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BACKGROUND: Juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA) is the most common primary brain tumor of childhood and is rarely seen in adults. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a common tumor predisposition syndrome, demonstrates a strong association with low-grade gliomas, most notably pilocytic astrocytoma, which are relatively indolent. Unlike its juvenile counterpart, reports of adult pilocytic astrocytoma (APA) vary widely in terms of disease progression from benign to much more malignant courses. Moreover, current studies discussing APA report different treatment approaches and outcomes (e.g., malignant transformation of JPA and APA with or without radiation), as little is known regarding the management of recurrent tumors and how adjuvant therapies may alter disease progression. OBSERVATIONS: The authors report the unique case of an adult male with NF1 and APA who underwent rapid malignant conversion after intensity-modulated radiation therapy. LESSONS: The authors demonstrate that caution should be taken in utilizing radiotherapy instead of resection in cases of APA and NF1, with close monitoring for posttreatment recurrence. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24241.
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BACKGROUND: Double lumen balloon catheters (DLBCs) have emerged as a potential alternative to single lumen balloon catheters for endovascular embolization of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs). This study describes our preliminary experience with the Eclipse 2L DLBC in treating AVMs and dAVFs. METHODS: Patients who underwent embolization of cranial dAVFs or AVMs at our institution from August 2021 to March 2024 were included. Spinal vascular malformations were excluded. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze procedural outcomes, technical nuances, and postoperative outcomes on follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients who underwent 38 embolization procedures (15 AVMs and 23 dAVFs) met criteria for inclusion in this study. The mean age of the cohort was 52.44 (standard deviation = 17.26), and 48% of the overall cohort (n = 13) was female. The average procedure times for AVMs and dAVFs were 80.4 minutes and 96.73 minutes, respectively. There was 1 instance of catheter entrapment. Two patients in the AVM cohort experienced mortality, and 1 experienced postoperative rupture. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary experience using the Eclipse 2L balloon catheter for Onyx embolization reported procedural outcomes comparable to other DLBCs despite relatively higher procedure times and radiation doses. Further long-term studies on its efficacy as primary modality in treating AVMs and dAVFs are encouraged.
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BACKGROUND: Dual-lumen balloon microcatheters allow for controlled anterograde flow of Onyx while providing proximal flow arrest, thereby obviating the need for a second microcatheter or Onyx plug formation. We sought to assess the safety and efficiency of the Scepter dual-lumen balloon microcatheter in trans arterial Onyx embolization of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 36 patients with cranial DAVFs in which a Scepter balloon microcatheter was used between 2016 and 2023. RESULTS: Our study comprised 36 patients, mostly male (n = 23, 63.8%) with a mean age of 60.8 years. Most DAVFs were in the occipital lobe (n = 24, 66.7%), and 50% had external carotid artery supply from the occipital artery. Eighteen (50%) of DAVFs were Cognard type III and IV, respectively. About one third (33.3%, n = 12) of the DAVFs drained into the transverse sigmoid junction, and 27.7% (n = 10) had direct cortical venous drainage into supratentorial or posterior fossa veins. Complete occlusion was obtained in 22 (61.1%) patients while partial occlusion was observed in 14 (38.9%) patients. One patient (2.8%) developed a retroperitoneal hematoma. At final follow-up, complete occlusion was observed in 21 (77.8%) and partial occlusion was observed in 8 (22.2%). Recurrence was observed in 4/30 (13.3%) patients, and retreatment was required in 6 (18.75%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: At midterm follow-up, our study showed low morbidity and modest complete occlusion rates using the Scepter for transarterial Onyx embolization of high-grade DAVFs.
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BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Cognard type V fistula (CVF) is a rare type of dural arteriovenous fistula characterized by spinal perimedullary venous drainage. Owing to the lack of pathognomonic findings, misdiagnosis is common. Patients often undergo multiple spinal angiograms negative for spinal vascular malformations. Digital subtraction angiography is the gold standard diagnostic tool. The preferred treatment option is endovascular management with embolization through a transarterial, transvenous, or combined approach. Other options include open surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, or a combination of both. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: The patient from case # 1 presented with progressive weakness and hypoesthesia in the bilateral lower extremities, with urinary and bowel incontinence. The DSA identified a CVF fed by the meningohypophyseal trunk and a draining perimedullary vein. Embolization with 0.1 ccs of Onyx-18 was performed with complete fistula occlusion. The patient from case # 2 developed bilateral lower extremity weakness, diffuse numbness, and urinary incontinence. The DSA showed a CVF fed by tributaries from the ascending pharyngeal artery and posterior meningeal artery branches of the V3 segment, draining into a perimedullary vein. Embolization with 0.3 cc of Onyx-18 was performed with 100% occlusion of the fistula. A 1-year follow-up angiogram confirmed complete fistula occlusion. Both patients consented to the procedure. CONCLUSION: Even if a patient only presents symptoms of myelopathy, CVF should be considered. Herein, we present 2 cases of CVF with direct drainage into the perimedullary veins which presented exclusively with myelopathy syndrome and describe treatment with trasarterial embolization with Onyx.
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OBJECTIVE: With recent advancements in minimally invasive techniques, endovascular embolization has gained popularity as a first-line treatment option for spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (sDAVFs). The authors present their institution's case series of sDAVFs treated endovascularly and surgically, and they performed a systemic review to assess the outcomes of both modalities of treatment. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective observational study of 24 consecutive patients with sDAVFs treated between 2013 and 2023. The primary outcome was the rate of occlusion, which was compared between the surgically and endovascularly treated sDAVFs. They also conducted a systemic review of all the literature comparing outcomes of endovascular and surgical treatment of sDAVFs. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients with 24 sDAVFs were studied. The mean patient age was 63.8 ± 15.5 years, and the majority of patients were male (n = 19, 79.2%). Of the 24 patients, 8 (33.3%) received endovascular treatment, 15 (62.5%) received surgical treatment, and 1 (4.2%) patient received both. Complete occlusion at first follow-up was higher in the surgical cohort but did not achieve statistical significance (66.7% vs 25%, p = 0.52). Recurrence was higher in the endovascular cohort (37.5% vs 13.3%, p = 0.3), while the rate of postprocedural complications was higher in the surgical cohort (13.3% vs 0%, p = 0.52); however, neither of these differences was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular embolization in the management of sDAVFs is an alternative treatment to surgery, whose long-term efficacy is still under investigation. These findings suggest overall comparable outcomes between endovascular and open surgical treatment of sDAVFs. Future studies are needed to determine the role of endovascular embolization in the overall management of sDAVFs.
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Malformaciones Vasculares del Sistema Nervioso Central , Procedimientos Endovasculares , Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anciano , Resultado del Tratamiento , Procedimientos Neuroquirúrgicos/métodos , Procedimientos Endovasculares/métodos , Columna Vertebral , Malformaciones Vasculares del Sistema Nervioso Central/diagnóstico por imagen , Malformaciones Vasculares del Sistema Nervioso Central/cirugía , Estudios Observacionales como AsuntoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Indirect carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs) are abnormal arteriovenous shunting lesions with a highly variable clinical presentation that depends on the drainage pattern. Based on venous drainage, treatment can be either transarterial (TA) or transvenous (TV). The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of indirect CCF embolization via the TA, TV, and direct superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) approaches. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of 74 patients admitted to their institution from 2010 to 2023 with the diagnosis of 77 indirect CCFs as confirmed on digital subtraction angiography. RESULTS: A total of 74 patients with 77 indirect CCFs were included in this study. Embolization was performed via the TA approach in 4 cases, the TV approach in 50 cases, and the SOV in 23 cases. At the end of the procedure, complete occlusion was achieved in 76 (98.7%) cases. The rate of complete occlusion at the end of the procedure and at last radiological follow-up was significantly higher in the SOV and TV cohorts than in the TA cohort. The rate of recurrence was highest in the TA cohort (25% for TA vs 5.3% for TV vs 0% for SOV, p = 0.68). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of immediate complete occlusion was higher in the TV and SOV cohorts than in the TA cohort while the rate of complete occlusion at final follow-up was highest in the SOV cohort. The SOV approach was significantly associated with higher rates of postoperative complications. Indirect CCFs require careful examination of the fistulous point and the venous drainage to provide the most effective patient-tailored approach.
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Fístula Arteriovenosa , Fístula del Seno Cavernoso de la Carótida , Seno Cavernoso , Embolización Terapéutica , Humanos , Fístula del Seno Cavernoso de la Carótida/diagnóstico por imagen , Fístula del Seno Cavernoso de la Carótida/cirugía , Estudios Retrospectivos , Seno Cavernoso/cirugía , Fístula Arteriovenosa/terapia , Embolización Terapéutica/métodosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a well-established treatment option for carotid stenosis. The choice between general anesthesia (GA) and nongeneral anesthesia (non-GA) during CEA remains a subject of debate, with concerns regarding perioperative complications, particularly myocardial infarctions. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes associated with GA vs non-GA CEA using a large, nationwide database. METHODS: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database was queried for patients undergoing CEA between 2013 and 2020. Primary outcome measures including surgical outcomes and 30-day postoperative complications were compared between the 2 anesthesia methods, after 2:1 propensity score matching. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, a total of 25 356 patients (16 904 in the GA and 8452 in the non-GA group) were included. Non-GA compared with GA CEA was associated with significantly shorter operative times (101.9, 95% CI: 100.5-103.3 vs 115.8 95% CI: 114.4-117.2 minutes, P < .001), reduced length of hospital stays (2.3, 95% CI: 2.15-2.4 vs 2.5, 95% CI: 2.4-2.6 days, P < .001), and lower rates of 30-day postoperative complications, including myocardial infarctions (0.8% vs 1.2%, P = .003), unplanned intubations (0.8% vs 1.1%, P = .016), pneumonia (0.5% vs 1%, P < .001), and urinary tract infections (0.4% vs 0.7%, P = .003). These outcomes were notably more pronounced in the younger (≤70 years) and high morbidity (American Society of Anesthesiologists 3-5) cohorts. CONCLUSION: In this nationwide registry-based study, non-GA CEA was associated with better short-term outcomes in terms of perioperative complications, compared with GA CEA. The findings suggest that non-GA CEA may be a safer alternative, especially in younger patients and those with more comorbidities.
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Anestesia General , Endarterectomía Carotidea , Complicaciones Posoperatorias , Sistema de Registros , Endarterectomía Carotidea/métodos , Endarterectomía Carotidea/efectos adversos , Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Anciano , Anestesia General/efectos adversos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/epidemiología , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/etiología , Estudios Prospectivos , Resultado del Tratamiento , Estenosis Carotídea/cirugía , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Puntaje de Propensión , Tempo Operativo , Tiempo de Internación/estadística & datos numéricos , Anestesia/métodosRESUMEN
We present a case of a 51-year-old female who presented for evaluation of a large scalp mass found to have a different quartet of vascular malformations- a persistent scalp arteriovenous malformation (sAVM) with sinus pericranii, an inoperable intracranial SM-V brain arteriovenous malformation (bAVM), and a Cognard I dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF). This is the first reported instance with four distinct vascular pathologies. We review the etiologies of multiple vascular abnormalities in the cerebral circulation that could contribute to this patient's findings and review strategies for treatment. We conducted a retrospective review of the clinical and angiographic records for a single adult female patient, including a management approach and an in-depth literature review. Given the high baseline vascularity of these complex lesions, surgery was not considered the initial therapy. We focused primarily on the sAVM with a staged embolization involving both transarterial and transvenous approaches. Transarterial coil embolizes 5 feeding artery branches of the right external carotid artery, followed by transvenous coil embolization into the common venous pouch accessed through the transosseous sinus pericranii via the SSS, dramatically reduced the size and filling of the large sAVM and eliminated a significant source of hypertensive venous outflow. Serial endovascular treatments of her sAVM led to a significant reduction in size and pulsatility, and the pain from tenderness to palpation was concurrently decreased. Despite multiple treatments, serial angiographic evaluations of her scalp lesion showed continued new development of collaterals. Ultimately the patient elected to forego further treatment for her sAVM. To our knowledge, there has not been another report of a single adult patient with a quartet of vascular malformations in the literature. Treatment paradigms for sAVMs are limited to case reports and small series; however, we purport that the most successful therapeutic approaches are multimodal and likely should incorporate surgical resection when feasible. We emphasize the caution required for patients with multiple other underlying intracranial vascular malformations. The altered intracranial flow dynamics can drastically hinder the success of a unimodal approach involving endovascular therapy alone.
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BACKGROUND: A tuberculosis infection of the central nervous system can present as a localized, intraspinal tuberculoma. These lesions may cause spinal cord compression requiring early identification and surgical decompression to limit deleterious neurological sequelae. OBSERVATIONS: A 28-year-old female with a history of opioid use disorder presented with low-back pain in the setting of trauma with progressive bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and paraparesis. T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging sequences of the spine demonstrated a heterogeneously hyperintense extra-axial epidural mass at T11 with mass effect. Biopsy of the lesion revealed benign soft tissue with necrosis and caseating granulomatous inflammation consistent with tuberculoma. The patient underwent laminectomy and debulking of mass for decompression and was subsequently began antitubercular treatment with good neurological outcome. LESSONS: To the best of the authors' knowledge, there are only a handful of microbiologically and radiographically confirmed cases of spinal epidural tuberculoma in English literature. These lesions are rare and difficult to clinically and radiographically characterize in the absence of systemic pulmonary TB symptoms. Tuberculoma is an important differential for a spinal epidural mass, particularly because resection with systemic antitubercular treatment results in symptom resolution.
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BACKGROUND: Myoclonus is an involuntary movement disorder characterized by semirhythmic jerking movements of muscle groups but is rarely seen in association with Chiari malformation type I (CM-1). CM-1 is a frequently encountered clinical entity in pediatric neurosurgery characterized by caudal displacement of the cerebellar tonsils with or without syringomyelia. We report a pediatric patient who presented with upper extremity myoclonus and was found to have CM-1 and a complex septated cervicothoracic syrinx eccentric to the left. CASE PRESENTATION: A 12-year-old female presented with 6 months of headaches and upper extremity paresthesias who subsequently developed a left upper extremity segmental myoclonus after a fall. MRI demonstrated a CM-1 and a large complex cervicothoracic syrinx with a midline and left paracentral cavities. Her myoclonus was nonepileptic and refractory to clonazepam, cyclobenzaprine, and gabapentin. She underwent an intradural Chiari decompression and duraplasty. Postoperatively, she had complete resolution of her segmental myoclonus. DISCUSSION: This case demonstrates a durable resolution of posttraumatic upper extremity segmental myoclonus after surgical decompression of a CM-1 with syringomyelia. Thus, Chiari decompression should be considered in cases of myoclonus with CM-1 and syringomyelia.
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Malformación de Arnold-Chiari , Mioclonía , Siringomielia , Adolescente , Malformación de Arnold-Chiari/complicaciones , Malformación de Arnold-Chiari/diagnóstico por imagen , Malformación de Arnold-Chiari/cirugía , Niño , Descompresión Quirúrgica , Femenino , Humanos , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Mioclonía/diagnóstico por imagen , Mioclonía/etiología , Mioclonía/cirugía , Siringomielia/complicaciones , Siringomielia/diagnóstico por imagen , Siringomielia/cirugía , Resultado del Tratamiento , Extremidad SuperiorRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Neurosurgical complications from epidural injections have rarely been reported. OBJECTIVE: To define the spectrum of complications from these procedures in order to identify risk factors and strategies for prevention. METHODS: A prospectively maintained database of 14 247 neurosurgical admissions over 8 yr was screened to identify patients who had suffered procedural complications associated with 1182 cervical and 4617 lumbar interlaminar epidural injection procedures performed at a single institution. Patients who developed new neurological symptoms or deficits were included. A retrospective analysis of demographic and procedural features was performed. RESULTS: Thirteen patients experienced complications requiring neurosurgical treatment, accounting for an overall procedural complication rate of 0.22% (0.51% and 0.15% for cervical and lumbar injections, respectively), and representing 0.09% of all neurosurgical admissions over 8 yr. There were 3 categories: hemorrhage (n = 7), infection (n = 3), and inadvertent dural penetration (n = 3). There was significant association with anticoagulation use among patients with hemorrhagic vs nonhemorrhagic complications ( P < .01, Fisher's exact test). Six patients who developed epidural hematoma had been managed in accordance with current guidelines, either after prolonged cessation of anticoagulation (n = 3) or taking only aspirin (n = 3); all were decompressed promptly with good long-term outcome. All infections were associated with lumbar injection. Dural penetration resulted in diffuse pneumocephalus (n = 1), intramedullary air at the site of injection (n = 1), and acutely symptomatic colloid cyst (n = 1). CONCLUSION: A majority of neurosurgical complications from epidural injections are hemorrhagic and associated with anticoagulation, although infection and inadvertent dural penetration also occur. Prompt treatment of compressive lesions is associated with good outcome.
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Inyecciones Epidurales/efectos adversos , Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso/etiología , Procedimientos Neuroquirúrgicos/efectos adversos , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/etiología , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Femenino , Humanos , Estudios Longitudinales , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso/diagnóstico por imagen , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/diagnóstico por imagen , Estudios Retrospectivos , Tomógrafos Computarizados por Rayos XRESUMEN
Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM) are vascular abnormalities of the central nervous system with an incidence of 0.4-0.5% and an annual rate of hemorrhage ranging from 0.7% to 1%. Most lesions are located in the cerebral hemisphere but some occur in deeper locations such as the basal ganglia and pons. The most common symptoms during presentation are headache, seizures, and focal neurologic deficits. Surgery remains the most effective treatment modality for symptomatic CCM, while the management of incidental CCM remains controversial. Factors associated with increased risk of hemorrhage include being female and less than 40 years old. This finding, however, is not consistent in all natural history studies evaluated. During follow-up, the most important and consistent risk factor for rebleed was a prior hemorrhage. Here, we provide an indepth but concise review of the literature regarding the natural history of CCMs.
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Neoplasias Encefálicas/complicaciones , Hemangioma Cavernoso del Sistema Nervioso Central/complicaciones , Hemorragia Cerebral/etiología , Niño , Femenino , Cefalea/etiología , Hemangioma Cavernoso del Sistema Nervioso Central/diagnóstico , Humanos , Hallazgos Incidentales , Convulsiones/etiología , Resultado del Tratamiento , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
: Isadore Max Tarlov (1905-1977) is primarily remembered for his 1938 description of the eponymous perineural "Tarlov cyst." However, during his long career as a neurosurgeon and researcher, he was responsible for many other observations and inventions that influenced the development of neurosurgery in the 20th century. While studying at Johns Hopkins Medical School he was acquainted with Walter Dandy, and he became the first resident to study under Wilder Penfield at the newly formed Montreal Neurological Institute. He made many novel observations about peripheral and cranial nerve anatomy, pioneered nerve anastomosis and grafting techniques, and introduced the concept of fibrin glue. He developed an animal model of spinal cord injury and used it to establish for the first time that functional neurological reserve is proportional to rapidity of injury, because gradual onset of compression is better tolerated by neural tissue than acute compression. He was the first to describe the use of the knee-chest position for lumbar spine surgery to minimize increases in epidural venous pressure due to abdominal compression. Finally, near the end of his career, he published a collection of thoughtful, philosophical essays entitled The Principle of Parsimony in Medicine and Other Essays, in which he advocated for a humanistic and restrained approach to medical practice. In this article, we discuss the contributions of Tarlov to the field of neurosurgery, including many of his lesser-known accomplishments that have become part of neurosurgery's collective legacy.
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Neurocirugia/historia , Procedimientos Neuroquirúrgicos/historia , Academias e Institutos , Historia del Siglo XX , Facultades de Medicina , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal , Quistes de TarlovRESUMEN
Fatal craniovertebral junction (CVJ) injuries were the most common cause of death in high-speed motor sports prior to 2001. Following the death of a mutual friend and race car driver, Patrick Jacquemart (1946-1981), biomechanical engineer Dr. Robert Hubbard, along with race car driver and brother-in-law Jim Downing, developed the concept for the Head and Neck Support (HANS) device to prevent flexion-distraction injuries during high-velocity impact. Biomechanical testing showed that neck shear and loading forces experienced during collisions were 3 times the required amount for a catastrophic injury. Crash sled testing with and without the HANS device elucidated reductions in neck tension, neck compression, head acceleration, and chest acceleration experienced by dummies during high-energy crashes. Simultaneously, motor sports accidents such as Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s fatal crash in 2001 galvanized public opinion in favor of serious safety reform. Analysis of Earnhardt's accident demonstrated that his car's velocity parallel to the barrier was more than 150 miles per hour (mph), with deceleration upon impact of roughly 43 mph in a total of 0.08 seconds. After careful review, several major racing series such as the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and Championship Auto Racing Team (CART) made major changes to ensure the safety of drivers at the turn of the 21st century. Since the rule requiring the HANS device in professional auto racing series was put in place, there has not been a single reported case of a fatal CVJ injury.