Intramedullary spinal cord tumours: a clinical outcome and radiological follow-up study.

PRINCIPLES: Intramedullary spinal cord tumours are rare. The long-term results depend on their varying natural histories and the surgical approach. Less extensive tumour resection avoids greater postoperative neurological impairment without a negative impact on postoperative outcome. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients who underwent a total of 34 surgical interventions (including 7 reoperations) were clinically and radiologically reinvestigated. Histology revealed 19 glial, 4 nonglial and 4 miscellaneous tumours. RESULTS: Postoperative long-term clinical follow-up (mean 62 months postoperatively) in 25 patients revealed functional improvement in 2 cases, stable conditions in 17 and deterioration in 6. Although there was residual tumour on MRI in 19 of the 22 patients reexamined, stable radiological studies were seen in 15 cases. Despite the high percentage of partial resections or biopsies, good long-term clinical results were found in 19 patients (70%). CONCLUSION: The long-term outcome depends on tumour biology and the type of surgery. For low-grade astrocytomas we propose partial resection without incurring the risk of major postoperative neurological deficits, with semi-annual and, after 5 years, annual follow-up. Despite the fact that ependymomas are amenable to complete surgical resection, this was achieved in only one of six cases in this series. Postoperative MRI follow-up of intramedullary tumours must be protracted, as most of these tumours are slow-growing. An increase in the extent and intensity of contrast enhancement of the tumours was defined as tumour recurrence or progressive tumour growth.

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of intramedullary spinal cord abscess.

Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of adequate treatment are essential for clinical outcome in ISCA. We report a case in which DWI provided a more specific diagnosis than conventional MR imaging and allowed differentiation of a ring-enhancing lesion from intramedullary tumor. Diagnosis was proved by PCR from CSF (Streptococcus intermedius). Adequate antibiotic treatment was immediately initiated, and the patient recovered completely.

[Preoperative accuracy of selective laser sintering (SLS) in craniofacial 3D modeling: comparison with patient CT data]. / Präoperative Genauigkeit von kraniofazialen, in selektiver Lasersinterung-Technik gefertigten 3-D-Modellen, im Vergleich zum primären CT-Datensatz.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of craniofacial 3D models produced in the standardized selective laser sintering (SLS) technique from multislice computed tomography (MSCT) data sets in comparison with patient data and to investigate the effect of potential causes of inaccuracies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 19 models were considered and examined by MSCT. The patient CT data used for 3D modeling was analyzed and compared to the 3D model data. 15 anatomical landmarks were defined and 20 distances were digitally measured. The digital measurements of both CT data sets were compared to manually measured distances of the SLS model. RESULTS: There was not a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between the measurements of the distances concerning all three groups (patient CT data, model CT data, manual measurement of the model). The mean values of the differences were between 0.5455 and -0.3214 mm. CONCLUSION: We found a high accuracy of SLS 3D models, which is due to a high precision in the modeling process and to the small voxel size of patient CT data achieved by MSCT. Anatomical landmarks in patient and model CT data sets and on the 3D model were able to be accurately reproduced, which is important for preoperative planning.

Long-term follow-up after extracranial internal carotid artery dissection.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate long-term outcome after extracranial internal carotid artery dissection (eICAD) in consideration of the applied antithrombotic therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Among 33 consecutive eICAD patients initially treated either with anticoagulation (n = 25) or with antiplatelets (n = 8), a standardized interview was performed after 28 +/- 22.1 months to analyze risks and benefits of both agents. Ischemic and hemorrhagic complications, occurrence of seizure and rates of arterial recanalization were compared and long-term clinical outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Barthel Index (BI). RESULTS: Among anticoagulated patients, 1 died due to brain herniation. In 3 patients stroke (n = 2) or TIA (n = 1) recurred. In the antiplatelet group, none died and no subsequent ischemic events happened. Hemorrhagic complications were noted in neither treatment group. Functional outcome among anticoagulated patients was BI 92 +/- 21.6 and mRS 1.48 +/- 1.50, which did not differ from patients initially treated with antiplatelets (BI 89 +/- 18.9, mRS 1.50 +/- 1.41, p > 0.05). Four anticoagulated patients developed seizures, compared to 2 patients with antiplatelets (p > 0.05). Arterial recanalization occurred in 16 of 22 antico- agulated patients with ultrasound follow-up, compared to 6 of 6 patients with antiplatelets (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the absence of iatrogenic side effects, both anticoagulation and antiplatelets seem to be safe for eICAD. The rates for death and stroke were low and outcome ratings did not differ between both agents. These findings may indicate that a controlled randomized trial comparing anticoagulation and antiplatelets is ethically justified.

Acute spontaneous spinal subdural haematoma: MRI features.

We present MRI findings in three patients with acute spontaneous subdural haematomas of the spine. Acute haematomas (1-3 days) were isointense or gave slightly high signal on T1-and heterogeneous signal on T2-weighted images. MRI precisely defined the level and extent of the haematoma preoperatively. The MRI was prospectively correctly interpreted as acute subdural haematomas in all patients. As a specific, noninvasive modality, MRI is the preferred imaging technique in this rare clinical entity.

Disappearance of an intracerebral arteriovenous malformation in an HIV-infected patient after initiation of HAART.

HIV infection or complications of HIV-induced immunodeficiency may affect the central nervous system (CNS). However, vascular cerebral pathologies are very rare, in particular intracerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM). We report the case of an HIV-infected patient who had a cerebral AVM leading to symptoms such as recurring focal seizures. Only after initiation of potent antiretroviral combination therapy, but not antiretroviral monotherapy or bitherapy, could the viral load be suppressed and immunodeficiency resolved. Two years after the start of highly active antiretroviraL therapy (HAART) total occlusion of the AVM could be demonstrated. Taken together, this case report may demonstrate the potent angiogenic activity of HIV for AVM. Also, this case report might show that inhibition of such a cofactor may lead to resolution of an AVM.

Carotid arterial stent placement: results and follow-up in 53 patients.

PURPOSE: To describe the results, complications, and follow-up data after stent placement for occlusive internal carotid arterial disease and to compare the results with those in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Carotid arterial stent placement was attempted in 57 arteries in 53 patients. Thirty-six (68%) of 53 patients were symptomatic. Forty-two (79%) of 53 patients had one to three clinically important comorbidities and were considered at high risk. All patients underwent pre- and postprocedural independent neurologic examinations. Follow-up consisted of serial duplex ultrasonography and clinical assessment. RESULTS: The immediate technical success rate of stent deployment was 97%. Periprocedurally, three (three [5%] of 57 interventions) transient ischemic attacks and three (three [5%] of 57 interventions) minor strokes occurred. Two deaths occurred in the first 30 days (one myocardial infarction, one renal failure). One ipsilateral major stroke occurred 3 weeks after the procedure. The 30-day ipsilateral major stroke and death rate was 5% (three of 57 interventions). At 30 days, one of three patients with minor stroke had mild residual dysphasia. Treatment remained clinically successful in 48 (96%) of 50 patients. The restenosis rate was 4% (two patients). CONCLUSION: Carotid arterial stent placement in a high-risk population has morbidity and mortality rates comparable to those of carotid endarterectomy in a lower risk population. Carotid arterial stent placement can be performed with a low restenosis rate.