Aggressive vertebral hemangiomas contain no adipose tissue resulting in thoracic spine kyphosis: A case report.

RATIONALE: Aggressive vertebral hemangiomas (AVHs) destroy continuous vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs and resulting in spinal kyphosis is extremely rare. The very aggressive behavior was attributable to its significant vascular component and contained no adipose tissue. PATIENT CONCERNS: We report a case of thoracic spine kyphosis of AVHs with multiple vertebral bodies and intervertebral disc destruction in a 45-year-old woman. DIAGNOSES: Based on the imaging studies, the patient underwent surgical removal of this lesion and spinal reconstruction. Histopathology consistent with vertebral hemangioma and contained no adipose. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent surgical removal of the lesion and spinal reconstruction. After subperiosteal dissection of the paraspinal muscles and exposure of the laminae, the laminae of the T5-7 vertebrae were removed and exposing the lesion. The lesion was soft and showed cystic changes, completely curetted and autogenous bone was implanted. Vertebroplasty was performed through T3-T9 pedicles bilaterally. Pedicle screw fixation was performed for segmental fixation and fusion. OUTCOMES: After 9 days of operation, the incision healed cleanly and free of pain. She was discharged in good general condition. The patient remained asymptomatic after follow-up 6 months of postoperative. LESSONS: AVHs destroy multiple vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs and resulting in spinal kyphosis is extremely rare.

Response of vertebral fractures to treatment with denosumab in a patient with postpartum osteoporosis: a case report and literature review.

Postpartum osteoporosis (PO) is a rare condition characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) and an increased risk of vertebral fragility fracture. We encountered a 34-year-old woman who developed back pain 1 week after delivery. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine revealed three vertebral compression fractures. Pretreatment BMD evaluation by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry revealed a low T-score and Z-score (-2.0 and -2.0, respectively; BMD, 0.876 g/cm2) in the affected region of the spine. The patient was diagnosed with PO and treated with subcutaneous injection of denosumab 60 mg (Prolia; Amgen, Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA, USA) every 6 months. After two treatments, the BMD had significantly increased and the back pain was improved; the patient therefore decided to terminate the treatment. Two months later, her back pain worsened and BMD decreased as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry examination of the lumbar spine. Therefore, the patient resumed treatment with denosumab, and the BMD of the lumbar spine increased after another two treatments. Therefore, we consider denosumab to be promising in the management of PO with respect to increased BMD and decreased pain.

Atypical aggressive vertebral hemangioma of the sacrum with postoperative recurrence: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Aggressive vertebral hemangioma (VH) is an uncommon lesion in the adult population. The vast majority of aggressive VHs have typical radiographic features. However, preoperative diagnosis of atypical aggressive VH may be difficult. Aggressive VHs are likely to recur even with en bloc resection. CASE SUMMARY: A 52-year-old woman presented with a 3-mo history of numbness and pain in her right lower extremity. Physical examination showed sacral tenderness and limited mobility, and the muscle strength was grade 4 in the right digital flexor. Computed tomography revealed osteolytic bone destruction from S1 to S2. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that the mass was compressing the dural sac; it was heterogeneously hypointense on T1-weighted MRI and hyperintense on T2-weighted MRI, and gadolinium contrast enhancement showed that the tumor was heterogeneously enhanced and invading the vertebral endplate of S1. The patient developed progressive back pain and numbness in the bilateral extremities 6 mo postoperatively, and MRI examination showed recurrence of the mass. The mass was larger in size than before the operation, and it was extending into the spinal canal. CONCLUSION: The radiographic findings of atypical aggressive VH include osteolytic vertebral bone destruction, extension of the mass into the spinal canal, and heterogeneous signal intensity on T1-, T2-, and enhanced T1-weighted MRI. These characteristics make preoperative diagnosis difficult, and biopsy is necessary to verify the lesion. Surgical decompression and gross total resection are recommended for treatment of aggressive VH. However, recurrence is inevitable in some cases.

Handmade tri-leaflet ePTFE conduits versus homografts for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the performance of handmade tri-leaflet expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) conduits in the absence of a suitable homograft. METHODS: Patients who underwent right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction with tri-leaflet ePTFE conduits or homografts between December 2016 and August 2020 were included. The primary endpoint was the incidence of moderate or severe conduit stenosis (≥ 36 mmHg) and/or moderate or severe insufficiency. The secondary endpoint was the incidence of severe conduit stenosis (≥ 64 mmHg) and/or severe insufficiency. RESULTS: There were 102 patients in the ePTFE group and 52 patients in the homograft group. The median age was younger [34.5 (interquartile range: 20.8-62.8) vs. 60.0 (interquartile range: 39.3-81.0) months, P = 0.001] and the median weight was lower [13.5 (10.0-19.0) vs. 17.8 (13.6-25.8) kg, P = 0.003] in the ePTFE group. The conduit size was smaller (17.9 ± 2.2 vs. 20.5 ± 3.0 mm, P < 0.001) and the conduit Z score was lower (1.48 ± 1.04 vs. 1.83 ± 1.05, P = 0.048) in the ePTFE group. There was no significant difference in the primary endpoints (log rank, P = 0.33) and secondary endpoints (log rank, P = 0.35). Multivariate analysis identified lower weight at surgery [P = 0.01; hazard ratio: 0.75; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59-0.94] and homograft conduit use (P = 0.04; hazard ratio: 8.43; 95% CI 1.14-62.29) to be risk factors for moderate or severe conduit insufficiency. No risk factors were found for moderate or severe conduit stenosis or conduit dysfunction on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Handmade tri-leaflet ePTFE conduits showed acceptable early and midterm outcomes in the absence of a suitable homograft, but a longer follow-up is needed.

Two approaches for newborns with critical congenital heart disease: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal diagnosis and planned peripartum care is an unexplored concept in China. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the "prenatal diagnosis and postnatal treatment integrated model" for newborns with critical congenital heart disease. METHODS: The medical records of neonates (≤ 28 days) admitted to Fuwai Hospital were reviewed retrospectively from January 2019 to December 2020. The patients were divided into "prenatal diagnosis and postnatal treatment integrated group" (n = 47) and "non-integrated group" (n = 69). RESULTS: The age of admission to the hospital and the age at surgery were earlier in the integrated group than in the non-integrated group (5.2 ± 7.2 days vs. 11.8 ± 8.0 days, P < 0.001; 11.9 ± 7.0 days vs. 16.5 ± 7.7 days, P = 0.001, respectively). The weight at surgery also was lower in the integrated group than in the non-integrated group (3.3 ± 0.4 kg vs. 3.6 ± 0.6 kg, P = 0.010). Longer postoperative recovery time was needed in the integrated group, with a median mechanical ventilation time of 97 h (interquartile range 51-259 h) vs. 69 h (29-168 h) (P = 0.030) and with intensive care unit time of 13.0 days (8.0-21.0 days) vs. 9.0 days (4.5-16.0 days) (P = 0.048). No significant difference was observed in the all-cause mortality (2.1 vs. 8.7%, P = 0.238), but it was significantly lower in the integrated group for transposition of the great arteries (0 vs. 18.8%, log rank P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: The prenatal diagnosis and postnatal treatment integrated model could significantly shorten the diagnosis and hospitalization interval of newborns, and surgical intervention could be performed with a lower risk of death, especially for transposition of the great arteries.

Compressive myelopathy and compression fracture of aggressive vertebral hemangioma after parturition: A case report and review of literature.

RATIONALE: Compressive myelopathy and compression fracture of aggressive vertebral hemangioma after parturition is a rare condition. Vertebral body compression fracture and high serum progesterone lead to extraosseous hemangioma enlargment cause narrowing the spinal canal which contribute to compressive myelopathy relate to pregnancy. PATIENT CONCERNS: We report a case of compressive myelopathy and compression fracture of aggressive vertebral hemangioma after parturition in a 35-year-old woman. The patient complained unable to walk and experienced intense pain in the back. DIAGNOSIS: Based on the clinical features and imaging studies, the patient underwent a T4-T6 laminectomy. Histopathology consistent with vertebral hemangioma. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent laminectomy for decompression. After subperiosteal dissection of the paraspinal muscles and exposure of the laminae, there was no involvement of the lamina by the tumor. The epidural tumor was removed through the spaces lateral to the thecal sac. Vertebroplasty was performed through T5 pedicles bilaterally and 7 ml of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement was injected. T4-T6 pedicle screw fixation was performed for segmental fixation and fusion. OUTCOMES: Six months after resection of the tumor the patient remained asymptomatic. She reported no low back pain and had returned to her normal daily activities, with no radiographic evidence of recurrence on MRI. Physical examination revealed that superficial and deep sensation was restored to normal levels in the lower extremities. LESSONS: The occurrence of compressive myelopathy of pregnancy related vertebral hemangiomas is quite unusual. It can lead to serious neurologic deficits if not treated immediately. So, prompt diagnosis is important in planning optimal therapy and preventing morbidity for patients.