Cystic paraganglioma of the filum terminale / Paraganglioma quístico del filum terminal

Spinal Paragangliomas are rare tumors, most frequently involving the cauda equina and the filum terminale. We report the case of a 62-year old woman presenting with a one month's lower back pain, left sciatica and leg weakness. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging showed a extramedullary lesion at L3-L4 level, measuring 37 x 52 x 21 mm with contrast enhancement. It presented an unenhancing intradural cystic lesion in the upper pole. The patient underwent lumbar laminectomy, and with neurofisiologic monitorization the tumor was completely resected. Microscopic examination of the tumor revealed a paraganglioma. In a review of the literature, we found only five previous reported cases in which the tumor is accompanied by a cyst.

Los paragangliomas son tumores poco frecuentes que se localizan en la región de la cauda equina y filum terminal. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 62 años con una historia de 1 mes de evolución de lumbalgia, ciática y debilidad en el miembro inferior izquierdo. Una resonancia magnética lumbar mostró una tumoración extramedular en el nivel L3-L4 que medía 37 x 52 x 21 mm que se realzaba con contraste. Presentaba así mismo una lesión quística en el polo superior del tumor. Se realizó una laminectomía lumbar y bajo control neurofisiológico se realizó una extirpación completa el tumor. El estudio microscópico revelo que se trataba de un paraganglioma. Realizamos una revisión de la literatura encontrando únicamente otros cinco casos de paraganglioma espinal con lesión quística acompañante

Solitary Dorsal Intramedullary Schwanomma ­ A Rare Lesion

Intramedullary schwanommas are rare, and most cases are reported in cervical region. Less than 20 dorsal intramedullary schwanommas have been reported till date in literature. This is due to their cell of origin, the Schwann cell, which is not normally found within the parenchyma of the brain and spinal cord; therefore it is not surprising that these lesions are rare. We report a rare solitary dorsal intramedullary schwanomma in a young adult patient who presented with paraplegia.

Microscopic resection of lumbar intraspinal tumor through keyhole approach: A clinical study of 54 cases / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the feasibility and key technology of microscopic resection of lumbar intraspinal tumor through microchannel keyhole approach.@*METHODS@#The clinical features, imaging characteristics and surgical methods of 54 cases of lumbar intraspinal tumor which were microscopically operated by microchannel from February 2017 to September 2019 were reviewed and analyzed. There were 8 cases of extradural tumor, 3 cases of extra-and intradural tumor and 43 cases of subdural extramedullary tumor (including 3 cases of ventral spinal tumor). The tumors were 0.5-3.0 cm in diameter. The clinical symptoms included 49 cases of pain in the corresponding innervation area, 5 cases of sensory disturbance (numbness) at or below the tumor segment, 7 cases of limb weakness and 2 cases of urination and defecation dysfunction.@*RESULTS@#In the study, 37 tumors were resected through hemilaminectomy, 14 tumors were resected through interlaminar fenestration, 3 tumors were resected through hemilaminectomy or interlaminar fenestration combined with facetectomy of medial 1/4 facet. All of the 54 tumors were totally resected. The operation time was 75-135 min, with an average of 93.3 min. The postoperative hospital stay was 4-7 days, with an average of 5.7 days. Postoperative pathology included 34 cases of schwannoma, 4 cases of meningioma, 9 cases of ependymoma, 1 case of enterogenous cyst, 5 cases of teratoma/epidermoid/dermoid cyst, and 1 case of paraganglioma. No infection or cerebrospinal fluid leakage was found after operation. No neurological dysfunction occurred except 1 case of urination dysfunction and 4 cases of limb numbness. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 33 months with an average of 14.4 months. Five patients with new onset symptoms returned to normal. The pain symptoms of 49 patients were completely relieved; 4 of 5 patients with hypoesthesia recovered completely, the other 1 patient had residual mild hypoesthesia; 7 patients with limb weakness, and 2 patients with urination and defecation dysfunction recovered to normal. No spinal instability or deformity was found, and no recurrence or residual tumors were found. According to McCormick classification, they were of all grade Ⅰ.@*CONCLUSION@#The lumbar intraspinal extramedullary tumors within two segments (including the ventral spinal tumors) can be totally resected at stage Ⅰ through microchannel keyhole approach with appropriate selection of the cases. Microchannel technique is beneficial to preserve the normal structure and muscle attachment of lumbar spine, and to maintain the integrity and stability of lumbar spine.

Intradural Spinal Arachnoid Cyst in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report

The present case reports a 13-year-old patient with an intradural arachnoid cyst, which manifested itself with a sudden loss of strength and sensitivity in the lower and upper limbs and a severe pain in the cervical and thoracic region. On examination, a lesion displayed as an intradural hematoma; however, a laminotomy was performed and it was realized that the lesion was an arachnoid spinal cyst of the cervical-dorsal spine.

Alterações motoras em crianças e adolescentes pós-cirurgia de tumor intramedular: estudo retrospectivo / Motor changes in children and adolescents after intramedullary tumor surgery: a retrospective study

Introdução: Os tumores intramedulares são raros e correspondem a menos de 10% das neoplasias do sistema nervoso central. O crescimento tumoral pode comprimir feixes nervosos e resultar em perda da função motora e sensorial. A abordagem cirúrgica é o principal pilar de tratamento e visa à máxima ressecção tumoral com preservação da função. A reabilitação destes pacientes é individualizada se analisarmos os déficits funcionais e prognósticos. Objetivo: Analisar a idade e sexo dos pacientes, tipo e localização do tumor, tratamento cirúrgico e tratamento oncológico dos pacientes com tumor intramedular. Descrever as alterações motoras decorrentes desse tratamento. Método: Estudo retrospectivo realizado no Instituto de Oncologia Pediátrica através de dados de prontuários de janeiro de 2013 a dezembro de 2016 de pacientes com tumor intramedular. Dados analisados: idade ao diagnóstico e no momento cirúrgico, gênero, diagnóstico e localização do tumor, tipo de tratamento oncológico, cirurgia realizada, sequela pré e pós-cirurgia, indicação de coletes ortopédicos e tempo de uso. Não houve necessidade de aplicação do Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido por ser um estudo retrospectivo. Resultados: Foram selecionados doze prontuários de pacientes. A média de idade dos pacientes ao diagnóstico foi de 10 anos e 8 meses e média de 32 dias até a abordagem cirúrgica. Sete pacientes eram do sexo feminino e cinco do sexo masculino. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a laminectomias, sendo três submetidos também a protocolo quimioterápico e radioterápico, e dois a protocolo quimioterápico. Dois pacientes foram orientados a usar colar cervical e dois orientados a usar colete ortopédico. Todos pacientes apresentaram alteração da marcha e diminuição de força muscular nos grupos pré e pós-cirúrgico. Conclusão: A idade média dos pacientes ao diagnóstico de tumor intramedular foi inferior a 11 anos, com predomínio do sexo feminino. Os diagnósticos oncológicos e as localizações tumorais foram variados. Sete pacientes evoluíram com deambulação independente após atendimento fisioterápico. A indicação de colares e coletes cervicais precisa ser mais estudada e sistematizada.(AU)

Introduction: Intramedullary tumors are rare and account for less than 10% of neoplasms of the central nervous system. Tumor growth may compress nerve bundles and result in loss of motor and sensory function. The surgical approach is the main pillar of treatment and aims at maximum tumor resection with preservation of function. The rehabilitation of these patients is individualized if we analyze the functional and prognostic deficits. Objective: To analyze the age and sex of the patients, type and location of the tumor, surgical treatment and oncological treatment of patients with intramedullary tumor. Describe the motor changes resulting from this treatment. Method: Retrospective study conducted at the Pediatric Oncology Institute through data from medical records from January 2013 to December 2016 of patients with intramedullary tumor. Data analyzed: age at diagnosis and at the time of surgery, gender, diagnosis and location of the tumor, type of cancer treatment, surgery performed, pre and post-surgery sequelae, indication of orthopedic vests and time of use. There was no need to apply the Free and Informed Consent Term because it is a retrospective study. Results: Twelve patient charts were selected. The mean age of the patients at diagnosis was 10 years and 8 months and mean of 32 days until the surgical approach. Seven patients were female and five were male. All patients underwent laminectomies, three of which were submitted to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and two to chemotherapy protocol. Two patients were instructed to wear cervical collar and two oriented to wear orthopedic vest. All patients presented gait alteration and decreased muscle strength in the pre and post-surgical groups. Conclusion: The mean age of the patients at the diagnosis of intramedullary tumor was less than 11 years, with a predominance of females. Oncological diagnoses and tumor sites were varied. Seven patients evolved with independent walking after physical therapy. The indication of necklaces and cervical vests needs to be further studied and systematized.(AU)

Quiste aracnoidal cervical anterior en edad pediátrica / Anterior cervical arachnoid cyst in pediatric age

Los quistes aracnoidales espinales son lesiones poco comunes en la población pediátrica. La mayor parte de ellos, se ubican en los segmentos dorsales y la posición anterior respecto a la médula es rara en todos los casos. Si bien su patogenia no está aclarada, se han asociado a defectos del tubo neural y traumas previos. Clínicamente, pueden presentarse con síndrome medular que en ocasiones pueden empeorar con cambios posturales. El tratamiento, puede ser conservador o quirúrgico, el que está indicado en presencia de síntomas neurológicos secundarios a compresión medular, siendo el abordaje posterior el más frecuentemente utilizado. El propósito de la cirugía es la resección total o en su defecto, la fenestración del quiste para comunicarlo al espacio subaracnoídeo. Una potencial complicación de la vía posterior, es la herniación medular durante la durotomía, secundaria al efecto compresivo del quiste, la cual podría aumentar la morbilidad neurológica en el período postoperatorio. Se presentan 2 casos consecutivos en edad pediátrica con quistes intradurales espinales anteriores, el primero en la región cervico-dorsal cuya cirugía se vio dificultada por la presencia de herniación medular transdural y un segundo caso con un quiste exclusivamente cervical, en que mediante una punción lateral del quiste guiada por ecografía previo a la durotomía, se logró resecar la lesión sin esta complicación.

Spinal arachnoid cysts are rare lesions in pediatric population. Most of them are located posteriorly in dorsal segments ananterior position is rare. Although its pathogenesis has not been elucidated, they have been associated with neural tube defects and the presence of previous spinal traumas. Clinically, they present with a spinal cord syndrome which can sometimes worsen with postural changes. Treatment may be conservative or surgical, the latter indicated by the presence of neurological symptoms secondary to spinal cord compression, with the posterior approach being the most frequently used. The purpose of surgery is total or partial resection, or fenestration of the cyst to subarachnoid space. A potential intra-surgical complication of posterior approach in anterior cyst is spinal cord herniation during durotomy, secondary to the compressive effect of the cyst, which could increase neurological morbidity in the postoperative period (1 case with mortality is described in the literature). We present 2 consecutive cases in pediatric patients with previous spinal intradural cysts. The first in the cervico-dorsal region whose surgery was hampered by the presence of medullary transdural herniation and second case with an exclusively cervical cyst that through a side puncture cyst guided by ultrasound prior to durotomy, it was possible to resect the lesion without this complication.

Asociación entre diastematomielia y meduloepitelioma: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Association between diastematomyelia and medullo epithelioma: case report and literature review

Aim: Case report of association between diastematomyelia and medulloepithelioma. Method: 14-year-old patient with lower back pain and recent neurological deficit in extremities. CT and MRI scans of the thoracolumbar spine revealed a diastematomyelia. Intraoperative examination confirmed the presence of a spinal dysraphism and associated tumor, which was almost completely resected. Result: Histopathological and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with medulloepithelioma. Her postoperative course was uneventful. Conclusion: Diastematomyelia may manifest during adolescence as lower back pain and neurological deficit. The association of this malformation with a neoplasia is extremely rare; the present case describes concomitance with medulloepithelioma.

Reporte de un caso de asociación de diastematomielia y meduloepitelioma. Método: Paciente de 14 años con dolor lumbar y déficit neurológico en extremidades de reciente instalación. En TAC y RNM de columna dorsolumbar se pesquisa una diastematomielia. La exploración intraoperatoria, comprueba la presencia de una disrafia espinal y un tumor asociado al defecto, que se reseca casi en su totalidad. Resultado: Los hallazgos histopatológicos e inmunohistoquímicos son concordante con meduloepitelioma. La paciente tuvo un postoperatorio satisfactorio. Conclusión: La diastematomielia se puede manifestar durante la adolescencia como dolor lumbar y déficit neurológico. La asociación de esta malformación, con una neoplasia es muy poco frecuente, el presente caso describe la concomitancia con un meduloepitelioma.

Combined Muscle Motor and Somatosensory Evoked Potentials for Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumour Surgery

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (IONM) with combined muscle motor evoked potentials (mMEPs) and somatosensory evoked potentials is useful for more aggressive and safe resection in intramedullary spinal cord tumour (IMSCT) surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed data from consecutive patients who underwent surgery for IMSCT between 1998 and April 2012. The patients were divided into two groups based on whether or not IONM was applied. In the monitored group, the procedures were performed under IONM using 75% muscle amplitude decline weaning criteria. The control group was comprised of patients who underwent IMSCT surgery without IONM. The primary outcome was the rate of gross total excision of the tumour on magnetic resonance imaging at one week after surgery. The secondary outcome was the neurologic outcome based on the McCormick Grade scale. RESULTS: The two groups had similar demographics. The total gross removal tended to increase when intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring was used, but this tendency did not reach statistical significance (76% versus 58%; univariate analysis, p=0.049; multivariate regression model, p=0.119). The serial McCormick scale score was similar between the two groups (based on repeated measure ANOVA). CONCLUSION: Our study evaluated combined IONM of trans-cranial electrical (Tce)-mMEPs and SEPs for IMSCT. During IMSCT surgery, combined Tce-mMEPs and SEPs using 75% muscle amplitude weaning criteria did not result in significant improvement in the rate of gross total excision of the tumour or neurologic outcome.

Tumores primarios de médula espinal y cauda equina en adultos en el Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins 2007-2011 / Primary tumors of spinal cord and cauda equina in adults at the National Hospital Edgardo Rebagliati Martins 2007-2011

PLANTEAMIENTO DEL PROBLEMA: Los tumores primarios de médula espinal representa 2 por ciento al 4 por ciento de todas las neoplasias del SNC, los tumores son generalmente los neurinomas y los meningiomas, en ellos la resección completa puede lograr frecuentemente la curación, la problemática sin embargo es la falta de estudios clínicos en general para los tumores del SNC y en particular para los tumores de la médula espinal. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es conocer la incidencia actual de tumores primarios de la médula espinal y cauda equina en adultos del servicio de columna vertebral y nervios periféricos del HNERM. Metodología: El presente estudio es de tipo retrospectivo, transversal y descriptivo, de los pacientes con el diagnóstico anátomo patológico de tumor primario de médula espinal y cauda equina, atendidos en el servicio de columna vertebral y nervios periféricos del HNERM, desde el 1 de Enero 2007 al 31 de Diciembre del 2011. Resultados: La incidencia de tumores primarios de médula espinal y cauda equina fue de 1.99 por ciento de los tumores del sistema nervioso central, el más frecuentemente fue neurinoma con el 41.46 por ciento, seguidos de los meningioma con el 34.15 por ciento, juntos representan más del 75 por ciento, seguidos de los astrocitomas con el 12.19 por ciento, predomina en el sexo femenino con el 65.85 por ciento, siendo el grupo etario más afectado entre 35-50 años, promedio 48.9 años, el tiempo de enfermedad al ingreso fue principalmente más de 9 meses 48.78 por ciento, se localizan más en el segmento torácico 51.23 por ciento, presentando al momento de ingreso dolor axial o radicular y debilidad de extremidades, con hipoestesia debajo del nivel de compresión y paraparesia, el procedimiento quirúrgico más frecuente fue laminectomía y resección microquirúrgica completa del tumor 78.05 por ciento, logrando función motora aceptable en el 70 por ciento, para neurinomas y meningiomas, a los 6 a 12 meses post quirúrgicos. Discusión: La...

Primary intraspinal ganglioneuroblastoma of the thoracic spine: A rare case report.

Cerebral ganglioneuroblastoma is an embryonal tumor of the central nervous system, which has been rarely encountered into the spinal cord. The standard treatment for ganglioneuroblastoma is complete surgical excision. A 15-year old boy was presented with cord compression. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intradural and intramedullar enhancing lesion over T2 spine. A histomorphological diagnosis was made in the presence of immature small round cells admixed with a good number of ganglion cells. The morphological diagnosis was verified by immunohistochemistry. This is the first reported case of compressive myelopathy in the thoracic region of the spine.

Cervical Intramedullary Ancient Schwannoma

A young male of 24 years was presented with a history of gradually progressive spastic quadriparesis for long four years. He was investigated and MRI revealed a neoplastic lesion in the cervical cord at the level of C4, C5 with perilesional edema and tumour syrinx formation, suggestive of astrocytoma. After total removal histopathology proved it to be an ancient schwannoma.

Schwannoma melanótico: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Melanotic schwannoma: a case report and literature review

Schwannomas are benign neoplastic lesions which originate from Schwann cells. A rare variant is the melanotic schwannoma. Accurate discrimination of this entity may be difficult due to differential diagnosis with malignant tumors, especially with metastatic melanoma, which has a potential ominous prognosis and a radically different treatment. We report the case of a 60-year-old woman with neurological sensorimotor involvement, presenting progressive caudo-cranial involvement more pronounced on the right side. MRI showed an intradural extramedullary mass with hyperintense signal intensity on T1 and T2 images, whereas no significant increase in signal intensity of the spinal cord was observed. Tumor was resected and sent for anatomopathological analysis which revealed a non-psammomatous melanotic schwannoma.

Los schwannomas son lesiones neoplásicas benignas derivadas de las células de Schwann. Una variante poco frecuente es el schwannoma melanótico. El diagnóstico de esta entidad reviste complejidad debido al diagnóstico diferencial con tumores malignos, especialmente el melanoma metastásico, teniendo este último un potencial pronóstico ominoso y un tratamiento radicalmente distinto. Se realizó una revisión de literatura en relación a un caso clínico de una mujer de 60 años con compromiso neurológico de tipo sensitivo-motor, progresivo caudo-craneal mayor a derecha. La RM demostró una masa intradural extramedular, con hiperintensidad en secuencias T1 e hiposeñal en T2, sin aumento de señal significativo de la médula espinal. El tumor fue resecado revelando en el estudio anatomopatológico un schwannoma melanótico, no psammomatoso. En relación al caso clínico, pudimos observar la importancia del estudio imaginológico con RM y su confirmación anatomopatológica. Recalcamos además, la necesidad del seguimiento a largo plazo.

Spinal neurofibroma masquerading as a herniated disc. A case report

We present the only case in English medical literature of a spinal neurofibroma misdiagnosed as a herniated disc using magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]. This case presented with typical symptoms and radiological findings of a herniated disc. Intraoperatively, an abnormality was noted at the S1 nerve root sleeve. Further exploration revealed a spinal neurofibroma which was completely resected, resulting in an improvement in the patient's symptoms. Currently, there is heavy reliance on MRI as a highly sensitive and specific tool used in the diagnosis of herniated lumbar discs. Although there have been occasional reports of misdiagnoses using MRI, there are no reported cases of a spinal neurofibroma being misdiagnosed as a herniated lumbar disc. Despite great advances in radiological diagnostic imaging, surgical surprises do still occur. Ultimately, instinct is still essential in intraoperative surgical decisions

Diagnosis of, surgical technique for and treatment results from medullary lipomas associated with spinal dysraphism: experience with 38 patients / Diagnóstico, técnica cirúrgica e resultados nos lipomas medulares associados ao disrafismo vertebral: experiência com 38 pacientes

OBJECTIVE: To observe whether microsurgical removal of medullary lipomas and untethering of the medulla is a safe and efficient procedure. METHOD: A retrospective study was carried out on 38 patients with medullary lipomas associated with spinal dysraphism who underwent operations between January 1986 and January 2008, at the Neurosurgery Department of the Federal Hospital for State Public Servants, in Rio de Janeiro. RESULTS: No deaths occurred in this series, and there was no worsening of motor or bladder function among the patients. Seven individuals presented improvements in their motor deficit. Nine patients presented improvements in bladder function. Three individuals with trophic lesions achieved wound healing. CONCLUSION: Microsurgical removal of medullary lipomas associated with spinal dysraphism proved to be a safe procedure without deaths and with a low morbidity rate, and several patients achieved improvements in their neurological symptoms.

OBJETIVO: Observar se a remoção microcirúrgica dos lipomas medulares e a liberação da medula da tração exercida pelo lipoma é um procedimento seguro e eficaz. MÉTODO: Realizamos estudo retrospectivo de 38 pacientes com lipomas medulares associados ao disrafismo espinhal operados entre janeiro de 1986 a dezembro de 2009 no Serviço de Neurocirurgia do Hospital Federal dos Servidores do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. RESULTADOS: Nessa série não ocorreu nenhum óbito, ou piora da função motora ou vesical em nenhum paciente. Observamos melhora do défice motor em 7 pacientes. Nove pacientes apresentaram melhora da função vesical. Três indivíduos com lesões tróficas apresentaram cicatrização das suas feridas. CONCLUSÃO: A remoção microcirúrgica dos lipomas medulares associados ao disrafismo espinhal se mostrou segura, sem nenhum óbito, com baixa morbidade e com melhora dos sintomas neurológicos em vários pacientes.

Hemilaminectomy for Removal of Extramedullary or Extradural Spinal Cord Tumors: Medium to Long-Term Clinical Outcomes

PURPOSE: Laminectomy is generally the treatment of choice for removal of spinal tumors. However, it has been shown that laminectomy may cause instability due to damage of posterior elements of the spinal column, which may induce subsequent kyphosis in the future. Therefore, to reduce the risk of deformity and spinal instability after laminectomy, hemilaminectomy has been used. However, the medium to long-term effects of hemilaminectomy on spinal sagittal alignment is not well understood. The present study was performed to evaluate the clinical outcomes, including spinal sagittal alignment of patients, associated with spinal cord tumors treated by surgical excision using hemilaminectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty hemilaminectomy operations at our institute for extramedullary or extradural spinal cord tumors in 19 patients were evaluated retrospectively with an average follow-up of 85 months (range, 40-131 months). Neurological condition was evaluated using the improvement ratio of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Score (JOA score) for cervical, thoracic myelopathy, or back pain, and sagittal alignment by sagittal Cobb angle of the hemilaminectomied area. RESULTS: The mean improvement ratio of neurological results was 56.7% in the cervical spine (p < 0.01, n = 10), 26.3% in the thoracic spine (not significant, n = 5), and 48.6% in the lumbar spine (NS, n = 5). The sagittal Cobb angle was 4.3 +/- 18.0degrees in the preoperative period and 5.4 +/- 17.6degrees at the latest follow-up, indicating no significant deterioration. CONCLUSION: Hemilaminectomy is useful for extramedullary or extradural spinal cord tumors in providing fair neurological status and restoration of spinal sagittal alignment in medium to long-term follow-up.

Intramedullary tumors in children: analysis of 24 operated cases / Tumores intramedulares em crianças: análise de 24 casos operados

Intramedullary tumors are rare. The authors reviewed 24 cases operated between 1996 and 2006. The study assessed the clinical characteristics and surgical results based upon the neurological function. METHOD: Medical records of patients with intramedullary astrocytoma and ependymoma were reviewed. The minimal follow up time was 6 months and, at the end of this period, a comparative analysis of the neurological function was performed based using the McCormick scale score. RESULTS: Most patients had astrocytoma (75 percent). Male gender was more prevalent (58.3 percent). The most common type of tumor was graded as I or II, and in three cases these were malignant. The total resection of the tumor was achieved in 20.8 percent of the cases. The statistical analysis did not show a statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative grades at McCormick scale. CONCLUSION: The authors concluded that microsurgery to intramedullary tumors did not significantly alter the neurological function after six months.

Os tumores intramedulares são doenças raras. Os autores analisaram 24 casos operados entre 1996 e 2006. O estudo analisou as características clínicas e o resultado da cirurgia quanto à função neurológica. MÉTODO: Foram analisados pacientes com astrocitomas e ependimomas intramedulares. O tempo mínimo de acompanhamento foi de 6 meses e ao final deste período foi realizada a avaliação comparativa da variação do estado neurológico baseado na escala de McCormick. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos pacientes era de astrocitoma (75 por cento). O gênero masculino foi mais prevalente (58,3 por cento). A maioria dos tumores era de grau I ou II, 3 casos eram malignos. A ressecção total do tumor ocorreu em 20,8 por cento dos casos. A avaliação estatística demonstrou que não houve diferença significativa entre o estado neurológico na escala de McCormick pré-operatória e pós-operatória. CONCLUSÕES: Os autores concluem que a microcirurgia para ressecção dos tumores intramedulares não ocasionou variação funcional significativa nos pacientes após seis meses da cirurgia.

Vigilancia neurofisiológica transoperatoria multimodal en cirugía de columna / Neurophysiological monitoring in spinal cord surgery

Introducción: La vigilancia neurofisiológica durante la cirugía de columna vertebral y de la médula espinal consiste en pruebas de potenciales evocados somatosensoriales, potenciales motores musculares, potenciales dermatomales y electromiografía. El riesgo de daño neurológico permanente después de una cirugía medular sin monitorización es significativo y el costo alto. El objetivo de la vigilancia neurofisiológica es identificar, prevenir y corregir de forma inmediata el daño neurológico que puede pasar inadvertido durante la cirugía de columna vertebral y médula espinal. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal, observacional y descriptivo de los pacientes sometidos a cirugía de columna entre 2007 y 2008 con vigilancia neurofisiológica transoperatoria. Resultados: La muestra estuvo integrada por 351 pacientes, 135 del sexo masculino (38.46 %) y 216 del femenino (61.54 %); 82 % correspondió a patología osteodiscal con o sin afectación medular, 12 % a etiología traumática, 4 % a corrección de escoliosis y 2 % a tumores medulares; por localización, 62.1 % a patología lumbar, 33 % a cervical, 4.3 % a nivel dorsal y 0.5 % a nivel sacro. El 12.4 % de los pacientes presentó mejoría de la respuesta basal de sus potenciales evocados somatosensoriales; 56.8 % los mantuvo similares a sus controles prequirúrgicos, 28.4 % requirió llamada de alerta al cirujano por riesgo de daño y 2.4 % caída severa de respuesta. En ningún caso hubo pérdida permanente. Conclusiones: La vigilancia neurofisiológica constituye una herramienta de gran valor que evita daños que pueden producirse durante esta cirugía.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IOM) during spine surgery consists of several functional tests including somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs), motor evoked potentials (MEPs), dermatomal potentials (DPs) and EMG (electromyography). Permanent neurological damage after spine surgery performed without intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring is frequent and often very costly. The main goal of IOM is the immediate detection, prevention and correction of neurological damage during surgery, which may go unnoticed without using these tests. METHODS: A total of 351 clinical files of patients with spinal surgery and continuous neurophysiological monitoring were transversally and descriptively reviewed from 2007 to 2008. RESULTS: There were 135 male patients (38.46%) and 216 female patients (61.54%); 82% of the cases were osteodiscal pathology with or without medullar involvement, 12% were patients with traumatic injuries, 4% with scoliosis and 2% had medullary tumors. Regarding localization, 62.1% were lumbar, 33% cervical, 4.3% thoracic and 0.5% sacral involvement; 12.4% of our cases showed significant improvement of the basal responses on SSEPs, and 56.8% showed no significant change during the procedure. In 28.4% of the cases, the surgical team had to be advised of potential neurological damage and in 2.4% there was absence of neurophysiological responses. No patient showed complete loss of any neurophysiological response. All patients reported clinical improvement after hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring may help avoid certain neurological risks during spine surgery, which may go unnoticed without the use of this technique.