ABSTRACT
Pars interarticularis fracture is a common finding in young soccer players with low back pain. Spondylolysis in young adults involves a defect of the pars interarticularis, occurring as a result of repeated hyperextension and rotation. Here, we describe the case of a 26-year-old male elite soccer player who was diagnosed with L3 spondylolysis 2 years previously. He visited Incheon Himchan Hospital again because of low back pain. Radiographs showed consecutive spondylolysis at the L3 and L4 levels. Physicians should be aware that repeated performance of athletic movements, such as those during soccer, might lead to consecutive levels of spondylolysis.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Young Adult , Athletes , Fractures, Stress , Low Back Pain , Soccer , Spondylolysis , SportsABSTRACT
A rare case of solitary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma arising from the lumbar spinal nerve root is reported. A 37-year-old man presented with a 3-month history of progressive numbness and paraparesis in both legs. The initial diagnosis was benign primary intradural extramedullary tumor including schwannoma and meningioma. Histopathological examination revealed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. While a well-defined T1 isointense mass is common in primary spinal schwannoma, the present case was atypical and had a yellowish neural component. The pathogenesis and radiological findings of spinal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma are discussed and related literature is reviewed.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , B-Lymphocytes , Diagnosis , Hypesthesia , Leg , Lymphoma, B-Cell , Meningioma , Neurilemmoma , Paraparesis , Spinal Cord Compression , Spinal Nerve Roots , SpineABSTRACT
Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system(SSCNS) is a rare disease characterized by hemosiderin deposition on the surface of the central nervous system. We report a case of SSCNS originating from the thoracic spine, presenting with neurological deficits including, sensorineuronal hearing loss, ataxia, and corticospinal and dorsal column tract signs. The patient underwent dural repair with an artificial dural patch. Clinical findings were elicited by neurological examination, imaging studies, and intraoperative findings, and these were addressed through literature review.
Subject(s)
Humans , Ataxia , Central Nervous System , Hearing Loss , Hemosiderin , Neurologic Examination , Rare Diseases , Siderosis , SpineABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: In the present study, authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical outcomes of halo-vest immobilization (HVI) versus surgical fixation in patients with odontoid fracture after either non-surgical treatment (HVI) or with surgical fixation. METHODS: From April 1997 to December 2008, we treated a total of 60 patients with upper cervical spine injuries. This study included 31 (51.7%) patients (22 men, 9 women; mean age, 39.3 years) with types II and III odontoid process fractures. The average follow-up was 25.1 months. We reviewed digital radiographs and analyzed images according to type of injury and treatment outcomes, following conservative treatment with HVI and surgical management with screw fixation. RESULTS: There were a total of 31 cases of types II and III odontoid process fractures (21 odontoid type II fractures, 10 type III fractures). Fifteen patients underwent HVI (10 type II fractures, 5 type III fractures). Nine (60%) out of 15 patients who underwent HVI experienced successful healing of odontoid fractures. The mean period for bone healing was 20.2 weeks. Sixteen patients underwent surgery including anterior screw fixation (6 cases), posterior C1-2 screw fixation (8), and transarticular screw fixation (2) for healing the odontoid fractures (11 type II fractures, 5 type III fractures). Fifteen (93.8%) out of 16 patients who underwent surgery achieved healing of cervical fractures. The average bone healing time was 17.6 weeks. CONCLUSION: The overall healing rate was 60% after HVI and 93.8% with surgical management. Patients treated with surgery showed a higher fusion rate and shorter bony healing time than patients who received HVI. However, prospective studies are needed in the future to define better optimal treatment and cost-effective perspective for the treatment of odontoid fractures.