Surgical Treatment of Spinal Hemangioblastomas

Summary  Background. The routine use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in recent years for the diagnostic assessment of the spinal column and especially for screening patients with von Hippel-Lindau (vHL) disease has shown that spinal hemangioblastomas (sHBs) are more common than assumed so far. Since most sHBs are thus discovered while they are still asymptomatic, especially in vHL disease, the question arises whether and when these tumors should be treated. The present article reports the results of the surgical treatment of sHBs using the protocol described below and compares them to the course in a control group of patients with conservatively treated sHBs.  Patients and Methods. A total of 30 sHBs were treated microsurgically in 15 patients. Hemangioblastoma-associated cysts were merely opened in 14 cases, drained with the help of Teflon cotton in 2 of these cases, and not opened in 4 instances. Laminoplasties were performed with insertion of absorbable, MRI-compatible micro-osteosynthesis plates. Perioperatively, all patients were administered methylprednisolone according to the NASCIS (National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study) scheme, and sensory evoked potentials were monitored intra-operatively in all cases. Nine patients in whom the course of primarily conservative treatment of a total of 17 asymptomatic sHBs was documented served as controls. The follow-up time was 7 to 51 months (mean 20) after surgery and 10 to 51 months (mean 21) in the control group.  Findings. Preoperative HB-associated pareses showed transient postoperative deterioration (n=5). The other accompanying neurological deficits improved in 6 HBs and remained unchanged in all other HBs (n=19), of which 16 had been asymptomatic before surgery. In the control group, 6 HBs (in 6 different patients) became permanently symptomatic despite subsequent surgical treatment according to the study protocol.  Interpretations. With the new diagnostic tools now available, microsurgical removal of spinal hemangioblastomas has a low morbidity rate, suggesting that surgical treatment should be considered even for asymptomatic sHBs in certain circumstances.     

Effects of Different Doses of Epidural Midazolam on Spinal Somatosensory Evoked Potentials

Summary  The aim of this study is to find out the effects of different doses of midazolam, when used epidurally, on somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) by delaying neuronal conduction. Thirty two New Zeland albino male rabbits were divided into four groups. All rabbits were anesthetised with ketamine and xylasine combination and atracurium was used as muscle relaxant. 10 mg/kg/hr ketamine infusion was used for maintenance of anesthesia. After insertion of the epidural catheter surgically; Group 1 received 1.5 ml isotonic saline (Control), Group 2 received 150 μg/kg, Group 3 received 250 μg/kg, and Group 4 received 500 μg/kg midazolam epidurally. With the stimulation of sciatic nerve, SEP records were recorded from the epidural space. Records were received before the injection of the drug, and 20, 40, 60 minutes after injection of the drug.  “Latancy” results were increased according to control in all groups (including isotonic saline-control-group). Increase in latancy in the control group was interpreted as due to the effect of temperature mismatch of the saline and the rabbits. While in the first and second group amplitudes showed no differences, group 3 and 4 showed decreases of up to 50%. Epidurally administered midazolam up to 150 μg/kg caused no change in SEP records, but 250 and 500 μg/kg doses caused decreases in SEP records which can lead to misinterpretation as neurological damage.     

Acute-onset nontraumatic paraplegia in childhood: fibrocartilaginous embolism or acute myelitis?

Fibrocartilaginous embolus causing acute spinal cord infarction is a rare cause of acute-onset paraplegia or quadriplegia. Few cases of survivors have been reported in the neurosurgical literature, with most reports involving post-mortem or biopsy findings. There is little information on MRI findings in such patients. We present the youngest patient ever reported, and discuss the important differences between fibrocartilaginous embolus and acute myelitis of childhood. A 6-year-old girl with a history of back pain presented with sudden-onset nontraumatic paraplegia, with a clinical anterior spinal artery syndrome. Initial MRI scan revealed intervertebral disc disease at L1–2 and an incidental thoracic syrinx, but no cause for her acute-onset paraplegia was identified. Cerebrospinal fluid and other investigations were all negative. Sequential MRI scans revealed development of spinal cord expansion from T10 to the conus medullaris, with increased cord signal in the anterior aspect of the spinal cord. The intervertebral disc disease was unchanged. The imaging and clinical findings were caused by fibrocartilaginous embolus, which meant there was no need for spinal cord biopsy. The report describes the clinical and imaging criteria for diagnosis of fibrocartilaginous embolus, highlighting the case for avoiding an unnecessary biopsy. The clinical pattern in the paediatric group is discussed, with features differentiating it from acute myelitis of childhood. Received: 4 January 2000     

”Spinolaminar breach”: an important sign in cervical spinous process fractures

Objective. To report the sign of ”spinolaminar breach” and its likely importance in fractures of the cervical spinous processes. Design. Six cases of spinous process fractures demonstrating disruption of the spinolaminar line or ”spinolaminar breach” were analyzed. Lateral and anteroposterior radiographs (n=6), CT scans (n=3) and MRI scans (n=1) were reviewed together by the authors, with consensus being reached as to the radiographic findings. Clinical records were also reviewed. Results. The levels of injury were C6 (n=5) and C5 (n=2). Injuries were associated with delayed anterior subluxation (n=4) and neurological deficit (n=2). Five patients were male and one was female with a mean age of 31 years (range 8–59 years). Injuries resulted from motor vehicle accidents (n=4), a motor cycle accident (n=1) and a fall (n=1). Conclusion. ”Spinolaminar breach”, or disruption of the spinolaminar line, indicates a complex spinous process fracture with extension into the lamina and spinal canal. Spinous process fractures with spinolaminar breach may have associated posterior ligamentous injury with potential for delayed instability and neurological deficit. It is important that radiologists and physicians caring for the trauma patient be aware of this sign in order to avoid misdiagnosis as a ”clay shoveler’s fracture”, which can lead to adverse outcome. Received: 20 July 1999 Revision requested: 14 September 1999 Revision received: 13 October 1999 Accepted: 26 October 1999     

Simplified Chinese Version of the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score in Evaluating Patients with Metastatic Spinal Tumor: A Cross‐Cultural Adaptation and Validation

ObjectiveTo translate the original English version of the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) into simplified Chinese, adapt it cross‐culturally, validate its psychometric properties in measuring spinal instability in patients with metastatic spinal tumors in the Chinese mainland, examine the reliability and validity to demonstrate its accuracy and applicability in clinical practice.MethodsPatients diagnosed with metastatic spinal disease between January 2016 and January 2020 were recruited. The number of participants was advised to be at least 50 for appropriate analysis of reliability, construct validity, as well as ceiling or floor effects, and recruitment of 100 patients was advised for internal consistency analysis. The study was conducted in two phases: first, the SINS was translated into simplified Chinese; second, the factor structure, internal consistency, test–retest reliability, validity, and floor and ceiling effects of the SC‐SINS were assessed. The internationally recognized cross‐cultural adaptation guidelines were followed. Internal consistency was evaluated with Cronbach''s alpha. Test–retest reliability was examined among the patients with a 4‐week interval. The validity of the Chinese version of SINS (SC‐SINS) was assessed by examining its relationship with Kostuik classification. Principal component analysis was conducted to confirm the factor structure of each subscale.ResultsA total of 160 participants (88 males and 72 females) were enrolled. No major difficulties occurred in the forward and backward translations of SINS. The internal consistency of SC‐SINS was excellent (Cronbach''s α =0.857, ranging from 0.68 to 0.85). Test–retest reliability was also excellent with a value of 0.89, ranging from 0.86 to 0.95. Validity analyses indicated that the SC‐SINS was positively and significantly correlated with Kostuik classification. The correlation between “Posterolateral Involvement of Spinal Elements” and “1‐2 Partial Damage” was the highest with a correlation value of 0.792. The correlation between “Pain” and “1–2 Partial Damage” was the lowest with a value of 0.341. All items showed principal component coefficients greater than 0.4. The values of Factor 1 ranged from 0.523 to 0.681; Factor 2 ranged from 0.591 to 0.731; Factor 3 ranged from 0.613 to 0.754; Factor 4 ranged from 0.461 to 0.711; Factor 5 ranged from 0.513 to 0.701; and Factor 6 ranged from 0.501 to 0.668. In addition, neither floor nor ceiling effects were seen in the SC‐SINS.ConclusionThe SC‐SINS demonstrated high internal consistency and test–retest reliability, which has been proven valid and reliable to measure spinal stability in patients from the Chinese mainland with metastatic spinal tumor.     

Onyx embolization of a spinal epidural hemorrhage caused by thoracic spinal epidural arteriovenous fistula: A case report and literature review

Spinal epidural hemorrhages (SEDH) caused by spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas (SEAVFs) are rare; thus, their specific pathogenesis has not been explained. Furthermore, the standard treatment for SEAVFs has not yet been defined. Here we report the case of a 36-year-old Chinese man who experienced acute onset chest pain and tightness. His symptoms rapidly aggravated until the lower limbs were unable to support him. Spinal magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) revealed a localized SEAVF and a secondary spinal cord lesion at the T4 level. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) confirmed the presence of the SEDH/SEAVF at the T3–4 level with the left radicular artery feeding the fistula. Based on DSA and MRA findings, SEDH, local spinal cord infarction, and spinal venous reflux disorder were conditionally diagnosed. Using the arterial route, Onyx-34 was injected into the fistula to embolize the feeding arteries and the venous system. Angiography was performed after the microcatheter was withdrawn, and no residual fistula or anterior spinal artery was observed. The six-week follow-up MRI showed acceptable healing of the SEAVF, and the patient improved neurologically. This case suggests that endovascular treatment with Onyx-34 embolization should be considered a promising treatment strategy for this type of complicated SEAVF.     

氨甲环酸在青少年特发性脊柱侧凸矫形术中应用安全性及有效性的Meta分析

【摘要】 目的：系统分析氨甲环酸（tranexamic acid,TXA）在青少年特发性脊柱侧凸（adolescent idiopathic scoliosis,AIS）患者矫形术中应用的有效性和安全性。方法：在Cochrane library、Web of Science、Embase、PubMed、中国期刊全文数据库（CNKI）和万方数据知识服务平台检索关于TXA在AIS患者矫形术中应用的随机对照研究（randomized controlled trial,RCT）和回顾性对照研究（retrospective cohort studies,RCS）文献,检索时间范围从建库至2023年12月,语种不限。由研究者对所纳入的文献进行质量评估,RCT文献使用Cochrane评价表进行评估,RCS文献使用纽卡斯尔-渥太华量表（the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale,NOS）进行评估,然后提取各研究中的结局指标,包括总失血量、术中失血量、术后引流量、输血率、术后血红蛋白（hemoglobin,Hb）值、手术时间、深静脉血栓及相关并发症,将所提取的数据使用RevMan 5.4软件进行统计学分析与评价,评估TXA在AIS患者矫形术中应用的效果。结果：共纳入8篇RCT文献和5篇RCS文献,均为高质量文献,共计855例患者,其中TXA组439例,对照组416例。Meta分析结果显示,TXA组术中失血量低于对照组[均数差（mean difference,MD）＝-310.81,95%置信区间（confidence interval,CI）为（-331.91,-289.72）,P＜0.01];总失血量低于对照组[MD＝-431.92,95%CI为（-568.72,-295.13）,P＜0.01];术后引流量低于对照组[MD＝-59.87,95%CI为（-63.98, -55.75）,P＜0.01];输血率低于对照组[比值比（odds ratio,OR）＝0.17,95%CI为（0.05,0.53）,P＝0.003];手术时间低于对照组[MD＝-5.94,95%CI为（-10.73,-1.14）,P＝0.02];术后Hb值高于对照组[MD＝-0.40,95%CI为（-0.26,0.54）,P＜0.01];均无深静脉血栓及相关并发症发生。结论：TXA可有效减少AIS患者矫形术中失血量、总失血量、术后引流量、输血率、手术时间,维持术后Hb水平,且不会增加血栓及相关并发症发生的风险。     

嗅球成鞘细胞移植对成年大鼠皮质脊髓束损伤的修复

目的 研究嗅球成鞘细胞(OECs)对成年大鼠皮质脊髓束损伤(CSI)的作用.方法 采用电解损毁大鼠C1-C2脊髓节段的皮质脊髓束(CST)的方法 制备脊髓损伤(SCI)模型.原代培养OECs后移植到SCI大鼠.分别进行斜板实验和皮层运动诱发电位(MEP-C)的记录,测定斜板角度以及潜伏时、阈刺激强度、波幅等电生理指标的改变.结果 与对照组比较,损伤组的斜板角度下降,MEP-C潜伏期延长,阈刺激强度增加,所记录三个峰值均减小,且各项指标均与对照组有显著性差异.这反映出大鼠CST的受损.与损伤组比较,损伤 移植组动物显示出斜板角度增大,MEP-C各项指标中,潜伏期缩短,阈刺激强度减小,所记录三个峰值均增大,且各项指标与损伤组比较有显著性差异.这提示CST的功能恢复.结论 OECs可能有促进CST修复的作用.