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ABSTRACT: Os odontoideum (OO) with C1-2 anterolisthesis and retrolisthesis may cause cervicomedullary injury both from anterior and posterior aspects. We analyzed fourteen such patients for biomechanical issues, radiological features and management of OO with free-floating atlantal arch and review pertinent literature.
Fourteen patients having nonsyndromic, reducible atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) with orthotopic OO were analyzed. During neck flexion, their C1 anterior arch-os complex displaced anteriorly relative to remnant odontoid-C2 body. The posteriorly directed hypoplastic remnant odontoid sliding below the atlas and forward translation of the C1 posterior arch caused concomitant cervicomedullary compression. During neck extension, there was retrolisthesis of the "free-floating" C1 arch-os complex into spinal canal. Spinal stenosis and lateral C1-2 facet dislocation; Klippel-Feil anomaly; and posterior circulation infarcts were also present in one patient each, respectively. Posterior C1-2 (n=10) or occipitocervical fusion (n=3) was performed in neutral position to stabilize atlantoaxial movements.
Follow-up (mean, 3.9 years) assessment revealed improvement in spasticity and weakness in 13 patients. One patient had neurological deterioration following C1-2 posterior sublaminar fusion, requiring its conversion to occipitocervical contoured rod fusion. One patient with posterior circulation stroke died prior to any operative intervention. Follow-up lateral view radiographs showed a bony union or a stable construct in these 13 patients.
OO with free-floating atlantal arch may precipitate cord injury both during neck flexion and extension. This condition may be overlooked unless lateral radiographs of craniovertebral junction are undertaken in neck extension, along with the usual ones in neutral and flexed positions. Etiological factors include C1 ring-OO unrestrained movements above the hypoplastic odontoid; upward pull on OO by alar and apical ligaments; lax C1-2 facet joint ligaments; and congenital presence of horizontal facet joint surfaces that facilitates C1-2 translation.
Indian Journal of Orthopaedics 10/2010; 44(4):417-23. · 0.50 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This neuroimage describes the clinicoradiological presentation of a Type II sacrococcygeal teratoma and summarizes its pathological features, its radiological presentation and its surgical management
Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences. 01/2010;
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Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences. 01/2010;
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ABSTRACT: Mutations in different types of fibroblastic growth factor receptors (FGFRs) have been associated with a variety of phenotype abnormalities, the common ones being Apert, Crouzon and Pfeiffer syndromes. In this study, we present two representative cases having the Apert and Pfeiffer syndromes, respectively, and discuss their clinical presentation, sequel and surgical implications.
Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences. 01/2010;
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ABSTRACT: Background: Os odontoideum (OO) with C1-2 anterolisthesis and retrolisthesis may cause cervicomedullary injury both from anterior and posterior aspects. We analyzed fourteen such patients for biomechanical issues, radiological features and management of OO with free-floating atlantal arch and review pertinent literature. Materials and Methods: Fourteen patients having nonsyndromic, reducible atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) with orthotopic OO were analyzed. During neck flexion, their C1 anterior arch-os complex displaced anteriorly relative to remnant odontoid-C2 body. The posteriorly directed hypoplastic remnant odontoid sliding below the atlas and forward translation of the C1 posterior arch caused concomitant cervicomedullary compression. During neck extension, there was retrolisthesis of the "free-floating" C1 arch-os complex into spinal canal. Spinal stenosis and lateral C1-2 facet dislocation; Klippel-Feil anomaly; and posterior circulation infarcts were also present in one patient each, respectively. Posterior C1-2 (n=10) or occipitocervical fusion (n=3) was performed in neutral position to stabilize atlantoaxial movements. Results: Follow-up (mean, 3.9 years) assessment revealed improvement in spasticity and weakness in 13 patients. One patient had neurological deterioration following C1-2 posterior sublaminar fusion, requiring its conversion to occipitocervical contoured rod fusion. One patient with posterior circulation stroke died prior to any operative intervention. Follow-up lateral view radiographs showed a bony union or a stable construct in these 13 patients. Conclusions: OO with free-floating atlantal arch may precipitate cord injury both during neck flexion and extension. This condition may be overlooked unless lateral radiographs of craniovertebral junction are undertaken in neck extension, along with the usual ones in neutral and flexed positions. Etiological factors include C1 ring-OO unrestrained movements above the hypoplastic odontoid; upward pull on OO by alar and apical ligaments; lax C1-2 facet joint ligaments; and congenital presence of horizontal facet joint surfaces that facilitates C1-2 translation.
Indian Journal of Orthopaedics. 01/2010;
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ABSTRACT: Localized intervertebral disc and ligamentous ossification may precipitate neurological deficits at any time during the natural course of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We report 2 patients with AS with "moustache′ sign (localized intervertebral disc fibrosis and panligamentous ossification) and neurological deficits. One patient had syndesmophytosis (with paraparesis secondary to thoracic spinal canal stenosis), and the other had "bamboo spine" above and below the involved level. A laminectomy in the former relieved paraparesis, and posterior element excision in both the patients relieved focal tenderness and pain; and both of them could lie supine following surgery.
Neurology India. 01/2010;
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ABSTRACT: The objective was to determine the expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in vestibular schwannomas as well as to determine predictive factors for estrogen and progesterone receptor positivity.
The study included 100 cases of vestibular schwannomas operated from January 2006 to June 2009. The clinical details were noted from the medical case files. Formaldehyde-fixed parafiin-embedded archival vestibular schwannomas specimens were used for the immunohistochemical assessment of estrogen and progesterone receptors.
Neither estrogen nor progesterone receptors could be detected in any of our cases by means of well known immunohistochemical method using well documented monoclonal antibodies. In the control specimens, a strongly positive reaction could be seen.
No estrogen and progesterone receptor could be found in any of our 100 cases of vestibular schwannomas. Hence our study does not support a causative role of estrogen and progesterone in the growth of vestibular schwannoma as well as hormonal manipulation in the treatment of this tumor.
Journal of Negative Results in BioMedicine 11/2009; 8:9. · 1.47 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Pediatric colloid cysts (CC) have a congenital origin, and yet, there are very few studies focussing exclusively on their occurrence in the pediatric population. Pediatric CC has been associated with more aggressive clinical and radiological patterns than their adult counterparts. In this study, undertaken on children with anterior third ventricular CC, excised using the interhemispheric transcallosal approach, the characteristic clinicoradiological features and management options are studied.
Five pediatric patients (aged 16 years or less; mean age 13.8 years; mean duration of symptoms:7.6 months) out of 38 patients with CC operated between 1995 to 2009 were included. The clinical manifestations included those of raised intracranial pressure (n = 4); exacerbation of occipital headache on reading (n = 1); secondary optic atrophy (n = 3); and, drop attacks (n = 1). On computed tomography scan, the cyst was hyperdense, enhancing in two patients and not enhancing in three patients. All had bilateral lateral ventricular dilatation with periventricular lucency. On magnetic resonance imaging (n = 3), the cyst was T1 hypointense and T2 isointense in one, hyperintense on both T1 and T2 with a hypointense capsule and nonenhancing on contrast in one (with a giant colloid cyst), and T1 hyperintense and T2 hypointense in one patient. An interhemispheric, transcallosal trajectory combined with transforminal approach (n = 3); combined transforminal and subchoroidal approaches (n = 1); and, interforniceal approach (n = 1) were used.
Total excision was performed in four patients. In one patient, a small part of capsule was left attached to thalamostriate vein. Symptoms of raised intracranial pressure showed improvement in all the patients with resolution of hydrocephalus. There was no tumor recurrence at follow-up.
Pediatric colloid cysts are rarer than their adult counterparts due to their late detection only after manifestations of raised intracranial pressure, visual or cognitive dysfunction or drop attacks occur. Their radiological appearance varies depending upon the amount of mucoid content, cholesterol, proteins, and water content. The fast development of clinical manifestations in children may be related to rapid enlargement of cyst due to higher water content within them. The transcallosal approach is the "gold standard" of surgery and usually ensures gratifying and lasting results.
Acta Neurochirurgica 10/2009; 152(3):451-61. · 1.52 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Tentorial meningiomas, comprising approximately 3-6% of all intracranial meningiomas, are complex entities with an intricate relationship to surrounding structures and require multiple surgical approaches. In the present study, the rationale for deciding the approaches for TMs and the perioperative management dilemmas were evaluated.
Thirty-seven patients (28 primary [supratentorial (2), infratentorial (20) and both (6)] and nine complex [cerebellopontine (CP) angle (5) and petroclival (4)] underwent surgery using the occipital transtentorial, supracerebellar infratentorial, subtemporal transtentorial, bioccipital suboccipital, midline suboccipital, retrosigmoid, and combined pre and retrosigmoid approaches. The extent of excision was categorized according to Simpson's grade.
Simpson's grade of excision was I in six, II in 11, III in nine and IV in 11 patients, respectively. Follow-up assessment (2 months to 9 years) in 27 patients (72.9%) showed that 23 patients returned to their previous activity level with either no or minimal symptoms, three returned to previous activity level with major cranial nerve palsy, and one patient required permanent assistance. One patient had recurrence and four others underwent resurgery for residual tumor. Two patients with petroclival lesions died due to aspiration pneumonitis and meningitis, respectively; one with CP angle TM presented in a poor general condition and expired following emergency ventriculoperitoneal shunt and subsequent definite surgery. Pseudomeningocele, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and cranial nerve palsy were the major morbidities.
Classifying TM into medial and lateral, supra and infratentorial groups helps in deciding an appropriate and safe approach. Meticulously preserving venous sinuses is important since the risk of venous infarction cannot be predicted even with radiological good venous collaterization and apparent venous sinus blockade by tumor. Laterally situated tumors carry a better prognosis when compared to the medially situated ones. Leaving a small residual tumor in an effort to preserve important neurovascular structures does not obviate the expectation of a good long-term prognosis with minimal morbidity and low recurrence rates.
Acta Neurochirurgica 08/2009; 151(9):1037-51. · 1.52 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Background: Basilar apex aneurysms (BAA) are located in interpeduncular cistern surrounded by eloquent neurovascular structures. Surgical access is difficult due to narrow surgical corridors and requires traversing through a depth of 6-8 cm of subarachnoid space. Aim: Surgical management of BAAs clipped using frontotemporal craniotomy, orbitozygomatic osteotomy with combined subtemporal and transylvian (half and half) approach is discussed. Setting and Design: Tertiary care referral institute; prospective study. Materials and Methods: Five patients with BAA rupture causing subarachnoid hemorrhage presented in modified Hunt and Hess (Hand H) grades II (n=1), III (n=1) and IV (n=3), respectively. In 4 patients, the aneurysms were 0.8-1.2 cm in diameter, situated 7 mm-1 cm above dorsum sellae. Two of them had posteriorly projecting aneurysms. One patient had a giant, high BAA with a left parietooccipital arteriovenous malformation. Vasospasm of posterior cerebral/proximal basilar artery was seen in 2 patients. In one patient, internal carotid artery was mobilized by intradural anterior clinoid drilling with carotid collar division. Triple-H therapy was administered following surgery. Results: There was no intraoperative rupture or temporary clipping. Follow up angiography showed complete aneurysmal obliteration with preservation of posterior cerebral and superior cerebellar arteries. Follow up (mean: 8.7 ± 3.5 months) H and H grades were II (n=2) and III (n=3), respectively. The morbidity include caudate and thalamic region infarct, transient III<sup> rd</sup> nerve palsy and cerebrospinal fluid otorrhoea (n=1, respectively). Conclusions: This simple approach provides a wide surgical corridor from 5 mm below to greater than 1 cm above dorsum sellae with adequate proximal control of basilar artery. It is an option to endovascular embolization especially with large and giant, or wide-necked BAA, vertebrobasilar tortuosity, coil compaction or postcoiling re-rupture and an associated large haematoma.
Neurology India. 01/2009;
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ABSTRACT: Background: Choroid plexus papilloma (CPP) is a benign neoplasm that arises from the ventricular choroid plexus. The clinical features, radiological characteristics, and treatment have been discussed in this study for a pediatric population. Methods: Over an eight-year period, seven pediatric ( < 12 years) CPP patients were treated. Tumors were located in the lateral ventricle (n = 4), IVth ventricle (n = 2), and in both the lateral and IIIrd ventricles (n = 1). The patients presented predominantly with features of raised intracranial pressure. Total microsurgical excision was carried out in all cases. Results: There was complete relief of symptoms at follow-up in six patients. A 2.5 year-old child with a large trigonal CPP with hydrocephalus leading to complete visual impairment, died due to postoperative hypokalemia that caused ventricular fibrillation. One of our patients required a postoperative, permanent CSF diversion procedure while another required a subduroperitoneal shunt for persisting postoperative subdural CSF collection. Conclusions: Coagulation of the tumor under constant irrigation to shrink and excise it in toto, avoids excessive bleeding during surgery. The vascular pedicle supplying the tumor should be adequately dealt with during the last part of tumor removal as retraction of a bleeding pedicle may result in ventricular hemorrhage and brain edema. Following surgery, an external ventricular drain for three days helps in preventing the development of acute hydrocephalus in lateral ventricular lesions, and the color of the drained CSF gives an estimate of the ventricular hemostasis achieved. Total excision is usually possible in these cases with excellent postoperative outcomes.
Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences. 01/2009;
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ABSTRACT: Spinal hydatid disease is an uncommon cause of spinal cord compression and it constitutes 1% of all cases of hydatid disease. The authors present a case of a 21-year-old female presenting with rapid onset paraplegia caused by pathologically confirmed by extradural spinal hydatid cyst. Patient had marked improvement following surgical intervention. The case is discussed and the relevant literature is briefly reviewed.
Indian Journal of Pathology and Microbiology. 01/2009;
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ABSTRACT: High cervical ossified ligamentum flavum (OLF) is rare and may cause progressive quadriparesis and respiratory failure . Our two patients had unilateral OLF between C1 and C4 levels. MR showed a unilateral, triangular bony excrescence with low signal and a central, intermediate or high signal on all pulse sequences due to bone marrow within. There was Type I thecal compression (partial deficit of contrast media ring). The first patient had a linear and nodular OLF with calcification within tectorial membrane, C2-3 fusion and unilateral C2-facetal hypertrophy; and the second patient, a lateral, linear OLF with loss of lordosis and C3-6 spondylotic changes. A decompressive laminectomy using "posterior floating and enbloc resection" brought significant relief in myelopathy. Histopathology showed mature bony trabeculae, bone marrow and ligament tissue. The coexisting mobile cervical vertebral segment above and congenitally fused or spondylotic rigid segment below the level of LF may have led to abnormal strain patterns within resulting in its unilateral ossification. In dealing with cervical OLF, carefully preserving facets during laminectomy or laminoplasty helps in maintaining normal cervical spinal curvature.
Indian Journal of Orthopaedics. 01/2009;
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ABSTRACT: Chiari III malformation is an extremely rare anomaly characterized by low occipital and high cervical encephalocele with herniation of posterior fossa contents, that is, the cerebellum and/or the brainstem, occipital lobe, and fourth ventricle. We report the case of Chairi III malformation in a neonate with associated hypertelorism and microcephaly, discuss the etipopathogenetic and radiological features, and review the pertinent literature. The neonate, a two-day-old child, with Chairi-III malformation had a large low occipital and cervical osseous defect with nearly a nonexistent posterior fossa due to the herniation of the cerebellum and a part of the occipital lobe into the large encephalocele sac. The patient also had associated microcephaly and hypertelorism without hydrocephalus. The existence of significant, viable neural tissue within the encephalocele sac precluded any surgical intervention. In our patient, it is proposed that during early embryogenesis, incomplete distension of the telencephalic and the rhombencephalic ventricles resulted in Chiari III malformation (based upon unifying theory of embryogenesis of McLone and Knepper) with a large encephalocele containing major portions of cerebellum and occipital lobe, and left the chondrocranium without an adequate inductive force of the underlying neural mass. The skull was, therefore, microcephalic and the posterior fossa virtually nonexistent. Hypertelorism also resulted from failure of eyes to completely rotate forward during fetal life owing to the presence of this large posterior encephalocele and the absence of neural cues for the chondrocranial expansion. To the best of the authors′ knowledge, the association of Chairi-III malformation with microcephaly and hypertelorism has not been previously reported.
Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences. 01/2008;
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ABSTRACT: Cerebellar glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly malignant brain tumour, which is exceedingly rare and such tumour presenting as cerebellopontine angle (CPA) mass is even rarer. We here discuss the case of a 15-year-old girl who had cerebellar GBM presenting as CPA mass that resembled meningioma on CT scan and was managed successfully with minimal problems.
Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences. 01/2006;
