Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura Presenting with Pituitary Apoplexy: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Background Pituitary apoplexy is a rare condition that usually occurs in the setting of a pituitary adenoma. It can present with symptoms of visual disturbances, vertigo, headache, and neurological impairments. Computed tomography (CT) scans can aid in identifying pituitary apoplexy and ruling out other diseases. We present a unique case of pituitary apoplexy in the setting of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Case Description A 61-year-old man with a past medical history significant for myocardial infarction presented to the emergency department with symptoms of diplopia and headache 36 hours after onset. The patient was found to have severe thrombocytopenia with a platelet count below 20,000. A CT of the head revealed a possible pituitary adenoma with compression of the optic chiasm. The patient's platelet count continued to decrease throughout his admission and dropped below 7,000 on day 2 of admission. The patient was given platelet transfusion along with intravenous immunoglobulins. The patient underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal resection of the pituitary mass. Pathology of the mass revealed immature platelets characteristic of immune ITP in the setting of pituitary apoplexy. Conclusion While ITP in the setting of pituitary apoplexy is a rare entity, we believe that clinicians should have pituitary apoplexy on their differential diagnosis in patients with ITP.

Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for the Treatment of a Pineal Region Glioma Through an Infratentorial Approach: A Case Report.

Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive surgical option for the treatment of brain tumors introduced in 1983. The innovative technique was welcomed for its ability to access deep-seated supratentorial and posterior cranial fossa lesions. Surgical approaches to pineal region tumors are challenging and require a high degree of precision since the critical vasculature, such as the vein of Galen and precentral vein, in the area pose significant anatomical challenges to operating surgeons. To minimize the risk of damaging this key venous anatomy, an infratentorial approach may be more advantageous. We present a case where LITT was utilized through an infratentorial approach to a pineal region tumor. A 62-year-old male with no significant past medical history presented to his primary care physician complaining of ataxia and headaches for the past four weeks. An MRI was concerning for multicentric glioma within the cerebellar hemispheres, brainstem extending to the middle cerebellar peduncle, upper cervical spinal cord, and pineal region. An enhancing lesion of the midbrain tectum was concerning for a high-grade tumor. We decided to proceed with stereotactic biopsy and magnetic resonance-guided LITT via an infratentorial approach. Supratentorial trajectory planning did not allow for a safe corridor due to the venous anatomy; thus, it was decided to proceed with an infratentorial approach. The patient was positioned prone, had his bone fiducial CT fused with MRI, and the tumor was targeted using robotic guidance (ROSA, Zimmer Biomet, Warsaw, Indiana). Postoperatively, he suffered from transient diplopia due to cranial nerve VI palsy. Additionally, the postoperative MRI revealed a decrease in the size of the enhancing lesion and the hyperintense T2 signal within the brainstem. Open surgical approaches to tumors within the pineal region often pose an anatomic and neurovascular challenge. We describe the safe utilization of a novel, previously unreported infratentorial approach utilizing LITT with promising treatment, morbidity, and efficacy outcomes. A larger series will be necessary to ensure the safety and efficacy of this approach.

Emerging Trends in Neuromodulation for Treatment of Drug-Resistant Epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects more than 70 million people globally. A considerable proportion of epilepsy is resistant to anti-epileptic drugs (AED). For patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), who are not eligible for resective or ablative surgery, neuromodulation has been a palliative option. Since the approval of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in 1997, expansion to include other modalities, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) and responsive neurostimulation (RNS), has led to improved seizure control in this population. In this article, we discuss the current updates and emerging trends on neuromodulation for epilepsy.

Radial Access Intervention.

Leveraging from the interventional cardiology experience, the transradial access (TRA) for neurointervention has also started to become more used for both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. A growing body of evidence is showing a superiority of the TRA compared with the conventional transfemoral access (TFA) in terms of access site complications (ACSs), patient satisfaction and preference, hospital length of stay, and cost. Outcomes via the transradial are noninferior, and at times superior, in select neuroendovascular procedures. Future advancements in technology with radial-specific catheters and further operator experience will aid in the full adoption of the TRA for endovascular procedures.

Sarcopenia as a Prognostic Factor for 90-Day and Overall Mortality in Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery for Metastatic Tumors: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Novel methods in predicting survival in patients with spinal metastases may help guide clinical decision-making and stratify treatments regarding surgery vs palliative care. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the frailty/sarcopenia paradigm is predictive of survival and morbidity in patients undergoing surgery for spinal metastasis. METHODS: A total of 271 patients from 4 tertiary care centers who had undergone surgery for spinal metastasis were identified. Frailty/sarcopenia was defined by psoas muscle size. Survival hazard ratios were calculated using multivariate analysis, with variables from demographic, functional, oncological, and surgical factors. Secondary outcomes included improvement of neurological function and postoperative morbidity. RESULTS: Patients in the smallest psoas tertile had shorter overall survival compared to the middle and largest tertile. Psoas size (PS) predicted overall mortality more strongly than Tokuhashi score, Tomita score, and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS). PS predicted 90-d mortality more strongly than Tokuhashi score, Tomita score, and KPS. Patients with a larger PS were more likely to have an improvement in deficit compared to the middle tertile. PS was not predictive of 30-d morbidity. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing surgery for spine metastases, PS as a surrogate for frailty/sarcopenia predicts 90-d and overall mortality, independent of demographic, functional, oncological, and surgical characteristics. The frailty/sarcopenia paradigm is a stronger predictor of survival at these time points than other standards. PS can be used in clinical decision-making to select which patients with metastatic spine tumors are appropriate surgical candidates.

Sarcopenia Predicts Overall Survival in Patients with Lung, Breast, Prostate, or Myeloma Spine Metastases Undergoing Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), Independent of Histology.

BACKGROUND: Predicting survival of patients with spinal metastases would help stratify treatments from aggressive to palliation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether sarcopenia predicts survival in patients with lung, breast, prostate, or multiple myeloma spinal metastases. METHODS: Psoas muscle measurements in patients with spinal metastasis were taken from computed tomography scans at 2 time points: at first episode of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and from the most recent scan available. Overall survival and hazard ratios were calculated with multivariate cox proportional hazards regression analyses. RESULTS: In 417 patients with spinal metastases, 40% had lung cancer, 27% breast, 21% prostate, and 11% myeloma. Overall survival was not associated with age, sex, ethnicity, levels treated, or SBRT volume. Multivariate analysis showed patients in the lowest psoas tertile had shorter survival (222 d, 95% CI = 185-323 d) as compared to the largest tertile (579 d, 95% CI = 405-815 d), (HR1.54, P = .005). Median psoas size as a cutoff value was also strongly predictive for survival (HR1.48, P = .002). Survival was independent of tumor histology. The psoas/vertebral body ratio was also successful in predicting overall survival independent of tumor histology and gender (HR1.52, P < .01). Kaplan-Meier survival curves visually represent survival (P = .0005). CONCLUSION: In patients with spine metastases, psoas muscle size as a hallmark of frailty/sarcopenia is an objective, simple, and effective way to identify patients who are at risk for shorter survival, regardless of tumor histology. This information can be used to help with surgical decision making in patients with advanced cancer, as patients with small psoas sizes are at higher risk of death.

Malignant Transformation of a Filum Terminale Dermoid Tumor into Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Intraspinal dermoid tumors are usually rare benign growths that occur as a result of defects during neural tube formation. They make up less than 1% of tumors in the spine and are associated with spinal dysraphisms or sinus tracts. Although rare, malignant transformation into squamous cell carcinoma has been previously reported. Malignant transformation into adenocarcinoma, however, represents a novel phenotypic differentiation pattern that is hitherto undescribed. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 45-year-old woman presented with acute symptoms of cauda equina syndrome. Imaging of the spine revealed a large intradural sacral mass. The lesion was surgically resected with pathology revealing a dermoid tumor with malignant transformation into adenocarcinoma. Metastatic workup revealed no other suspicious lesions. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course, gradually regaining micturition control. CONCLUSIONS: Dermoid tumors, also known as benign cystic teratoma or mature teratoma, are usually benign congenital tumors comprising epithelial cells that arise from displaced embryonic ectoderm and mesoderm during neural tube formation. Although extremely rare, malignant transformation into squamous cell carcinoma has been reported. This case represents the first report of an intraspinal dermoid tumor transforming into adenocarcinoma. A comprehensive histopathologic analysis is key to identifying the lesion and guiding postsurgical management.

Abdominal Lymphocele Following Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Case Report.

Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is commonly utilized for surgical management of degenerative lumbar pathology. Although it is a reasonably safe procedure, it can potentially lead to major complications in case of neurovascular injuries. Occurrence of lymphocele after an ALIF is however rare. We present a case of a rare abdominal lymphocele in a 56-year-old man who underwent L3-S1 ALIF and subsequently developed an abdominal lymphocele. A lymphocele can manifest in numerous ways which can affect and possibly delay diagnoses. In addition to a high index of suspicion, numerous tests such as imaging studies, fluid analysis, gram stain and culture are used to confirm the diagnosis. Various options exist for the treatment of lymphoceles, including laparoscopic marsupialization, ultrasound-guided aspiration, sclerotherapy, peritoneal window, and external drainage. Timely diagnosis and treatment of a lymphocele results in a successful resolution in most cases.

Full Recovery After a Bihemispheric Gunshot Wound to the Head: Case Report, Clinical Management, and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Nearly 33,600 people die each year in the United States as a result of gunshot wounds (GSWs). Penetrating craniocerebral GSWs are often fatal with a nearly 70% death rate at the scene of the trauma. Overall combined mortality rate for patients who die at the scene or at the hospital is almost 91%. Poor outcome is associated with initial low Glasgow Coma Scale score and bihemispheric and transventricular gunshot trajectory. We summarize current understanding in management, prognostic factors, and survival outcomes in patients with a penetrating GSWs to the head. We report a patient with return to full function despite bihemispheric, multilobar involvement. Full function is defined here as ability to return to previous work and perform activities of daily living. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 33-year-old man sustained a GSW to the head under unknown circumstances. On initial presentation, he had a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15. He was verbalizing and communicating but was amnestic for the event. From a left frontal entry wound, the bullet traversed both frontal lobes of the brain reaching the right frontal-parietal junction. Physical examination and vital signs were normal. Appropriate surgical and medical management resulted in complete recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Craniocerebral GSWs have a high mortality rate and usually require aggressive management. Evaluation of most GSWs requires appropriate imaging studies followed by proactive treatment against infection, seizure, and increased intracranial pressure. Surgical intervention is often necessary and ranges from local wound débridement to craniectomy, decompression, and wound exploration.

Failure of the Condyle-C1 Interval Method to Diagnose Atlanto-occipital Dislocation in the Presence of an Associated Atlanto-axial Dislocation: A Case Report.

Atlanto-occipital dislocation (AOD) is a craniocervical injury that has serious neurological consequences and is often fatal. High-speed blunt trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents, that extend and put traction on the head can cause this injury. The current recommendation for diagnosis is to measure the condyle-C1 interval (CCI) using a computed tomography (CT) scan in the coronal plane and more recently in the sagittal plane. We report the case of a patient who suffered a motor vehicle accident and had concomitant AOD and atlanto-axial dislocation. In this particular case, the CCI method failed to diagnose AOD and the diagnosis was made using the basion-dens interval (BDI) and other methodologies, as well as the presence of ligamentous disruption at the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 19-year-old female suffered a motor vehicle accident in which she was ejected from the car. Her neck was immobilized on the scene and she was brought to the emergency department complaining of neck pain. CT of the cervical spine showed concomitant atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial dissociation. MRI of the cervical spine confirmed the diagnosis with total ligamentous disruption at the CVJ and distraction of the atlanto-axial joints bilaterally. While the CCI was normal, the BDI was diagnostic of AOD. The current recommendations for using the CCI interval method may not diagnose AOD in the presence of associated atlanto-axial dislocation. Other methodologies should be employed including BDI and basion-axial interval (BAI) as well as MR imaging showing ligamentous disruption.

Changes in pulsatility and resistance indices of cerebral arteriovenous malformation feeder arteries after embolization and surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Embolization reduces flow in cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) before surgical resection, but changes in pulsatility and resistance indices (PI, RI) are unknown. Here, we measure PI, RI in AVM arterial feeders before and after embolization/surgery. METHODS: Records of patients who underwent AVM embolization and surgical resection at our institution between 2007 and 2014 and had PI, RI, and flows obtained using quantitative magnetic resonance angiography were retrospectively reviewed. PI = [(systolic - diastolic flow velocity)/mean flow velocity] and RI = [(systolic - diastolic flow velocity)/systolic flow velocity]. Hemodynamic parameters were compared between the feeder and contralateral artery before and after embolization/surgery. RESULTS: 38 patients were included (6 embolization only, 24 embolization and surgery, 8 surgery only). After embolization, flow volume rates within feeders decreased significantly (p < 0.001) to match flows in their contralateral counterparts (p = 0.78). On the other hand, mean, systolic, and diastolic flow velocities (p = 0.60, 0.32, 0.34, respectively) as well as PI, RI (p = 0.99, 0.68) did not change significantly after embolization. However, after surgery mean, systolic, and diastolic flow velocities within feeders decreased significantly (p = 0.001, 0.002, 0.001, respectively) and PI, RI normalized to match the indices of their contralateral counterparts (p = 0.46, 0.46). CONCLUSION: Following partial AVM embolization, PI, RI are unchanged and flow velocities in feeder arteries also remain unchanged likely due to redistribution of flow through residual nidus. Thus, staged management of AVMs is unlikely to increase outflow resistance and offers a safe treatment strategy.