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Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow: comparison of simple decompression and anterior transposition.

The authors report 235 cases of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. The treatment was simple decompression in 115 cases and anterior transposition in 120 cases. Men were affected 3 times as often as women. The average age of presentation was 54.5 years. The nondominant arm was involved more frequently. The etiology of ulnar neuropathy was diverse, but one-third of the cases fell into the idiopathic category. Numbness and paresthesia were the most common complaints. Examination revealed hypalgesia of the little finger and the medial half of the ring finger, with weakness and wasting of the intrinsic muscles of the hand. Electromyography and nerve conduction studies are important for early diagnosis. Young men with a symptom duration of 1 year or less have a better chance of improvement after the operation. Both simple decompression and anterior transposition result in improvement in 82% of the cases; however, a higher percentage of full recovery was seen in the cases treated by simple decompression. This is explained by the facts that the nerve is not handled and its vital blood supply is left intact.

Adult↗

Microvascular decompression in hemifacial spasm: intraoperative electrophysiological observations.

Facial muscle responses in patients with hemifacial spasm undergoing microvascular decompression operations were recorded. Two peripheral branches of the facial nerve were stimulated and the electrical responses of muscles innervated by these branches were studied to see how the lateral spread of activity that is known to be present in these patients was affected by decompressing the facial nerve. In some of the patients the hemifacial spasm ceased when the dura mater was opened, in some it ceased when the arachnoid was opened, and in others the spasm persisted until the offending vessel was dissected away from the nerve. The lateral spread of activity elicited by antidromic stimulation of a branch of the facial nerve was less affected by opening of the dura mater or arachnoid: it usually persisted until the blood vessel that had been compressing the facial nerve was removed and reappeared when the vessel that had been compressing the facial nerve was allowed to slip back onto the nerve. This seems to indicate that microvascular decompression of the facial nerve is effective in alleviating hemifacial spasm because it removes the actual cause of the disorder rather than simply causing local injury to the nerve as a result of the procedure.

Electric Stimulation↗

Hemifacial spasm in young people treated with microvascular decompression of the facial nerve.

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) in childhood is extremely rare. Two patients with HFS in childhood and eight adults who had the onset of HFS before the age of 20 were treated with microvascular decompression of the facial nerve at the nerve root entry zone. The two children were both girls and had typical HFS on the right side. Of the eight adults, five were men and three were women. Six had typical and two had atypical HFS. Six had HFS on the left side, and two had HFS on the right. Vascular cross compression was found at the nerve root entry zone in all cases. The average follow-up period was 7.3 years (range, 1 1/2 to 11 years). All but one patient had complete relief of their HFS immediately or after delay. In one adult, the compressing artery could not be decompressed without damaging the nerves. One adult patient had two recurrences 1 year after the first operation and 6 months after the second; this patient had complete relief after a third operation. Complications included temporary mild facial weakness in four patients and moderate hearing impairment in the patient who had three operations. These results are comparable to those of HFS of adult onset. Microvascular decompression is recommended as the treatment of choice for HFS during childhood.

Adolescent↗

Spinal fixation after anterior decompression for symptomatic spinal metastasis.

Surgical strategies for the treatment of symptomatic spinal metastases must take into account both decompression of the spinal cord and stabilization of the spinal column. A method is described for securing spinal stabilization in patients who have undergone surgical decompression for symptomatic spinal metastases by an anterior approach. The fixation device used is a tailor-made prosthesis consisting of a U-shaped stainless steel plate permitting screw fixation to secure axial and rotational stability with an interposed methyl methacrylate strut to provide axial strength and support. The device has been used successfully in 51 patients who have undergone anterior decompression procedures for symptomatic spinal metastases.

Aged↗

Optic nerve decompression surgery improves visual function in patients with pseudotumor cerebri.

Papilledema from pseudotumor cerebri can cause severe loss of visual acuity and visual field. We performed optic nerve decompression surgery on 17 patients with pseudotumor cerebri who, despite maximum conventional therapy, developed progressive loss of visual acuity and/or visual field. Postoperatively, visual acuity improved or stabilized in 33 of 34 eyes (97%). Visual fields improved in 20 of 21 eyes that underwent surgery. Optic nerve decompression surgery relieves local cerebrospinal fluid pressure on the optic nerve. Progressive loss of visual function associated with pseudotumor cerebri can be reversed or stabilized with optic nerve sheath decompression surgery.

Adolescent↗

Posterior fossa volume and response to suboccipital decompression in patients with Chiari I malformation.

Smaller posterior fossa (PF) volume has been suggested to be one of the mechanisms responsible for tonsillar herniation through the foramen magnum in patients with Chiari I malformation (CM I). Although previous radiological analyses of the cranial anatomy have suggested a smaller PF volume in patients with CM I, the relationship of the PF volume to decompressive surgery has not been reported. We have measured the ratio of PF volume to supratentorial volume (PF ratio [PFR]) in 20 patients with CM I and 20 control patients by retrospectively studying their magnetic resonance images with a computerized image analyzer. The mean PFR in patients with CM I (with or without syringomyelia) was significantly smaller than for those in the control group (15.6 +/- 1.9 versus 17.5 +/- 1.2, P = 0.0008). Although PFR did not correlate with the extent of tonsillar herniation in patients with CM I, it did directly correlate with their age, i.e., younger patients with CM I (but not control patients) had smaller PFRs. All but three patients responded both clinically and radiographically to decompressive surgery. Those patients who did not benefit from surgical intervention had normal PFRs. We conclude that: 1) PFRs are smaller in most patients with CM I; 2) a smaller PF may be a primary cause of tonsillar herniation; 3) patients with CM I who have smaller PFRs tend to develop symptoms earlier than those with normal values; 4) patients with smaller PFRs tend to respond better to suboccipital decompression.

Adult↗

Long-term follow-up and recent observations on 305 cases of orbital decompression for dysthyroid orbitopathy.

Dysthyroid exophthalmopathy (orbitopathy) results from an enlargement of extraglobal orbital structures, producing ocular proptosis, optic nerve compression, and corneal exposure. Treatment with corticosteroids and radiation may be beneficial; refractory cases require surgical decompression of the orbit. Transantral orbital decompression was described by Walsh and Ogura and has been performed in over 350 patients at this institution. A review of 305 patients with long-term follow-up was performed. Visual acuity improved or was maintained at preoperative levels in over 95% of the patients, with ocular recession ranging from 1 to 12 mm (average: 4 mm). Postoperative ocular balance of relative exophthalmos was to within 1 mm in 76% of the patients and to within 2 mm in approximately 90% of the patients. Normal postoperative extraocular muscle balance was present in 99 patients. Immediate postoperative diplopia was noted in 206 patients. Long-term follow-up revealed that in 137 of these patients, diplopia resolved or responded to conservative management. Extraocular muscle surgery was required for correction in 69 patients. Twenty-seven patients had postoperative complications. These included 16 patients with hypesthesia of the infraorbital nerve, 5 patients with sinusitis, 3 patients who had incomplete decompression, 2 patients with oral antral fistulae, and 1 patient who had CSF rhinorrhea. Five patients, despite surgery, radiation, and steroid therapy progressed to blindness. We conclude that this procedure is effective and carries few complications. Orbital imaging, using computed tomography or magnetic resonance sequence with reconstructive capabilities, permits early diagnosis and treatment of dysthyroid compression optic neuropathy.

Adolescent↗

Pott's paraplegia of late onset. The cause of compression and results after anterior decompression.

Twenty-two patients with late onset Pott's paraplegia presenting at a mean of 18 years after initial symptoms were reviewed an average of seven years after treatment by anterior decompression and fusion. Fourteen patients had active disease, and in 12 of these, activity at the internal kyphus was the direct cause of the paraplegia. In the other two, a soft healing bony ridge was the cause. The eight patients with healed disease had hard bony ridges compressing the cord. The response to anterior decompression was faster, better and safer in patients with active disease: nine recovered completely and three significantly. In patients with healed disease, the anterior decompression was technically more difficult and the recovery less satisfactory. Significant complications included two cases with neurological deterioration, two with cerebrospinal fluid fistulae and four with neurapraxia of the cord.

Adolescent↗

Bone-marrow oedema syndrome and transient osteoporosis of the hip. An MRI-controlled study of treatment by core decompression.

Bone-marrow oedema syndrome (BMOS) of the hip gives a characteristic MRI pattern, in association with severe pain, non-specific focal loss of radiological density and a positive bone scan. In our MRI-controlled study, nine patients with non-traumatic BMOS in ten hips all had core decompression. Bone-marrow pressure measurements and intraosseous venography in five cases showed pathological values. All patients had immediate relief of pain, with return of MRI signals to normal after three months. Regular review was continued for at least 24 months with serial clinical radiological and MRI assessment. At a mean follow-up of 33 months all patients remained free of pain with normal radiographs and MR scans. The histological evaluation of undecalcified sections obtained from eight core decompressions confirmed the presence of bone-marrow oedema, with necrotic and reparative processes involving bone and marrow similar to those of early avascular necrosis but with no evidence of 'osteoporosis'. These findings support the assumption that BMOS may be the initial phase of non-traumatic avascular necrosis. In most patients BMOS will have a self-limiting course, but the duration of symptoms may be reduced by core decompression treatment.

Adult↗

Repeat decompression of lumbar nerve roots. A prospective two-year evaluation.

In a prospective, consecutive study 93 patients who had had previous lumbar spinal surgery underwent repeat decompression for persistent or recurrent back and leg pain. The previous operations had been discectomies in 65 patients and decompression for spinal stenosis in 28; two of the latter group had also had posterolateral fusion. At the repeat operation, disc herniation was found in 19 patients, lateral spinal stenosis in 19, central spinal stenosis in 20 and periradicular fibrosis in 35. Ninety-one patients were followed up for two years after surgery; the effect of the operation was recorded using a four-scale grading system. The results were significantly related to the diagnosis. Nerve-root compression due to recurrent disc herniation or to bony compression responded well to repeat decompression. In patients with a single nerve-root compression the results were similar to those obtained in primary operations. Sciatica due to nerve-root scarring was seldom improved by the repeat operation.

Adult↗

[Bifrontal decompressive craniotomy as the treatment for severe cerebral edema].

The authors present the results observed with large bifrontal decompressive craniotomy performed on 12 patients with severe cerebral edema, 10 of them related to cerebral contusion, which did not respond to conventional methods of therapy. All patients had before surgery very bad prognosis, with severe neurological signs of higher brain stem compression. Bilateral carotid angiography was sistematically performed before and after surgery, constituting as a matter of fact the decisive element indicating cerebral decompression. Six patients (50 per cent) survived and 5 of them (41.6 per cent) had an excellent neurological and mental improvement. Considering these results, we think that a large bifrontal decompressive craniotomy is the best method of treatment in such cases, specially when performed precociously. These patients, however, need very special care after surgery, if possible in units of intensive therapy, owing to the large incidence of complications.

Brain Concussion↗

Anterior decompression and stabilization with the Kaneda device for thoracolumbar burst fractures associated with neurological deficits.

One hundred and fifty consecutive patients who had a burst fracture of the thoracolumbar spine and associated neurological deficits were managed with a single-stage anterior spinal decompression, strut-grafting, and Kaneda spinal instrumentation. At a mean of eight years (range, five years to twelve years and eleven months) after the operation, radiographs showed successful fusion of the injured spinal segment in 140 patients (93 per cent). Ten patients had a pseudarthrosis, and all were managed successfully with posterior spinal instrumentation and a posterolateral arthrodesis. The percentage of the canal that was obstructed, as measured on computed tomography, improved from a preoperative mean of 47 per cent (range, 24 to 92 per cent) to a postoperative mean of 2 per cent (range, 0 to 8 per cent). Despite breakage of the Kaneda device in nine patients, removal of the implant was not necessary in any patient. None of the patients had iatrogenic neurological deficits. After the anterior decompression, the neurological function of 142 (95 per cent) of the 150 patients improved by at least one grade, as measured with a modification of the grading scale of Frankel et al. Fifty-six (72 per cent) of the seventy-eight patients who had preoperative paralysis or dysfunction of the bladder recovered completely. One hundred and twenty-five (96 per cent) of the 130 patients who were employed before the injury returned to work after the operation, and 112 (86 per cent) of them returned to their previous job without restrictions. We concluded that anterior decompression, strut-grafting, and fixation with the Kaneda device in patients who had a burst fracture of the thoracolumbar spine and associated neurological deficits yielded good radiographic and functional results.

Adolescent↗

[Effect of external decompression on the development of delayed ischemic neurological deficits after subarachnoid hemorrhage].

The protective effect of a large decompressive craniectomy against delayed ischemic neurological deficits (DIND) was evaluated in patients operated on after subarachnoid hemorrhage due to a ruptured aneurysm. In 54 cases, a large decompressive craniectomy was performed (Group D), and 41 patients underwent conventional craniotomy (Group ND). Transient DIND appeared in three (17%) of the 18 Group D patients of Hunt and Kosnik grade I or II, but permanent deficits were not observed in this group. In Group ND, permanent DIND developed in seven (21%) of the 33 grade I or II patients, despite their having received the same medical care. This difference was statistically significant. However, there were no differences in outcome among patients of grades III, IV, and V. These results suggest that, at least in patients of grade I or II, a large decompressive craniectomy, performed early, will prevent DIND after subarachnoid hemorrhage. The procedure may prevent the increase in intracranial pressure and decrease in perfusion pressure brought on by vasospasm and the development of brain edema.

Adult↗

Result of decompression surgery in late-stage severe facial paralysis.

We investigated the usefulness of decompression surgery in the treatment of the facial nerve in 23 patients with severe complete facial paralysis regardless of etiology. All patients were followed up for at least one year after onset. Nine patients underwent decompression surgery within a month of onset (Group A), 10 underwent surgery at a later time (Group B), and 4 did not receive surgery (Group C). In Group A, 2 patients showed satisfactory recovery and 2 fair recovery. In Group B, 4 patients showed satisfactory outcome, and one patient who underwent surgery 131 days after onset showed fair outcome. No patient in Group C showed satisfactory or fair recovery. There were no significant differences among the three groups in the percentage showing sequelae after treatment. We conclude that decompression surgery is indicated even for patients with severe facial paralysis who have a history of palsy of 2 months' or more duration.

Facial Muscles↗

Pudendal canal decompression in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

The results of the treatment of 7 patients with neurogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) by pudendal canal decompression are presented. Ages ranged from 46 to 56 years. Patients had penile, perineal, and scrotal hypoesthesia or anesthesia. EMG of the external urethral sphincter and levator ani muscle revealed diminished activity. There were increased bulbocavernosus and pudendal nerve terminal motor (PNTML) latencies. Patients tested normal for endocrine assays, Doppler examination of the penile arteries penobrachial pressure index, and cavernosometry. Nocturnal penile tumescence activity was absent. These findings pointed to neurogenic ED due to pudendal canal syndrome (PCS). Pudendal canal decompression was done through a para-anal incision. The inferior rectal nerve was followed to the pudendal nerve in the pudendal canal, which was slit open. Mean followup was 19.6 months. No complications were encountered. ED improved in 6 of the 7 patients 2-6 months postoperatively. Sensory and motor changes also improved. It is suggested that chronic straining at stool in these patients led to levator subluxation and sagging, and to pulling on the pudendal nerve with a resulting entrapment in the pudendal canal, pudendal neuropathy, and PCS. ED results from involvement of the penile and perineal branches of the pudendal nerve. To conclude, PCS may cause ED, which improves with pudendal canal decompression.

Adult↗

Decompression for peroneal nerve entrapment.

I reviewed 24 patients after decompression for peroneal entrapment neuropathy; in 3 cases the lesion was bilateral. There were 15 males and 9 females; mean age 44 (12-72) years. The etiology was an operation around the knee in 12, a tibial fracture in 2, a slight compression in 1, an ankle sprain in 2, excessive climbing in 2, sitting in a cross-legged position in 4, and in 4 cases no reason was found. There was foot drop in 15 and ankle instability in 12 cases. The nerve was decompressed after an average period of 17 months (4 days-8 years). Immediate relief of symptoms was achieved in 14 cases, slower relief in 10, and in 3 cases there was no recovery. In peroneal neuropathy, decompression should be considered after 2 months without recovery and after 4 months when recovery is slow.

Adolescent↗

Spondylolysis after posterior decompression of the lumbar spine. 35 patients followed for 3-9 years.

Radiographs were examined in 35 patients who had had posterior decompression without fusion of the lumbar spine. Spondylolysis was found in 10 patients. Segmental range of motion, degree of vertebral slippage and width of decompression were analyzed by radiography. There was greater vertebral slippage after surgery in patients with postoperative spondylolysis than in those without spondylolysis. We conclude that excessive bony decompression may cause postoperative spondylolysis.

Adult↗

Indications for fusion following decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis.

Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis is a common condition affecting middle-aged and elderly people. Significant controversy exists concerning the appropriate indications for fusion following decompressive surgery. The purpose of this report is to compare the clinical outcomes of patients who were and were not treated with fusion following decompressive laminectomy for spinal stenosis and to identify whether fusion was beneficial. The authors conclude that patients in whom concomitant fusion procedures were performed fared better than patients who were treated by means of decompression alone when evidence of radiological instability existed preoperatively.

Journal Article↗