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BMJ Case Rep 2019 Mar 15;12(3). Epub 2019 Mar 15.

Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

World Neurosurg 2019 Mar 13. Epub 2019 Mar 13.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.

Background: Symptomatic postoperative spinal epidural hematoma is a serious complication that may occur after lumbar spine surgery. Authors analyzed epidural hematoma using postoperative MRI after biportal endoscopic spinal surgery and the impact of which to the clinical outcome.

Methods: The subject of this study were 158 patients who underwent single-level decompression using the biportal endoscopic spinal surgery technique from 2015 to 2017. Read More

Pediatr Emerg Care 2019 Mar 12. Epub 2019 Mar 12.

Hemophilia A is characterized by deficiency of factor VIII. We present a unique, illustrative case of an infant with a short history of neck pain and irritability without neurological deficits who was found to have a spinal epidural hematoma. The subsequent investigation for the etiology, including workup for nonaccidental trauma, led to a diagnosis of severe hemophilia A. Read More

Somatosens Mot Res 2019 Mar 14:1-7. Epub 2019 Mar 14.

c Department of Neurology , the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University , Xuzhou , China.

Objective: To investigate clinical and imaging features of 40 patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH).

Methods: 40 cases of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) diagnosed in our hospital from June 2013 to September 2017 were collected and retrospectively analyzed.

Results: In our study, the male to female ratio was 2:3. Read More

Neurol India 2019 Jan-Feb;67(1):268-269

Department of Neurosurgery, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Neurol Sci 2019 Mar 7. Epub 2019 Mar 7.

Neurology Service and Stroke Unit, Department of Neuroscience, AO Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy.

Background: Intracranial hypotension has been associated with a wide spectrum of neurological conditions including chronic non-aneurysmal and acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Case: A 59-year-old man presented with a non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in a perimesencephalic pattern after a mild physical exertion. In the course of the disease, a magnetic resonance imaging of head and spine displayed intracranial hypotension that resolved spontaneously. Read More

Open Med (Wars) 2019 26;14:247-250. Epub 2019 Feb 26.

Department of Neurosurgery, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, The Fourth People's Hospital of Chongqing, No.1 Jiankang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400014, Chongqing, China.

We present a rare case of spinal subdural hematoma induced by guidewire-based lumbar drainage in a subarachnoid hemorrhage patient with a ruptured intracranial aneurysm. Decreased muscle strength and muscle tension of bilateral lower limbs were noted, and an MRI confirmed the spinal subdural hematoma from the sacral to the thoracic segments. The spinal subdural hematoma evacuation and spinal canal decompression were performed by laminectomy. Read More

Cardiovasc Revasc Med 2019 Feb 8. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Cardiology Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, London, UK; Cardiology Department, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.

We report an unusual case of post-procedural spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma in a 65 year old man who presented with an acute coronary syndrome and underwent complex coronary intervention with adjunct use of a GPIIb/IIIa inhibitor. Although spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) following coronary intervention is extremely rare, clinicians should be aware of this unusual diagnosis. Prompt investigation with MRI and early referral for neurosurgical input are recommended to prevent potentially significant sequelae. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Mar 1. Epub 2019 Mar 1.

University of Kentucky Department of Neurological Surgery; University of Kentucky Department of Neurology; University of Kentucky Department of Radiology; University of Kentucky Department of Neuroscience. Electronic address:

Background: Endoscopic transsphenoidal resection has become the primary approach for resection of pituitary macroadenomas. However, challenges such as narrow sinuses, dense tumor consistency, and invasion of surrounding structures exist.

Method: We report a case in which the Artemis Neuro Evacuation device was used to endonasally remove a pituitary macroadenoma with suprasellar and parasellar extensions. Read More

Pol Merkur Lekarski 2019 Jan;46(271):16-19

Department of Neuroortopedics, Mazovian Rehabilitation Center STOCER, Konstancin-Jeziorna, Poland.

The surgical treatment of the odontoid fractures is an important problem in the practice of medical teams involved in spinal surgery. There is still no consensus on dealing with fractures C2. The stabilization of the rodontoid with 1 or 2 cannulated screws (AOSF) is currently one of the options in the treatment of C2 unstable fractures since Bohler and Nakanishi introduced this method. Read More

Top Companion Anim Med 2019 Mar 15;34:47-50. Epub 2018 Sep 15.

The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, Columbus, OH, USA.

A 10-year-old spayed female Bichon Frise presented to the neurology service for back pain and pelvic limb weakness for approximately 2 months duration. Neurologic examination revealed T3-L3 and L4-S3 myelopathies with multifocal spinal pain. Magnetic resonance imaging of the vertebral column revealed multiple mild disc protrusions but no obvious cause for the neurologic deficits. Read More

Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc 2019 Mar 8;22:154-155. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Division of Cardiology, Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.

Reg Anesth Pain Med 2019 Mar;44(3):417-418

Pain Diagnostics and Interventional Care Sewickley, Sewickley, Pennsylvania, USA.

Radiol Case Rep 2019 Mar 3;14(3):385-389. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Department of Radiology, Harlem Hospital Center, 506 Lenox Ave, New York, NY 10037, USA.

Remote Cerebellar Hemorrhage is a rare entity that manifests spontaneously after supratentorial craniotomy and spinal surgeries. We present a 53-year-old male who was admitted due to subdural hematoma along the left frontoparietotemporal convexity. After treatment of the subdural hematoma with craniotomy and evacuation, he developed remote cerebellar hemorrhage 1 week later. Read More

J Int Med Res 2019 Mar 14;47(3):1365-1372. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

1 Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

This report describes a case of idiopathic cervical spinal subdural haematoma (SSDH) in which the haematoma was spontaneously absorbed without any treatment. A 68-year-old male patient presented with persistent neck pain and no obvious cause. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a space-occupying lesion at the C4-T1 levels. Read More

Pain Pract 2019 Feb 13. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Anesthesiology Service, Tondela Viseu Hospital Centre, Viseu, Portugal.

Introduction: Supplementary strategies, in combination with conventional analgesia, for pain control after lumbar fusion surgery remain limited.

Case Description: Here, we describe a 79-year-old woman who experienced pain (10/10 on a numeric rating scale) on postoperative day 1 after undergoing L2 to S1 spine fusion. Erector spinae plane (ESP) blocks were performed at T8 and, after a bolus of ropivacaine 0. Read More

Eur J Case Rep Intern Med 2018 27;5(12):000887. Epub 2018 Dec 27.

Emergency Department, Centro Hospitalar Cova da Beira, Covilhã, Portugal.

Spinal cord haematoma, or haematomyelia, is a rare condition caused by several unusual disease processes. Traumatic events, such as spinal cord injury and surgery or procedures involving the spinal cord, are the most important causes of spinal cord haematoma. Rarely, it is associated with anticoagulation therapy. Read More

Eur J Case Rep Intern Med 2018 24;5(10):000951. Epub 2018 Oct 24.

Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar do Médio Tejo, Abrantes, Portugal.

A 57-year-old woman, with a history of deep venous thrombosis and medicated with warfarin, presented at the hospital with acute back pain with paraplegia, headache, high blood pressure and vomiting. Imaging of the spine showed an acute intradural extramedullary haemorrhage with blood clot formation. The patient underwent surgery and received intensive post-surgical physiotherapy but remains paraplegic. Read More

J Patient Saf 2019 Feb 9. Epub 2019 Feb 9.

University of Manchester Medical School, Manchester, United Kingdom.

Aim: The aim of the study was to review reported falls in critical care units to see whether the causes and results were different from those described in a general hospital population.

Methods: We reviewed and classified patient safety incidents describing falls from critical care units in the North West of England between 2009 and 2017. The classification reviewed patient and staff factors contributing to the fall, the environment of the fall, and the reported consequences. Read More

J Emerg Med 2019 Feb 8. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.

Background: Spontaneous spinal and intracranial subdural hematomas are rarely reported, especially occurring simultaneously. Anticoagulation use has been associated with spontaneous hemorrhages. Prompt diagnosis is required to prevent permanent neurological sequelae. Read More

Neurochirurgie 2019 Feb 8. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Department of neurosurgery, Sainte Anne Military Hospital, France. Electronic address:

Acute spinal cord compression usually results from trauma, infection, or cancer. Spinal subdural hematoma is an uncommon cause of spinal cord compression that occurs after spine trauma or spinal invasive procedure, especially in context of coagulopathy. In the following reported case, an 82-year-old woman with a history of rapidly progressive paraparesis after a sudden middle back pain, with no previous trauma or coagulopathy, due to an acute spontaneous spinal subdural hematoma. Read More

Pain Physician 2019 Jan;22(1S):S1-S74

Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

Background: Interventional pain management involves diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain. This specialty utilizes minimally invasive procedures to target therapeutics to the central nervous system and the spinal column. A subset of patients encountered in interventional pain are medicated using anticoagulant or antithrombotic drugs to mitigate thrombosis risk. Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Dec;4(4):744-749

PELD Center, Iwai Orthopaedic Medical Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) is a relatively less invasive treatment for lumbar disc herniation (LDH). This study investigated the usefulness of a full-endoscopic system for PELD in lumbar ligamentum flavum hematoma (LFH) treatment.

Methods: Between May 2017 and Jun 2018, a total of five patients with leg pain due to LFH underwent surgery using a full-endoscopic system for PELD. Read More

Radiol Clin North Am 2019 Mar 5;57(2):397-413. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East, Room 1A71, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA. Electronic address:

Acute low back pain, defined as less than 6 weeks in duration, does not require imaging in the absence of "red flags" that may indicate a cause, such as fracture, infection, or malignancy. When imaging is indicated, it is important to rule out a host of abnormalities that may be responsible for the pain and any associated symptoms. A common mnemonic VINDICATE can help ensure a thorough consideration of the possible causes. Read More

J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg 2019 Feb 1. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Department of Neurosurgery, Georg August University of Göttingen, Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany.

Background:  Paraplegia due to spinal combined subdural/subarachnoid hemorrhage is an extremely rare complication following percutaneous spinal augmentation procedures.

Methods:  A 63-year-old male patient presented with severe neurologic decline (paraplegia with sensory and autonomic dysfunction) resulting from a multilevel spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage shortly after bilateral kyphoplasty.

Results:  Reduction of intrathecal pressure via multiple dural and arachnoidal incisions and removal of the hematoma resulted in a good neurologic recovery with surgical decompression even though evacuation was performed with a significant delay after the onset of neurologic worsening. Read More

Radiographics 2019 Mar-Apr;39(2):449-466. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

From the Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115.

The biomechanical stability of the spine is altered in patients with a rigid spine, rendering it vulnerable to fracture even from relatively minor impact. The rigid spine entities are ankylosing spondylitis (AS), diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, degenerative spondylosis, and a surgically fused spine. The most common mechanism of injury resulting in fracture is hyperextension, which often leads to unstable injury in patients with a rigid spine per the recent AOSpine classification system. Read More

Am J Emerg Med 2019 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Truman Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Medicine, Kansas City, Mo, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) is an uncommon but serious emergency condition rare cases of spontaneously or following a minor traumatic event without bony injury.

Objective: We report the rare case of SEH associated with traditional massage initially presenting with delayed lower paraplegia.

Case Report: A 20-year-old man presented with bilateral lower extremity weakness and numbness 3 h prior to presentation. Read More

Case Rep Neurol 2018 Sep-Dec;10(3):353-356. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Neurosurgery, Birmingham University Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma is a rare entity associated with high morbidity. Although there are previous reports of spinal haematoma secondary to X-linked genetic haemophilia, there are no such cases secondary to acquired autoimmune haemophilia. We report the case of a 71-year-old patient who presented with sudden quadriplegia secondary to cervical (C2 to T1) epidural haematoma as a result of undiagnosed autoimmune acquired haemophilia A. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Jan 23. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Maimonides Medical Center, Division of Neurosurgery, 948 48th St, Brooklyn, NY 11219, Brooklyn, New York, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Although rare, spinal meningiomas may cause motor and sensory deficits or difficulty with bladder or bowel function due to spinal cord compression. While hemorrhage of intracranial meningiomas is well documented, there are very few cases of hemorrhage or hematoma associated with spinal meningiomas in the literature. Spinal meningiomas have been reported to be associated with subdural, epidural, intratumoral, and subarachnoid hemorrhage and usually in the setting of inciting event such as lumbar puncture or anti-coagulation therapy. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2019 Jan 22;12(1). Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Accident and Emergency, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust, Bedford, UK.

A 68-year-old man on apixaban presented to the emergency department with back pain following a long-haul flight. Investigations for pulmonary embolus and aortic dissection were negative and he was discharged with analgesia for mechanical back pain. He presented three more times with worsening back pain, third time with urinary retention and the fourth time with lower limb weakness and loss of coordination. Read More

Int J Obstet Anesth 2019 Feb 26;37:118-121. Epub 2018 Sep 26.

Department of Anesthesiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. Electronic address:

Epidural hematoma is a very uncommon complication of spinal anesthesia. Its incidence has been reported to be between 1:200 000-250 000 in the obstetric population following neuraxial anesthesia. Cesarean delivery increases the risk of maternal venous thromboembolism significantly and recommendations to decrease its incidence and morbidity have been developed. Read More

J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev 2018 Oct 9;2(10):e059. Epub 2018 Oct 9.

Orthopedic Department, Hospital Sultan Ismail, Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is a rare condition defined by bleeding in the epidural space of the spine with no identifiable causes such as trauma, vascular malformation, or bleeding disorders. This is a case of a 79-year-old woman with a medical history of diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and hypertension presented with the sudden onset of severe thoracolumbar back pain associated with weakness and numbness in her bilateral lower limb. Examination of the lower limb showed bilateral lower limb motor and sensory deficits. Read More

J Neurosurg Spine 2019 Jan 11:1-9. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

OBJECTIVEMinimally invasive lumbar unilateral tubular laminotomy for bilateral decompression has gradually gained acceptance as a less destabilizing but efficacious and safe alternative to traditional open decompression techniques. The authors have further advanced the principles of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) by utilizing working-channel endoscope-based techniques. Full-endoscopic technique allows for high-resolution off-axis visualization of neural structures within the lateral recess, thereby minimizing the need for facet joint resection. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Jan 11. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Department of Neurosurgery, Augusta University Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia, United States.

Object: Hemicraniectomy is a commonly performed neurosurgical procedure used in the setting of medically refractory malignant intracranial hypertension. Complications from cranioplasty following hemicraniectomy can be significant, including infection and wound issues. Difficulty with scar tissue during exposure for cranioplasty can be challenging and can lead to prolonged surgical time and increased bleeding. Read More

Surg Neurol Int 2018 13;9:254. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Mail Stop 3021, Kansas City, KS, U.S.A.

Background: Spinal cord decompression after cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) is the standard of care. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding the optimal management of these injuries, including the role of traction and timing of surgery. Here, we report the safety/efficacy of ventral surgery without preoperative traction for intraoperative fracture reduction following acute cervical SCI. Read More

BMC Anesthesiol 2019 Jan 12;19(1):11. Epub 2019 Jan 12.

Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200127, China.

Background: Anticoagulant therapy during pregnancy is widely used due to the increasing awareness of maternal hypercoagulability. Few studies have reported the use of minimally invasive spinal anesthesia in these parturients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of minimally invasive spinal anesthesia in parturients with anticoagulation therapy undergoing cesarean section. Read More

Neurochirurgie 2019 Feb 8;65(1):27-31. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, No. 415, Feng Yang Street, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200003, China.

Objective: To present the natural course and treatment modalities of spontaneous cervical epidural hematoma (SCEH), by reporting two rare cases with spontaneous resolution in both clinical and radiologic findings without surgery.

Material And Methods: One patient presenting with acute right side hemiparesis and another showing pure cervical radiculopathy were diagnosed with SCEH on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Both were both treated non-operatively. Read More

Rinsho Ketsueki 2018 ;59(12):2578-2582

Department of Medicine (Division of Hematology), Shiga University of Medical Science.

A 17-year-old woman was urgently transported to our hospital due to consciousness disturbance. A blood examination revealed intracerebral hemorrhage, WBC 233,800/l, blasts 93%, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. The results of bone-marrow aspiration indicated acute myeloid leukemia (M2 in FAB classification) with t (7;11) (p15;p15) and the resulting chimeric gene NUP98-HOXA9 and with FLT3-ITD. Read More

Case Rep Orthop 2018 27;2018:2860621. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Spine Care Center, Wakayama Medical University Kihoku Hospital, Katsuragi-cho 649-7113, Japan.

Ligamentum flavum hematoma (LFH) is a rare cause of spinal nerve compression. This condition remains challenging to diagnose using MRI due to the changing intensity of the hematoma on imaging. The aim of this study was to describe the patient with LFH who had a succession of MRI scans carried out. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Mar 24;123:343-347. Epub 2018 Dec 24.

Department of Radiology, School of Medicine Udayana University, Sanglah General Hospital, Kasih Ibu General Hospital, Bali, Indonesia.

Background: Spinal subdural hematoma (SDH) concomitant with cranial SDH is extremely rare. Although some theories have been proposed, the pathophysiology underlying this condition remains unclear. We present a case of traumatic subacute spinal SDH followed by symptomatic subacute cranial SDH. Read More

Anaesth Crit Care Pain Med 2018 Dec 23. Epub 2018 Dec 23.

Department of anaesthesiology and intensive care, Grenoble Alpes university hospital, 38043 Grenoble, France. Electronic address:

Background: Patients on either antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy may need procedures performed under peripheral nerve blocks in preference to general anaesthesia techniques. The risk of bleeding associated with peripheral nerve blocks under these circumstances remains unknown. This systematic review evaluates the incidence of bleeding complications following peripheral nerve blocks in patients receiving antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant medication. Read More

J Orthop Sci 2018 Dec 20. Epub 2018 Dec 20.

AUVA Trauma Center Salzburg, Academic Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria. Electronic address:

Background: Although nonunions of the proximal humerus are rare, they cause significant disability to patients. Surgical reconstruction is challenging, especially with small and excavated head fragments. A promising surgical option is open reduction and stabilization using the Humerusblock device along with tension wires. Read More

J Obstet Gynaecol 2018 Dec 22:1-4. Epub 2018 Dec 22.

a Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics , Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan.

A caesarean section (CS) is a major risk factor for a venous thromboembolism, and enoxaparin, a low-molecular-weight heparin, has been widely used for thromboprophylaxis. However, it remains unclear whether an enoxaparin thromboprophylaxis has an acceptable safety profile when given early after CS compared to delayed administration, especially in the presence of an epidural catheter. This study aimed to survey cases in which enoxaparin administration was performed within 24 hours of CS and to evaluate patient outcomes with or without epidural anaesthesia. Read More

Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi 2018 Dec;32(12):1554-1559

Department of Spinal Surgery, Xi'an Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University Medical College, Xi'an Shaanxi, 710054,

Objective: To explore the safety of ultrasonic osteotome used in posterior cervical laminectomy decompression surgery and its effect on surgical outcome.

Methods: A clinical data of 52 patients with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament of cervical spine (C-OPLL) undergoing posterior cervical laminectomy decompression and fusion (PCLDF) between April 2013 and April 2017 was retrospectively analysed. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether using the ultrasonic osteotome during operation: group A (20 cases, ultrasonic osteotome group) and group B (32 cases, traditional gun-clamp decompression group). Read More

Int J Obstet Anesth 2018 Nov 29. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Columbia University Medical Center, Department of Anesthesiology, New York, United States of America.

We report the case of a normotensive 31-year-old parturient who received combined spinal-epidural analgesia for early labor, and who was then found to have an unexpectedly low platelet count (25 000/μL) with elevated liver enzymes, but without alterations in blood pressure. Read More

Case Rep Obstet Gynecol 2018 7;2018:5879481. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

Department of Neurology, White Memorial Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.

Background: Spontaneous epidural hematoma (SEH) is a rare finding in pregnancy, especially since most pregnant women do not have risk factors for developing SEH. The presence of epidural anesthesia can delay the diagnosis of SEH in pregnant patients. Immediate surgical decompression is the current standard of care for treating SEH. Read More

Neurospine 2018 Dec 7;15(4):338-347. Epub 2018 Oct 7.

Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Objective: Patients with extradural spine tumors are at an increased risk for intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and postoperative wound dehiscence due to radiotherapy and other comorbidities related to systemic cancer treatment. In this case series, we discuss our experience with the management of intraoperative durotomies and wound closure strategies for this complex surgical patient population.

Methods: We reviewed our recent single-center experience with spine surgery for primarily extradural tumors, with attention to intraoperative durotomy occurrence and postoperative wound-related complications. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Mar 3;123:1-6. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Neurological Surgery, Policlinico "G. Rodolico" University Hospital, Catania, Italy.

Background: Arachnoiditis ossificans (AO) is a rare condition often associated with previous spine surgery. Here we describe a unique case of a patient affected by ankylosing spondylitis (AS), presenting with progressive neurologic deterioration due to AO. We also review the literature on evaluation and management of patients suffering from AO. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Mar 27;123:e371-e378. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.

Objective: To retrospectively analyze the outcomes and complications of patients with metastatic thoracic spinal tumors (MTTs) who underwent posterior corpectomies.

Methods: Ninety patients with MTTs who underwent posterior corpectomies were retrospectively analyzed. Characteristics evaluated included number of MTTs per year, location, involved vertebrae numbers, sex, histology, pre- and postoperative American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade, visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, operative time, blood loss, and length of hospital stay. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Mar 27;123:e348-e370. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Mayo Clinic Neuro-Informatics Laboratory, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. Electronic address:

Background: In the modern, increasingly pay-for-performance era, unplanned return to the operating room (ROR) is gaining attention as a surgical quality metric. However, large-scale data on the appropriateness and usefulness of this measure in neurosurgery are scarce.

Objective: To provide a comprehensive description of all RORs after neurosurgical procedures in a national surgical registry and identify factors associated with ROR. Read More