Rahmi Kemal Koc

Hemilaminectomy for the removal of the spinal lesions

Objective: We evaluated 20 patients with spinal lesions with respect to the value of unilateral hemilaminectomy at the Department of Neurosurgery, Erciyes University, Medical Faculty, Kayseri, Turkey. The operative technique of the limited approach for spinal lesions is described.Methods: The study is based on 20 prospective consecutive patients with spinal lesions who had unilateral hemilaminectomy. There were 12 women and eight men. Age ranged from 17 to 63 years mean (42 years) with a slight preponderance of women patients (60%). Spinal lesions were cervical in three cases, lumbar in five cases, and thoracic in 12 cases. Hemilaminectomy was performed by using a high speed drill.Results: Postoperative neurological status was unchanged in six cases, improved in 11 cases, and worsened in three cases. We only observed two cases of wound infections that were not related to our surgical approach. At the follow-up evaluation, which occurred approximately 25 months after surgery none of the patients showed spinal deformity or spinal instability.Conclusion: The rationale of attempting unilateral approach is to avoid damage to the dorsal static structures of the vertebral column. With the precise preoperative definition of the relationship of tumor to the surface of the spinal cord by contrast enhanced MRI, unilateral approaches might be more applicable to spinal lesions except invasive extradural lesions.Spinal Cord (2000) 38, 92–96.

Effect of methylprednisolone, tirilazad mesylate and vitamin E on lipid peroxidation after experimental spinal cord injury

Effect of methylprednisolone (MP), tirilazad mesylate (TM) and vitamin E on lipid peroxidation (LP) was evaluated in an experimental model of spinal cord compression injury in anesthetized rats. Forty rats, divided randomly into four groups, were injured by compressing on the spinal cord at Th 3 for 1 min. Bolus injections of saline solution, MP (30 mg/kg bolus and 5.4 mg/kg/h), TM (10 mg/kg four times per day), or vitamin E (30 mg/kg four times per day) were begun 1 h after the spinal cord injury (SCI). Twenty-four hours after treatment, the rats were killed, and malondialdehyde (MDA), a LP product, was measured in the spinal cord tissues. Rats treated with MP, TM and vitamin E had significantly decreased MDA levels (P<0.01) than rats in the control group. The lowest MDA levels were found in the TM group. These results suggest that MP, TM and vitamin E may have a protective effect against SCI in rats by its antioxidant effect.

Doxycycline plus streptomycin versus ciprofloxacin plus rifampicin in spinal brucellosis [ISRCTN31053647]

BackgroundThe optimal treatment regimen and duration of the therapy is still controversial in spinal brucellosis. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy, adverse drug reactions, complications and cost of ciprofloxacin plus rifampicin versus doxycycline plus streptomycin in the treatment of spinal brucellosis.MethodsThe patients diagnosed as spinal brucellosis between January 2002 to December 2004 were enrolled into the study. Patients were enrolled into the two antimicrobial therapy groups (doxycycline plus streptomycin vs. ciprofloxacin plus rifampicin) consecutively. For the cost analysis of the two regimens, only the cost of antibiotic therapy was analysed for each patient.ResultsDuring the study period, 31 patients with spinal brucellosis were enrolled into the two antimicrobial therapy groups. Fifteen patients were included in doxycycline plus streptomycin group and 16 patients were included in ciprofloxacin plus rifampicin group. Forty-two levels of spinal column were involved in 31 patients. The most common affected site was lumbar spine (n = 32, 76%) and involvement level was not different in two groups. Despite the disadvantages (older age, more prevalent operation and abscess formation before the therapy) of the patients in the ciprofloxacin plus rifampicin group, the duration of the therapy (median 12 weeks in both groups) and clinical response were not different from the doxycycline plus streptomycin. The cost of ciprofloxacin plus rifampicin therapy was 1.2 fold higher than the cost of doxycycline plus streptomycin therapy.ConclusionClassical regimen (doxycycline plus streptomycin), with the appropriate duration (at least 12 weeks), is still the first line antibiotics and alternative therapies should be considered when adverse drug reactions were observed.

Lipid peroxidation in experimental spinal cord injury

Ischaemia-induced lipid peroxidation is one of the most important factors producing tissue damage in spinal cord injury. In our study, the protective effects ofGinkgo biloba, thyroid releasing hormone (TRH) and methylprednisolone (MP) on compression injury of the rat spinal cord were investigated. For this study 45 rats in four groups, including control, MP, TRH andGingko biloba, were used to determine the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA). All the animals were made paraplegic by the application clip method of Rivlin and Tator. Rats were divided randomly and blindly to one of four treatment groups (ten animals in each). MP andGinkgo biloba treatments significantly decreased MDA levels (F=54.138,P<0.01). These results suggest that MP andGinkgo biloba may have a protective effect against ischaemic spinal cord injury by the antioxidant effect.

Intradural lumbar disc herniation: report of two cases

Abstract Intradural lumbar disc herniation (ILDH) is a rare pathology. The pathogenesis of ILDH is not known with certainty. Adhesions between the ventral wall of the dura and the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) could act as a preconditioning factor. Diagnosis of ILDH is difficult and seldom suspected preoperatively. Prompt surgery is necessary because the neurologic prognosis appears to be closely linked to preoperative duration of neurologic symptoms. Despite preoperatively significant neurological deficits, the prognosis following surgery is good. We report on two new cases of ILDH of high lumbar locations L1–2 and L2–3 with difficult differential diagnoses, and the possible pathogenic factors are discussed.

The effect of allopurinol on focal cerebral ischaemia: an experimental study in rabbits

Abstract In this experimental study, the neuroprotective effect of the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol on focal cerebral ischaemia created by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was investigated. Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), we measured hypoxanthine, xanthine, and uric acid (UA) levels in rabbit brains following focal cerebral ischaemia. Rabbits were randomly and blindly assigned into four groups of eight animals each. The control groups received 2% carboxymethylcellulose solution, while 10% allopurinol 150 mg/kg was given to the treatment group 1 h before ischaemia. Each group was subdivided into two groups which were sacrificed 4 h or 24 h after ischaemia, respectively. UA and xanthine values of the rabbits in the control groups were quite high at both times and highest after 24 h, particularly in the centre of the ischaemia. A significant decrease in UA and xanthine values was observed in rabbits that were given allopurinol (P<0.05). According to our results, it was concluded that allopurinol pretreatment protects neural tissue in the early period after arterial occlusion and prevents cerebral injury in the late period, especially in the perifocal area, possibly by preventing the formation of free radicals with xanthine oxidase inhibition.

Is skull fracture necessary for developing an intradiploic pseudomeningocele as a complication of head injury in adulthood

SummaryWe report the case of an adult with a posttraumatic intradiploic pseudomeningocele which caused an expanded osteolytic skull lesion. Local pain and swelling, the only symptoms of the lesion, regressed after surgery. Intradiploic pseudomeningocele must be distinguished from intradiploic leptomeningeal cyst, which is of traumatic origin or arachnoid cyst and epidermoid cyst, which are of congenital origin. We also discuss the development of intradiploic pseudomeningoceleafter head trauma without skull fracture in adulthood and suggest a possible mechanism.

Cerebellopontine angle germinoma. A case report

A case of ectopic germinoma in the cerebellopontine angle with peripheral facial palsy and complete hearing loss on the left side is presented. The diagnosis was confirmed histopathologically. The unusual location of the tumor is stressed, and current management recommendations are reviewed.

Surgical treatment of thalamic hematomas via the contralateral transcallosal approach

Abstract Acute management of deep-seated hematomas remains controversial. Since patients with these hematoma later tend to develop severe edema and necrosis around the lesion, when surgery is indicated it should be done as early as possible. The purpose of this study was to compare whether early surgical removal and conservative treatment of primary thalamic hematoma correlated with improved neurological outcome. Last year, 61 patients with primary thalamic hematomas were admitted to our institution. Of these, 21 underwent surgery via contralateral transcallosal approach during the ultra-early stage (within 6 hours) after the apoplectic attack, and 24 patients were treated conservatively. Another 16 patients were excluded from the study due to systemic disease, mild hematoma (<40 cc), and deep coma associated with absence of brain stem reflexes. Initial Glasgow coma scores (GCS) at admission were similar for operated and nonoperated patients (8.64±1.93 versus 9.50±2.10, P>0.05). In the operated group, two patients had good recoveries and returned to normal life (Glasgow Outcome Score, or GOS, I), four had moderate disability and needed partial care (GOS II), six had severe disability and needed nursing care (GOS III), and six had a vegetative state (GOS IV). However, in the nonoperated group, one patient had good recovery and returned to normal life (GOS I), two had moderate disability and needed partial home care (GOS II), three had severe disability and needed nursing care (GOS III), and six had a vegetative state (GOS IV). In this group, the 30-day mortality rate was 50%. Mortality was markedly lower in the operated group (14.3%) than the nonoperated group. and this difference was statistically significant (χ2=3.33, P<0.05). From this study, we believe that evacuation of primary thalamic hematoma via the contralateral transcallosal microsurgical approach may be useful for deciding on the indication and predicting the functional prognosis.

Growing skull fracture of the orbital roof. Case report

Growing skull fractures are rare complications of head trauma and very rarely arise in the skull base. The clinical and radiological finding and treatment of a growing fracture of the orbital roof in a 5-year-old boy are reported, and the relevant literature is reviewed. The clinical picture was eyelid swelling. Computed tomography (CT) scan was excellent for demonstrating the bony defect in the orbital roof. Frontobasal brain injury seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis of the fracture growth. Growing skull fracture of the orbital roof should be considered in the differential diagnosis in cases of persistent ocular symptoms. Craniotomy with excision of gliotic brain and granulation tissue, dural repair and cranioplasty is the treatment of choice.