Anterolateral versus posterolateral decompression and spinal stabilization in thoracolumbar Potts spine: a comparative study.

AIM: To assess and compare the clinical, radiological, and functional outcomes of anterolateral and posterolateral decompression and spinal stabilization in the thoracolumbar tuberculous spine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 30 patients with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis were treated surgically between September 2014 and 2018. Fifteen patients underwent anterolateral decompression and spinal stabilization from September 2014 to September 2016. These patients were studied retrospectively (group A). Fifteen patients underwent posterolateral decompression by costotransversectomy and spinal stabilization from September 2016 to September 2017 were studied prospectively. Neurological recovery, correction of kyphotic deformity, pain (visual analog score) and ESR, and duration of stay were assessed. Neurological outcome was assessed using Frankel grading, and pain was assessed using visual analog scale. RESULTS: The average follow-up period in both the groups is 12 months. There was a statistically significant difference in the kyphotic angle correction between anterolateral and posterolateral groups at the end of 12 months (follow up). No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups for ESR, visual analog scale for pain, and neurological recovery (Frankel's grading) at the end of 12 months. CONCLUSION: Both anterolateral and posterolateral approaches are sufficient thoracic and thoracolumbar tuberculous spine but, the posterolateral approach allows a significant correction of kyphotic angle, better improvement of pain and lesser duration of stay.

Traumatic intracranial prolapse of eye ball - a case report.

We report a rare condition in a child where the skull fracture was associated with prolapse of orbital contents into anterior cranial fossa. CT scan findings are very much pathognomonic. This patient was operated, orbital contents have been relocated and orbital roof was reconstructed, but vision could not be restored.

Spontaneous Resolution of Epidural Hematoma: A Rare Case.

An epidural hematoma is a life-threatening condition which necessitates early surgical intervention. Conservative management is undertaken in smaller hematomas; rarely, a massive hematoma may show spontaneous resolution which can be picked up only by a repeat computed tomography before surgery. Here, we report one such case where we noted a surprisingly rapid resolution of an epidural hematoma, which was relatively a large clot and where the last minute call to have a repeated computed tomography scan changed the line of management altogether from a surgical one to conservative. The patient in this particular case is a 20-year-old male, with a history of fall from height. The initial scan showed a large epidural hematoma which requires surgical evacuation, whereas the subsequent scans showed near-complete resolution and hence was managed conservatively. Rare cases like these should always be kept in mind, and the importance of a repeat scan should never be disregarded.