Feasibility of Percutaneous Robot-Assisted Epiduroscopic System.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopy has replaced open surgery, especially in spinal surgery. Among them, image-guided epiduroscopy allows pain generators to be identified, including epidural adhesion, fibrotic tissues, root compression, and spinal stenosis. However, the heavy lead apron worn by pain physicians to avoid exposure to radiation can induce occupational hazards, such as orthopedic complications and radiation-induced cancer. Hence, we developed a robotic system to address these problems. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of a robot-controlled epiduroscopic system. STUDY DESIGN: In vivo animal experiment. SETTING: University in Republic of Korea. METHODS: The robot-controlled epiduroscopic system was developed using the open architecture robot system (The Raven Surgical Robotic System, CITRIS, Berkley, CA, USA). The robotic system consists of a lab-made epiduroscope, steering section, robotic arm, and manipulator. For the in vivo study, 2 Yorkshire pigs were used to simulate an epiduroscopic procedure with the robotic system. RESULTS: The insertion and steering of the catheter was performed safely, and epiduroscopic visualization was obtained without side effects. There were no device-related complications. Radiation exposure for the primary operator was 80% lower than the levels found during conventional epiduroscopic procedures. All live pigs showed normal behavior without any signs of pain. The mean time to reach the target region was less than 8 minutes. LIMITATIONS: The epiduroscopic procedure was performed on pigs and not on humans. The dimensions of the spinal canal of pigs cannot compare to those of humans. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the feasibility of the robot-assisted epiduroscopic system. KEY WORDS: Epiduroscopy, robotic system, spine, pig, animal model.

Transforaminal Epiduroscopic Basivertebral Nerve Laser Ablation for Chronic Low Back Pain Associated with Modic Changes: A Preliminary Open-Label Study.

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) arising from degenerative disc disease continues to be a challenging clinical and diagnostic problem whether treated with nonsurgical, pain intervention, or motion-preserving stabilization and arthrodesis. Methods: Fourteen patients with CLBP, greater than 6 months, unresponsive to at least 4 months of conservative care were enrolled. All patients were treated successfully following screening using MRI findings of Modic type I or II changes and positive confirmatory provocative discography to determine the affected levels. All patients underwent ablation of the basivertebral nerve (BVN) using 1414 nm Nd:YAG laser-assisted energy guided in a transforaminal epiduroscopic approach. Macnab's criteria and visual analog scale (VAS) score were collected retrospectively at each follow-up interval. Results: The mean age was 46 ± 9.95 years. The mean symptoms duration was 21.21 ± 21.87 months. The mean follow-up was 15.3 ± 2.67 months. The preoperative VAS score of 7.79 ± 0.97 changed to 1.92 ± 1.38, postoperatively (P < 0.01). As per Macnab's criteria, seven patients (50%) had excellent, six patients (42.85%) had good, and one patient (7.14%) had fair outcomes. Conclusion: The transforaminal epiduroscopic basivertebral nerve laser ablation (TEBLA) appears to be a promising option in carefully selected patients with CLBP associated with the Modic changes.

Factors associated with surgical outcomes of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

To investigate factors associated with surgical outcomes of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). This retrospective study included patients (662 males and 251 females; mean age 55.8 years) with symptomatic OPLL. All patients had been diagnosed with OPLL based on cervical magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans. Demographic, surgical outcome was measured using visual analog scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scale scores. The results of our study indicated radicular pain was more common in segmental and circumscribe OPLL subtypes (P < 0.05). An anterior approach was favored in patients with less than 3 involved vertebral levels (P < 0.05). All surgical methods showed good outcomes (P < 0.05). Continuous and mixed OPLL subtypes showed worse surgical outcome with higher VAS and JOA scores (P < 0.05). Laminoplasty and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion were significantly associated with a higher recovery rate (P < 0.05). Among these patients, there were more complications with the anterior approach (P < 0.05). Male gender, open door laminoplasty ipsilateral, and ipsilateral-to-symptom-side opening were associated with postoperative C5 palsy (P < 0.05). Cervical OPLL may cause myelopathy, surgery is a safe and effective treatment for OPLL. There were no differences in clinical outcome according to surgical type, but complication rates varied depending on sex and surgical approach to symptom.

Symptomatic Ruptured Seed-Type Partial Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Seed-type partial ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) causing severe radiculopathy after rupture has not yet been described in the literature. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 51-year-old man presented with sudden onset severe back pain and right anterior thigh pain without any neurologic deficit after lifting a heavy weight. On preoperative computed tomography, we identified a ruptured seed-type partial OLF at the L1-L2 level. T2-weighted magnetic resonance sagittal and axial images showed thecal sac compression by the ruptured OLF. There was no improvement in his symptoms after 2 weeks of conservative management. The patient had percutaneous full endoscopic interlaminar removal of OLF. Postoperatively he experienced prompt improvement of his symptoms. CONCLUSION: Rupture of seed-type partial OLF causing severe radiculopathy is extremely rare, and percutaneous endoscopy is a safe and effective alternative to open surgery in selected cases.

Suprapedicular Circumferential Opening Technique of Percutaneous Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Discectomy for High Grade Inferiorly Migrated Lumbar Disc Herniation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of suprapedicular circumferential opening technique (SCOT) of percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar discectomy (PETLD) for high grade inferiorly migrated lumbar disc herniation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighteen consecutive patients who presented with back and leg pain with a single-level high grade inferiorly migrated lumbar disc herniation were included. High grade inferiorly migrated disc was removed by the SCOT through PETLD approach. Outcome evaluation was done with visual analog scale (VAS) and Mac Nab's criteria. RESULT: There were 14 males and 4 females. The mean age of patients was 53.3 ± 14.12 years. One, 4, and 13 patients had disc herniation at L1-2, L3-4, and L4-5 levels, respectively, on MRI, which correlated with clinical findings. The mean follow-up duration was 8.4 ± 4.31 months. According to Mac Nab's criteria, 9 patients (50%) reported excellent and the remaining 9 patients (50%) reported good outcomes. The mean preoperative and postoperative VAS for leg pain were 7.36 ± 0.73 and 1.45 ± 0.60, respectively (p < 0.001). Improvement in outcomes was maintained even at final follow-up. There was no complication. CONCLUSION: In this preliminary study we achieved good to excellent clinical results using the SCOT of PETLD for high grade inferiorly migrated lumbar disc herniation.

Surgical management of giant skull osteomas.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical management of giant skull osteomas Osteomas are benign, generally slow growing, bone forming tumors limited to the craniofacial and jaw bones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of all cases of osteoma diagnosed from 2009 to 2013 treated in our hospital. The data collected included age at diagnosis, gender, lesion location, size, presenting and duration of symptoms, treatment, complication and outcome. RESULTS: During our study period there were 15 cases that were treated surgically. Their mean age was 42 years (range: 15-65 years) and all of our patients were female. The average duration of symptoms was 3 years and size varying from 4 cm to 12 cm. Eight patients complained of headache, whereas 6 patients complained about esthetics, and 1 patient presented with proptosis. The tumor was excised by cutting the base of the tumor and then residual tumor was grinded using a round head cutting bar. Osteoma was removed with esthetically acceptable appearance. CONCLUSION: There were no major complications during operative and postoperative period. Although osteomas are usually slow growing but surgery is usually performed due to esthetic reasons. It is important to plan an appropriate surgical approach that minimizes any damage to the adjacent structures.

Analysis of Clinical Results of Three Different Routes of Percutaneous Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Discectomy for Lumbar Herniated Disk.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar discectomy (PETLD) can be performed by using foraminal, intervertebral, and suprapedicular routes. The aim of this study was to assess clinical results of three different routes of PETLD. METHODS: One hundred eleven patients who underwent PETLD between January 2016 and October 2016 were included in this study. PETLD was performed using the foraminal (group A), intervertebral (group B), and suprapedicular (group C) routes in 32, 46, and 33 patients, respectively. Outcomes were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and MacNab criteria. RESULTS: Seventy-one men and 40 were women (mean age 53.33 ± 14.12 years). The mean follow-up period was 6.44 ± 3.26 months. The preoperative VAS score decreased significantly (P < 0.01) in all 3 groups, but the postoperative VAS score was higher for the foraminal route than for the intervertebral (P = 0.001) and suprapedicular routes (P < 0.001). Excellent outcome grade according to MacNab criteria was less in foraminal route (18.7%) than in intervertebral (52.2%) and suprapedicular (56.7%) routes. ODI improved significantly (P < 0.01) in all 3 groups. CONCLUSION: All 3 routes of PETLD resulted in good to excellent clinical results. Nevertheless, the postoperative VAS score was higher for the foraminal route than for the intervertebral and suprapedicular routes, probably not because of the surgery but because of the neurologic characteristics of the disk location. The surgeon should consider this problem to alleviate pain postoperatively and counsel to patient well before surgery.

Comparison of Cervical Alignment and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Os Odontoideum versus Non-Os Odontoideum after Atlantoaxial Fixation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of atlantoaxial fixation on cervical alignment and clinical outcomes in patients with os odontoideum (OO) versus non-os odontoideum (non-OO). METHODS: A total of 119 patients who underwent atlantoaxial fixation for instability were identified between January 1998 and January 2014. Inclusion criteria included age more than 21 years and diagnosis of OO and non-OO. There were 22 OO patients, and 20 non-OO patients. Measuring the Oc-C1 Cobb angle, C1-2 Cobb angle, C2-7 Cobb angle, and C2-7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) was assessed. Clinical outcome was assessment of suboccipital pain was determined using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores were obtained in all patients pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: The preoperative C1-2 angle in the OO group (26.02°±10.53°) was significantly higher than the non-OO group (p=0.04). After C1-2 fixation, the OO group had significantly higher kyphotic change in the C1-2 angle (ΔC1-2) (3.2°±7.3° [OO] vs. -1.46°±7.21° [non-OO]) (p=0.04), and higher decrease in postoperative C2-7 SVA (ΔC2-7 SVA) (5.64±11.56 mm [OO] vs. -0.51± 6.57 mm [non-OO]) (p=0.04). Both groups showed improvements in the health related quality of life (HRQOL) after surgery based on the VAS and JOA score (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: After fixation, kyphotic angular change in atlantoaxial joint and decrease C2-7 SVA were marked in the OO group. Both the OO and non-OO groups improved in neurological function and outcome after surgery.

Multiple meningiomas consisting of fibrous meningioma, transitional meningioma, and meningotheliomatous meningioma in one adult patient.

Multiple histopathology of meningioma is a condition in which the patient has more than one histopathology feature of meningioma in different intracranial locations, with or without sign of neurofibromatosis. Meningiomas are the most common, non-glial, primitive intracranial tumors; their prevalence among operated tumors is around 13-19%. They may occur at any age, but have a peak incidence around 45 years of age. The incidence of multiple intracranial meningiomas varies from 1% to 10% in different series, and the frequency of multiple meningiomas without neurofibromatosis was reported to be <3%.

Hollow-organ perforation following thoracolumbar spinal injuries of fall from height.

INTRODUCTION: Spinal trauma is the cause of high mortality and morbidity, the fall from height as mechanism that can cause a wide variety of lesions, associated both with the direct impact on the ground and with the deceleration. In such fall cases greater heights and higher mortality are involved. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report the successful management of life-threatening hollow-organ perforation following thoracolumbar spinal injury. DISCUSSION: Perforation of the hollow-organ in the setting of thoracolumbar trauma may delay the diagnosis and can have devastating consequences. CONCLUSIONS: This case supports the recommendation for neurosurgeon in the setting of thoracolumbar injury that perforation of the hollow-organ can have devastating consequences. It is vital to achieve an early diagnosis to improve survival rate.

Stand-alone Cervical Cages Versus Anterior Cervical Plates in 2-Level Cervical Anterior Interbody Fusion Patients: Analysis of Adjacent Segment Degeneration.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: To analyze adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) in 2-level anterior cervical discectomy, comparing fusion with stand-alone cages [anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)-CA] and fusion with cage and plate constructs (ACDF-CPC) with respect to clinical outcomes and radiologic changes. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: ACDF using a stand-alone cage or a cage and plate construct is a popular procedure. However, there is lack of knowledge concerning ASD between the 2 procedures. METHODS: A total of 42 consecutive patients who underwent 2-level ACDF-CA or ACDF-CPC for 2-level cervical disk disease and who completed 2 years of follow-up were included in this study. The patients were divided into 2 groups: ACDF-CA group (n=22) and ACDF-CPC group (n=20). The following parameters were assessed using radiographs: disk space narrowing, anterior osteophyte formation, calcification of the anterior longitudinal ligament, and fusion status. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Robinson criteria. RESULTS: No difference in clinical outcomes was observed between the 2 groups. Moreover, the ACDF-CPC group showed a similar fusion rate compared with the ACDF-CA group (100% vs. 95%, P=0.335). There was also no statistical significance in anterior osteophyte formation and calcification of the anterior longitudinal ligament. However, mean intervertebral disk height change of an adjacent segment was significantly lower in the ACDF-CA group than the ACDF-CPC group (upper level: 0.08±0.24 vs. 0.49±0.35; lower level: 0.06±0.41 vs. 0.49±0.28; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a cage with or without plate constructs in 2-level ACDF provides similar clinical results and fusion rates. Notwithstanding, ACDF-CPC showed a higher incidence of ASD than ACDF-CA over the 2-year follow-up.

A rare giant scalp dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

BACKGROUND: Giant dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) of the scalp is a rare case, which is an intermediate grade soft tissue neoplasm originating from the dermal layer of the skin, which usually occurs in adults. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe such a case in a 26-year-old male. A wide local excision of the tumor with a generous tissue margin was performed; microscopic and immunohistochemical findings established the diagnosis of recurrent DFSP. CONCLUSION: Our case is unique in that it is presented as a dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the scalp, which is an extremely rare clinical entity, and the patient remains well after 14 months with no further treatment, without any tumor recurrence.

Comprehensive management of frontal and cerebellar tumor patients with personality changes and suicidal tendencies.

BACKGROUND: Brain tumor patients have a tendency to suffer from psychiatric disturbances. One of the most frequent disturbance experienced by frontal area tumor patients are personality changes. CASE DESCRIPTION: In this paper, the authors report a 28-year-old male patient who presented with headache and personality changes, with no other neurological disturbance. The patient became increasingly pensive and apathetic with frontal and cerebellopontine angle tumor. The diagnosis is based on computed tomography scanning images, and histopathological examination of the excised tumor results in meningioma. CONCLUSION: Before the operation was performed, the patient suffered from personality changes and suicidal tendencies. After the operation, the patient's suicidal tendency was gone, but the personality changes still persist. For this reason, a comprehensive management of the patient is required, including postoperative pharmacological and psychological treatment.