Microsurgical anatomy of the posterior median septum of the human spinal cord.

The aim of this study was to analyze the topographical anatomy of the dorsal spinal cord (SC) in relation to the posterior median septum (PMS). This included the course and variations in the PMS, and its relationship to and distance from other dorsal spinal landmarks. Microsurgical anatomy of the PMS was examined in 12 formalin-fixed adult cadaveric SCs. Surface landmarks such as the dorsal root entry zone (DREZ), the denticulate ligament, the architecture of the leptomeninges and pial vascular distribution were noted. The PMS was examined histologically in all spinal segments. The PMS extended most deeply at spinal segments C7 and S4. This was statistically significant for all spinal segments except C5. The PMS was shallowest at segments T4 and T6, where it was statistically significantly thinner than at any other segment. In 80% of the SCs, small blood vessels were identified that traveled in a rostrocaudal direction in the PMS. The longest distance between the PMS and the DREZ was at the C1-C4 vertebral levels and the shortest distance was at the S5 level. Prevention of deficits following a dorsal midline neurosurgical approach to deep-seated SC lesions requires careful identification of the midline of the cord. The PMS and septum define the midline on the dorsum of the SC and their accurate identification is essential for a safe midline surgical approach. In this anatomical study, we describe the surface anatomy of the dorsal SC and its relationship with the PMS, which can be used to determine a safe entry zone into the SC.

Potential neuroprotective effect of Anakinra in spinal cord injury in an in vivo experimental animal model.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of inhibiting interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) in vivo using Anakinra in an experimental model of spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: All experimental procedures were performed in the animal laboratory of Ankara Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey between August 2012 and May 2014. The SCI was induced by applying vascular clips to the dura via a 4-level T5-T8 laminectomy. Fifty-four rats were randomized into the following groups: controls (n = 18), SCI + saline (n = 18), and SCI + Anakinra (n = 18). Spinal cord samples were obtained from animals in both SCI groups at one, 6, and 24 hours after surgery (n = 6 for each time point). Spinal cord tissue and serum were extracted, and the levels of IL-1 beta, malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were analyzed. Furthermore, histopathological evaluation of the tissues was performed. RESULTS: The SCI in rats caused severe injury characterized by edema, neutrophil infiltration, and cytokine production followed by recruitment of other inflammatory cells, lipid peroxidation, and increased oxidative stress. After SCI, tissue and serum IL-1 beta levels were significantly increased, but were significantly decreased by Anakinra administration. Following trauma, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels were decreased; however, Anakinra increased the activity of these antioxidant enzymes. Malondialdehyde levels were increased after trauma, but were unaffected by Anakinra. Histopathological analysis showed that Anakinra effectively protected the spinal cord tissue from injury. CONCLUSION: Treatment with Anakinra reduces inflammation and other tissue injury events associated with SCI.

Currarino syndrome: report of five consecutive patients.

INTRODUCTION: The Currarino syndrome is regarded as a developmental disorder based on its recognized etiological heterogeneity. This syndrome is thought to result from abnormal separation of the neuroectoderm from the endoderm. Our aim was to report the neurosurgical management of Currarino syndrome in children and adults and to describe what clinician could do if the Currarino triad was suspected. CASE REPORTS: We present five cases of Currarino triad who underwent surgical intervention. All patients had sacral bony deformity, anorectal malformations, and anterior sacral meningocele. A 40-year-old-male had chronic constipation. He was incidentally diagnosed with Currarino syndrome. A 19-year-old-female suffered from a slight weakness in lower extremities and urinary incontinence. Her past medical history was remarkable for anal atresia. The other three cases were children. CONCLUSION: When an anterior sacral meningocele is encountered, Currarino syndrome should be taken into consideration. Although it is rarity, the Currarino syndrome might be one of the causes of chronic constipation. Endoscopic or endoscope-assisted surgery via a posterior sacral route can be feasible for treatment of some of the patients with anterior sacral meningocele. Anterior meningocele pouch associated with Currarino syndrome will regresses over time following transdural ligation of its neck.

Attenuation of cerebral vasospasm and secondary injury by testosterone following experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in rabbit.

BACKGROUND: The vasodilatator effects of testosterone have been widely studied and demonstrated. Based on previous studies of these vasodilatatory activities, we hypothesized that testosterone might have potential effects on subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced cerebral vasospasm. METHODS: Thirty-two adult male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups of eight rabbits in each group: group 1 (control); group 2 (subarachnoid hemorrhage); group 3 (subarachnoid hemorrhage + vehicle); and group 4 (subarachnoid hemorrhage + testosterone). Testosterone (15 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was administered 5 min after the intracisternal blood injection and continued for 72 h once per day in the same dose for group 4. Animals were killed 72 h after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Basilar artery cross-sectional areas, arterial wall thicknesses, and hippocampal degeneration scores were evaluated in all groups. RESULTS: Intraperitoneal administration of testosterone was found to attenuate cerebral vasospasm and provide neuroprotection after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rabbits. Testosterone treatment was determined to be effective at increasing the luminal area and reducing the wall thickness of the basilar artery. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that testosterone has some preventive effects on SAH-induced vasospasm and secondary neuronal injury in rabbits. We propose that the vasodilatatory activity of testosterone is due to its effects on inhibiting calcium channels, activating potassium channels, augmenting nitric oxide synthesis, and inhibiting oxidant stress and inflammation.

Clinical outcome of adult choroid plexus tumors: retrospective analysis of a single institute.

BACKGROUND: Choroid plexus tumors are rare brain tumors with clinical features that vary according to the histological grade. We reviewed the treatment outcomes of 15 adult patients with choroid plexus tumors, focusing on surgical outcomes and current therapeutic strategies. METHOD: Patient demographic and clinical characteristics, operative findings, adjuvant therapies, disease progression and survival rates were reviewed. RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis was 33.7 ± 10 years (19-59 years) for patients with choroid plexus tumors. Postoperative chemotherapy was given to 26.7 % of patients, and 13.3 % of patients received radiotherapy. The Ki-67 labeling index and mitotic index increased at higher histological grades. All of the choroid plexus papilloma and atypical choroid plexus papilloma patients have survived. The overall survival rate of patients with choroid plexus carcinoma was 50 % in the first year, but none of the patients survived to the second year. Five patients underwent permanent cerebrospinal fluid diversion surgery because of hydrocephalus or subdural effusion. CONCLUSIONS: Choroid plexus papilloma and atypical choroid plexus papilloma patients can be treated with complete surgical resection. Choroid plexus carcinoma has a poor prognosis, and aggressive multi-modal treatments are generally needed for treatment. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are important adjuvant therapies for choroid plexus carcinoma. If hydrocephalus and/or subdural effusion occur, permanent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion should be added to the therapeutic strategy.

Subdural hematomas and emergency management in infancy and childhood: a single institution's experience.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify the incidence, clinical features, management, and outcome of subdural hematomas (SHs) in infancy and childhood. METHODS: Twenty-one children younger than 11 years with SH were analyzed. Clinical features and possible child abuse were considered in each case. RESULTS: Eight children experienced minor injuries due to hitting of solid items on their head. Five of these children also had coagulation disorders. Three of the children suffered from child abuse, only one of the children had head trauma due to car accident. Nine of the patients experienced SH due to fall down. Nine patients have acute SH, 7 had subacute SH, 4 had chronic SH, and 1 had acute and subacute SH together. Clinical presentation varied greatly. Most of them presented with vomiting and seizure. The outcome patterns were different among the patients. Deep coma on admission was associated with an unfavorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Subdural hematoma is common in infancy and childhood and carries a poor prognosis. Most of the cases are due to head trauma, coagulation disorders, and child abuse. We believe that clinical investigation of such children should be carried out in a multidisciplinary approach with the collaboration of pediatricians, social workers, and neurosurgeons.

Rapid resolution of acute epidural hematoma: case report and review of the literature.

Acute epidural hematomas present a serious and urgent condition. Standard management is early diagnosis and immediate surgical evacuation. Otherwise, there is a high risk of quick deterioration and death. Only patients with small asymptomatic epidural hematomas can be managed conservatively with close observation. We present a case of traumatic right temporal epidural hematoma. This is one of the rare cases of rapid spontaneous resolution of epidural hematomas within hours. Various possible mechanisms to explain the rapid resolution are discussed together with a review of the literature regarding the conservative treatment of epidural hematoma.

Intracerebral hematoma following lumboperitoneal shunt insertion: a rare case report.

Lumboperitoneal shunting is widely used for the surgical management of pseudotumor cerebri and other pathologies such as communicating hydrocephalus. Although it is a safe method, it could be associated with complications including subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural and rarely intracerebral hematoma. A 44-year-old female applied to our clinic with complaints of severe headache, retroorbital pain and blurred vision. Lumbar puncture demonstrated cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure of cmH2O. A non-programmable lumboperitoneal shunt with two distal slit valves was inserted due to pseudotumor cerebri. She deteriorated shortly after surgery. Immediate cranial computed tomography scan revealed a right parietal intracerebral hematoma. Development of intracerebral hematoma following lumboperitoneal shunt is a rare complication. We discuss this rare event accompanied by the literature.

Intradural lipoma of the cervicothoracic spinal cord with intracranial extension.

INTRODUCTION: Intradural spinal lipoma is rare and seen about 1% of all tumors of the spinal cord. Lipomas of the cervical location with intracranial extension are extremely rare and are described as intramedullary or subpial location. CASE: A 12-year-old female with lipoma of the cervicothoracic spinal cord demonstrated progressive quadriparesis. The patient underwent surgery with decompression of the affected craniocervical location. DISCUSSION: In the reported case, we describe a rare intradural lipoma of the cervicothoracic spinal cord with posterior fossa extension in the child, and the relevant English medical literature is reviewed.

Blocking VEGF by Bevacizumab Attenuates VEGF-Induced Vasospasm After Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: Vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) plays a vital role in the development of delayed cerebral ischemia. Anti- vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibodies, like bevacizumab (BEV), may attenuate VEGF-stimulated angiogenesis, reduced vascular cell proliferation, and improve vasospasm after SAH. METHODS: Thirty-two adult male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups of 8 rabbits in each group: group 1 (control); group 2 (SAH); group 3 (SAH + vehicle); and group 4 (SAH + BEV). BEV (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was administered 5 minutes after the intracisternal blood injection and continued for 72 hours once per day in the same dose for group 4. Animals were sacrificed 72 hours after SAH. Basilar artery cross-sectional areas, arterial wall thicknesses, and hippocampal degeneration scores were evaluated in all groups. RESULTS: VEGF is associated with the narrowing of the basilar artery. Treatment with BEV statistically significantly increased the cross-sectional area of the basilar artery when compared with the SAH and the vehicle groups. Basilar artery wall thicknesses in the BEV group was statistically significant smaller than in the SAH and vehicle groups. The hippocampal degeneration scores for the BEV and control groups were similar and significantly lower than those for the SAH and vehicle groups. CONCLUSIONS: Cellular proliferation and subsequent vessel wall thickening is a reason to delay cerebral ischemia and deterioration of the neurocognitive function. Intraperitoneal administration of BEV was found to attenuate cerebral vasospasm and prevent delayed cerebral ischemia and improve neurocognitive function after SAH in rabbits.

Chiari Type I malformation presenting with bilateral hearing loss.

Chiari Type I malformations can present with several clinical signs and symptoms. We describe a 44-year-old female patient presenting with bilateral hearing loss with hydrocephalus coexisting with Chiari Type I malformation and a unilateral arachnoid cyst. Thus, sensorineural hearing loss may be caused by hydrocephalus with Chiari Type I malformation. The placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt without a posterior fossa decompression is an effective treatment.

The Preventative Effect of α-Tocopherol on Spinal Epidural Fibrosis After Laminectomy in a Rat Model.

AIM: To assess the efficacy of α-tocopherol as a topical antifibrotic agent on epidural fibrosis in lumbar laminectomy procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 32 adult rats were assigned into four groups, with eight rats in each group. Standard laminectomy was performed in every rat. In group 1, no treatment was administered after laminectomy. In group 2, a saline-soaked absorbable gelatin sponge was left on the dura mater after laminectomy. In group 3, only α-tocopherol was used on the dura mater after laminectomy. In group 4, a gelatin sponge soaked with α-tocopherol was used after laminectomy. En bloc vertebral columns between T10 and L5 were removed after sacrifice on postoperative day 30. Specimens were evaluated for degree of fibrosis and arachnoidal invasions. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in the mean of fibrosis grades between groups (p=0.001). Differences in mean arachnoidal invasion were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Topical application of α-tocopherol could effectively reduce the development of epidural fibrosis in an experimental laminectomy model.

Modified Inside-outside Occipito-Cervical Plate System: Preliminary Results.

CONTEXT: Internal rigid fixation provides immediate stability of the occipito-cervical (OC) junction for treatment of instability; however, in current practice, the optimal OC junction stabilization method is debatable. AIMS: The aim of this study to test the safety and efficacy of a newly designed modified inside-outside occipito-cervical (MIOOC) plate system for the treatment of instability. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a feasibility study of MIOCC plate system. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Five male and four female patients with OC instability were treated using MIOOC plate system. Stabilization rate, safety, and efficacy were evaluated radiologically and clinically. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 35 ± 11 (range: 22-58) years. Etiology of OC instability included trauma, neoplasm, congenital abnormalities, and iatrogenic. The fusion levels ranged from occiput-C3 to occiput-C6. Mean follow-up duration was 22 ± 10 (range: 6-46) months. There were neither complication nor was there any need for plate revision or screw pullout. Mortality occurred in one patient due to primary malignancy at 6 months; otherwise, no morbidity was observed. During the follow-up, no recurrent subluxation or newly developed instability at adjacent levels occurred. All patients showed a satisfactory union at the most recent follow-up examination. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that the MIOCC plate system is a useful and safe method for providing immediate internal stability of the OC junction. Using a multi-piece plate design in this plate system provided easy implantation and a better interface between plate and OC bones. Further, clinical studies and long-term results are needed to determine the reliability of the MIOOC plate system.

Identification of Risk Factors for Postoperative Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage and Comparison of Two Alternative Dural Augmentation Techniques in Posterior Fossa and Spinal Surgeries.

AIM: To investigate comparative efficacy of a novel absorbable adhesive membrane (TissuePatchDuralTM "TPD") and a fibrin glue (Tisseel "T") in reducing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks after posterior fossa and spinal procedures, and also to identify potential risk factors for CSF leakage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study of 123 consecutive posterior fossa (n=77) and spinal (n=46) surgeries. Patients were grouped based on dural sealants used 2-group comparison: TPD (n=56) vs. no-TPD (n=67) and 3-group comparison: T only (n=43), TPD only (n=32) vs TPD+T (n=35). RESULTS: Mean age was 38.9 ± 22.2 years (62 males, 61 females). Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Neither 2-group (TPD: 10.4% vs no-TPD: 8.9%; p=0.778) nor 3-group (T: 9.3% vs TPD: 6.3% vs TPD+T: 14.3%; p=0.539) comparisons revealed a significant difference in postoperative CSF leakage rates. Multivariate analysis showed that diagnosis (non-tumoral vs. tumor) (OR: 5.487; 95% CI: 1.118-26.937; p=0.036); previous surgery (OR: 9.268; 95% CI: 1.911-44.958; p=0.006), postoperative hydrocephalus (OR: 5.456; 95% CI: 1.250-23.821; p=0.024) were independent predictors of postoperative CSF leakage. CONCLUSION: TissuePatchDural < sup > TM < /sup > is a novel dural sealant patch which can be safely used to reinforce dural closure in posterior fossa and spinal surgeries, and its efficacy is comparable to widely used fibrin glue (Tisseel). Non-tumoral pathologies, previous surgery, and postoperative hydrocephalus appear to be independent risk factors for postoperative CSF leakage.

Chronic subdural hematoma in capoeira sport.

Chronic subdural hematomas in young people is extremely rare and has some provoking factors such as V-P shunts, arachnoid cyst, anticoagulant drug usage, vigorous sports and coagulopathies. A static or dynamic mechanical load is almost always delivered to skull associated with either mild or severe head trauma. A 25-year old-man who was previously healthy has complained of intermittent headache for six months. He had been interested in capoiera (Brazilian exciting sport) for two years and has had no any evidence of head injury. After admission, he was operated immediately because of chronic subdural hematoma. We report a patient who is the first chronic subdural hematoma in the literature due to playing capoeira.

Lhermitte-Duclos Disease: A Rare Lesion with Variable Presentations and Obscure Histopathology.

Since Lhermitte-Duclos is a quite rare disorder with both neoplastic and hamartomatous features, clinical and pathological diagnosis can sometimes be challenging. For the pathologist it is of extreme importance to be aware of variable clinical and histopathological presentations of such a rare lesion particularly to differentiate it from the low-grade glial and neuronal tumors. We present four cases of Lhermitte-Duclos in a histopathological perspective. Although enlargement of the internal granular layer of the cerebellum is a consistent finding in our cases, morphological severity was highly variable and in some cases the enlargement was insignificant. Frozen sections of one case did not reveal diagnostic findings. The vacuolar change observed in the paraffin sections was obscure in the frozen. Pathological diagnosis of Lhermitte-Duclos disease can be extremely difficult in the absence of proper clinical information and the pathologist should be watchful for any irregularity in the internal granular layer in evaluating the cerebellar tissue which is otherwise normal.

Revisiting Ligament-Sparing Lumbar Microdiscectomy: When to Preserve Ligamentum Flavum and How to Evaluate Radiological Results for Epidural Fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: Preserving the ligamentum flavum (LF) during lumbar spine surgery can help to limit the extent of postoperative epidural fibrosis (EF), which is a potential cause of persistent leg pain. We present a retrospective analysis of microdiscectomy with preservation of the LF to evaluate the effects of the two LF mobilizing techniques (reflecting inferiorly or medially vs. removing completely) on EF and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Microdiscectomy was performed through a unilateral laminotomy in 93 patients (52 male, 41 female; mean age, 46 years; range, 25-65 years) with L3-L4 (n = 3), L4-L5 (n = 40), and L5-S1 (n = 50) lumbar disc herniation. Patients whose LF was removed were assigned to group 1 (n=42), and patients whose LF was preserved by mobilizing it medially (n = 31) or inferiorly (n = 20) were assigned to groups 2 and 3, respectively. Follow-up visual analog scale (VAS) scores and magnetic resonance images were evaluated. RESULTS: EF scores, particularly for the anterior quadrants, were significantly higher in group 1 than in groups 2 (P = 0.012) and 3 (P = 0.001). Likewise, postoperative VAS scores in group 1 were also significantly higher than in groups 2 (P = 0.009) and 3 (P = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that 1) preserving the LF during lumbar microdiscectomy reduces the formation of postoperative EF and improves clinical outcomes; 2) EF in the anterior, rather than the posterior epidural space, is correlated with clinical results; and 3) the ligament mobilizing technique used should be individually tailored on the basis of the features of disc herniation.

Does Decorin Protect Neuronal Tissue via Its Antioxidant and Antiinflammatory Activity from Traumatic Brain Injury? An Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND: The development of secondary brain injury via oxidative stress after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is well known. Decorin (DC) inactivates transforming growth factor ß1, complement system, and tumor necrosis factor α, which are related to oxidative stress and apoptosis. Consequently, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of DC on TBI. METHODS: A total of 24 male rats were used and divided into 4 groups as follows; control, trauma, DC, and methylprednisolone (MP). The trauma, DC, and MP groups were subjected to closed-head contusive weight-drop injuries. Rats received treatment with intraperitoneal saline, DC, or MP, respectively. All the animals were killed at the 24th hour after trauma and brain tissues were extracted. The oxidant/antioxidant parameters (malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and NO) and caspase 3 in the cerebral tissue were analyzed, and histomorphologic evaluation of the cerebral tissue was performed. RESULTS: Levels of malondialdehyde, NO, and activity of caspase 3 were significantly reduced, and in addition glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase levels were increased in the DC and MP groups compared with the trauma group. The pathology scores and the percentage of degenerated neurons were statistically lower in the DC and MP groups than in the trauma group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study showed that DC inactivates transforming growth factor ß1 and protects the brain tissue and neuronal cells after TBI.

Remote Cerebellar Hemorrhage Following Lumboperitoneal Shunt Insertion: A Rare Case Report.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is characterized by high intracranial pressure without hydrocephalus or intracranial mass. Surgical treatment includes optic nerve fenestration and insertion of ventriculoperitoneal and lumboperitoneal (LP) shunts. For decreasing intracranial pressure, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) LP shunt is widely used for the surgical management; it also carries complications such as shunt migration, venous sinus thrombosis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and subdural and intracerebral hematoma. A 52-year-old man was admitted to the neurosurgery clinic with severe headache, retro-orbital pain, and blurred vision. Lumbar puncture demonstrated that the CSF opening pressure was 32 cm H 2 O. A nonprogrammable LP shunt with two distal slit valves was inserted. Shortly after the surgery, his condition deteriorated and he became comatose. Immediate computed tomography scan revealed cerebellar hemorrhage and acute hydrocephalus. Development of remote cerebellar hemorrhage following LP shunt is rare. We discuss this rare event and the applicable literature.