脊髓圆锥末端位置与蛛网膜下腔阻滞引起脊髓损伤的关系

国内外很多学者通过核磁共振观察统计脊髓圓锥末端位置的水平,发现其变化范围为T_(12)-L_3椎体,并与年龄、性别、体位、脊髓发育异常等多方面因素有关,而蛛网膜下腔阻滞时常选择L_2/L_3间隙穿刺,此法会增加脊髓损伤的风险并且有明确病例报道并提供了直接证据.蛛网膜下腔阻滞引起脊髓损伤与定位不准、穿刺针因素、穿刺技术和脊髓解剖位置有关.了解脊髓圆锥末端的位置与蛛网膜下腔阻滞的关系对于避免和预防脊髓损伤尤为重要.     

脊髓,圆锥与马尾损伤分类：附106例胸腰段脊柱与脊髓损伤分析

本文将１０６例胸１０到腰４的脊柱脊髓损伤的病例进行神经损伤的分类：Ｉ型：完全性脊髓损伤；Ⅱ型：完全性脊髓－圆锥损伤；Ⅲ型：不完全性圆锥马尾损伤；Ⅳ型：完全性圆锥损伤，合并部分马尾损伤：Ⅴ型：完全性圆锥马尾损伤；Ⅵ型：单纯圆锥损伤；Ⅶ型：部分马尾损伤．文章论述了每一型损伤的诊断标准，讨论了分类的意义，神经损伤与膀眈功能分级的关系；提出了以感觉、运动及膀胱功能为指标的截瘫量化功能评价的格式．     

The conus medullaris ratio: A new way to identify tethered cord on MRI

Purpose

Approximately 25% of patients with anorectal malformation have tethered cord. The traditional way of determining conus medullaris level on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) relies on counting vertebrae, which may be challenging due to vertebral numeric variation, segmentation anomalies, as well as transitional vertebral body anatomy. The purpose of this study was to utilize more reliable anatomic landmarks (foramen magnum, conus termination, and the upper limit of the iliac crest) to establish a consistent ratio that may differentiate patients with normal and low-lying conus.

Ganglioglioma of conus medullaris: A case report

A case of a ganglioglioma of the conus medullaris extending between T-12 and L2 segments is reported. The tumor was succesfully removed by third stage operation. Ganglioglioma located in the conus medullaris is extremely rare. The best treatment of spinal cord ganglioglioma is totally tumor excision even when multiple stage operations are necessary.     

Duplicated filum terminale in non-split cord malformations: An underrecognized cause for treatment failure in tethered cord syndrome

Context: Anatomical variations of the filum terminale (FT) have been described in association with split cord malformations (SCM) but they appear to be a rare finding in its absence. We report the first case in literature of a duplicated FT in a patient presenting with tethered cord syndrome (TCS) without any radiological evidence of SCM.

Findings: A 47-year-old man presented with invalidating back pain radiating to both legs. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intradural dorsal lipoma in a low-lying conus. Intraoperatively two distinct fibrous bands were anatomically and electrophysiologically identified as the FT and both were sectioned. The diagnosis of FT was confirmed for both specimens by histology.

Conclusion: In absence of SCM, a duplicated FT has not been previously described as a cause of TCS. It may be a cause of treatment failure for TCS if unrecognized on preoperative imaging and during surgery if one filum remains intact. We highlight the importance of a meticulous cauda equina dissection supported by intraoperative nerve stimulation to identify this rare anomaly. We hypothesize that this entity may represent a variant of SCM involving the caudal neural tube but which requires further validation at an embryological level.     

Symptomatic cystic dilatation of V ventricle: Case report and review of the literature

We report a case of V ventricular cystic dilatation, presenting with specific neurological symptoms including low back pain, bilateral sciatica, weakness of dorsiflexion, and urinary retention. MRI showed a large cystic dilatation of the ventriculus terminalis. Surgical fenestration of the cyst allowed complete relief from symptoms and remission of the neurological deficit.     

Implantation of cauda equina nerve roots through a biodegradable scaffold at the conus medullaris in rat

Background contextTraumatic injuries occurring at the conus medullaris of the spinal cord cause permanent damage both to the central nervous system and to the cauda equina nerve roots.PurposeThis proof-of-concept study was to determine whether implanting the nerve roots into a biodegradable scaffold would improve regeneration after injury.MethodsAll experimental works involving rats were performed according to the approved guidelines by the Mayo Clinic Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Surgical procedures were performed on 32 Sprague-Dawley rats. Four ventral cauda equina nerve roots were reimplanted either directly into the ventral cord stump or through a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold. These experimental groups were compared with a control group in which the nerves were inserted into a muscle fascia barrier that was placed between the spinal cord and the nerve roots. Animals were sacrificed at 4 weeks.ResultsThere was no difference in motor neuron counts in the spinal cord rostral to the injury in all treatment groups, implying equal potential for the regeneration into implanted nerve roots. One-way analysis of variance testing, with Tukey post hoc test, showed a statistically significant improvement in axon regeneration through the injury in the PLGA scaffold treatment group compared with the control (p<.05, scaffold n=11, control n=11).ConclusionsThis pilot study demonstrated that a PLGA scaffold improved regeneration of axons into peripheral nerve roots. However, the number of regenerating axons observed was limited and did not lead to functional recovery. Future experiments will employ a different scaffold material and possible growth factors or enzymes to increase axon populations.     

Intramedullary tuberculoma of the conus: a case report

Tuberculomas of the spinal cord are rare. The objective of this study was to illustrate the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculomas of the conus medullaris. They must be suspected in patients with a clinical context and a typical spinal cord mass lesion. Treatment is primarily medical. Surgery is reserved for cases of rapid neurological deterioration or doubts concerning the diagnosis. We report a case of intramedullary tuberculoma of the conus in a 27-year-old woman with paresthesias and weakness of the lower limbs who had been treated for pulmonary tuberculosis. The spinal MR showed a characteristic intramedullary ring-enhancing lesion. She improved neurologically one month after the beginning of the antituberculous drugs and a laminectomy. Seven months later, the patient is asymptomatic and the lesion has nearly completely disappeared completely.     

Intramedullary spinal tuberculoma presenting as a conus tumor: a case report and review of the literature

Intramedullary spinal tuberculoma is a rare form of central nervous system tuberculosis. Although tuberculosis is unusual in the west, it is still prevalent in Asia and Africa. We report a case in which the diagnosis was made histologically without evidence of symptoms of systemic tuberculosis. The lesion, located in the conus medullaris, mimicked a conus tumor. The patient was a 20-year-old man who presented with a history of progressive leg weakness, urinary urgency, and impotence. There was no history of, or recent contact with, tuberculosis. A diagnosis of an intramedullary tumor in the conus medullaris was made by MRI. The patient underwent a T11-L1 laminectomy and total resection of the lesion with microsurgical technique. Histologic examination revealed a granulomatous lesion containing Langhans’ giant cells, inflammatory cells, and caseating necrosis. Antituberculous medication was instituted as soon as the diagnosis was made. Neurologic symptoms and signs slowly improved postoperatively. A combination of microsurgical resection and antituberculous chemotherapy should be the choice of treatment for intramedullary tuberculomas. Received: 11 January 1997 Revised: 1 April 1997 Accepted: 17 April 1997     

Changes in Level of the Conus after Corrective Surgery for Scoliosis: MRI-Based Preliminary Study in 31 Patients

Background

Detection of postoperative spinal cord level change can provide basic information about the spinal cord status, and electrophysiological studies regarding this point should be conducted in the future.

Methods

To determine the changes in the spinal cord level postoperatively and the possible associated factors, we prospectively studied 31 patients with scoliosis. All the patients underwent correction and posterior fusion using pedicle screws and rods between January 2008 and March 2009. The pre- and postoperative conus medullaris levels were determined by matching the axial magnetic resonance image to the sagittal scout image. The patients were divided according to the change in the postoperative conus medullaris level. The change group was defined as the patients who showed a change of more than one divided section in the vertebral column postoperatively, and the parameters of the change and non-change groups were compared.

Results

The mean pre- and postoperative Cobb''s angle of the coronal curve was 76.80° ± 17.19° and 33.23° ± 14.39°, respectively. Eleven of 31 patients showed a lower conus medullaris level postoperatively. There were no differences in the pre- and postoperative magnitude of the coronal curve, lordosis and kyphosis between the groups. However, the postoperative degrees of correction of the coronal curve and lumbar lordosis were higher in the change group. There were also differences in the disease entities between the groups. A higher percentage of patients with Duchene muscular dystrophy had a change in level compared to that of the patients with cerebral palsy (83.3% vs. 45.5%, respectively).

Conclusions

The conus medullaris level changed postoperatively in the patients with severe scoliosis. Overall, the postoperative degree of correction of the coronal curve was higher in the change group than that in the non-change group. The degrees of correction of the coronal curve and lumbar lordosis were related to the spinal cord level change after scoliosis correction.     

Incidence and outcomes of spinal cord injury clinical syndromes

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: To examine and compare demographics and functional outcomes for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) clinical syndromes, including central cord (CCS), Brown-Sequard (BSS), anterior cord (ACS), posterior cord (PCS), cauda equina (CES), and conus medullaris (CMS). DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Tertiary care, level 1 trauma center inpatient rehabilitation unit. PARTICIPANTS: Eight hundred thirty-nine consecutive admissions with acute SCIs. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Functional independence measure (FIM), FIM subgroups (motor, self-care, sphincter control), length of stay (LOS), and discharge disposition. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-five patients (20.9%) were diagnosed with SCI clinical syndromes. CCS was the most common (44.0%), followed by CES (25.1%) and BSS (17.1%). Significant differences (P < or = 0.01) were found between groups with regard to age, race, etiology, total admission FIM, motor admission FIM, self-care admission and discharge FIM, and LOS. Statistical analysis between tetraplegic BSS and CCS revealed significant differences (P < or = 0.01) with respect to age (39.7 vs 53.2 years) and a trend toward significance (P < or = 0.05) with regard to self-care admission and discharge FIM. No significant differences (P < or = 0.01) were found when comparing CMS to CES. CONCLUSIONS: SCI clinical syndromes represent a significant proportion of admissions to acute SCI rehabilitation, with CCS presenting most commonly and representing the oldest age group with the lowest admission functional level of all SCI clinical syndromes. Patients with cervical BSS seem to achieve higher functional improvement by discharge compared with patients with CCS. Patients with CMS and CES exhibit similar functional outcomes. Patients with ACS and PCS show functional gains with inpatient rehabilitation, with patients with ACS displaying the longest LOS of the SCI clinical syndromes. These findings have important implications for the overall management and outcome of patients with SCI.     

Current management review of thoracolumbar cord syndromes

Background context

Injuries to the thoracolumbar spine may lead to a complex array of clinical syndromes that result from dysfunction of the anterior motor units, lumbosacral nerve roots, and/or spinal cord. Neurologic dysfunction may manifest in the lower extremities as loss of fine and gross motor function, touch, pain, temperature, and proprioceptive and vibratory sense deficits. Two clinical syndromes sometimes associated with these injuries are conus medullaris syndrome (CMS) and cauda equina syndrome (CES).

Purpose

To review the current management of thoracolumbar spinal cord injuries.

Study design

Literature review.

Methods

Index Medicus was used to search the primary literature for articles on thoracolumbar injuries. An emphasis was placed on the current management, controversies, and newer treatment options.

Results/conclusions

After blunt trauma, these syndromes may reflect a continuum of dysfunction rather than a distinct clinical entity. The transitional anatomy at the thoracolumbar junction, where the conus medullaris is present, makes it less likely that a “pure” CMS or CES syndrome will occur and more likely that a “mixed” injury will. Surgical decompression is the mainstay of treatment for incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) and incomplete CMS and CES. The value of timing of surgical intervention in the setting of incomplete SCI is unclear at this time. This review summarizes the recent information on epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and controversies in the management of thoracolumbar neurologic injury syndromes.     

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma presenting as an isolated cauda equina–conus medullaris syndrome – A case report

Context: Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare form of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The central nervous system, skin and hematopoietic system are the most commonly affected sites. We report a case of IVLBCL presenting as a combined conus medullaris–cauda equina syndrome.

Findings: A 55-year-old Caucasian male presented with signs and symptoms of a combined conus medullaris–cauda equina syndrome confirmed by MRI and needle EMG. PET scan revealed a hyperactive focus in the adrenal gland, and biopsy showed evidence of IVLBCL. Therapy with R-CHOP resulted in improvement of weakness.

Conclusion: A high index of suspicion and consideration of IVLBCL in the differential for patients with these isolated spinal cord symptoms and CSF findings may help initiate early and suitable therapy which has been proven to be beneficial.     

Co-existence of L5-S1 disc herniation and conus medullaris ependymoma

INTRODUCTION

The lumbar disc herniations are seen very common than spinal ependymomas in the neurosurgery polyclinic routine.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

In our case, both pathologies were seen at the most frequently located levels compatible with the literature.Aim of this case report is, to remind once more that, different pathologies can be found at the same time in a single patient; differential diagnosis must be done very carefully.

DISCUSSION

The routine Computed Tomography (CT) imaging for low back pain can not show the conus medullaris pathology. Spinal tumors or other similar pathologies should be kept in mind for differential diagnosis. A good medical history and a good physical examination must be completed before the final diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Viewing of spinal canal with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) will be useful for the patients who we intend to do disc surgery.     

Intramedullary lesions of the conus medullaris: differential diagnosis and surgical management

The medullary conus represents a distinct entity of the spinal cord regarding its anatomical, clinical and microsurgical features. An overview of the pathologic processes of this region is provided. Epidemiological, clinical and neuroradiological characteristics of neoplastic (glial tumors, non-glial tumors, metastasis, primary melanomas) and non-neoplastic lesions (granulomatous lesions, abscess, parasitic infections, vascular, demyelinating and dysembryogenetic lesions) are discussed. Main MR imaging characteristics used to differentiate neoplastic from non-neoplastic lesions consist in pathological spinal cord expansion, gadolinium-enhancement and tumoural cyst formation. Management strategies differ substantially, depending on the kind of lesion. According to the suspected pathological entity radical resection, biopsy or conservative treatments are reasonable options. Intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring is a fundamental part of the surgical setting.     

Metastatic-adenoid cystic carcinoma of the major salivary glands presenting as a spinal cord tumor

An adenoid cystic carcinoma (cylindroma) of the sub-mandibular salivary gland presented 17 years after diagnosis with a compressive syndrome of the spinal cord as well as a local recurrence. This is the first reported case of such an occurence. The literature is reviewed concerning other malignant tumors of the salivary glands presenting in this way. Fifteen cases of mixed salivary-gland tumors are reviewed. Evidence of histologic change from one tumor type to another and the mechanism of spread to the vertebral column is discussed.     

Primary amyloidoma of the axis and acute spinal cord compression: a case report

Background Localized primary amyloidosis is a disease characterized by a single tumor and localized amyloid deposit (amyloidoma) with no evidence of generalized amyloidosis. The occurrence of an amyloidoma in the spine is rare and only three cases affecting the axis have been previously reported. We describe the case of a 79-year-old woman presenting with a mass involving the odontoid process, responsible for an acute tetraparesia. Diagnosis of local primary amyloidosis was made after surgical excision.Results Despite the critical presentation, outcome was excellent after total excision of the mass. This case can be classified as a primary localized amyloidoma. The patient did not exhibit any infection, tumor or inflammatory disease, and continued investigations failed to demonstrate other amyloid deposit after one-year follow-up.Conclusions Amyloidoma must be discussed in presence of a tumor-like mass of the odontoid process and may be responsible, as in our case, for spinal cord compression.     

Extremely rare glioblastoma multiforme of the conus medullaris with holocord and brain stem metastases, leading to cranial nerve deficit and respiratory failure: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Spinal glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an uncommon entity and metastases are extremely rare. Glioblastoma multiforme of the conus medullaris is a rare and highly aggressive entity that can quickly progress to a dismal state. Proper diagnosis via histopathologic and immunochemical staining with close clinical and radiological follow-up is important for the management of this very aggressive tumor. CASE DESCRIPTION: The authors report the clinical features, histopathologic and immunochemical staining characteristics, as well as the radiographic evidence of a case of primary GBM of the conus medullaris with metastases to the whole spinal cord and brain in a 20-year-old man who presented with low back pain and bilateral lower extremity weakness and numbness. Review of the pathology slides using histopathologic and immunochemical staining showed GBM. Serial magnetic resonance scans, performed after the initial surgery, demonstrated enlargement of the primary GBM in the conus medullaris with metastases to the thoracic and cervical spinal cord as well as to the brain. CONCLUSIONS: Glioblastoma multiforme of the conus medullaris with such clinical findings is extremely rare. We analyze similar cases in the literature and discuss the importance of monitoring the progression of such an entity as well as the need for aggressive management of the different complications as they arise to maintain a good quality of life.     

应用改进封闭脊髓窗技术活体观察脊髓损伤后脊髓微循环变化

目的:探讨应用改进的封闭脊髓窗技术活体观察大鼠脊髓损伤后脊髓微循环变化的可行性及效果.方法:改进传统的脊髓窗,设计带有打击探头的脊髓窗.45只SD大鼠随机分为对照组(n=20)和实验组(n=25).实验组大鼠脊髓窗安装完成后进行窗内打击脊髓,然后即时观察并记录打击后2h内打击点周围微动脉直径的变化.对照组大鼠在脊髓窗安装完成后不进行打击,只对脊髓微动脉直径进行连续2h观察并记录.术后两组大鼠进行BBB运动功能评分,处死动物取脊髓标本切片,HE染色,观察脊髓组织改变情况.结果:实验组大鼠打击点周围2～6mm的微动脉直径在打击后10min、30min、1h、2h各时间点均较打击前明显减小,术后2d及7d时BBB功能评分明显低于术前,病理切片可见脊髓打击区神经组织变性液化.对照组大鼠在观测开始及结束时脊髓微动脉直径无明显变化,术后BBB评分与术前BBB评分均为21分,病理切片未见脊髓损伤表现.结论:改进的封闭脊髓窗技术可以有效地实现窗内打击脊髓,并可以安全地对脊髓表面微血管进行活体观测.脊髓表面打击点周围2～6mm的微动脉在脊髓损伤后10min即发生痉挛.     

Exostosis as a cause of spinal cord compression

A patient harboring multiple hereditary exostoses with a long-lasting tetraparesis owing to intraspinal osteochondroma is described. The results of surgical treatment were poor in contrast to the results achieved by other previous authors performing decompression of the spinal cord. The related literature is briefly reviewed and conclusions are drawn in favor of computed tomographic examination of the spine of patients with vertebral complaints.