Neurologia medico-chirurgica
-
Neurol. Med. Chir. (Tokyo) · Jan 2010
Case ReportsMild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion: evaluation by diffusion tensor imaging. Two case reports.
Mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) is a clinico-radiological syndrome with a very particular clinical course. Three patients with MERS were evaluated by various sequences of magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion tensor imaging. ⋯ However, diffusion anisotropy of the lesions showed no remarkable abnormalities in the early or delayed phases. These results may indicate that white matter architecture is preserved in both early and delayed phases in MERS.
-
Neurol. Med. Chir. (Tokyo) · Jan 2010
Comparative StudyClinical analysis of spinal cord injury with or without cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, spondylosis, and canal stenosis in elderly head injury patients.
Patients with degenerative diseases of the cervical spine, such as ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, spondylosis, and canal stenosis, sometimes present with acute spinal cord injury caused by minor trauma. However, the relative risk of cervical cord injury with these diseases is unknown. The clinical and radiological features of 94 elderly patients with head injury, 57 men and 37 women aged from 65 to 98 years (mean 76.6 years), were retrospectively analyzed to assess the association of spinal cord injury with degenerative cervical diseases. ⋯ The incidence of degenerative cervical diseases seems to be increasing in Japan because life expectancy has increased and the elderly are a rapidly growing part of the population. A fall while walking or cycling is a common mechanism of head injury and/or cervical cord injury in the elderly. To decrease the occurrence of cervical myelopathy, prevention by increasing social awareness and avoiding traffic accidents and falls is important.
-
Neurol. Med. Chir. (Tokyo) · Jan 2010
Case ReportsCoexistence of cranial and spinal subdural hematomas: case report.
A 47-year-old man presented with chronic cranial subdural hematomas (SDHs) associated with spinal SDH manifesting as onset of severe lumbago revealed in the follow up for bilateral subdural effusions after trauma. Left chronic cranial SDH was first identified. ⋯ Magnetic resonance imaging detected spinal SDH, prior to the diagnosis and treatment of right chronic cranial SDH. The present case of concomitant occurrence of cranial and spinal SDHs suggests that the possibility of spinal SDH should be investigated with magnetic resonance imaging in patients with chronic cranial SDH.
-
Neurol. Med. Chir. (Tokyo) · Jan 2010
Two-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation: a minimum 3-year follow-up study.
The clinical and radiological outcomes of two-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (PSF) were evaluated in 24 consecutive patients who underwent two-level ALIF with percutaneous PSF for segmental instability and were followed up for more than 3 years. Clinical outcomes were assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) score and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Sagittal alignment, bone union, and adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) were assessed using radiography and magnetic resonance imaging. ⋯ ASD was found in 8 of the 24 patients. No patient underwent revision surgery due to nonunion or ASD. Two-level ALIF with percutaneous PSF yielded satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes and could be a useful alternative to posterior fusion surgery.
-
Neurol. Med. Chir. (Tokyo) · Jan 2010
Case ReportsCervical (non-terminal) myelocystocele associated with rapidly progressive hydrocephalus and Chiari type II malformation--case report.
An infant presented with a rare cervical (non-terminal) myelocystocele as a congenital skin-covered mass located in the midline of the posterior aspect of her neck. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and computed tomography showed a cystic mass filled with cerebrospinal fluid in the midline of the posterior aspect of the neck, with a fibrous streak extending from the bottom of the sac to the dorsal surface of the cervical cord. Brain MR imaging also showed a dilated ventricular system and Chiari type II malformation. ⋯ After the surgery, the patient experienced respiratory distress. Ultrasound tomography from the anterior fontanel revealed deterioration of hydrocephalus, so a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was inserted, and the respiratory distress improved. The present case illustrates the possibility of rapidly worsening of hydrocephalus and Chari type II malformation after surgical repair of cervical (non-terminal) myelocystocele.