Transforaminal Endoscopic Thoracic Discectomy: Technical Review to Prevent Complications.

For all the spine surgeons, thoracic disc herniations (TDHs) entrust a real challenge in terms of patient diagnosis, proper selection, surgical technique, and potential adverse events. TDHs are relatively uncommon compared to the lumbar and cervical levels. Literature reports a variable prevalence of TDHs around 6% to 40%, but less than 1% of all disk herniations are symptomatic TDHs, evidencing as a relatively unusual condition. Nowadays, transforaminal endoscopic thoracic discectomy (TETD) has been implemented as an alternative to classic open procedures with results that are as good as and, in some situations, better than those in traditional discectomy. However, the surgeon must be familiar with endoscopic lumbar spine surgery before opting to perform a TETD, considering that the learning curve is much harder. We describe all the steps and safety considerations during TETD based on the anatomic differences compared to lumbar endoscopic procedures. TETD is an effective and safe method that yields more benefits, provides a direct route to the lesion with less morbidity, and is performed in a minimally invasive way. Many severe complications related to the thoracic region could be avoided having the proper knowledge, adequate technique, and safety routes and considerations.

Oclusión Endovascular De Arteria Carótida Interna Aberrante Como Causa De Tinnitus Pulsátil / Endovascular Occlusion Of Aberrant Internal Carotid Artery Causing Tinnitus

RESUMEN Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 43 años con historia de tinnitus crónico intratable y pulsátil debido al curso aberrante de la arteria carótida interna derecha. En los estudios complementarios, la arteriografía mostró un polígono arterial de Willis preservado y un test de oclusión permeable sin síntomas neurológicos a la oclusión de la arteria carótida derecha. Se realizó oclusión endovascular de la arteria carótida interna derecha en las porciones petrosa y lacerum, con alivio inmediato de los síntomas.

ABSTRACT We present a case of a 43-years old male patient with a history of chronic and intractable pulsatile tinnitus due to an aberrant course of the right internal carotid artery. In complementary studies, the angiography showed a preserved Willis' arterial polygon and a balloon-occlusion test with adequate patency and no neurological symptoms. We performed the endovascular occlusion of the right internal carotid artery in the petrous and lacerum portions with the relief of symptoms.

Hidrocefalia De Presión Normal / Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Resumen La hidrocefalia de presión normal es una patología reversible que forma parte de las demencias. A pesar del tiempo que ha transcurrido desde su descubrimiento, su fisiopatología no ha sido claramente establecida y se han planteado dos teorías que buscan explicar el proceso. Una está basada en cambios en el flujo de líquido cefalorraquideo y la otra en el flujo sanguíneo cerebral. Además, el proceso de evaluación y diagnóstico no está determinado, puesto que no existe un método estándar y los síntomas son similares a otras patologías de sistema nervioso central, haciendo que el diagnóstico se realice gracias a la suma de los síntomas clínicos y ciertos hallazgos imagenológicos que no son siempre constantes.

Abstract Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a pathology causing dementia that is reversible. Despite the time elapsed since its discovery, its pathophysiology has not been clearly established and two theories have been proposed that try to explain the process, one based on changes in cerebrospinal fluid flow and the other on cerebral blood flow. In addition, the evaluation and diagnosis process is not determined, since there is no standard method and the symptoms are similar to other pathologies of the central nervous system, leading to the diagnosis as the summation of clinical symptoms and some findings in imaging which are not always constant.

Hematomas espinales no traumáticos / Non traumatic spinal hematomas

Los hematomas espinales no traumáticos son condiciones clínicas infrecuentes dentro de la literatura médica, sin embargo se han descrito varios casos comprometiendo los diversos compartimientos a nivel medular e inclusive secundario a migración de hematomas de origen intracraneal. Con este artículo se pretende revisar esta patología como urgencia neuroquirúrgica con el principal propósito de dar a conocer en la práctica médica las manifestaciones clínicas y posibles factores relacionados. Se da una idea de la importancia del tratamiento quirúrgico temprano y del pronóstico neurológico..

Nontraumatic spinal hematomas are infrequent clinical conditions in medical literature. However, there are some reported cases of hematomas affecting all the medular compartments and, even, secondary to a cranial hematoma migration. With this article we aim to review this pathology as a neurosurgical urgency with the main purpose of let know in the clinical practice, the clinical manifestations signs and symptoms, and posible factors that can be related to its etiology. We give an idea of the importance of early surgical treatment and neurological prognosis..