Constipation in degenerative cervico-thoracic spine myelopathy: a simple co-existence or a complex inter-relationship?

PURPOSE: Identify factors affecting constipation and post surgical improvement in patients of myelopathy. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with myelopathy due to extradural spine pathologies (47 cervical; 17 thoracic spine, male:female-5.4:1 with mean age 46.16) underwent evaluation including Bristol stool scale (BSS), PFT and uroflowmetry. All cases were evaluated by gastroenterologist to rule out any intrinsic bowel disease. Chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis/Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were employed to ascertain statistical significance. RESULTS: The presence of constipation was associated with male sex (p = 0.01), degree of constipation with duration bladder symptoms (p = 0.008) and numbness (p = 0.04). The improvement in BSS after surgery (p = 0.006) was associated with local pain (p = 0.02), duration of weakness (p = 0.04) and overall symptoms (p = 0.01), also with pulmonary function tests (p = 0.002) and pre-operative Nurick's grade (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Constipation is a myelopathic symptom as it is relieved by cord decompression and the gender, PFT and the duration of symptoms play an important role in defining constipation and expected improvement in these patients.

Trans-Sellar Trans-Sphenoidal Herniation of Third Ventricle with Cleft Palate and Microophthalmia: Report of a Case and Review of Literature.

Trans -sellar trans-sphenoidal encephalocele is an extremely rare entity. We present the case of an 18-month old boy who presented with a trans-sellar, trans-sphenoidal encephalocele associated with cleft lip, cleft palate and microphthalmia. This patient was treated successfully by a trans-cranial extra-dural route. In this paper, we discuss the clinico-radiological findings as well as various surgical options in managing these rare lesions and briefly review the literature.

Paraneoplastic Nephrotic Syndrome in a Patient with Planum Sphenoidale Meningioma.

A 60-year-old homemaker presenting with pedal edema and ascites was found to have a planum sphenoidale meningioma concurrently with nephrotic syndrome. On renal biopsy, the patient was found to have membranous glomerulonephritis. There was complete remission of nephropathy after excision of the meningioma. Nephrotic syndrome has been commonly found in association with malignancies and blood disorders but the association with a meningioma is extremely rare, and only one case has been previously reported as per our knowledge.

Rectal Manometric Findings and Associated Clinical Changes in Myelopathy from Extradural Spine Pathology.

OBJECTIVE: Studies of rectal manometric findings in patients with extradural spine diseases are lacking. The objective of this study was to determine the changes in anorectal physiology caused by myelopathy from extradural spine diseases and to correlate these with other clinical features of myelopathy and improvement after surgery. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with myelopathy caused by extradural spine diseases were prospectively enrolled and underwent clinical evaluation. Laboratory evaluation included rectal manometry and balloon expulsion tests in each of these patients, as well as pulmonary function tests and uroflowmetry. Follow-up data at 6 weeks were noted. Using the Kruskal-Wallis/Mann-Whitney U test and bivariate correlation, an association of manometric parameters with clinical variables and improvement in bowel function after surgery was identified. RESULTS: Squeeze pressure (mean, 92.3 mm Hg) was lower and basal pressures (mean, 76.5 mm Hg) and sphincter pressures at defecation (mean, 92.3 mm Hg) and first sensation (mean, 48.2 mL) were found to be higher than normal. A significant correlation of pulmonary function test (P = 0.01)/uroflowmetry (P = 0.01) parameters and the duration of symptoms (P = 0.02) with manometric parameters was found. Improvement in constipation (P = 0.04) and myelopathy (P = 0.007) were also found to be associated with manometric parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of manometry help explain the cause of constipation in this subset of patients. There was a definite association of manometric parameters with clinical and pulmonary function test/uroflowmetry variables. Few manometric variables were found to be associated with improvement in myelopathy and bowel function.

Multiple glioblastomas: Are they different from their solitary counterparts?

CONTEXT: Multiple glioblastomas (GBMs) have a reported incidence of 2-20%. AIMS: We intend to study these subsets of GBMs to know whether these are similar to their solitary counterparts. SETTING AND DESIGN: A retrospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 7 cases of biopsy-proven multiple GBMs. Multiple GBMs were described if there were >1 lesion which was at least 1 cm apart. The clinical data, radiological features, histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis and follow-up were recorded. RESULTS: The mean age was 45 years (range 17-69 years). All cases presented with features of raised intracranial pressure (ICP). Totally, 3 cases presented with hemiparesis and 2 cases with altered sensorium and generalized tonic clonic seizures each. The median Karnofsky performance status (KPS) was 50. Mean duration of symptoms was 40 days. All lesions were contrast enhancing (2 with homogenous enhancement and 5 had ring enhancement). Total excision of the lesion causing mass effect was done in all cases. Histopathologically, small cells were significantly present in 4 cases, and satellitosis was seen in 5 cases. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was absent in all cases in which small cells were significant. In these 4 cases, the proliferation index ranged from 40% to 95%. Totally, 3 patients died within 2 months of surgery, whereas remaining 4 patients underwent chemo-radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the cases usually present with features of raised ICP and poor KPS. Histopathologically these lesions show significant small cell population, satellitosis, and GFAP negativity.