Necati Tatarlı

Accuracy of fluoroscopically-assisted pedicle screw placement: analysis of 1,218 screws in 198 patients.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT We retrospectively analyzed a total of 1,218 pedicle screws for accuracy, with postoperative computed tomography (CT), in 198 patients who were operated on between March 2004 and September 2012. PURPOSE To determine the incidence of screw misplacement in patients who received a transpedicular screw fixation, with intraoperative fluoroscopy in the lateral and lateral with anteroposterior (AP) positions. The results are compared between the two groups. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective comparative study of accuracy of pedicle screw placement in thoracic and lumbar spine. PATIENT SAMPLE The sample consists of 198 consecutive patients who underwent transpedicular screw fixation. OUTCOME MEASURES Accuracy of screw placement was evaluated by postoperative CT scan. Misplacement was defined in cases where more than 25% of the screw size was residing outside the pedicle. METHODS The indications for hardware placement, radiologic studies, patient demographics, and reoperation rates were recorded. Five hundred twenty-eight screws (Group A, n=81) were inserted into the vertebral body with the assistance of lateral fluoroscopy only, whereas 690 screws (Group B, n=117) were inserted with the assistance of lateral fluoroscopy, and the final positions of the screws were checked with AP fluoroscopy. RESULTS A total of 1,218 screws were analyzed, with 962 screws placed at the lumbosacral region and 256 screws at the thoracic region. According to the postoperative CT scan, 27 screws (2.2%) were identified as breaching the pedicle. Nineteen of them (3.6%) were in Group A, whereas 8 (1.16%) were in Group B. The rate of pedicle breaches was significantly different between Group A and B (p=.0052). In Group A, the lateral violation of the pedicle was seen in 10 screws (1.9%), whereas medial violation was seen in 9 screws (1.7%). In Group B, the lateral violation of the pedicle was seen in six screws (0.87%), whereas medial violation was seen in two screws (0.29%). The medial and lateral penetration of screws were significantly different between Groups A and B (p<.05). A pedicle breach occurred in 21 patients, and 15 of them underwent a revision surgery to correct the misplaced screw. Of these patients, 11 (13.6%) were in Group A, and 4 (3.4%) were in Group B (p=.0335). CONCLUSIONS In this study, we evaluated and clarified the diagnostic value of intraoperative fluoroscopy in both the lateral and AP imaging that have not yet been evaluated in any comparative study. We concluded that the intraoperative use of fluoroscopy, especially in the AP position, significantly decreases the risk of screw misplacement and the results are comparable with other advanced techniques.

A sine-wave-shaped skin incision for inserting deep-brain stimulators

BackgroundThe sine-wave-shaped skin incision is a technique that minimizes skin-related complications near burr hole caps after electrode placement for deep-brain stimulation (DBS).MethodsBetween 2011 and 2013, 54 DBS electrodes were implanted in 27 consecutive patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), essential tremor, or dystonia. The sine-wave incision was used in 26 patients and conventional bilateral linear scalp incisions were used in one patient.ResultsNone of the patients whose operations involved sine-wave-shaped incisions developed hardware-linked complications such as skin infection or skin erosion. The one patient who underwent conventional bilateral linear scalp incisions developed a skin infection.ConclusionBy preserving the vascular anatomy of the scalp and reducing skin tension at the wound site, the sine-wave-shaped incision promotes wound healing.

A practical laboratory study simulating the lumbar microdiscectomy: training model in fresh cadaveric sheep spine.

Laboratory training models are essential for developing and refining surgical skills prior to clinical application of spinal surgery. A simple simulation model is needed for young residents to learn how to handle instruments and to perform safe lumbar approaches. Our aim is to present a practical laboratory model using a fresh sheep lumbar spine that allows to simulate lumbar microdiscectomy in humans. The material consists of a fresh cadaveric spine from a 2-year-old sheep. The surgical steps for lumbar microdiscectomy were conducted under the magnification of the operating microscope. The cadaveric sheep spine represents a useful model to train posterior lumbar microdiscectomy.

Intraoperative antepulsion of a posterior lumbar interbody fusion cage: three case reports

Spinal fusion surgery techniques develop together with technologic advancements. New complications are seen as the result of new techniques and these may be very severe due to spinal cord and vascular structures in the lumbar region. The posterior lumbar interbody fusion cage (PLIFC) was shown to enhance spinal fusion and to prevent pseudoarthrosis due to its basic dynamic characteristics. PLIFC migrations are usually observed during the postoperative period, just after the mobilization of the patient and usually toward spinal canal. Migration to the retroperitoneal region is a extremely rare condition in the literature. In this article we discussed three cases of PLIFC antepulsion into the retroperitoneal region during the intraoperative period.

A variation of the cords of the brachial plexus on the right and a communication between the musculocutaneous and median nerves on the left upper limb: a unique case.

During routine anatomical dissection of the upper extremity of a 64-year-old cadaver for educational purposes, we observed variations in the brachial plexus on each side. On the right an anomaly of cord formation was present and on the left there was a communication between the musculocutaneous nerve (MCN) and median nerve (MN). On the right side the brachial plexus showed two trunks, superior (C5 and C6) and inferior (C7, C8, and T1); the middle trunk was absent. The superior trunk bifurcated into anterior and posterior divisions, the anterior division continued as the lateral cord forming the MCN. The posterior division gave off the subscapular branch. The inferior trunk trifurcated into radial, median, and ulnar nerves. The radial nerve gave off the axillary and thoracodorsal nerves. The ulnar nerve gave off the median cutaneous nerves of the arm and forearm. The median nerve received a small ascending branch from the MCN. On the right side, there was a communicating branch from the MCN to the MN in the lower third of the arm region. This communicating branch also gave rise to a muscular branch to the brachialis muscle and the lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm. No additional heads of the biceps brachii muscle were observed in either upper limb. Knowledge of the variations of the brachial plexus in humans can be valuable for operations of the shoulder joint and its repair for providing an effective block or treatment for anesthetists and also for explaining otherwise incomprehensible clinical signs for neurologists.

Choroid plexus carcinoma in adults: an extremely rare case.

Choroid plexus tumors are rare intraventricular papillary neoplasms derived from choroid plexus epithelium, which account for approximately 2% to 4% of intracranial tumors in children and 0.5% in adults. Almost all choroid plexus carcinomas are seen in children and are extremely rare in adults. Headache, diplopia, and ataxia are the most common symptoms usually caused by mechanical obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid flow followed by hydrocephalus, regardless of tumor location. We present an illustrative case with 73 years old male patient who was consulted with headache to our neurosurgery department. In cranial computed tomography, there was a mass in 4th ventricle and we confirmed the mass with magnetic resonance imaging. After surgery had been performed, pathology specimen was diagnosed as choroid plexus carcinoma which was rarely seen in this age group.

The Supraorbital Keyhole Approach.

Aim:The major aim of the present anatomical study was to demonstrate the anatomical structures that can be visualized using the supraorbital keyhole approach, both endoscopically and microscopically, from an eyebrow incision to intracranial structures. Furthermore, it defines an optimal craniotomy for surgery. Methods:Fine dissection was performed on each side of 5 formalin-fixed adult cadavers according to the surgical procedures of the supraorbital keyhole approach, and each step was documented both endoscopically and microscopically. Furthermore, the distance between the superior temporal line and the supraorbital notch/foramen was measured from the 10 total sides of the 5 cadavers and from the 118 sides of the 59 autopsies. Results:Tumors and aneurysms of the anterior cranial fossa can be visualized during the supraorbital keyhole approach. The average distance between the superior temporal line and the supraorbital notch/foramen was measured. The distance obtained from the autopsies on the 25 females was 31.56 ± 4.03 mm on the right side and 31.04 ± 5.40 mm on the left side. The average distance obtained from the autopsies on the 34 males was 34.00 ± 4.59 mm on the right side and 33.59 ± 5.41 mm on the left side. There was no statistically significant difference between right and left in the female and male autopsies or between sexes. Conclusions:This anatomical study showed that structures in the anterior and middle cranial fossa can be reached via the supraorbital keyhole craniotomy approach with minimal brain retraction and adequate exposure and with minimal craniotomy size.

Primary Dural Spinal Lymphoma Presentation of a Rare Spinal Tumor Case

Background. Primary spinal dural lymphomas (PSDL) are tumors with characteristic histopathology of a lymphoma, which are completely in the spinal epidural space without any other systemic involvement. Extranodal primary lymphoma involving nervous system prefers thalamus/basal ganglia, periventricular region, cerebellum, eyes, meninges/dura, and cranial nerves or spinal cord. Rare spinal localization with acute spinal cord compression is worth attention. Case Presentation. A 48-year-old male presented with a several-month-long history of upper back pain. Lately, he had numbness and weakness at both lower extremities and was unable to walk for one week. A spinal MRI showed a thoracic lesion with cord compression at T2–T4 levels. The patient underwent surgical decompression, with his final histopathology showing diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Systemic work-up was negative for nodal disease. Following surgery, he received radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. He experienced a good outcome after four years. Conclusion. The upper thoracic cord is a rare location for primary spinal lesions/metastases, both of which prefer the lower thoracic and upper lumbar regions. In cases of progressive paraparesis, there should be immediate surgical intervention in the case of denovo disease, followed by combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy procedures.

A thoracic vertebral brown tumor presenting with paraparesis in a patient with end-stage renal disease

Abstract Vertebral brown tumors are rare, non-neoplastic bone lesions that occur in the setting of hyperparathyroidism. There are differences in the management of them in the literature. Because brown tumors usually resolve after a parathyroidectomy. We present a case of a thoracic vertebral brown tumor with paraparesis.

Spontaneous Rhinorrhea mimicking sinusitis.

Spotaneous or non-traumatic cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea is an uncommon condition and may present a diagnostic challenge to clinicians. This condition is often being misdiagnosed for allergic rhintis or chronic sinusitis since the precipitating cause is not readily apperent in most patients. The mechanism of rhinorrhea is stil not completely clarified. We describe a case of this condition occuring in association with allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. A 52 year-old, obese female patient presented with two weeks history of bilateral clear nasal discharge and postural headache. Sample of nasal discharge tested for glucose and protein. The result was that the collection fluid was cerebrospinal fluid. The origin of cerebrospinal fluid fistula could not be identified despite the diagnostic tests.