Patient perceived outcome after central corpectomy for cervical spondylotic myelopathy

BACKGROUND: Patient perception of outcome after decompressive surgery for CSM is infrequently reported. We evaluated a simple, quantitative patient-reported assessment of outcome after CC for CSM by comparing it with the NGRR. METHODS: In a prospective study between 1994 and 2004, patients who underwent CC for CSM were asked to quantify the outcome (relative to their preoperative status) on a scale of 0 to 100. Patient perceived outcome score was compared with the NGRR (preoperative grade - postoperative grade / preoperative grade x 100) at the same follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 208 patients with a follow-up ranging from 6 to 72 months (mean, 16.3 months) were evaluated. There was a good positive correlation between PPOS and NGRR for the whole group (Pearson correlation coefficient, 0.62; P < .001), good-grade patients (preoperative Nurick grade of 1-3) (Pearson correlation coefficient, 0.52; P < .001), and poor-grade patients (Pearson correlation coefficient, 0.79; P < .001); the correlation was strongest in the poor-grade group of patients. kappa statistic revealed moderate agreement between the 2 scores in the whole group (kappa = 0.45), substantial agreement in the poor-grade patients (kappa = 0.61), and fair agreement in the good-grade patients (kappa = 0.34). In 28 of the 208 patients (13.5%), there was no agreement between the 2 scores with a significantly greater proportion (24/28), reporting an improvement in spite of no change in their Nurick grade (McNemar chi(2) test, P = .0002). CONCLUSIONS: Although there was good agreement and a positive correlation between PPOS and NGRR, the disagreement in 13.5% of patients suggests that the 2 scores are evaluating some dissimilar functional domains; therefore, PPOS provides additional independent data in the assessment of the results of decompressive surgery for CSM. Patient-reported outcome should be included in reporting outcome of decompressive surgery for CSM.     

Unusual MR presentation of cerebral parenchymal tuberculosis

The radiological abnormalities reported in CNS tuberculosis and their pathological correlates are discussed. Focal tuberculous involvement of the CNS without formation of tuberculoma is rare. The MR features in this case were also distinctly unusual for CNS tuberculosis. Therefore, histological confirmation of all lesions thought to be a low grade glioma is mandatory.     

High cervical and lumbar canal stenosis of varied etiology: a case report

Developmental stenosis without any significant spondylotic changes frequently occurs at C3 vertebra or below, and typically extends to C6-C7. However, high cervical focal canal stenosis is unusual. A case of cervical canal segmental stenosis at C2-3 level in addition to a developmental stenosis of the lumbar region, in a 45 year old male, has been presented in this article. The dynamics of the spinal canal in relation to the likely pathology of such conditions are reviewed. We speculate that focal segmental stenosis in the high cervical region may be due to a possible premature fusion of the neurocentral synchondrosis of the cartilage, or due to an abnormal rotary biomechanics which can result in facetal hypertrophy.     

Galactorrhea as the sole presenting symptom of a posterior third ventricular epidermoid cyst

BACKGROUND: Brain tumors that are remote from the sellar and parasellar region rarely produce galactorrhea. CASE DESCRIPTION: Galactorrhea was the sole presenting symptom in a patient with a posterior third ventricular epidermoid cyst. On investigation, her serum prolactin level was mildly elevated. After radical excision of the tumour, the spontaneous galactorrhea stopped and the serum prolactin level decreased. CONCLUSION: Because of the clinical and biochemical response seen after surgery, we speculate that the galactorrhea was caused by the presence of the tumor. We postulate that the pressure exerted by the tumor on the diencephalic structures was probably the cause of galactorrhea in our patient.     

Assessment of memory and new learning ability following stereotaxy-guided transcortical resection of anterior third ventricular colloid cysts

In a prospective study, memory and new learning ability functions were assessed pre-operatively (17 patients) and in the early post-operative period (22 patients) at 7-26 days following surgery in patients undergoing stereotactic transcortical excision of their colloid cysts. Pre-operative assessment detected impaired memory in 5 patients, 2 of whom had no memory-related complaints. Impaired new learning ability was detected pre-operatively in 7 patients. There was a statistically non-significant trend towards improvement in the dysfunction scores post-operatively in most patients. No correlation was detected between the cyst size, presence of raised intracranial pressure at presentation, hydrocephalus and the pre-operative dysfunction scores. Stereotactic transcortical resection of colloid cysts does not impair these functions in the majority of patients and might improve these functions in some. In the absence of clinical or radiological predictors of dysfunction of memory and new learning ability, pre-operative neuropsychological assessment has a role in detecting impaired memory and new learning ability in patients with anterior third ventricular colloid cysts who may not even complain of them.     

Intraoperative mapping of sacral nervous system (S2-4)

Electrophysiological mapping of the sacral nervous system was used during operations on 80 patients with conus and cauda equina lesions. At surgery, under controlled muscle relaxation, the sacral neural elements (S2-4) were mapped using direct mono-polar stimulation and recording of compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) from the external anal sphincter (EAS). Responses were obtained in 86.25% (69/80) of the patients. In 33 (82.5%) out of 40 patients with preoperative deficits involving the S2-4 segments, CMAPs could be elicited. Identification of nerve roots was useful in dissection of lipomyelomeningocoeles, tumour excisions and untethering of filum terminale. In three patients, stimulation of the filum terminale elicited motor responses and, hence, it was not sectioned. Intraoperative mapping of the S2-4 nerve roots under controlled muscle relaxation is feasible in a majority of patients, including those with deficits involving S2-4. This method was useful in sparing viable nerve roots during surgery in conus and cauda equina regions, and identification of 'functional' filum terminale.     

Intracranial hemangiopericytomas: correlation of topoisomerase IIalpha expression with biologic behavior

BACKGROUND: Meningeal hemangiopericytomas are aggressive tumors that have a high rate of recurrence despite gross total resection and radiation therapy. Topoisomerase, a cell proliferation marker, is also a target of certain chemotherapeutic agents, and its nuclear levels are speculated to predict efficacy of targeted therapy. The aim of this study was to correlate the topoisomerase IIalpha proliferation index (TPI) with biologic behavior in intracranial hemangiopericytomas. METHODS: Clinical, radiological, and management data in 27 patients with intracranial hemangiopericytoma admitted between 1990 and 2003 were reviewed. Immunohistochemistry was performed on all the tumors using a monoclonal antibody to topoisomerase IIalpha, and the proliferation index was calculated. The effect of TPI on outcome was sought. RESULTS: The male/female ratio was 15:12. The mean age at presentation was 31.33 years. A radical excision of tumor was done in 18, subtotal excision in 2, partial excision in 4, and a biopsy in 3 patients. Tumor recurrence was noted in 15 (55.6%) of the 27 patients (mean follow-up duration, 51.5 months). The time to recurrence ranged from 7 months to 8 years (mean, 49 months). The 5-year recurrence-free survival was 33.8% in patients with a TPI of 5% or greater, and 72% in patients with a TPI of less than 5%. The relative risk of recurrence was 2.9 times greater in patients with a TPI 5% or greater as compared with those a TPI of less than 5%. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that cases with a radical excision, radiation therapy, or a TPI index of less than 5% have a longer recurrence-free survival. A TPI of 5% or greater is a reliable predictor of recurrence.