Leonardo Giacomini

Radiocirurgia estereotáxica para metástases de coluna vertebral: revisão de literatura

ABSTRACT Objective: The spine is the most common location for bone metastases. Since cure is not possible, local control and relief of symptoms is the basis for treatment, which is grounded on the use of conventional radiotherapy. Recently, spinal radiosurgery has been proposed for the local control of spinal metastases, whether as primary or salvage treatment. Consequently, we carried out a literature review in order to analyze the indications, efficacy, and safety of radiosurgery in the treatment of spinal metastases. Methods: We have reviewed the literature using the PubMed gateway with data from the MEDLINE library on studies related to the use of radiosurgery in treatment of bone metastases in spine. The studies were reviewed by all the authors and classified as to level of evidence, using the criterion defined by Wright. Results: The indications found for radiosurgery were primary control of epidural metastases (evidence level II), myeloma (level III), and metastases known to be poor responders to conventional radiotherapy – melanoma and renal cell carcinoma (level III). Spinal radiosurgery was also proposed for salvage treatment after conventional radiotherapy (level II). There is also some evidence as to the safety and efficacy of radiosurgery in cases of extramedullar and intramedullar intradural metastatic tumors (level III) and after spinal decompression and stabilization surgery. Conclusion: Radiosurgery can be used in primary or salvage treatment of spinal metastases, improving local disease control and patient symptoms. It should also be considered as initial treatment for radioresistant tumors, such as melanoma and renal cell carcinoma.

Neurovascular reconstruction with flow diverter stents for the treatment of 87 intracranial aneurysms: Clinical results.

Background Flow diverter stents represent a new endovascular tool to treat complex aneurysms, such as giant, large, wide-necked and fusiform. The highly dense mash of these stents reduces inflow and outflow inside the aneurysm, resulting in intra aneurysmal thrombosis and stent endothelialization. Objectives To present the results of treatment of intracranial aneurysms with flow diverter stents in a single center. Methods Retrospective review of 77 patients with 87 aneurysms treated using two different types of flow diverter stent, the Pipeline Embolization Device and SILK stent, between October 2010 and September 2013 in an interventional neuroradiology center. Results Flow diverter stent placement was successful in 98% of the lesions and resulted in an immediate major stasis within most of the treated aneurysms. The overall aneurysm occlusion rate at six months and 18 months was 80% and 84% respectively. Symptomatic complications occurred in 11 patients (14.3%) with morbidity in eight (10.4%) and mortality in three patients (3.9%). Conclusion Flow diversion is a promising technique for treatment of challenging intracranial aneurysms with acceptable morbidity. A high rate of complete occlusion for small large necked aneurysms, a low morbidity and mortality rate and no recanalization encourage their use in these aneurysms. Further studies accessing long-term aneurysm occlusion and recanalization are required.

Basilar invagination: Surgical results

Introduction: Basilar invagination (BI) is a congenital craniocervical junction (CCJ) anomaly represented by a prolapsed spine into the skull-base that can result in severe neurological impairment. Materials and Methods: In this paper, we retrospective evaluate the surgical treatment of 26 patients surgically treated for symptomatic BI. BI was classified according to instability and neural abnormalities findings. Clinical outcome was evaluated using the Nürick grade system. Results: A total of 26 patients were included in this paper. Their age ranged from 15 to 67 years old (mean 38). Of which, 10 patients were male (38%) and 16 (62%) were female. All patients had some degree of tonsillar herniation, with 25 patients treated with foramen magnum decompression. Nine patients required a craniocervical fixation. Six patients had undergone prior surgery and required a new surgical procedure for progression of neurological symptoms associated with new compression or instability. Most of patients with neurological symptoms secondary to brainstem compression had some improvement during the follow-up. There was mortality in this series, 1 month after surgery, associated with a late removal of the tracheal cannula. Conclusions: Management of BI requires can provide improvements in neurological outcomes, but requires analysis of the neural and bony anatomy of the CCJ, as well as occult instability. The complexity and heterogeneous presentation requires attention to occult instability on examination and attention to airway problems secondary to concomitant facial malformations.

Aneurysmatic bone cyst of the craniocervical region: Surgical technique

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are nonneoplastic bone lesions that may originate of any site of skeleton. The spine can be affect up to 30% of the cases, leading to pain, neurological deficits, and pathological fractures in symptomatic patients. The incidence of craniocervical (occipito-C1-2) occurrence is not known. We describe the surgical technique and clinical results of two patients with craniocervical ABCs that underwent primary surgical resection: An 11-year-old girl with a lesion in the posterior aspect of the atlas, and a 28-year-old man with an important hydrocephalus and a posterior expansible lesion on the left side of his posterior fossa. Total resection was achieved on both lesions, with no surgical morbidity. Even though ABCs are nonneoplastic lesions, subtotal resection is associated with early recurrence. The knowledge of the anatomy of the region in order to achieve the occlusion of arterial feeders prior to surgical resection itself is the key point of the surgical strategy.

Is there a right time for surgery in paraplegic patients secondary to non traumatic spinal cord compression

Paraplegia is a well-defined state of complete motor deficit in lower limbs, regardless of sensory involvement. The cause of paraplegia usually guides treatment, however, some controversies remain about the time and benefits for spinal cord decompression in nontraumatic paraplegic patients, especially after 48 hours of the onset of paraplegia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefits of spinal cord decompression in such patients. We describe three patients with paraplegia secondary to non-traumatic spinal cord compression without sensory deficits, and who were surgically treated after more than 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. All patients, even those with paraplegia during more than 48 hours, had benefits from spinal cord decompression like recovery of gait ability. The duration of paraplegia, which influences prognosis, is not a contra-indication for surgery. The preservation of sensitivity in this group of patients should be considered as a positive prognostic factor when surgery is taken into account.