Long-term extracranial metastatic relapse of an intraventricular solitary fibrous tumor: a case report.

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs), an uncommon subtype of soft tissue sarcomas mesenchymal, are frequently diagnosed in the intra-thoracic region. Distant metastasis is detected in 10-40% of SFT patients with a predilection site to the lungs; nevertheless, these can occur rarely in the liver, brain, and bones. This entity was also reported in the abdomen, trunk, head, and neck, extremities but also, in the central nervous system (CNS). In the latter form of SFTs, the meninges were mostly affected while only a few cases were reported in the intraventricular and intraparenchymal region with distinct clinical and behavioral characteristics. In this article, we report the rare case of a relapsing intraventricular SFT with secondary extra-cranial metastases to the bones and soft tissues after 11 years of initial diagnosis, with focus on the available data in the literature on CNS SFTs.

CEREBRAL ANEURISMAL RUPTURE WITH SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE DURING PREGNANCY: A CASE REPORT.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial hemorrhage due to arteriovenous malformation or intracranial aneurysm is a rare but severe complication of pregnancy with maternal and fetal mortality of 20% and 33% respectively. Whether to deliver the patient first, or to treat the aneurysm first is still controversial, but an emergency cesarean section followed by aneurismal treatment appears to be a widely accepted strategy in pregnant women with cerebral aneurysmal complications. CASE: A 38-year-old patient, G3P2A0, presented at 36 gestational weeks with a diffuse bilateral subarachnoid hemorrhage with fourth ventricle bleeding and hydrocephalus. She had a cerebral aneurysm of the left posterior communicating artery on arteriography. A cesarean section was performed on the first day of admission, and an external ventricular derivation with clipping of the aneurysm on the left posterior communicating artery were done immediately after the cesarean section. Mother and newborn were discharged from hospital in a good health status except Broca's aphasia in the mother. CONCLUSION: In the absence of categorical recommendations, we stress the role of combined care by both neurosurgeons and obstetricians, on a case to case basis according to gestational age, mother neurological status and experience of caregivers.

[Prospective study of microdiskectomy for lumbar disc herniation: evolution of pain, quality of life and satisfaction of Lebanese patients at short and long-term follow-up]. / Etude prospective á court et long terme de la microdiscectomie lombaire. Evaluation de la douleur, qualité de vie et satisfaction des patients libanais.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Lumbar disc herniation frequently affects young patients and is responsible for high rate of worker's compensation claims. The aim of this study is to evaluate at short and long-term the results of microdiscectomy in terms of pain control, quality of life and patient's satisfaction. METHODS: In this prospective study, 28 patients were enrolled and operated on by microdiscectomy for lumbar disc herniation. Three questionnaires were administered preoperatively. They evaluated the pain, the quality of life and the expectation of the patients. Four questionnaires were administered at six months and two years postoperatively evaluating pain, quality of life, results and satisfactions. RESULTS: A 62.3% and 53.2% improvement of low back pain at 6 months and 2 years respectively, and a 91.7% and 88.4% improvement of radicular pain were reported. A 73.2% and 79.8% improvement in quality of life was recorded respectively. Patient's expectation was evaluated at 3.85 and results estimated 3.24. Patient's satisfaction was 93.3% and 88.3% respectively. It was positively correlated to radicular pain, and inversely correlated to patient's expectations. CONCLUSION: Microdiscectomy for lumbar disc herniation offers a marked improvement in back and radicular pain. Quality of life is much improved. Although satisfaction is high, it is somewhat decreased for patients with high expectations.

Lumbar microdiscectomy: a clinicoradiological analysis of outcome.

BACKGROUND: The long-term outcome after lumbar microdiscectomy (LMD) may be affected by low back pain (LBP) and segmental instability, the determinants of which remain unclear. We sought to analyze the interaction between clinical, functional, and radiological variables and their impact on patient outcome. METHODS: All patients who underwent LMD in 2004-2005 were invited to participate in this retrospective cohort study. Patients were re-evaluated clinically and radiologically after a three to five year follow-up. RESULTS: Forty-one of 97 eligible patients were enrolled. Twelve patients (29.3%) reported moderate-to-severe sciatica, 12 (29.3%) had moderate LBP, and 13 (31.7%) exhibited clinical evidence of segmental instability. Thirty-eight patients (92.7%) had minimal disability and 3 (7.3%) had moderate disability. Twenty-three patients (56.1%) were fully satisfied, while 18 (43.9%) had only partial satisfaction, having expected a better outcome. Thirty-three patients (80.5%) returned to full-time work. Median disc space collapse (DSC) was 20% (range 5-66%) and L4-L5 was particularly affected. Prevalence of Modic changes increased from 46.3% to 78% with type 2 predominance. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the following negative prognostic factors: female sex, young age, lack of regular exercise, and chronic preoperative LBP. There was no correlation between the course of Modic changes, DSC, and patient outcome. CONCLUSION: Although many patients may be symptomatic following LMD, significant disability and dissatisfaction are uncommon. Female sex, young age, lack of exercise, and chronic preoperative LBP may predict a worse outcome. Disc collapse is a universal finding, particularly at L4-L5. Neither DSC nor Modic changes seem to affect patient outcome.

[Brain tumors and epilepsy: postoperative evaluation of surgical procedures]. / Evolution postopératoire de l'epilepsie chez les patients opérés de tumeurs cérébrales.

OBJECTIVES: To study the efficacy of surgery on the postoperative control of epilepsy in patients operated for brain tumors. METHODS: Forty patients operated for supratentoriel cerebral tumors with epilepsy, at Hotel-Dieu de France (HDF) hospital center, between 1983 and 2005, were included in this study. Clinical, paraclinical and surgical information were collected. The extent of the tumor resection was based on the postoperative MRI results. RESULTS: The mean duration of the follow-up was 52 +/- 6 months (from 6 months to 10 years). 62.5% of our patients have had acute seizures (< 1 year) and 37% had experienced chronic seizures (> or = 1 year). The histopathologic exam revealed 2 DNET, 3 pilocytic astrocytomas, 2 diffuse astrocytomas, 6 A oligodendrogliomas, 7 B oligodendrogliomas, 7 anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastomas and 13 meningiomas. Twenty-two patients had a complete resection, whereas the postoperative MRI of 18 patients have shown a tumoral remnant. After one year of follow-up, a complete remission was noted in 57.5% of the patients (Engel I). The prognostic factors of good outcome were: low-grade glial tumors (I +/- II), meningiomas, and complete tumor resection. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of surgery for epilepsy associated to cerebral tumors, established by the majority of articles, matched the results obtained for the patients operated at HDF, with complete seizures control in 57.5% of patients. This control depended essentially on the extent of tumor resection and on tumor's nature.

Multifocal meningeal melanocytoma: a new pathological entity or the result of leptomeningeal seeding?

Meningeal melanocytoma is a rare benign CNS tumor derived from the leptomeningeal melanocytes. Although unusual, malignant transformation with leptomeningeal seeding into the brain or spinal cord may occur years after the initial diagnosis. The authors report a unique case of multifocal benign meningeal melanocytoma involving both cerebellopontine angles and the thoracic spinal cord, with associated diffuse leptomeningeal hyperpigmentation. They review the literature relevant to this topic and discuss the radiological and pathological features of this disease as well as its treatment options.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy: the Lebanese experience.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has gained wide popularity as a first-line treatment for obstructive hydrocephalus (OHC). We have been performing ETV since 1998. We report our experience with this technique in the management of OHC. METHODS: Between 1998 and 2007, we performed 49 ETV procedures in 46 patients suffering from OHC. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Success was defined as shunt-free survival. RESULTS: There were 29 males and 17 females with a mean age of 23 years (6 months-65 years). Aqueductal stenosis and tectal tumor were the most common etiologies (63%). Seven patients (15.6%) had early ETV failure. Of 38 patients with initial success and available follow-up, shunt independence was achieved in 29 patients (76.3%) after a mean follow-up of 37 months. Kaplan-Meier analysis yielded a 70% 5-year shunt-free survival rate. On multivariate analysis, no variables could predict early or late ETV failure. Transient complications occurred in 6 patients (13%), but there were no ETV-related deaths or permanent morbidity. CONCLUSION: ETV is a safe and effective treatment for OHC, resulting in a high rate of long-term shunt independence with a low risk of complications. ETV should be considered the treatment of choice for patients with OHC and its development as a substitute to shunt placement should be encouraged in neurosurgically developing countries.

Impact of the lunar cycle on the incidence of intracranial aneurysm rupture: myth or reality?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of the lunar cycle and season on the incidence of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of 111 patients who were admitted over a 5-year period to our department because of aneurysmal SAH were retrospectively reviewed. The date of aneurysm rupture was matched with the corresponding season and moon phase. RESULTS: An incidence peak for aneurysm rupture (28 patients) was seen during the phase of new moon, which was statistically significant (p < 0.001). In contrast, no seasonal variation in the incidence of SAH was observed. CONCLUSION: The lunar cycle seems to affect the incidence of intracranial aneurysm rupture, with the new moon being associated with an increased risk of aneurysmal SAH.

Bupivacaine Field Block With Clonidine for Postoperative Pain Control in Posterior Spine Approaches: A Randomized Double-Blind Trial.

BACKGROUND: The synergistic effect of clonidine with bupivacaine, well established in peripheral nerve blocks, remains controversial in local field block for postoperative analgesia. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential analgesic benefit of adding clonidine to bupivacaine during preincisional field block in posterior approaches for spine surgeries. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-five patients were enrolled in this study and underwent lumbar spinal fusion (n = 80), lumbar laminectomy (n = 25), lumbar microdiscectomy (n = 94), or cervical laminectomy (n = 26). In each surgical subgroup, patients were randomly assigned in a double-blinded fashion to receive either 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine alone (control group, n = 109) or with 150 µg clonidine (clonidine group, n = 116) in the form of a preincisional field block. Outcome parameters included area under the curve of pain from postoperative day D0 to D8 and rescue morphine consumption from D0 to D3. RESULTS: The area under the curve was reduced in the clonidine group, particularly in the microdiscectomy subgroup, and without reaching statistical significance in the cervical laminectomy subgroup. Total rescue morphine consumption was reduced in the clonidine group, particularly at D1-D2, a benefit that was exclusive to the lumbar stenosis and lumbar fusion subgroups. Field block with clonidine, surgical subgroup, and the presence of preoperative spinal pain were factors independently influencing postoperative wound pain in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The addition of clonidine to local preincisional field block with bupivacaine resulted in better and prolonged postoperative analgesia in posterior lumbar spine surgeries, an effect that was more pronounced in patients with no preoperative spinal pain.

Radiofrequency ablation of spinal osteoid osteoma: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE Surgery has been considered the standard treatment for spinal osteoid osteomas that are refractory to analgesic agents. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a less invasive technique with established efficiency for the treatment of peripheral osteoid osteomas. The main objectives of this study are to evaluate the safety of RFA based on the results of a previous experimental study in rats conducted in the authors' laboratory and to identify its short- and long-term efficiency in the treatment of spinal osteoid osteomas. METHODS Between March 2009 and July 2016, 8 consecutive patients with spinal osteoid osteomas were enrolled in the study and underwent 9 CT-guided RFA procedures. All patients presented with spinal pain (median preoperative visual analog scale [VAS] score 7.55, range 6-8.8) predominantly during the night, and they all had normal neurological examination results before the procedure. Pain (according to the VAS score) and neurological status were reassessed immediately before discharge, with further follow-up at 1, 6, and 12 months after the procedure. At the final follow-up, VAS score, neurological examination, patient satisfaction, and a radiological control (CT scan) were documented (median 48 months, range 12-84 months). VAS scores before and after the procedure were compared during the 3 days before surgery (D0), on the day of the surgery, Day 1 (D1), and at the final follow-up. RESULTS No neurological deficit was documented following the procedure or at the final follow-up. A statistically significant reduction in the VAS score was observed on Day 1 (mean 2.56 ± 0.68, p = 0.005) compared with D0. At the final follow-up, all patients reported a VAS score of 0 and a satisfaction rate of 100%. Only 1 patient had recurrent symptoms (pain, VAS score 8.1) 6 months after the initial RFA. A second procedure was performed, and the patient was subsequently symptom free at the final follow-up. CT scanning performed in all patients (12-84 months post-RFA) showed residual sclerosis in 4 patients and complete resolution of the radiological lesion in the remaining 4 patients. CONCLUSIONS CT-guided RFA appears to be a safe and effective method for the management of spinal osteoid osteoma and can be safely performed for lesions close to the dura or exiting nerve root based on the motor response threshold testing performed during the procedure. It should be considered the treatment of choice for spinal osteoid osteomas refractory to conservative treatment, thus avoiding more aggressive spinal approaches with subsequent potential morbidity.

[Microsurgical facial nerve decompression for hemifacial spasm]. / Etude de huit cas de spasme hémifacial traités par décompression microchirurgicale.

PURPOSE: The results of a series of 8 patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS), treated with microsurgical vascular decompression (MVD) are reported. METHOD: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain was performed in all patients prior to surgery. The presence of arterial hypertension (HT) was noted. MVD was performed through a retromastoid approach, and Gortex was interposed between the nerve and the conflicting vessel. RESULTS: The offending vessels found were: the antero-inferior cerebellar artery in 50% of the cases, the postero-inferior cerebellar artery in 25% and the vertebral artery in 25%. These findings were positively correlated with MRI in only 50% of cases. The surgical results were the following: total and immediate relief in 62.5% of cases, delayed relief in 25%, and partial relief in 12.5%. Neither failure, nor recurrence were noted. In terms of complications, two cases of persisting hearing loss, one case of transient hearing loss, and two cases of persisting facial palsy. Hypertension improved in 20% of cases. CONCLUSION: This study shows the success of MVD in the treatment of HFS. Intraoperative monitoring is helpful in reducing the complication rate. In our practice, the correlation between MRI findings and surgery was poor, as opposed to the results found in literature.

[Lumbar synovial cysts : six case studies]. / Les kystes synoviaux lombaires: étude de six cas.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to discuss the clinical and radiological aspects as well as the controversies in the management of lumbar synovial cysts. METHODS: We report a retrospective analysis of a series of 6 cases of lumbar synovial cysts. Patients presented with unilateral radicular pain mimicking a disc herniation. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) was performed in all patients. A computerized tomography scan was performed in one case and X rays in 2 cases. All patients were operated on and the cyst resected. Arthrodesis was not performed in any of our patients. RESULTS: Functional outcome was marked by a significant improvement. Excellent results were found in 4 patients. Three patients who presented with a motor deficit recovered after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Lumbar synovial cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any radicular compression. MRI is the examination of choice. Surgical resection is the definitive treatment with low rates of complications and recurrences.

Antithrombotic Medication Use and Misuse Among Patients with Intracranial Hemorrhage: A 16-Year, Lebanese, Single-Center Experience.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: The use of antithrombotic medication (ATM) frequently is reported in patients with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and is associated with increased mortality. Unfortunately, ATMs sometimes are prescribed and/or used inappropriately. We sought to determine the rate of ATM misprescription/misuse among patients with ICH in a single-center retrospective study. METHODS: All patients admitted with ATM-related ICH in 1998-2014 were included. Charts were reviewed and demographic, clinical, and radiologic variables were recorded. The type of ATM, dose, and duration of treatment were analyzed critically. The adequacy of ATM prescription/use was assessed in light of the recommendations and guidelines of the American Heart Association, American Stroke Association, and French National Authority for Health, in effect at the time of admission. RESULTS: A total of 106 patients with mean age 68 years were identified. Aspirin (53.8%) was the most commonly used drug, followed by oral anticoagulants (31.1%) and clopidogrel (22.6%). In only 80 patients (75.5%), the use of ATM was in line with contemporary guidelines. In the remaining 26 (24.5%), the use of ATMs was inappropriate, including bad drug combination, wrong dose, poor indication, wrong drug class, and/or incorrect treatment duration. CONCLUSIONS: In this Lebanese cohort of patients with ICH, the 24.5% rate of ATM misprescription and/or misuse is highly alarming and the origin of this problem is likely multifactorial. Immediate measures should be undertaken, and efforts should be focused on regaining tight control of ATM prescription and fulfillment, ensuring good patient education, and offering more vigilant oversight on physician licensure.

Percutaneous radiofrequency coagulation of osteoid osteoma in children and adolescents.

The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of osteoid osteoma in children and adolescents. Twenty-three patients aged 4.5-19.5 years were retrospectively reviewed. All patients with lower limb lesions were able to bear full weight on their operated limb immediately after the procedure, and to resume their daily activities within 24-48 h. Pain disappeared immediately after surgery in 21 cases, and in lower limb lesions the gait was back to normal after an average of 5 days. No septic or neurovascular complications were observed. At an average follow-up of 3.5 years, all the patients including two cases of initial failure were free of pain and had a normal gait. Clinical healing was confirmed by computed tomography and bone scan performed in 12 cases. This precise and minimally invasive method is safe, effective and associated with reduced health care resources. It could be recommended as the treatment of choice for osteoid osteoma of the limbs in children and adolescents.

[Adjustable shunt system for the treatment of intracranial cerebrospinal fluid collections. Analysis of a series of 50 cases]. / Intérêt de la valve à pression d'ouverture réglable dans le traitement de l'hydrocephalie et des kystes arachnoïdiens. Analyse d'une série de 50 cas.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work is to evaluate the results of a draining valve of the cerebrospinal fluid, whose opening pressure is transcutaneously adjustable, in the treatment of intracranial collections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A series of 50 operated patients is retrospectively reviewed. Forty-four patients are treated for hydrocephalus of variable causes and six patients for arachnoidal cysts. Offering eight opening pressures, the adjustable valve Sophy was used in all these patients. The mean follow-up is of 48 months. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (38%) needed an adjustment of their valve's opening pressure. This adjustment was achieved to higher levels in seven patients presenting with overdrainage and to lower levels in twelve patients presenting with underdrainage. In 4 patients a subdural collection was observed and treated. Six patients underwent a second surgery for infection or obstruction. Taking all etiologies into consideration, and after the adjustment of the valve's opening pressure, 40 patients had a positive clinical result (obvious amelioration of the symptomatology), ten patients did not improve. CONCLUSION: The valve Sophy provides a simple solution for the patients in whom it is difficult to choose an adapted opening pressure, it particularly allows to avoid a reintervention when this is rendered necessary by a hypo or a hyper drainage programmable valve.

Surgical treatment of ruptured anterior circulation aneurysms: comparison of pterional and supraorbital keyhole approaches.

BACKGROUND: Recent advancements in microsurgical techniques and instrumentation have allowed the development of the keyhole approach in aneurysm surgery. OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety, efficacy, and 1-year clinical outcome of supraorbital keyhole and standard pterional approaches for ruptured anterior circulation aneurysms. METHODS: A total of 87 patients underwent surgical clipping, 40 through the pterional and 47 through the supraorbital keyhole approach. Baseline demographics, operative time, procedural complications, and 1-year patient outcome were retrospectively compared. RESULTS: The 2 groups were comparable with respect to baseline characteristics, with the exception of a higher proportion of small aneurysms (<7 mm) in the supraorbital group (70.2% vs. 37.5%, P = .002). Total operative time was significantly shorter in the supraorbital group (205 minutes, P < .001) compared with the pterional group (256 minutes). The rate of procedural complications was lower in patients treated through the pterional (17.5%) vs the supraorbital approach (23.4%, P = .4). Intraoperative aneurysm ruptures occurred more frequently in the supraorbital group (10.6% vs. 2.5%). No patient experienced early or late rebleeding in either group. One year after treatment, 75% (30/40) of patients achieved a favorable outcome (Glasgow outcome scale IV or V) in the pterional group vs 76.6% (36/47) in the supraorbital group (P = .8). CONCLUSION: The rate of procedural complications may be higher with the supraorbital keyhole approach, but overall patient outcomes appear to be comparable. The pterional approach is a simple, reliable, and efficient procedure. The keyhole approach may be an acceptable alternative for neurosurgeons who have gained sufficient experience with the technique, especially for small noncomplex aneurysms.

Pathological effects and motor response threshold changes following radiofrequency application at various distances from the L-5 nerve root: an experimental study.

OBJECT: Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is a minimally invasive technique often used percutaneously in the treatment of many conditions such as spasticity, pain, and osteoid osteoma. The purpose of this study was to assess the value of motor response threshold (MRT) as an indirect indicator of the RF generator's electrode to nerve distance, and to evaluate the effects of RF at various distances from a nervous structure. METHODS: The L-5 nerve root was studied in 102 Sprague-Dawley rats (sham contralateral side). Motor response thresholds at 0, 2, 4, 5, and 6 mm from the nerve root were assessed before and after RF application for 2 minutes at 80° C on Days 0 and 7. Radiofrequency was applied 0, 2, 4, 5, and 6 mm away from L-5 and with the addition of interposed cortical bone. The effects of RF application on MRT were studied, and subsequent nerve injury was evaluated using light microscopy pathological examination. RESULTS: There is a significant correlation between MRT and the distance between the electrode tip and L-5, with MRT less than 0.5 V when the electrode was in direct contact with the root. Electrical and pathological changes following RF application were more pronounced at 0 mm, with worsening seen on Day 7. Radiofrequency at 2 and 4 mm produced fewer electrical and histological deleterious effects on the nerve on Days 0 and 7, with an obvious improvement on Day 7. At 5 mm, electrical and histological abnormalities were minimal on Day 0 and were fully reversible on Day 7. At 6 mm and with interposed cortical bone, MRT and pathological findings were unchanged on Days 0 and 7. CONCLUSIONS: The MRT proved to be a useful and reliable tool in decreasing nerve morbidity following RF ablation in animals and may be used in humans for the same purpose. It serves as an indirect indicator of the proximity of the RF generator's electrode tip to any adjacent motor nervous structure. A minimum safe distance of 5 mm between the electrode tip and the nerve is required to avoid irreversible nerve injury, unless a bony wall is interposed between them, thus serving as a nerve shield. In medical conditions that require RF ablation of the nerve, such as spasticity and pain, the MRT must be lower than 0.5 V. When a nerve lesion is to be avoided such as in cases of osteoid osteoma, an MRT higher than 2.5 V is considered safe, reflecting a distance greater than 5 mm.

Stereotactic functional mapping of the cat motor cortex.

Epidural motor cortex stimulation is an increasingly used method to control refractory neuropathic pain although its mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. Animal models are currently developed that allow reproducing the conditions of this neurosurgical approach and clarifying its mechanisms. In this study we validate a new stereotactic functional map of the cat motor cortex carried out in epidural conditions, thus allowing future experimentations that closely mimic the technique used in humans.