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Open access

Can we build better? Challenges with geospatial and financial accessibility in the Caribbean. Illustrative case

Ellianne J dos Santos Rubio, Chrystal Calderon, Annegien Boeykens, and Kee B Park

BACKGROUND

Within the Caribbean, Curaçao provides a neurosurgical hub to other Dutch Caribbean islands. At times, the inefficiency of neurosurgical referrals leads to unsatisfactory patient outcomes in true emergency cases.

OBSERVATIONS

This article reports an illustrative case of a patient in need of emergency neurosurgical care, who was referred to a tertiary health institution in Curaçao. This case highlights the challenges of timely neurosurgical referrals within the Dutch Caribbean.

LESSONS

Highlighting this case may provide a foundation for further discussions that may improve neurosurgical care and access. Limiting long-distance surgical referrals in the acute care setting will aid in saving lives.

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

Open access

Cervical spinal cord compression from subdural hematoma caused by traumatic nerve root avulsion: illustrative case

Alexander T Yahanda, Michelle R Connor, Rupen Desai, David A Giles, Vivek P Gupta, Wilson Z Ray, and Magalie Cadieux

BACKGROUND

Posttraumatic intradural hematomas of the cervical spine are rare findings that may yield significant neurological deficits if they compress the spinal cord. These compressive hematomas require prompt surgical evacuation. In certain instances, intradural hematomas may form from avulsion of cervical nerve roots.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors present the case of a 29-year-old male who presented with right upper-extremity weakness in the setting of polytrauma after a motor vehicle accident. He had no cervical fractures but subsequently developed right lower-extremity weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a compressive hematoma of the cervical spine that was initially read as an epidural hematoma. However, intraoperatively, it was found to be a subdural hematoma, eccentric to the right, stemming from an avulsion of the right C6 nerve root.

LESSONS

Posttraumatic cervical subdural hematomas require rapid surgical evacuation if neurological deficits are present. The source of the hematoma may be an avulsed nerve root, and the associated deficits may be unilateral if the hematoma is eccentric to one side. Surgeons should be prepared for the possibility of an intradural hematoma even in instances in which MRI appears consistent with an epidural hematoma.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 20 (Nov 2023)

Open access

Combined endoscopic and microsurgical approach for the drainage of a multisegmental thoracolumbar epidural abscess: illustrative case

Vincent Hagel, Felix Dymel, Stephan Werle, Vera Barrera, and Mazda Farshad

BACKGROUND

Spinal epidural abscess is a rare but serious infectious disease that can rapidly develop into a life-threatening condition. Therefore, the appropriate treatment is indispensable. Although conservative treatment is justifiable in certain cases, surgical treatment needs to be considered as an alternative early on because of complications such as (progressive) neurological deficits or sepsis. However, traditional surgical techniques usually include destructive approaches up to (multilevel) laminectomies. Such excessive approaches do have biomechanical effects potentially affecting the long-term outcomes. Therefore, minimally invasive approaches have been described as alternative strategies, including endoscopic approaches.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors describe a surgical technique involving a combination of two minimally invasive approaches (endoscopic and microsurgical) to drain a multisegmental (thoracolumbar) abscess using the physical phenomenon of continuous pressure difference to minimize collateral tissue damage.

LESSONS

The combination of minimally invasive approaches, including the endoscopic technique, may be an alternative in draining selected epidural abscesses while achieving a similar amount of abscess removal and causing less collateral approach damage in comparison with more traditional techniques.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 19 (Nov 2023)

Open access

Upper cervical intramedullary schwannoma of the spinal cord presenting with myelopathy: illustrative case

Shyam Duvuru, Vivek Sanker, Naureen Syed, Shubham Mishra, Sayantika Ghosh, and Tirth Dave

BACKGROUND

Intramedullary schwannomas account for 1.1% of all spinal schwannomas. Preoperative diagnosis is best accomplished by thoroughly evaluating clinical and radiological characteristics, accompanied by a high index of suspicion. The authors report a case of C2–3 intramedullary schwannoma in a young male who presented with neck pain and vertigo. The current literature is also reviewed.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors reviewed the data of a young male with a 2-month history of neck pain and vertigo. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and cervical spine showed an intramedullary mass at C2–3 with a syrinx extending into the cervicomedullary junction. Laminectomy, myelotomy, and microsurgical excision of the mass under intraoperative neurological monitoring (IONM) were done. Postoperative pathology reported the specimen as a schwannoma.

LESSONS

Gross-total resection of a schwannoma using IONM is the treatment of choice because of the lesion’s benign nature, a better prognosis, and defined cleavage plane. Schwannomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of intramedullary spinal tumors. Because of its progressive nature, early surgery is recommended in symptomatic patients.

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

Direct withdrawal of a retained foreign body bisecting the thoracic spinal canal in a neurologically intact pediatric patient: illustrative case

David R. Peters, Trent VanHorn, Brandon Karimian, Benjamin Pruden, Scott D. Wait, Roy T. Daniel, and Constantin Tuleasca

BACKGROUND

Nonmissile penetrating spinal cord injury (NMPSCI) with a retained foreign body (RFB) is rare and usually results in permanent neurological deficits. In extremely rare cases, patients can present without significant neurological deficits despite an RFB that traverses the spinal canal. Given the rarity of these cases, a consensus has not yet been reached on optimal management. In a patient with an RFB and a neurologically normal clinical examination, the risk of open surgical exploration may outweigh the benefit and direct withdrawal may be a better option.

OBSERVATIONS

A 10-year-old female suffered an NMPSCI to the thoracic spine with an RFB that bisected the spinal canal but remained neurologically intact. Direct withdrawal of the RFB was chosen instead of open surgical exploration, leading to an excellent clinical outcome. The literature was reviewed to find other examples of thoracic NMPSCI with RFB and neurologically normal examinations. Management strategies were compared.

LESSONS

For NMPSCI with RFB and without significant neurological deficits, direct withdrawal is a viable and possibly the best treatment option. The use of fast-acting anesthesia without intubation minimizes patient manipulation, speeds up recovery, and allows early assessment of neurological status after removal.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 5 (2023): Issue 25 (Jun 2023)

Open access

Spinal epidural tuberculoma with osseous involvement: illustrative case

Hershel W. Cannon, Michael Weaver, Anand Kaul, and Ahmed Lazim

BACKGROUND

A tuberculosis infection of the central nervous system can present as a localized, intraspinal tuberculoma. These lesions may cause spinal cord compression requiring early identification and surgical decompression to limit deleterious neurological sequelae.

OBSERVATIONS

A 28-year-old female with a history of opioid use disorder presented with low-back pain in the setting of trauma with progressive bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and paraparesis. T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging sequences of the spine demonstrated a heterogeneously hyperintense extra-axial epidural mass at T11 with mass effect. Biopsy of the lesion revealed benign soft tissue with necrosis and caseating granulomatous inflammation consistent with tuberculoma. The patient underwent laminectomy and debulking of mass for decompression and was subsequently began antitubercular treatment with good neurological outcome.

LESSONS

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are only a handful of microbiologically and radiographically confirmed cases of spinal epidural tuberculoma in English literature. These lesions are rare and difficult to clinically and radiographically characterize in the absence of systemic pulmonary TB symptoms. Tuberculoma is an important differential for a spinal epidural mass, particularly because resection with systemic antitubercular treatment results in symptom resolution.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 5 (2023): Issue 11 (Mar 2023)

Open access

Management of perinatal cervical spine injury using custom-fabricated external orthoses: design considerations, narrative literature review, and experience from the Hospital for Sick Children. Illustrative cases

Vishwathsen Karthikeyan, Sara C. Breitbart, Armaan K. Malhotra, Andrea Fung, Erin Short, Ann Schmitz, David E. Lebel, and George M. Ibrahim

BACKGROUND

Cervical spine injuries in neonates are rare and no guidelines are available to inform management. The most common etiology of neonatal cervical injury is birth-related trauma. Management strategies that are routine in older children and adults are not feasible due to the unique anatomy of neonates.

OBSERVATIONS

Here, the authors present 3 cases of neonatal cervical spinal injury due to confirmed or suspected birth trauma, 2 of whom presented immediately after birth, while the other was diagnosed at 7 weeks of age. One child presented with neurological deficits due to spinal cord injury, while another had an underlying predisposition to bony injury, infantile malignant osteopetrosis. The children were treated with a custom-designed and manufactured full-body external orthoses with good clinical and radiographic outcomes. A narrative literature review further supplements this case series and highlights risk factors and the spectrum of birth-related spinal injuries reported to date.

LESSONS

The current report highlights the importance of recognizing the rare occurrence of cervical spinal injury in newborns and provides pragmatic recommendations for management of these injuries. Custom orthoses provide an alternate option for neonates who cannot be fitted in halo vests and who would outgrow traditional casts.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 5 (2023): Issue 10 (Mar 2023)

Open access

Spinal epidural lipomatosis in a pediatric patient with a malignant brain tumor: illustrative case

Reed Berlet, Daphne Li, and John Ruge

BACKGROUND

Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) in pediatric patients with concomitant malignant brain neoplasms is rare and can present with rapid deterioration in neurological function.

OBSERVATIONS

A 4-year-old boy with SEL became paraplegic 4 months after completion of chemoradiation for his previously resected, intracranial atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor. The patient presented with rapid deterioration in lower extremity sensory and motor function, which, given his oncological history, was concerning for disease progression. Of note, 8 months prior, the patient was started on corticosteroid therapy for respiratory dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed significant progression of lumbosacral SEL requiring surgical decompression with subsequent neurological improvement.

LESSONS

When evaluating pediatric patients with primary or metastatic brain tumors with new or worsening myelopathy and motor or sensory deficits, it is important to consider SEL.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 5 (2023): Issue 8 (Feb 2023)

Open access

Transverse myelitis after Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine: illustrative case

Ezek Mathew, Julie Williamson, Lois Mamo, and Rob Dickerman

BACKGROUND

Transverse myelitis is a rare neurological occurrence with varied presentation. Imaging is necessary to properly diagnose this condition; however, identifying the cause of this condition may often be difficult.

OBSERVATIONS

An otherwise healthy patient presented to the clinic with peculiar neurological symptoms without an obvious underlying cause. Imaging evidenced no significant structural defects but did lead to discovery of cord enhancement compatible with a diagnosis of transverse myelitis. Corticosteroid treatment was initiated rapidly to address this pathology, and the patient recovered without deficits. To identify the underlying cause, patient medical history was reviewed thoroughly and compared with existing literature. Previous tuberculosis infection could be a less likely cause of the neurological symptoms. However, recent vaccination with the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine could be a more likely cause of the transverse myelitis, which has been rarely reported.

LESSONS

Transverse myelitis after COVID-19 infection has been an escalating phenomenon. However, transverse myelitis after COVID-19 vaccination is a rare occurrence that is also on the rise. Given the increased rates of vaccination, transverse myelitis should not be overlooked as a potential pathology, due to the severity of neurological impairment if this condition is not treated rapidly.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 4 (2022): Issue 24 (Dec 2022)