Clinical Outcomes of Incidental Dural Tears During Lumbar Microdiscectomy.

BACKGROUND: A dural tear (DT) is the most commonly encountered complication during lumbar spine surgery. The incidence of DT increases depending on the complexity of the surgical procedure and the presence of a DT is related to a poor outcome and patient satisfaction. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the incidence and clinical outcomes of DTs in those patients who undergo lumbar disc surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who underwent surgery for the management of a primary single-level lumbar disc herniation at a single institution between 2004 and 2014. Among the studied population, those with DTs were included in the study group. An age- and sex-matched group of randomly selected patients who underwent the same level and type of lumbar spine surgery, but did not develop DTs, were assigned as the control group. The outcomes were compared at 12 months postoperatively between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 5,476 consecutive patients (2,608 female, 2,868 male; mean age, 54 ± 11.45 [range, 21-86] years) underwent surgery for primary single-level lumbar disc herniation. DT was noted in 192 (2.85%) cases. Of these, 102 patients with complete data were included in the DT group. The DT group had a significantly increased length of hospital stay (p = 0.001). Also, the duration of bed rest in the hospital was significantly higher in patients wherein DT was repaired using hemostatic material and fibrin glue, compared to the patients with primary closure with suturing of the tear. CONCLUSION: Incidental DTs, if recognized and treated appropriately, will not lead to poor clinical results and do not adversely impact postoperative outcomes.

Measuring serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels in peripheral blood after subarachnoid hemorrhage to predict cerebral vasospasm.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in both subarachnoid hemorrhage and control groups for prediction of cerebral vasospasm in this study. METHODS: Venous serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels were prospectively measured four times (days 1, 3, 7, and 14) for 34 consecutive patients with subarachnoidal hemorrhage (n = 27) and for elective aneurysm clipping (control, n = 7). RESULTS: Vasospasm developed in 11/34 (32.4 %) patients between 3 and 10 days after subarachnoid hemorrhage (median 5.58 days), mean peak serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 compared with the non-vasospasm cohort. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels were higher in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients than in the controls. CONCLUSION: Increased serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 could be an accurate biomarker to predict the onset of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Acute Paraplegia due to Thoracic Hematomyelia.

Spontaneous intraspinal intramedullary hemorrhage is a rare entity with the acute onset of neurologic symptoms. The etiology of idiopathic spontaneous hematomyelia (ISH) is unknown, and there are few published case reports. Hematomyelia is mostly associated with trauma, but the other nontraumatic etiologies are vascular malformations, tumors, bleeding disorders, syphilis, syrinx, and myelitis. MRI is a good choice for early diagnosis. Hematomyelia usually causes acute spinal cord syndrome due to the compression and destruction of the spinal cord. A high-dose steroid treatment and surgical decompression and evacuation of hematoma are the urgent solution methods. We present idiopathic spontaneous hematomyelia of a previously healthy 80-year-old male with a sudden onset of back pain and paraplegia.

Outcome of surgical treatment of hippocampal sclerosis from relatively new epilepsy surgery center.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is apparently superior to prolonged medical therapy in therapy of efficacy and safety for mesial temporal lobe epilepsies. We ­ as a new center ­ presented outcome results and possible outcome predictors of 50 consecutive patients with hippocampal sclerosis underwent resective epilepsy surgery. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2011, fifty patients with intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy due to hippocampal sclerosis underwent anterior temporal lobectomy and they were followed-up at least 1 year postoperatively. Detailed neuropsychological tests, video-electroencephalography monitoring and magnetic resonance imaging with epilepsy protocol were obtained for all patients. Standard anteromedial temporal lobectomy was performed. Modified Engel and ILAE classifications were used for seizure outcome. All morbidities were recorded. Demographic variables, diagnostic tests and early postoperative outcome were analyzed for possible predictors of the ultimate seizure outcome. RESULTS: Fifty patients were evaluated. The mean follow-up duration was 47,1 month (range, 12-75 months). The favorable outcome at 1 year was 90% and 82% according to Engel and ILAE classifications respectively. These rates were almost same at the end of follow-up period (92% and 82% respectively). The completely seizure free rate at one year was 80% and decreased to 68% at the end of the follow-up. There was no mortality. Morbidity rate was 10% and none of them was permanent. Triple concordance of the noninvasive tests (neuropsychological tests, video- electroencephalography monitoring and magnetic resonance imaging) and favorable seizure outcome at the first year were predictors of the ultimate seizure outcome (P=0.01 and P=0.04 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated that anteromedial temporal lobectomy is a safe and effective treatment method in well-chosen patients with hippocampal sclerosis. This surgical procedure can be performed with a low rate of morbidity even in relatively new epilepsy surgery center.

Cement leakage and complication of liposarcoma spinal metastasis during vertebral augmentation procedure: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Liposarcoma is a malignant tumor of soft tissue. Myxoid/round cell liposarcoma has a tendency to spread to extrapulmonary sites but the spine is an unusual location even for metastasis. Metastatic bone tumors in the spine are painful. The vertebral body augmentation procedures for treating painful metastatic spinal lesions are minimally invasive and are good alternatives to open surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: A 41-year-old Turkish man was treated with radiofrequency tumor ablation and percutaneous vertebral augmentation for spinal metastasis. Asymptomatic perivertebral and segmental veins' cement leakage was detected on perioperative X-ray radiograms; at the follow-up computed tomography scan, no further migration of any cement material was seen, and his postoperative course was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of cement leakage and embolism is increased with the treatment of some malignant lesions. The frequency of local leakage of bone cement is relatively high. Patients undergoing percutaneous vertebral augmentation of malignant spinal metastases need close monitoring. There is no agreement on the treatment strategy.

Intracranial hemorrhagic infarct after local anesthesia on nasal mucosa: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Epinephrine containing local anesthetics are used hemostasis in many cases. Otolaryngologists typically selected to decrease bleeding in surgery field for operations such as especially FESS (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery), septoplasty, septorhinoplasty. In addition to known adverse effects of this local anesthetics agents they have rare complications too. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We presented intracranial hemorrhagic infarction in a 41-year-old male patient after using lidocaine with epinephrine for local anesthesia on nasal mucosa. DISCUSSION: There are some publications like this case in the literature. In our case, a hemorrhagic infarction developed after giving the adrenaline/lidocaine infiltration to make up a local anesthesia in the mucosa of the septum. There is not any reported case like this in the literature. CONCLUSION: We want to emphasize that all surgeons especially the ENT surgeons should be careful while using local anesthetic medicines which contains adrenaline for rare complication of intracranial hemorrhagic infarction. Another fact is that the patients must sign an informed consent form including those situations even for all minor surgical procedures to avoid a medicolegal problem.

Textiloma (gossypiboma) mimicking recurrent intracranial abscess.

INTRODUCTION: Cranial-retained surgical sponges (gossypiboma or textiloma) are rare incidents and mostly asymptomatic. However, they can be confused with other masses such as a hematoma abscess or tumor. During early stages, some gossypibomas can cause infection or abscess formation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 22-year-old Turkish female who had frontal lobe brain surgery to remove an abscess 2 months previously was admitted with complaints of headache and vomiting. CONCLUSION: Gossypiboma was confirmed in the patient. Following cranial surgery, gossypiboma should be considered as a differential diagnosis of recurrence of previous surgical operations.

Epidural Hematoma Complication after Rapid Chronic Subdural Hematoma Evacuation: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Chronic subdural hematoma generally occurs in the elderly. After chronic subdural hematoma evacuation surgery, the development of epidural hematoma is a very rare entity. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 41-year-old man with an epidural hematoma complication after chronic subdural hematoma evacuation. Under general anesthesia, the patient underwent a large craniotomy with closed system drainage performed to treat the chronic subdural hematoma. After chronic subdural hematoma evacuation, there was epidural leakage on the following day. CONCLUSIONS: Although trauma is the most common risk factor in young CSDH patients, some other predisposing factors may exist. Intracranial hypotension can cause EDH. Craniotomy and drainage surgery can usually resolve the problem. Because of rapid dynamic intracranial changes, epidural leakages can occur. A large craniotomy flap and silicone drainage in the operation area are key safety points for neurosurgeons and hydration is essential.

Storiform-pleomorphic type of multifocal malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the lumbar spine.

BACKGROUND: We present the extremely rare case of a 67-year-old male with malignant fibrous histiocytoma, arising in the lumbar spine, demonstrated with radiological and pathological studies. CASE REPORT: The patient and his relatives refused open surgical approach and we performed transpedicular vertebral corpus biopsy and vertebroplasty under spinal anesthesia. His pathological result was malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The spine is a very uncommon site for malignant fibrous histiocytoma. CONCLUSIONS: The management of malignant fibrous histiocytoma relies on the combination of maximum decompression surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Total removal is unrealistic and diagnosis is difficult. The prognosis in terms of continuing neurological deficit after surgery appears to be poor.

Multiple intradural spinal hydatid disease: a case report and review of literature.

STUDY DESIGN: A case report. OBJECTIVE: We present an unusual case of pathologically confirmed multiple distinct spinal intradural extramedullar spinal hydatid cyst after 1 year of lung cyst hydatid operation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Hydatid disease is usually diagnosed in endemic regions. Spinal involvement of disease is very unusual and the literature about this entity is generally restricted to regional publications. Furthermore, intradural multiple involvement was not reported in literature. METHODS: A 14-year-old boy admitted to our clinic with pain in the back, both of leg and disability in walking. The patient presented with back pain, asymmetrical paraparesis, right more than left and weakness. Multiple distinct spinal intradural extramedullary cystic lesion was identified with magnetic resonance imaging and was shown to be hydatid cyst by histopathologic confirmation after the surgical removal. RESULTS: T5 and L4, L5, S1 laminectomies were performed at the same session, after these a lot of pearly white hydatid cysts located intradural extramedullary were removed totally with their capsule, and the cavity was irrigated with 20% hypertonic saline. Surgical treatment was uneventful. Second-month follow-up neurologic examination was normal and the hydatid cysts had totally disappeared in both regions in the second month of postoperative magnetic resonance imaging. CONCLUSION: Spinal hydatid disease are uncommon. Among these, multiple distinct spinal intradural extramedullar location is extremely rare. Although total removal of the cysts without rupture should be the surgical goal in all cases, the best treatment remains an active nationwide prevention of the disease.