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Experimental cauda equina compression induces HSP70 synthesis in dog.

The heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is a key component of the stress response induced by various noxious conditions such as heat, oxygen stress, trauma and infection. In present study we have assessed the consequences of the compression of lower lumbar and sacral nerve roots caused by a multiple cauda equina constrictions (MCEC) on HSP70 immunoreactivity (HSP70-IR) in the dog. Our data indicate that constriction of central processes evokes HSP70 up-regulation in the spinal cord (L7, S1-Co3) as well as in the corresponding dorsal root ganglion cells (DRGs) (L7-S1) two days following injury. A limited number of bipolar or triangular HSP-IR neurons were found in the lateral collateral pathway (LCP) as well as in the pericentral region (lamina X) of the spinal cord. In contrast, a high number of HSP70 exhibiting motoneurons with fine processes appeared in the ventral horn (laminae VIII-IX) of lumbosacral segments. Concomitantly, close to them a few lightly HSP70-positive neuronal somata or cell bodies lacking the HSP70-IR occurred. In the DRGs, HSP70 expression was mildly up-regulated in small and medium-sized neurons and in satellite cells. On the contrary, DRGs from intact or sham-operated dogs did not reveal HSP70 specific neuronal staining. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the MCEC in dogs mimicking the cauda equina syndrome in clinical settings evokes expression of HSP70 synthesis in specific neurons of the lumbo-sacro-coccygeal spinal cord segments and in small and medium sized neurons of corresponding DRGs. This suggests that HSP70 may play an active role in neuroprotective processes partly by maintaining intracellular protein integrity and preventing the neuronal degeneration in this experimental paradigm.

Animals↗

Redundant nerve roots of the cauda equina. A case report.

One further case of redundant nerve roots of the cauda equina is described, and a review of eleven comparable cases in the literature is provided. In the authors' opinion, this disease appears to be a congenital anomaly, frequently but not necessarily associated with spinal changes.

Arachnoiditis↗

Clear cell meningioma of the cauda equina in an adult: case report and literature review.

In the pediatric population, clear cell meningiomas are more frequently intracranial than intraspinal in location. Tumors recur in up to 40% of cases within 15 postoperative months and are often managed with repeated resection with or without radiation therapy. The management strategy for adults with clear cell meningiomas involving the lumbar spinal canal (cauda equina) is less clearly defined. A 41-year-old woman presented with mild, right greater than left, lower extremity paresis. An enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) scan revealed a homogeneously enhancing intradural lesion filling the spinal canal at the L3-L4 level. Preoperative noncontrast MR studies of the brain and cervical and thoracic spine were negative. An L2-L5 laminectomy was performed for gross total excision of the intradural lesion, which was adherent to one nerve root of the cauda equina. Frozen-section diagnosis confirmed clear cell tumor. Differential diagnoses included meningioma versus renal cell carcinoma. Negative postoperative chest, abdominal, and pelvic computed tomography studies ruled out tumor of renal cell origin. Enhanced MR studies of the neuraxis proved negative. Consultations with multiple oncologists and radiation therapists recommended neither radiation nor chemotherapy following this initial surgery. She remains disease-free 1 year postoperatively. The high recurrence rate for clear cell meningiomas in children requires repeated tumor resection with or without secondary radiation therapy. Following gross total resection of lumbar tumors in adults, reserving radiation therapy for secondary recurrences provides optimal management.

Adult↗

Paraganglioma of the cauda equina: case report and review of the literature.

A rare paraganglioma of the cauda equina is reported. The clinical, radiological and histological features of this neoplasm are described. Diagnosis was resolved by the absence of glial fibrillary acid protein and electron microscopic evidence of neurosecretory features. Relevant literature is reviewed.

Adult↗

Paraganglioma of the cauda equina: MR findings.

The MR findings of a case with paraganglioma of the cauda equina are presented. T2-weighted images showed the tumor to have a hyposignal rim and serpiginous flow voids, suggesting vessels capping the tumor. Contrast-enhanced MR images highlighted the tumor and tumor vessels more clearly. Knowledge of MR findings in this unusual disorder may aid in diagnosis.

Adult↗

Cauda equina compression from lumbosacral malarticulation and malformation in the dog.

Compression of the cauda equina from subluxation, stenosis, or spondylosis of the lumbosacral articulation was found in 20 dogs, 13 of which were German Shepherd Dogs or crossbred German Shepherd Dogs. Pain, posterior paresis, and urinary or fecal incontinence were the most frequent problems associated with the compression. Dorsal laminectomy was performed on 13 cases, with good to excellent results on 10 of these.

Animals↗

Disseminated enteropathy-type T-cell lymphoma: cauda equina syndrome complicating coeliac disease.

A patient with coeliac disease developed a progressive cauda equina syndrome in the 2 months prior to his death, for which no cause could be identified. At post-mortem examination this proved to be due to disseminated enteropathy-type T-cell lymphoma. Although rare, disseminated enteropathy-type T-cell lymphoma should enter the differential diagnosis in any patient with coeliac disease developing new neurological signs.

Cauda Equina↗

Neurosarcoidosis of the conus medullaris and cauda equina presenting as paraparesis: case report and literature review.

Sarcoidosis is a multi-system, non-caseating granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Although spinal cord involvement is rare, it may cause severe neurological complications. We report the case of a 52-year-old woman who developed low back pain and a progressive flaccid paraparesis whose investigations revealed pulmonary and spinal sarcoidosis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of sarcoidosis of the conus medullaris and cauda equina diagnosed by an unusual enhancement pattern observed on magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium. Biopsy of the lumbar nerve roots and of the lung revealed a non-caseating granuloma. Treatment with steroids and intensive rehabilitation resulted in remarkable functional improvement. Although rare, sarcoidosis of the conus medullaris and cauda equina should be considered in the differential diagnosis of flaccid paraparesis, particularly in patients with non-diagnostic evaluations.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

Unusual metastasis to the cauda equina: case report.

A case of intradural metastasis from endometrial carcinoma to the cauda equina is presented. The clinical presentation and radiographic findings were misleading and suggested a herniated nucleus pulposus. Findings at operation were most suggestive of an ependymoma, but final pathological diagnosis revealed endometrial carcinoma. This has never been reported. Once again it demonstrates that surgeons managing lumbar disc disease must be prepared for possible intradural exploration with an appropriate team.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Neurinoma of the cauda equina (author's transl)].

A rare case of a mobile neuroma of the cauda equina is presented. Myelography, first done by lumbar puncture, showed the tumor at the L1 level. A second myelography, done by suboccipital puncture, showed the tumor at the L3 level, 7 cm more caudal as in the first myelography. Reviewing the literature, 2 similar cases were found. The so-called redundant nerve root is discussed as a possible explanation of the mobility of the tumor. The importance of the precise preoperative tumor localisation is stressed.

Adolescent↗

Schwannoma of the cauda equina.

OBJECTIVE: To review the features of spinal schwannoma in a case that mimicked a lumbar disc herniation. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 37-yr-old woman suffered from a 4-yr history of progressive low back and leg pain, with progressive neurological involvement of several nerve roots. Noteworthy symptomatology included increased pain when lying recumbent and urinary and fecal incontinence. Several health care practitioners diagnosed her with a lumbar disc herniation. Investigations with myelography, computed tomography (CT) with myelographic contrast and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the presence of an intradural tumor at the T12-L2 region. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: The tumor was surgically resected via laminectomies at T12-L2. The patient experienced a decrease of pain intensity but continued to complain about the low back and posterior thigh pain and has been unable to return to work. She continues to suffer from urinary incontinence, which is controlled by medication. There has been no recurrence of the tumor. CONCLUSION: Spinal pathology such as schwannoma of the cauda equina can mimic common complaints of low back pain seen in clinical practice. Differentiating features of cauda equina tumors from lumbar disc prolapse include: pain on lying recumbent, progressive nature of the pain and neurological deficit, involvement of several nerve root levels and intractability of the condition to conservative therapy. The most appropriate methods for imaging these tumors are CT with myelography or MRI. Patient prognosis is improved with early detection and removal. Chiropractors can play a pivotal role in the care of these patients by being suspicious of patients who do not respond as expected to a course of manipulative therapy, by investigating or referring appropriately and by aiding in active rehabilitation postoperatively.

Adult↗

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the cauda equina.

Only one case of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) affecting the cauda equina region has been reported earlier. A 32-year-old male with congenital multiple subcutaneous swellings presented with low back pain, progressive paraparesis and bladder-bowel dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a heterogeneously enhancing intradural lesion at L2-L4. At operation, on opening the dura, multiple nodular, firm matted masses attached to the lumbosacral nerve roots were encountered. Peripheral lesions were partially excised. Histopathological exam revealed varied cellularity with necrosis and pleomorphic nuclei suggestive of MPNST. MRI features, pathophysiological characteristics and the literature are reviewed.

Adult↗

Primary primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the cauda equina.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are aggressive neoplasms composed predominantly of undifferentiated cells that show evidence of neural differentiation. Although their classification has been controversial, PNETs are well recognized primary tumors of both central and peripheral nervous systems. PNETs must be distinguished from other round-cell tumors, including Ewing's sarcoma, lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and small cell carcinoma. Intraspinal PNETs are rare neoplasms that are usually metastatic in origin. We describe the eighth reported primary PNET of the cauda equina that developed in a 52-year-old man with no significant medical history. The tumor was characterized by Homer-Wright rosettes and immunoreactivity for CD99, glial fibrillary acidic protein, neuron-specific enolase S100, and synaptophysin. The anatomic location of primary intrathecal PNETs is important as those arising in the spinal cord develop in the central nervous system, whereas those arising in the cauda equina develop in the peripheral nervous system. The histogenesis of intrathecal PNETs may be multifactorial.

Cauda Equina↗

[Fracture dislocation of the sacral spine with cauda equina lesion. Report of two cases (author's transl)].

Transverse sacral fractures with cauda equina lesion appear only sporadically in the world literature. In our medical center 667 spine fractures were admitted during a twelve year period and we report only 2 cases of sacral fractures with neurological lesions (0,20%). The neurological abnormalities that occur are a perianal sensory loss with bladder and anal sphincters disturbance. Sphincters electromyographic studies and cystometric examination show a lower motor neuron lesion. In one of our cases, the nervous lesion was more spread with an unilateral sensory loss S1-S2 and a motor loss L4-L5 S1 in the same side. The high level of sacral lesion (S1-S2), the association with other pelvic fractures and fractures of the lower lumbar transverse processes, suggests the mechanism of injury (sudden flexion). Radiological studies show that sacral fractures are often difficult to detect (necessity of lateral view). Lumbar metrizamide exploration seems not very interesting. Sacral laminectomy which permits the decompression of sacral roots appears like the best treatment. The post-operative course, studied by clinical findings, electromyographic and cystometric examinations, shows the habitual resolution of neurological deficit (incomplete nevertheless in our 2 patients).

Adult↗