequada elasticidade e tendência a rasgar da celulose pura, a pesquisa foi interrompida, aguardando material mais adequado, que está atualmente sendo testado.

Long-term experience of patch graft failure after Ahmed Glaucoma Valve® surgery using donor dura and sclera allografts.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To report the long-term incidence, timing, and experience of patch graft failure (PGF) after Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV) (New World Medical, Inc., Rancho Cucamonga, CA) surgery in a large consecutive case series using donor dura mater and sclera sequentially as the allograft materials. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of all AGV surgeries performed from June 1994 through December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed for cases of PGF. RESULTS: Patch graft failure occurred in 44 (6.3%) of the initial 695 procedures using dura and in 65 (5.8%) of the subsequent 1,121 procedures using sclera (P = .64). The time interval after AGV surgery until the occurrence of PGF was significantly longer for dura (5.8 ± 3.8 years) than for sclera (2.7 ± 1.9 years) (P < .001). CONCLUSION: After an average of 4 years, PGF occurred in 109 (6%) of 1,816 consecutive AGV surgeries using donor dura and sclera allografts. PGF may be the most frequent long-term complication after AGV surgery.

Dura mater graft-associated Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: the first case in Korea.

Since 1987, dura mater graft-associated iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (dCJD) has been reported in many countries. We report the first case of dCJD in Korea. A 54-yr-old woman, who underwent resection of the meningioma in the left frontal region and received a dura mater graft 23 yr ago presented with dysesthesia followed by psychiatric symptoms and ataxia. Her neurological symptoms rapidly progressed to such an extent that she exhibited myoclonus, dementia, and pyramidal and extrapyramidal signs within 8 weeks. The 14-3-3 protein was detected in her cerebrospinal fluid; however, an electroencephalogram did not reveal characteristic positive sharp wave complexes. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images, obtained serially over 64 days, revealed the rapid progression of areas of high signal intensity in the caudate nucleus and cingulate gyrus to widespread areas of high signal intensity in the cortex and basal ganglia. Pathological examination of brain biopsy specimens confirmed the presence of spongiform changes and deposition of prion protein in the neurons and neuropils.

Management of injuries of the orbital skeleton.

These clinical studies were carried out in maxillofacial unite, 10th floor, Surgical Specialties Hospital, Medical City, Baghdad. These orbital injuries included 236 patients during 15 years of experience. Their ages ranged from 2 to 72 years (mean, 37 years); 172 were male, and 64 were female. Orbital injuries are classified into isolated orbital walls, roof, floor, lateral wall, and zygoma and medial wall and complex wall injuries, as orbital skeleton injuries, or as part of cranio-orbito-facial injuries. There were 110 cases (46.6%) with orbital floor, and 85 cases (36%) with lateral wall and zygomatic complex injuries; 6 cases (3.6%) had isolated roof injuries; there were 15 cases (6.3%) with medial wall fractures and dislocation of medial canthal ligaments; 8 cases (3.3%) were orbital skeleton injuries with superior orbital fissure syndrome in 2 cases and eyeball laceration in 1 case, and 12 cases (5.08%) were cranio-orbito-facial injuries. These cases were treated and reconstructed by chrome-cobalt mesh for orbital floor, and also, Silastic rubber silicone was used in the floor and roof. Bone graft was used for reconstruction of large defect of the floor and medial wall, and Silastic was used for secondary operation for reconstruction of the floor as additional layer in cases with slight resorption of bone graft to correct residual enophthalmos, and lyophilized dura was used for reconstruction of the roof. Follow-up of the cases was extended for 15 years. The aim of these studies was to show some interesting clinical cases and surgical challenges for the management of these cases.

A new modified dura mater implant: characteristics in recipient dogs.

Duraplasty is critical to the maintenance of anatomical integrity and the protection of brain tissue. Allotransplantation of cadaveric dura mater was abandoned after it was found to transmit Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). In this study, the usefulness of a xenogeneic dura mater for dural reconstruction was tested. Twelve dogs were randomly assigned to 4 groups. To simulate the condition of patients with brain surface injury, an area of approximately 2 cm x 1.5 cm of the dura mater was removed to create a defect. Xenogeneic dura mater derived from porcine pericardium was trimmed to the shape and size of the defect and sutured to the endogenous dura mater. Muscles at the apex of the skull and scalp were also sutured. Three dogs were euthanized at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after implantation and the xenogeneic dura mater and surrounding endogenous tissue were examined macroscopically and microscopically. Three months after implantation, the graft site had begun to heal. Macroscopically, at 6, 9, and 12 months after implantation, the graft had healed completely with the surrounding tissue. No boundary between the graft and surrounding tissue was distinguishable, and the two could not be separated. The graft was smoothly epithelialized and nonadherent to the brain surface. Microscopically, the inner surface of the implant was covered with epithelial cells, and internal capillaries, subepithelial fibrous tissue deposition, and fibroblast proliferation were observed. The xenogeneic dura mater progressively degraded over time. No cysts and no neutrophilic or lymphocytic inflammatory cell response developed between the implant and the recipient brain parenchyma. The modified xenogeneic dura mater is sufficiently biocompatible to allow epithelialization of its inner surface without adherence to brain tissue. No abnormalities develop in recipients, and the xenograft is gradually biodegraded and replaced by endogenous tissue identical to the endogenous dura mater.

Treatment of a persistent iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid-pleural fistula with a cadaveric dural-pleural graft.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-pleural fistula is a unique condition with which all spine surgeons need to be familiar, particularly those who use anterolateral approaches to the thoracic region. When direct suturing of the dural defect is not possible, techniques for indirect repair must be considered. PURPOSE: To report a novel technique for repair of a thoracic CSF-pleural fistula with a cadaveric dural-pleural graft after failure of initial treatment with Duragen (Integra, Plainsboro, NJ) and fibrin glue. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Case report/University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center. METHODS: The case of a 65-year-old female is presented. RESULTS: The patient represented 5 weeks after the initial operation (left-sided thoracotomy, partial T10-T11 corpectomy and removal of an intradural calcified disc) with dyspnea and severe positional headaches. Imaging of the brain revealed a subdural hematoma and magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic region demonstrated a pseudomeningocele surrounding the postsurgical bed. She underwent a revision thoracotomy and CSF-pleural fistula repair. We addressed the dural opening indirectly by suturing a piece of cadaveric dural allograft to the thickened pleura, after Duragen and fibrin glue were placed over the dural defect. A lumbar drain and a chest tube were also placed. At 12 weeks post-op, the subdural hematoma had completely resolved and her chest X-rays demonstrated a significant decrease in the CSF-pleural collection. CONCLUSION: Anterolateral thoracic disc surgery poses a great challenge to the spine surgeon but can provide the most direct way of decompressing the spinal cord as a result of ventral pathology. Some of the most difficult aspects of dealing with a CSF leak in this area relates to 1) the relative complexity of suturing the dura directly as it is at a considerable distance from the operating surgeon; 2) the manner in which the contralateral dura slopes away and is hidden from view; and 3) the relatively negative intrathoracic pressure, which encourages the persistent flow of CSF from the intradural to the pleural cavity. We speculate that with open thoracic surgery and the creation of a large potential space with an open dural defect, this technique provided an additional barrier against the formation of a CSF-pleural fistula. Using this technique, we intentionally create a pseudomeningocele into the corpectomy defect that is contained within the confines of our dural-pleural graft.