"Cave-in"technique: 360° circumferential decompression for thoracic spinal stenosis with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament

Objective To investigate the surgical techniqueand efficiency of the "Cave-in" 360° circumferential decompression for thoracic spinal stenosis(TSS)with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL).Methods From October 2005 to

Chiari Malformation Type 1 in Adults Managed by Surgical Decompression: New Prospective

Aim of the work: This study aims to assess the value of the surgical management in the improvement of the symptoms & signs of patients with Chiari malformation type 1 and radiological follow up in adults. Patients and methods: This study included 30 consecutive patients with Chiari malformation type I who were indicated for surgery at neurosurgery department. Data were collected prospectively from the involved patients who were evaluated preoperatively and underwent evaluation by CT scanning of the brain & skull and MRI imaging of the brain and spine. CT and MRI were done as the routine follow up investigations for all patients. We operated through midline suboccipital craniectomy, durotomy in y shaped manner, shrinkage of cerebellar tonsils by bipolar electrocautery, duroplasty by fascia lata graft, watertight closure. Results: The assessment from E. J. N. S. (Egyptian Journal of Neurosurgery) vol. 24 no. 2 June 2009 used for evaluating the patients clinically. 18 patients reported good outcome, 6 fair, 6 poor. We evaluated the size of the syrinx if present preoperative in follow up. 15 (50%) patients showed marked reduction (more than or equal to 60%) in size of syrinx, 3 (10%) mild reduction (less than or equal to 30%) in size and 12 (40%) with no change. Conclusion: The Chiari type 1 malformation constitutes a controllable malformation with good outcomes. With current microsurgical techniques, the results of the bony decompression and duroplasty became excellent. Before undergoing surgical treatment for CM-I, symptomatic patients and their families should be given clear information about the success of treatment and potential complications.

Comparison of Functional and Radiological Outcomes Between Two Posterior Approaches in the Treatment of Multilevel Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Background：Posterior cervical decompression is an accepted treatment for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy （CSM）.Each posterior technique has its own advantages and disadvantages.In the present study,we compared the functional and radiological outcomes of expansive hemilaminectomy and laminoplasty with mini titanium plate in the treatment of multilevel CSM.Methods：Forty-four patients with multilevel CSM treated with posterior cervical surgery in Department of Orthopedic Surgery,Beijing Army General Hospital from March 2011 to June 2012 were enrolled in this retrospective study.Patients were divided into two groups by surgical procedure：Laminoplasty （Group L） and hemilaminectomy （Group H）.Perioperative parameters including age,sex,duration of symptoms,opcrative duration,and intraoperative blood loss were recorded and compared.Spinal canal area,calculated using AutoCAD software（Autodesk Inc.,San Rafael,CA,USA）,and neurological improvement,evaluated with Japanese Orthopedic Association score,were also compared.Results：Neurological improvement did not differ significantly between groups.Group H had a significantly shorter operative duration and significantly less blood loss.Mean expansion ratio was significantly greater in Group L （77.83 ± 6.41%） than in Group H （62.72 ± 3.86%） （P 〈 0.01）.Conclusions：Both surgical approaches are safe and effective in treating multilevel CSM.Laminoplasty provides a greater degree of enlargement of the spinal canal,whereas expansive hemilaminectomy has the advantages of shorter operative duration and less intraoperative blood loss.

Neural endoscopic assisted micro-invasive management of Chiari I malformation

Background In order to make posterior fossa decompression for the management of Chiari I malformation simple and less invasive while using direct visualization, a novel solely endoscopic procedure has been employed for the decompression of Chiari malformation type I. The objective of this study was to present neural endoscopic posterior fossa decompression and atlas laminectomy for Chiari type I patients. Methods Twenty-one patients with Chiari type I underwent neural endoscopic posterior fossa decompression and atlas laminectomy. We described the procedure for neural endoscopic posterior fossa decompression and atlas laminectomy. All patients in this series demonstrated cerebellar tonsil herniation below the foramen magnum in addition to syringomyelia. All patients in the reviewed study underwent preoperative MRI as well as 3-month postoperative MRI. Additional follow-up MRI varied but was usually repeated 12 months to 18 months after surgery. Postoperative MRI studies were retrospectively reviewed and compared with preoperative studies. Results All patients showed clinical improvements, and none had any complications. Patients with syringomyelia had symptoms entirely disappear. Eleven patients （52.4%） experienced radiographic improvement in syringomyelia （decreased size or resolution） during the follow-up period. Nine patients （42.8%） demonstrated decreased syrinx size and four （19%） demonstrated resolved syrinx. Of the 15 patients with symptomatic syringomyelia, 11 （73.3%） experienced symptomatic improvement. The median time to symptom improvement was four months after surgery. Post surgical MRI examinations indicated complete and sufficient decompression of foramen magnum region. Conclusions Endoscope atlanto-occipital decompression surgery is an innovative, safe and effective surgical procedure. It has similar results compared to traditional surgery, however with the added advantages of being minimal invasive, having fewer complications, decreased influence on stability of occipital bony structure, and a faster recovery as well as reduced hospital stay and expenses.