No shinkei geka. Neurological surgery
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Lumbar canal stenosis (LCS) and lumbar foraminal stenosis (LFS) are frequently observed in elder patients. For patients with radiculopathy caused by both LCS and LFS, surgical manipulations require nerve root decompression from its exit zone to the lateral part of the vertebral foramen, and often need spinal instrumentation. In the present report, we performed a new strategy of surgical decompression without spinal fixation. ⋯ The patient was relieved from the radicular pain after the operation, and returned to her previous activity of daily living. One-year after the operation, she was free from the radiculopathy, and radiograms showed no fracture in the preserved left L4 lamina. Lateral fenestration combined with bilateral spinal canal decompression through contralateral laminotomy is potentially a surgical option for radiculopathy caused by both LSC and LFS.
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Subclavian steal syndrome (SSS) is caused by hypoplasia of a vertebral artery or stenosis or occlusion of the subclavian artery or the brachiocephalic artery with subsequent retrograde filling of the subclavian artery via the contralateral vertebral artery. Symptoms of SSS are due to vertbrobasilar insufficiency or ischemia of the ipsilateral upper extremity, and they may include dizziness, syncope, ataxia, arm claudication, hand numbness or a decrease in brachial blood pressure on the affected side. However, most SSS cases are asymptomatic and they are classified as subclavian steal phenomenon (SSP). ⋯ SSS was asymptomatic although there was laterality in blood pressure in the patient's bilateral upper limbs. Thyroid tumor was regarded as benign by radiological findings, laboratory data, and physical examination. If SSS becomes symptomatic, removal of the thyroid tumor may be indicated.