Ravi Ramamurthi

Primary spinal epidural lymphomas

An epidural location for lymphoma is observed in 0.1–6.5% of all the lymphomas. Primary spinal epidural lymphoma (PSEL) is a subset of lymphomas, where there are no other recognizable sites of lymphomas at the time of diagnosis. The incidence of this subset of lymphomas is much less. It, however, is increasingly diagnosed, due to the increased use of more sensitive imaging modalities. For the electronic search, Pubmed was used to identify journals that enlisted and enumerated PSEL from 1961 to January 2011. The following combination of terms: “primary,” “spinal,” “epidural,” and “lymphoma” were used. The most significant articles and their bibliographies were analyzed by the authors. The symptoms, pathogenesis, diagnostic workup, histopathology, treatment, and outcome have been analyzed in a systematic manner

Changing concepts in the treatment of tuberculomas of the brain

Tuberculomas of the brain in children constitute 5% to 8% of intracranial space-occupying lesions in developing countries. These have in the past been treated with antituberculous drugs and with excision of large masses when the intracranial tension was high. Computed tomography (CT) has modified this approach. CT has resulted in earlier diagnosis and has been of help in monitoring the results of medical treatment of tuberculomas in children. With such monitoring there has been less need for surgical excision. At the same time, it has been realised that some caution is required towards our dependence on CT, as the image morphology of a tuberculoma could simulate other lesions like a glioma, and surgical excision needs to be carried out when in doubt or when there is no appreciable improvement in CT appearances with medical treatment.

Multiple burr hole surgery as a treatment modality for pediatric moyamoya disease.

Objective: To re-emphasize that indirect revascularization surgery alone, where multiple burr holes and arachnoid openings are made over both cerebral hemispheres, is beneficial in the treatment of moyamoya disease (MMD) in children. Clinical Presentation: We report a 10-year-old boy who presented with complaints of episodic headache for the last 5 years. At the peak of his headache he had visual disturbances and acute onset weakness of left-sided limbs, recovering within a few minutes. He had no focal neurological deficits. Radiological investigations revealed abnormal findings, demonstrating the features of MMD. Surgical Management: He underwent bilateral multiple burr holes, dural and arachnoid opening over the frontal, parietal and temporal regions of each hemisphere. The elevated periosteal flap was placed in contact with the exposed brain through each burr hole. Results: On 6-months follow-up he had only one episode of transient ischemic attack. Postoperative four vessel angiogram demonstrated excellent cerebral revascularization around the burr hole sites, and single photon emission computerized tomography imaging showed hypoperfusion in the right temporo-occipital area suggestive of an old infarct with no other perfusion defect in the rest of the brain parenchyma. Conclusion: In children with MMD this relatively simple surgical technique is effective and safe, and can be used as the only treatment without supplementary revascularization procedures. This procedure can be done in a single stage on both sides and the number of burr holes made over each hemisphere depends on the extent of the disease.

Primary intrasellar schwannoma

Intracranial schwannomas commonly arise from the eighth cranial nerve in the cerebellopontine angle. Schwannoma arising in the sella and extending into the suprasellar region is very rare and is easily mistaken for pituitary adenoma. To our knowledge, there have been only 12 previous reports. We present a patient with primary intrasellar schwannoma that clinically and radiologically resembled a pituitary adenoma (PA). Intra-operative findings differed from a PA, as the tumour had a firmer consistency. Gross total excision of the lesion was done via a transethmosphenoidal approach. Post-operatively the patient improved in visual acuity and visual fields. We have reviewed the literature and described the characteristics of such lesions.

Management outcome of the transcallosal, transforaminal approach to colloid cysts of the anterior third ventricle: an analysis of 78 cases.

BACKGROUND Colloid cysts are not common brain lesions and account for 0.2-2.0% of all brain lesions. Transcallosal, transforaminal approach is a safe route and the most direct path to excise third ventricular colloid cyst, without dependence on hydrocephalus. AIM To assess the surgical outcome of patients with colloid cysts of the anterior third ventricle treated by the transcallosal, transforaminal approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS Seventy-eight patients operated by the above approach over a period of 20 years were analyzed. A pre- and postoperative neurological assessment was done in all the patients. Neuro-cognitive evaluation of corpus callosum function was done in the last 20 patients. Computer tomography scan of the brain was done in all patients pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS Clinical features of raised intracranial pressure without localizing signs were the commonest presenting feature in 52 (66.7%) patients. Hydrocephalus was present in 65 (83.3%) patients. All patients underwent the transcallosal, transforaminal approach, and total excision of the lesion was achieved in 77 patients and subtotal in 1. Four patients required a postoperative shunt for acute hydrocephalus. There was no incidence of postoperative disconnection syndrome. In two patients, there was recurrence of the lesion after 2 and 6 years, respectively. Two patients died in the postoperative period. CONCLUSION Colloid cyst is surgically curable. Early detection and total excision of the lesion can be a permanent cure with low mortality and minimum morbidity, when compared to the natural history of the disease. The limited anterior callosotomy does not result in disconnection syndromes or behavioral disturbance.

Glioblastoma multiforme occurring in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

A three and a half year old boy was diagnosed to have acute lymphoblastic leukemia in September 2002 and was treated with induction chemotherapy. He also received prophylactic cranial irradiation (12 Gy) and intrathecal methotrexate. In November 2005, at the age of 7 years, he developed right focal seizures and was diagnosed to have a glioblastoma in the left parietooccipital region while the leukemia was in remission. The possibilities are the glioma may have been radiation- and / or chemotherapy-induced.

Late laminectomy in traumatic paraplegia

Long-term observation in cases of spinal injury with subarachnoid block, treated by laminectomy and removal of compressing elements, shows worthwhile results in a good percentage. Twenty-seven cases of fractures of the spine at the dorsolumbar and lumbar levels with conus and cauda equina injury were treated by laminectomy and decompression from 6 to 12 weeks after the injury, and have been followed for periods of 3-27 years. Surgical intervention was offered only in those cases in which myelography demonstrated a subarachnoid block. Most of the cases were operated on at 6-12 weeks after the injury. Displaced laminae, thickened ligamentum flavum, and arachnoidal adhesions were the common causes of compression. In six cases there was also an arachnoid cyst. Long-term follow-up showed improvement in bladder function in 14 of 27 patients, and in motor function in 8 of 27. In dorsolumbar and lumbar injuries in which there is a subarachnoid block, decompressive laminectomy is a worthwhile procedure.

Complication avoidance in transcallosal transforaminal approach to colloid cysts of the anterior third ventriclen: An analysis of 80 cases

Object: The objective of the present study is to analyze the complications and their avoidance in a series of 80 patients operated by transcallosal transforaminal approach to colloid cysts of the anterior third ventricle. Materials and Methods: The surgical outcome and complications of 80 patients operated by transcallosal transforaminal approach for colloid cysts in the anterior third ventricle was analyzed. A detailed pre- and post-operative neurological assessment was done in all patients. Neurocognitive assessment of corpus callosal function was done in the last 22 cases. CT scan of the brain was done in all patients, before and after surgery. Results: All patients underwent transcallosal transforaminal approach. Total excision of the lesion was achieved in 79 patients and subtotal in one. The complications encountered were postoperative seizures in six, acute hydrocephalus in four, venous cortical infarct in four, transient hemiparesis in four, transient memory impairment, especially for immediate recall in nine, mutism in one, subdural hematoma in one, meningitis in three, and tension pneumocephalus in one patient. There were two mortalities. There was no incidence of postoperative disconnection syndrome. Conclusion: Colloid cyst is surgically curable. With good knowledge of the regional anatomy and meticulous microsurgical techniques, there is a low mortality and minimum morbidity, when compared to the natural history of the disease. With increasing experience, most of the complications are avoidable. The limited anterior callosotomy does not result in disconnection syndromes.

Suboccipital segment of the vertebral artery: A cadaveric study

OBJECTIVE To study the course, relationships, branches and possible anomalies of the vertebral artery in the suboccipital region in adult Indian cadavers. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-one suboccipital segment vertebral artery specimens from embalmed, Indian adult cadavers were dissected and studied. Dissection was performed using microsurgical instruments and was carried out from the skin up to the vertebral artery in layers. The course, relationships and the branches of the vertebral artery were studied and measurements were taken using Vernier calipers. The readings obtained were corroborated with the measurements derived from the digital images using a computer. OBSERVATIONS All the vertebral arteries had a tortuous course and were covered with rich venous plexuses. None of the specimens had an anomalous course. The artery was divided into a vertical segment (Vv) between C2 and C1 vertebra and a horizontal segment (Vh) from the C1 transverse foramina to its dural entry. The mean diameter of the artery was 4.8 mm. The shortest distance of Vv segment from the dural tube was 16.1 mm, and the distance from the C2 ganglion was 7.2 mm. The average length of the Vv segment was 15 mm and the average length of the Vh segment was 35.6 mm. The average of the shortest distance between the vertebral artery and the midline was 13.4 mm. CONCLUSION The vertebral artery has a tortuous course and is prone to accidental iatrogenic injury, which can result in devastating neurological sequelae depending on contralateral vertebral artery flow. A thorough anatomical knowledge of this segment is essential for the surgeon who intends to operate in this area.

Primary spinal intradural extramedullary lymphoma causing cauda equina syndrome.

We report a case of lumbar intradural extramedullary lesion in an 11-year-old boy who presented with cauda equina syndrome and acute bladder disturbance. He underwent emergency surgical resection of the lesion, which was proved to be a lymphoma by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. He has improved neurologically and after 1 year, he is leading a normal life with near normal neurological functions. This is the second case of primary spinal intradural extramedullary lymphoma. This is the first such case in the pediatric age group and causing cauda equina syndrome. We describe the characteristics of such tumors along with pathogenesis and management.