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Open access

Approaches to ventriculoperitoneal shunt scalp erosion: countersinking into the calvarium. Illustrative case

Denise Brunozzi, Melissa A LoPresti, Jennifer L McGrath, and Tord D Alden

BACKGROUND

Ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) is a standard procedure for the treatment of hydrocephalus, and the management of its complications is common in the practice of pediatric neurosurgery. Shunt exposure, though a rare complication, can occur because of thin, fragile skin, a young patient age, protuberant hardware, poor scalp perfusion, and a multitude of other patient factors.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors report a complex case of VPS erosion through the scalp in a young female with Pfeiffer syndrome treated with external ventricular drainage, empirical antibiotics, and reinternalization with countersinking of replaced shunt hardware into the calvarium to prevent internal skin pressure points, reduce wound tension, and allow wound healing.

LESSONS

Recessing the shunt hardware, or countersinking the implant, into the calvarium is a simple technique often used in functional neurosurgical implantation surgeries, providing a safe surgical strategy to optimize wound healing in select cases in which the skin flap is unfavorable.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 22 (Nov 2023)

Open access

Early outcomes in hybrid fixation for idiopathic scoliosis: posterior fusion combined with anterior vertebral body tethering. Patient series

Daniel Cherian, Amer F Samdani, Alexander J Schüpper, Alan A Stein, Zan Naseer, Joshua M Pahys, Emily Nice, and Steven W Hwang

BACKGROUND

Anterior vertebral body tethering (AVBT) and posterior spinal fusion (PSF) are options for patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Combining both procedures in patients with double curves, a procedure in which PSF is performed for the thoracic curve and AVBT for the lumbar curve, provides maximal correction of the thoracic curve with a theoretical maintenance of motion in the lumbar spine.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors retrospectively reviewed 20 skeletally immature patients diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis at a single institution with an average age of 12.7 ± 1.6 years and who had undergone hybrid treatment with an average follow-up of 8 months. The PSF procedures averaged 276 ± 63 minutes with 442.8 ± 295 mL of blood loss, and the AVBT averaged 275 ± 54 minutes with 118.3 ± 80 mL of blood loss. Following the hybrid correction, the thoracic and lumbar coronal curve angles improved from 67.6° to 21.6° and from 65.2° to 24°, respectively. The three-dimensional kyphosis improved from 3.3° to 24°.

LESSONS

A combined approach of PSF and AVBT is safe and effective for idiopathic scoliosis. This approach combines the gold standard of thoracic fusion with the motion preservation benefits of AVBT in the lumbar spine. This study will continue to refine indications for AVBT.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 15 (Oct 2023)

Open access

Three-stage correction of severe idiopathic scoliosis with limited skeletal traction during a humanitarian surgical mission: illustrative case

J. Manuel Sarmiento, Jordan Fakhoury, Angadh Singh, Cameron Hawk, Khalid Sethi, and Ravi Bains

BACKGROUND

Underprivileged and underserved patients from developing countries often present late with advanced, untreated spinal deformities. We report a three-stage all-posterior approach using limited skeletal traction with Gardner-Wells tongs (GWTs) for the management of severe idiopathic scoliosis during a humanitarian surgical mission trip.

OBSERVATIONS

A 17-year-old high-school female was previously diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic scoliosis (diagnosed at age 8) and progressed to a severe 135° kyphoscoliosis. Procedural stage 1 involved spinal instrumentation and posterior releases via posterior column osteotomies from T3 to L4. She then underwent 7 days of skeletal traction with GWTs in the intensive care unit as stage 2. In stage 3, rod engagement, posterior spinal fusion, and partial T10 vertebral column resection were performed. There were no changes in intraoperative neuromonitoring during either surgery and she woke up neurologically intact after both stages of the surgical procedure.

LESSONS

Skeletal traction with GWTs is a viable alternative to traditional halo-gravity traction in settings with limited resources. Three-stage spinal deformity correction using limited skeletal traction is a feasible and effective approach for managing severe scoliosis during humanitarian surgical mission trips.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 13 (Sep 2023)

Open access

Multidisciplinary management of thoracic esophageal fistula secondary to traumatic upper thoracic fracture (T3–4) with associated discitis/osteomyelitis and spinal epidural abscess: illustrative case

Peter Schaible, Paul Gordon, Ramasamy Kalimuthu, Ellen Omi, and Keith Schaible

BACKGROUND

An esophageal fistula secondary to a traumatic upper thoracic (T3–4) fracture with resultant thoracic discitis/osteomyelitis and an epidural abscess with neurological compromise is a rare clinical entity. Early diagnosis is critical for an optimal clinical outcome avoiding grave and progressive spinal dissemination with structural instability and neurological deterioration.

OBSERVATIONS

The following case, not clearly described previously in the literature, highlights the clinical course and multidisciplinary approach to management including a single-stage posterior cervicothoracic (C3–T6) decompression with vertebral reconstruction with an expandable interbody cage (T2–4) and posterior cervicothoracic fusion and instrumentation (C3–T6), followed by direct esophageal fistula closure with AlloDerm and a vascularized latissimus dorsi muscle flap.

LESSONS

Early diagnosis and the potential treatment of a posttraumatic esophageal fistula requires a multidisciplinary approach.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 10 (Sep 2023)

Open access

Thoracic pediculectomy for acute spinal cord decompression in high-risk spinal deformity correction: illustrative case

J. Manuel Sarmiento, Christina Rymond, Alondra Concepcion-Gonzalez, Chris Mikhail, Fthimnir M Hassan, and Lawrence G Lenke

BACKGROUND

Neurological complications are higher in patients with severe spinal deformities (Cobb angle >100°). The authors highlight a known technique for thoracic concave apical pedicle resection that is useful for spinal cord decompression in patients with high-risk spinal deformities in the setting of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) changes.

OBSERVATIONS

A 14-year-old female with progressive idiopathic scoliosis presented for evaluation of her clinical deformity. Scoliosis radiographs showed a double major curve pattern comprising a 107° right main thoracic curve and a compensatory 88° left thoracolumbar curve. She underwent 2 weeks of halo-gravity traction that reduced her major thoracic curve to 72°. During thoracic posterior column osteotomies, the authors were alerted to decreases in IONM signals that were not responsive to increases in mean arterial pressure, traction weight reduction, and convex compression maneuvers. The dural surface was tightly draped over the two thoracic apical pedicles of T7 and T8, so emergent pediculectomies were performed at both levels for spinal cord decompression. IONM signals gradually improved and eventually became even better than baseline. The patient woke up without any neurological deficits.

LESSONS

Pediculectomy of the concave apical pedicle(s) should be considered for spinal cord decompression if there are IONM changes during high-risk spinal deformity surgery.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 9 (Aug 2023)

Open access

Intravascular ultrasound to aid in the diagnosis and revision of an intra-aortic pedicle screw: illustrative case

Landon D. Ehlers, Patrick J. Opperman, Jack E. Mordeson, Jonathan R. Thompson, and Daniel L. Surdell

BACKGROUND

Pedicle screw impingement on vessel walls has the potential for complications due to pulsatile effects and wall erosion. Artifacts from spinal instrumentation create difficulty in accurately evaluating this interface. The authors present the first case of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) used to characterize a pedicle screw breach into the aortic lumen.

OBSERVATIONS

A 21-year-old female with surgically corrected scoliosis underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA) 3 years postoperatively, which revealed a pedicle screw within the thoracic aorta lumen. Metal artifact distorted the CTA images, which prompted the decision to use intraoperative IVUS. The IVUS confirmed the noninvasive imaging findings and guided final decisions regarding aortic endograft size and location during spine hardware revision.

LESSONS

For asymptomatic patients presenting with pedicle screws malpositioned in or near the aorta, treatment decisions revolve around the extent of vessel wall penetration. Intraluminal depth can be obscured by artifact on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging or inadequately evaluated by a transesophageal echocardiogram. In our intraoperative experience, IVUS confirmed the depth of vessel lumen violation by a single pedicle screw and no wall penetration by two additional screws of concern. This was useful in deciding on thoracic endovascular aortic repair graft size and landing zone and facilitated safe spinal instrumentation removal and revision.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 7 (Aug 2023)

Open access

Pedicle subtraction metallectomy with complex posterior reconstruction for fixed cervicothoracic kyphosis: illustrative case

Harman Chopra, José Manuel Orenday-Barraza, Alexander E. Braley, Alfredo Guiroy, Olivia E. Gilbert, and Michael A. Galgano

BACKGROUND

Iatrogenic cervical deformity is a devastating complication that can result from a well-intended operation but a poor understanding of the individual biomechanics of a patient’s spine. Patient factors, such as bone fragility, high T1 slope, and undiagnosed myopathies often play a role in perpetuating a deformity despite an otherwise successful surgery. This imbalance can lead to significant morbidity and a decreased quality of life.

OBSERVATIONS

A 55-year-old male presented to the authors’ clinic with a chin-to-chest deformity and cervical myelopathy. He previously had an anterior C2–T2 fixation and a posterior C1–T6 instrumented fusion. He subsequently developed screw pullout at multiple levels, so the original surgeon removed all of the posterior hardware. The T1 cage (original corpectomy) severely subsided into the body of T2, generating an angular kyphosis that eventually developed a rigid osseous circumferential union at the cervicothoracic junction with severe cord compression. An anterior approach was not feasible; therefore, a 3-column osteotomy/fusion in the upper thoracic spine was planned whereby 1 of the T2 screws would need to be removed from a posterior approach for the reduction to take place.

LESSONS

This case highlights the devastating effect of a hardware complication leading to a fixed cervical spine deformity and the complex decision making involved to safely correct the challenging deformity and restore function.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 3 (Jul 2023)

Open access

Vascular anomaly, lipoma, and polymicrogyria associated with schizencephaly: developmental and diagnostic insights. Illustrative case

Kevin K. Kumar, Angus Toland, Nancy Fischbein, Martha Morrell, Jeremy J. Heit, Donald E. Born, and Gary K. Steinberg

BACKGROUND

Schizencephaly is an uncommon central nervous system malformation. Intracranial lipomas are also rare, accounting for approximately 0.1% of brain “tumors.” They are believed to be derived from a persistent meninx primitiva, a neural crest–derived mesenchyme that develops into the dura and leptomeninges.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors present a case of heterotopic adipose tissue and a nonshunting arterial vascular malformation arising within a schizencephalic cleft in a 22-year-old male. Imaging showed right frontal gray matter abnormality and an associated suspected arteriovenous malformation with evidence of hemorrhage. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed right frontal polymicrogyria lining an open-lip schizencephaly, periventricular heterotopic gray matter, fat within the schizencephalic cleft, and gradient echo hypointensity concerning for prior hemorrhage. Histological assessment demonstrated mature adipose tissue with large-bore, thick-walled, irregular arteries. Mural calcifications and subendothelial cushions suggesting nonlaminar blood flow were observed. There were no arterialized veins or direct transitions from the arteries to veins. Hemosiderin deposition was scant, and hemorrhage was not present. The final diagnosis was consistent with ectopic mature adipose tissue and arteries with meningocerebral cicatrix.

LESSONS

This example of a complex maldevelopment of derivatives of the meninx primitiva in association with cortical maldevelopment highlights the unique challenges from both a radiological and histological perspective during diagnostic workup.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 5 (2023): Issue 21 (May 2023)

Open access

Surgical management of Hirayama disease in a pediatric patient presenting with severe cervical kyphosis and focal myelopathy: illustrative case

David B. Kurland, Sean Neifert, Hammad Khan, and Darryl Lau

BACKGROUND

Hirayama disease (HD) is a rare, nonfamilial neuromuscular disease causing cervical myelopathy and deformity, most commonly effecting pubertal Asian males. Patients whose nonoperative treatment fails and who cannot tolerate long-term cervical immobilization, experience relapse after arrest of symptoms, or present with severe features warrant surgical treatment. Here, the authors present an unusual case of HD that resulted in rapid progression of severe cervical kyphosis and discuss surgical management strategies.

OBSERVATIONS

A 15-year-old male presented with unprovoked neck pain, progressive chin-on-chest phenomenon, and cervical myelopathy. Imaging revealed a severe subaxial cervical kyphosis of 88° and severe spinal cord compression secondary to changes within the thecal sac, ligaments, and bony elements. He underwent a multistage surgery involving halo gravity traction, C3–6 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, and C2 to T2 posterior instrumented fusion with C3–5 Smith-Petersen osteotomies. Cervical subaxial pedicle screws facilitated deformity correction through a cantilever technique.

LESSONS

HD is rare and often self-limited. For severe or refractory cases of HD, guidelines for surgical management have been suggested, with a variety of approaches deemed efficacious. This is the first case of a patient presenting with such severe cervical deformity; early diagnosis and recognition is the first step toward prompt, adequate management.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 5 (2023): Issue 17 (Apr 2023)

Open access

Construct-to-construct biplanar cantilever technique for spinal deformity correction: illustrative case

J. Manuel Sarmiento, Mitchell S. Fourman, and Han Jo Kim

BACKGROUND

There is a continued trend toward posterior-only approaches for achieving spinal deformity correction of idiopathic scoliosis. We present a posteriorly based correction technique and en bloc translation reduction maneuver that can be useful in the management of kyphoscoliosis.

OBSERVATIONS

A 50-year-old female with a past medical history of untreated adolescent idiopathic scoliosis since she was 12 years old presented to the clinic for evaluation of progressive thoracolumbar spinal deformity and worsening mid-to-low back pain. Standing scoliosis radiographs shows an 85° left lumbar curve with an apex at the L1–2 disk. There was a compensatory 58° right thoracic curve with an apex at T9, a −1.4 cm central vertical axis, and a focal kyphotic deformity of 86° from T11–L3 with a corresponding apex at the L1–2 disk. She was diagnosed with adult idiopathic scoliosis and indicated for a T9–L4 posterior spinal fusion with T11–L4 Smith-Peterson osteotomies. A simple en bloc reduction maneuver was used to translate the apex of the coronal deformity toward the midline and simultaneously correct the patient’s focal kyphosis.

LESSONS

A construct-to-construct biplanar cantilever technique is ideal for the treatment of kyphoscoliosis and can provide effective deformity correction in both the sagittal and coronal planes.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 5 (2023): Issue 15 (Apr 2023)