Optimal Treatment of C3 Lamina in Cervical Laminoplasty.

STUDY DESIGN: Results of C4-C6 laminoplasty with C3 laminectomy and C3-C6 laminoplasty were compared retrospectively. OBJECTIVES: To clarify the difference between C3 laminectomy and C3 laminoplasty in cervical laminoplasty. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Intraoperative damage to the semispinalis cervicis has been shown to lead to postoperative axial symptoms and reduced range of motion (ROM). To prevent this event, C3 laminectomy in cervical laminoplasty is considered superior to C3 laminoplasty. METHODS: A total of 36 patients were included in this study: 20 patients (GroupA) of C3 laminectomy, C4-C6 laminoplasty compared with 16 patients (GroupB) of C3-C6 laminoplasty. We collected patient's background data, operative time, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, VAS score, and radiologic findings such as C2-C7 Cobb angle, ROM, C2 inter-spinous angle, and use of postoperative PRN medication were compared. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the C2-C7 Cobb angles between the 2 groups before and after surgery (P = 0.315). In ROM, there was a 17.7% decrease from 31.5 preoperatively to 25.9 postoperatively in Group A, and a 6.1% decrease from 29.3 preoperatively to 27.5 postoperatively in Group B. There was no statistically significant difference in ROM (P = 0.683). Postoperative neck pain (VAS) was significantly lower in Group A than in Group B both at 1 week (P = 0.015) and 1 month (P = 0.035) after surgery. The C2 inter-spinous angle was statistically significantly smaller in Group A than in Group B (P = 0.004). Clinical outcomes and surgical outcomes did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSIONS: If the C2 interspinous angle is wide and intraoperative semispinalis capitis damage can be minimized, it is worth trying C3 laminoplasty, but if the C2 inter-spinous angle is narrow, C3 laminectomy is recommended from the beginning.

[Three cases of mechanical thrombectomy in patients over 100 years old].

BACKGROUND: While several cases involving mechanical thrombectomy in patients >90 years old have been reported, only 1 case involving a patient >100 years old has been described. We herein report 3 cases of mechanical thrombectomy performed in patients >100 years old, along with a review of the literature.Case 1: A 102-year-old woman with a National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 20 and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI)-Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) of 8 points showed M1 occlusion. She was treated with tissue plasminogen activator followed by mechanical thrombectomy. Recanalization of thrombosis in cerebral infarction (TICI)-3 was obtained at 1 pass. After 90 days, her modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was 2, and she returned to living independently.Case 2: A 104-year-old woman with a NIHSS score of 13 and DWI-ASPECTS of 9 points showed M1 occlusion, so mechanical thrombectomy was performed. Recanalization of TICI-3 was obtained. She was admitted with an mRS of 5.Case 3: A 101-year-old woman with an NIHSS score of 8 and DWI-ASPECTS of 10 points showed right internal carotid artery occlusion, so mechanical thrombectomy was performed. Direct puncture of the right common carotid artery was performed due to access difficulties. Recanalization of TICI-3 was obtained. She was admitted with an mRS of 5. CONCLUSION: In all cases, occlusion access using techniques such as direct carotid puncture was possible, but two of the three patients had an mRS of 5, resulting in a poor prognosis. The indication for treatment in patients >100 years old should be carefully considered.

Closure of a dural defect as a cause of superficial siderosis: does early dural repair lead to a better outcome? Illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Superficial hemosiderosis (SS) of the central nervous system is a rare condition that is caused by chronic, repeated hemorrhage into the subarachnoid space. The subsequent deposition of hemosiderin in the brain and spinal cord causes neurological deterioration. In this report, the authors describe a repair procedure for SS associated with a dural defect in the thoracic spine. OBSERVATIONS: A 75-year-old man presented with tinnitus symptoms that began about 1 year prior. Subsequently, his hearing loss progressed, and he gradually became unsteady on walking. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head showed diffuse hemosiderin deposition on the surface of the cerebellum. Thoracic MRI showed ventral cerebrospinal fluid leakage of T2-7, and computed tomography myelography showed leakage of contrast medium that appeared to be a dural defect. Dural closure was successful, and MRI showed decreased fluid collection ventral to the dura. The patient's symptoms of wobbliness on walking and tinnitus improved dramatically from the postoperative period. LESSONS: Dural abnormalities of the spine must always be considered as one of the causes of SS. Early dural closure is an effective means of preventing the progression of symptoms.

A Surgical Case of Bow Hunter's Syndrome Diagnosed by Cervical Rotational MRA.

Bow hunter's syndrome is an ischemic manifestation of vertebrobasilar artery (VA) insufficiency due to stenosis or occlusion of the contralateral VA at the bony elements of the atlas and axis during neck rotation. In early reports, VA stenosis at the craniovertebral junction was the main cause, but later, symptoms due to VA occlusion at the middle and lower cervical vertebrae were also included in this pathology. Although the confirmed diagnosis is usually determined by dynamic digital subtraction angiography (DSA), we have experienced a method of minimally invasive MR angiogram (MRA) that provides the same diagnostic value as DSA and would like to present it here. The patient was a 61-year-old man who had been visiting the outpatient clinic for cervical spondylosis due to neck pain for 9 months. When he rotated his neck to the left side, dizziness and syncope appeared. Initial MRA in the neutral position did not show any steno-occlusive changes in the vertebrobasilar artery. In our hospital, repeated MRA with the neck rotated 45 degrees to the left demonstrated ipsilateral left VA severe stenosis. Subsequent DSA showed the same findings, with occlusion of the left VA. CT of the cervical spine revealed a ventral C3/4 osteophyte within the foramen. Based on these findings, instability at the C3-4 during head rotation was considered the cause of the vertebrobasilar insufficiency. The patient underwent anterior discectomy and fusion (ACDF) at the C3/4 level using a cylindrical titanium cage. Immediately after the surgery, the patient's symptoms improved dramatically and did not appear even when the neck were fully rotated to the left. More than 5 years have passed since the surgery, and the patient is still in good health.

Horizontal stenting via retrograde route for recurrent ruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysm after clipping: A case report and literature review.

Treatment of recurrent ruptured aneurysms incorporating a branch vessel arising from the dome is challenging. Here, we attempted horizontal stent-assisted coil embolization via a retrograde route from the contralateral internal carotid artery to treat a small ruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysm incorporating a fetal variant posterior cerebral artery after clipping.

Dysphagia after occipital cervical fusion for retro-odontoid pseudotumor with ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament.

Background: Ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament (OALL) of the cervical spine is a relatively rare disease. If patients present with dysphagia, hoarseness, and/or dyspnea, they may require surgery. Case Description: Over a 7-month period, a 55-year-old female with a history of cerebral palsy developed a progressive quadriparesis accompanied by diffuse sensory loss (i.e., clumsiness of the hand/legs and gait disturbance). The cervical spine X-rays showed atlanto-axial subluxation with instability, while the cervical MRI demonstrated "pseudotumor in the retro-odontoid" region. Following an occipital cervical fusion (C0-C2) surgery, her quadriparesis resolved. Nevertheless, she had persistent dysphagia that worsened over 6 months. Video fluoroscopy revealed severe mechanical stenosis of the pharynx, which was attributed to OALL extending from the C3-C6 levels. Following OALL resection through a right anterior approach utilizing diamond burrs and an ultrasonic bone curette, the dysphagia rapidly resolved. Conclusion: We report a rare case of retro-odontoid pseudotumor successfully treated with a posterior C0-C2 cervical fusion. Additional symptomatic C3-C6 OALL, responsible for progressive dysphagia, was later managed with focal anterior OALL resection.

Repeated-Manual Aspiration with Maximum Pressure (r-MAX): A New Technique of Mechanical Thrombectomy Using Syringe Aspiration.

Objective: We report a new contact aspiration technique using syringe aspiration called repeated-manual aspiration with maximum pressure (r-MAX). Case Presentation: From January 2020 to May 2021, 18 patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy with r-MAX for occlusion of the internal carotid artery, the first division of the middle cerebral artery (M1), and basilar artery occlusion. In this method, the aspiration catheter is first guided to the occlusion site, and then, two VacLok syringes are connected to the aspiration catheter. Next, the three-way stopcock is released in one direction. After 15 seconds, the direction of the three-way stopcock is switched. In the meantime, negative pressure is reapplied through the syringe, and the direction of the three-way stopcock is switched again. After reapplying negative pressure through the syringe and switching the three-way stopcock two more times, the aspiration catheter is removed. First-pass thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) scale 3 recanalization was achieved in 11 out of 18 patients (61.1%). In all, 11 patients (61.1%) achieved modified Rankin Scale scores of 0-2 at 90 days. Asymptomatic hemorrhage was observed in two patients (11.1%), and no patients had symptomatic hemorrhage. Conclusion: The r-MAX technique using syringe aspiration can be employed as one of the methods of contact aspiration.

Spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage after percutaneous kyphoplasty: a case report and literature review.

Background: Spinal intradural (subdural and subarachnoid) hematoma following percutaneous kyphoplasty is an extremely rare complication. In this report, we describe a case of subarachnoid hemorrhage with delayed paralysis after kyphoplasty and review the literature on similar cases to describe the complications of kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty (VP). Case Description: An 80-year-old man underwent percutaneous kyphoplasty at a local hospital an osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF) at the T12 and L1 level. On the second day after kyphoplasty for T12 OVF, he developed paralysis of the lower limbs. At his initial visit to our clinic, he had a complete loss of sensation below T11 and complete paralysis of both lower extremities. Thoracolumbar magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intradural hematoma on the ventral side of the spinal cord, in the spinal canal from T5 to T12, compressing the spinal cord. Thoracolumbar computed tomography showed a fracture line in the medial cortex of the right pedicle at T12 and a tract from the spinal canal to the vertebral body. An emergency posterior decompression from T11 to L1 was performed. A small hole was found on the right side of the pedicle at T12, and tear of the nerve and subarachnoid hematoma were observed in the vicinity of the T11 nerve root. The subarachnoid hematomas were removed. Postoperatively, the neurological symptoms improved rapidly. Eventually, he was able to walk and was transferred for rehabilitation. Conclusions: Percutaneous surgery through the pedicle might cause hematoma and bone cement leakage into the spinal canal. This can be a serious complication: hence prevention is important.

Delayed Tentorial Subdural Hematoma Caused by Traumatic Posterior Cerebral Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND Subdural hematoma (SDH) caused by traumatic intracranial aneurysm (TICA) is rare. TICAs are known to rupture easily, resulting in a high morbidity and mortality rate. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preserving life. We describe a case of delayed SDH in the setting of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) aneurysm. CASE REPORT A 42-year-old man presented with sustained head injury from a traffic accident, and was being followed-up conservatively for traumatic SDH and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Three weeks after the head trauma, the patient developed a sudden deterioration of mental status and disorientation. Computed tomography revealed de novo SDH at the cerebellar tentorium. Computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated TICA in the PCA. The patient was diagnosed with SDH due to a ruptured PCA aneurysm at the quadrigeminal segment. To avoid SDH growth due to re-rupture of the aneurysm, parent artery occlusion was subsequently performed with no complications. The patient was discharged home 2 months after endovascular treatment, with moderate disability. Follow-up angiography 2 years after the operation showed no recanalization, and the patient had returned to work. CONCLUSIONS TICA in the PCA can cause tentorial SDH with or without the presence of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Routine cerebrovascular assessment is crucial for head trauma with hematoma adjacent to the cerebellar tentorium. Parent artery occlusion via an endovascular procedure is an alternative treatment for TICA in the PCA that is less invasive than other approaches.

Successful Endovascular Trapping for Symptomatic Thrombosed Giant Unruptured Aneurysms of the V1 and V2 Segments of the Vertebral Artery: Case Report and Literature Review.

A thrombosed giant aneurysm of the V1 and V2 segments of the vertebral artery (VA) is rare. Therefore, there is controversy regarding its optimal treatment. A case of a symptomatic giant VA aneurysm located in the V1 to V2 segments on the left treated successfully by endovascular trapping of the VA is reported. A 68-year-old woman presented with swelling in the left anterior neck. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed a giant aneurysm measuring 47 × 58 × 47 mm3 in the left neck. Ten days after her first visit, she presented with sudden onset of left anterior neck pain. Repeated CTA showed a partial thrombus in the aneurysm. Angiography showed two thrombosed giant aneurysms located in the V1 to V2 segments of the left VA. After endovascular trapping for the aneurysms, the anterior neck pain resolved and the aneurysm gradually shrank. This case demonstrates that endovascular surgery is better than open surgery because it is less invasive. When performing endovascular treatment, trapping will be an alternative strategy for a symptomatic giant thrombotic aneurysm of the V1 and V2 segments of the VA if the patient can tolerate ischemia.

[Technical "Tips" for Epidural Tenting Using DuraGen® for Surgical Management of Large Dural Defects:A Technical Note].

DuraGen®, an absorbable, engineered collagen-based artificial graft was introduced in Japan in September 2019 for cranial, transsphenoidal, and spinal surgeries. In addition to its efficacy and safety profile, owing to sutureless dural repair, DuraGen® is widely accepted by neurosurgeons. Direct tenting with DuraGen® is occasionally required in patients with large dural defects, particularly in cases of tumors adherent to the dura. To overcome this limitation, we introduced a surgical technique for epidural tenting using DuraGen®. A 78-year-old man with a history of alexia underwent craniotomy for resection of a left temporal lobe metastatic tumor. We completely removed the recurrent tumor, which was strongly adherent to the dura in the middle cranial fossa. A layer of DuraGen® was used as a subdural underlay beneath the autologous dura to close the wide dural defect. To avoid postoperative epidural fluid collection, we retracted the DuraGen® from the epidural aspect and interposed several pieces of muscle, which were sutured on the subdural aspect to ensure that the muscle pieces securely plugged the dural defect. We placed an additional overlay of DuraGen® along the autologous dura. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful without cerebrospinal fluid leakage, tension pneumocephalus, or wound infection. Reoperations for tumor resection, particularly surgical procedures for refractory meningiomas and malignant tumors cause increasing fragility and wide defects of the dura. DuraGen® placement enables sutureless closure and is less time-consuming. Our technique of epidural direct tenting with DuraGen® using muscle pieces sutured on the subdural aspect could be useful in patients with significantly large dural defects and can prevent postoperative epidural fluid collection to ensure complete dural sealing.