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PubMed1998

Simultaneous somatosensory evoked potential and electromyographic recordings during lumbosacral decompression and instrumentation.

OBJECTIVE: Both motor and sensory neurological deficits have been reported after decompression and instrumentation of the lumbosacral spine. In this report, we describe a simple and effective method by which sensory and motor functions can be monitored simultaneously, using somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP), spontaneous electromyographic (EMG) activity, and compound muscle action potential monitoring. The concomitant use of these monitoring techniques allows ongoing functional evaluation of the cauda equina and spinal cord during patient positioning, surgery, wound closure, and anesthetic emergence. METHODS: SSEPs were recorded continuously in response to peroneal or tibial nerve stimulation. EMG activity (both spontaneous and evoked) was recorded bilaterally from appropriate lower extremity muscle groups. All recordings (SSEP and EMG activity recordings) were obtained, stored, and reviewed simultaneously. RESULTS: SSEPs and EMG activity were simultaneously recorded for 44 patients. All patients in the study underwent surgical procedures to decompress and stabilize the lumbosacral spine, using pedicle screw instrumentation. In two cases, changes in SSEPs and spontaneous EMG activity were noted and were correlated with postoperative patient complaints. CONCLUSION: This report describes the concomitant use of powerful and simple tools that provide immediate, "early-warning" feedback to the surgical team concerning the sensory and motor functioning of the spinal cord and cauda equina. In addition, compound muscle action potential recording provides a tool for the identification of both levels and structures in the lumbosacral spine.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2004

Cavernous sinus and leptomeningeal metastases arising from a squamous cell carcinoma of the face: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Invasion of trigeminal and facial perineural spaces is a recognized complication of cutaneous malignancies. Centripetal spread along the trigeminal nerve axis and into the cavernous sinus and the gasserian ganglion is rare. Metastasis to the leptomeninges and cauda equina has not been reported. We report a unique case of perineural spread and central dissemination from an epithelial squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) associated with a tumor biomarker. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: After excision of multiple cutaneous SCCs and basal cell carcinomas of the head and neck, a 70-year-old male patient developed successive, right-side, V1 and V2 trigeminal neuropathies and complete right cavernous sinus syndrome during a 5-year period. Concurrently, the right face became paralyzed. Left facial paresis developed during the latter half of this period. Two months before admission, subacute left lower-extremity radicular weakness resulted in falls. Serial magnetic resonance imaging scans obtained in the previous 4 years were unrevealing. At the time of admission, enhancing masses were found in the 1) right cavernous sinus and dura, foramina ovale and rotundum, and Meckel's cave, 2) right subtemporal region and orbital rectus muscles, and 3) cauda equina. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis demonstrated mild pleocytosis and rare carcinoma cells. INTERVENTION: Biopsy of the right cavernous sinus mass confirmed moderately differentiated, metastatic SCC. Immunohistochemical staining and fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed epidermal growth factor receptor overexpression and genomic amplification. CONCLUSION: The indolent progression of cranial nerve palsy among patients with resected cutaneous SCCs of the head and neck must raise clinical suspicion of perineural spread, even in the absence of radiological changes. Biomarkers predicting aggressive SCC behavior, illustrated here by epidermal growth factor receptor amplification and central invasion, have the potential to guide early therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Iatrogenic lumbar spondylolisthesis: treatment by anterior fibular and iliac arthrodesis.

A retrospective independent radiographic and chart review was undertaken for 17 patients who underwent a unique anterior salvage procedure for iatrogenic and progressive postoperative spondylolisthesis. This one-stage anterior transabdominal discectomy, reduction, stabilization, and arthrodesis was first performed in 1979. Of the 17 patients, all complained of leg pain, 14 of back pain, 11 had neurogenic claudication, and 2 were bedridden preoperatively because of their pain. Of the 17 patients, 7 had no neurologic deficits, 2 had cauda equina syndrome, and the remaining 8 had motor root deficits. The average number of posterior operations before our salvage procedure was 1.8, with a range of 1 to 3. Eight patients had an average of 1.6 attempts at posterior arthrodesis, with a range of 1 to 3 procedures. Two patients had a grade I spondylolisthesis, 11 a grade II, and 4 a grade III. Follow-up was available for 16 patients from 2 years and 3 months to 11 years and 5 months after the index operation (mean, 6 years and 5 months). One patient with severe cardiovascular disease died perioperatively. This anterior procedure was able to restore spinal stability and decompress the neural elements in 13 of 16 patients. Eleven obtained a solid arthrodesis. Three patients required further spinal surgery: two posterior fusions for symptomatic nonunions and one posterior foraminotomy for persistent foraminal stenosis. No patient deteriorated neurologically, the two with cauda equina syndrome recovered, and all but one patient with motor root deficits recovered fully. At latest follow-up, there were six excellent, seven good, and three fair results. There were no poor results. Although technically difficult and troubled by complications, the relative historical merits and principles of this unique anterior salvage procedure probably warrant further consideration, especially in light of evolving anterior surgical technologies.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Postoperative radiotherapy in the management of spinal cord ependymoma.

Fifty-eight patients with histologically verified spinal cord ependymomas were treated at the Royal Marsden Hospital and Atkinson Morley's Hospital between 1950 and 1987. The median age in this series was 40 years (range 1 to 79 years) and the male:female ratio was 1.8:1. Ten patients had tumors in the cervical cord and 10 in the thoracic cord; 14 tumors involved the conus medullaris and 24 the cauda equina. Forty ependymomas were grade I and 13 were grades II to IV (in five patients there was insufficient material for grading). Eleven patients underwent biopsy only, 33 had partial or subtotal resection, and 14 had complete resection. Forty-three patients received postoperative radiotherapy. The median follow-up period was 70 months (range 3 to 408 months). Cause-specific survival rates were 74% and 68% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. On univariate analysis, age, histological grade, postoperative neurological function, and era of treatment were significant prognostic factors for survival. The histological grade was the only significant independent prognostic factor. The relative risk of death from ependymoma was 9.0 for patients with tumor grades II to IV compared to grade I (p less than 0.005, 95% confidence interval 2.7 to 30). The survival rates of patients following complete excision were significantly better compared to those after incomplete surgery (p less than 0.025). The majority of completely resected neoplasms were low-grade cauda equina tumors. Despite incomplete surgery, 5- and 10-year progression-free survival rates following radical radiotherapy were both 59%, and cause-specific survival rates were 69% at 5 years and 62% at 10 years. This suggests that radiotherapy may achieve long-term tumor control in over half of those patients with residual spinal ependymoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

[Short latency somatosensory evoked potentials in patients with syringomyelia].

Short latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) following median nerve and posterior tibial nerve stimulation were studied in six patients with syringomyelia. Three patients had Chiari malformations, two patients experienced fracture of the spine and one patient had a cauda equina ependymoma. SSEPs following median nerve stimulation were abnormal in all patients, of which five patients showed abnormal SSEPs only in the unilateral stimulation on the side of sensory deficits. SSEPs obtained from three out of eight upper extremities which showed no disturbance of deep sensation, were abnormal, so SSEPs were able to detect subclinical abnormality indicating dorsal column dysfunction. Abnormal patterns of SSEPs were classified in three types as follows; Type 1: disappearance of P13, N16 and N18 (3 cases), Type 2: the prolonged interpeak latency P11-P13 (2 cases), and Type 3: abnormal N16 and N18 with preserving P13 (1 case with Chiari malformation). P9 and P11 were present without prolonged latencies in all cases. SSEPs following posterior tibial nerve stimulation were abnormal in two of the three tested patients. Those two patients had disturbance of deep sensations in the lower extremities. All patients underwent surgical treatment, syringo-peritoneal shunt in four patients, foramen magnum decompression with syringo-subarachnoid shunt in one patient, and total removal of an ependymoma of the cauda equina with syringotomy in one patient. Postoperative neurological improvement were found in three patients, of which two cases also showed improvement in SSEPs. On the contrary SSEPs were unchanged in two patients with posttraumatic syringomyelia, whose postoperative neurological condition was also unchanged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Primary isolated amyloidoma of the lumbar spine causing neurological compromise: case report and literature review.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: We describe a patient with cauda equina compression secondary to amyloidoma to alert other clinicians to this rare cause of a compressive epidural lesion. It is the fourth published report of primary lumbar amyloidoma causing neurological compromise. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 53-year-old, previously fit salesman presented with several years history of back pain and recent weakness, especially in the left leg. He also had numbness and tingling radiating down the left leg. On examination, the left knee jerk was diminished, and both ankle jerks were absent. Power was reduced to 4/5 in ankle dorsiflexion bilaterally. A magnetic resonance imaging scan of the lumbar spine revealed an extradural mass, compressing the theca at L3-L4. This was enhancing in T1-weighted images and had low signal intensity in T2-weighted images. There was no evidence of systemic amyloidosis or development of multiple myeloma. INTERVENTION: L3-L4 laminectomy was performed, with removal of the epidural mass. The patient had complete resolution of sciatica and regained normal power in both lower limbs. There was no evidence of any recurrence at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Lumbar epidural amyloidoma is an extremely rare cause of cauda equina compression. Clinical presentation can be nonspecific, and radiologically, it can be indistinguishable from a tumor. Diagnosis is made at histological examination of a Congo red-stained section under polarized light. Complete resection of the localized epidural amyloid mass is associated with a good prognosis.

Amyloidosis↗
PubMed1994

In vitro modeling of spinal anesthesia. A digital video image processing technique and its application to catheter characterization.

BACKGROUND: Maldistribution of intrathecal local anesthetic has recently been implicated as a contributor to neurotoxic injury. In vitro modeling can be used to understand the distribution of anesthetic agents within the subarachnoid space. We describe an in vitro modeling technique that uses digital video image processing and its application to catheter injection of local anesthetic. METHODS: A clear plastic model of the subarachnoid space, including a simulated spinal cord and cauda equina, was filled with lactated Ringer's solution. Phthalocyanine blue dye of known concentration was injected into the model through small-bore (28-G) and large-bore (18-G) catheters. Injections were performed at a variety of controlled rates and sacral catheter positions, and the propagation of dye throughout the model was recorded on videotape, digitized by computer, and converted to a two-dimensional image of dye concentration. A subset of data was compared with results obtained from spectrophotometric analysis. RESULTS: There was a strong correlation (r = 0.98) between data obtained with analysis by digital video image processing and those obtained spectrophotometrically. Catheter size, catheter angle, and injection rate significantly influenced the distribution and peak concentration of simulated anesthetic. No major differences in distribution or peak concentration were observed with the two types of 28-G catheters. CONCLUSIONS: The digital video image processing technique can be used to quantify anesthetic distribution rapidly within a model of the subarachnoid space without disturbing the distribution. The current results demonstrate a strong dependence of anesthetic distribution on catheter angle, catheter size, and injection rate. Comparisons between 28-G catheters suggest that the difference in reported incidence of cauda equina syndrome associated with different 28-G catheters cannot be explained on the basis of differences in anesthetic distribution.

Anesthesia, Spinal↗
PubMed2002

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in pediatric neurosurgery: why, when, how?

INTRODUCTION: This review is primarily based on peer-reviewed scientific publications and on the authors' experience in the field of intraoperative neurophysiology. The purpose is a critical analysis of the role of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (INM) during various neurosurgical procedures, emphasizing the aspects that mainly concern the pediatric population. Original papers related to the field of intraoperative neurophysiology were collected using medline. INM consists in monitoring (continuous "on-line" assessment of the functional integrity of neural pathways) and mapping (functional identification and preservation of anatomically ambiguous nervous tissue) techniques. We attempted to delineate indications for intraoperative neurophysiological techniques according to their feasibility and reliability (specificity and sensitivity). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: In compiling this review, controversies about indications, methodologies and the usefulness of some INM techniques have surfaced. These discrepancies are often due to lack of familiarity with new techniques in groups from around the globe. Accordingly, internationally accepted guidelines for INM are still far from being established. Nevertheless, the studies reviewed provide sufficient evidence to enable us to make the following recommendations. (1) INM is mandatory whenever neurological complications are expected on the basis of a known pathophysiological mechanism. INM becomes optional when its role is limited to predicting postoperative outcome or it is used for purely research purposes. (2) INM should always be performed when any of the following are involved: supratentorial lesions in the central region and language-related cortex; brain stem tumors; intramedullary spinal cord tumors; conus-cauda equina tumors; rhizotomy for relief of spasticity; spina bifida with tethered cord. (3) Monitoring of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) is now a feasible and reliable technique that can be used under general anesthesia. MEP monitoring is the most appropriate technique to assess the functional integrity of descending motor pathways in the brain, the brain stem and, especially, the spinal cord. (4) Somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) monitoring is of value in assessment of the functional integrity of sensory pathways leading from the peripheral nerve, through the dorsal column and to the sensory cortex. SEPs cannot provide reliable information on the functional integrity of the motor system (for which MEPs should be used). (5) Monitoring of brain stem auditory evoked potentials remains a standard technique during surgery in the brain stem, the cerebellopontine angle, and the posterior fossa. (6) Mapping techniques (such as the phase reversal and the direct cortical/subcortical stimulation techniques) are invaluable and strongly recommended for brain surgery in eloquent cortex or along subcortical motor pathways. (7) Mapping of the motor nuclei of the VIIth, IXth-Xth and XIIth cranial nerves on the floor of the fourth ventricle is of great value in identification of "safe entry zones" into the brain stem. Techniques for mapping cranial nerves in the cerebellopontine angle and cauda equina have also been standardized. Other techniques, although safe and feasible, still lack a strong validation in terms of prognostic value and correlation with the postoperative neurological outcome. These techniques include monitoring of the bulbocavernosus reflex, monitoring of the corticobulbar tracts, and mapping of the dorsal columns. These techniques, however, are expected to open up new perspectives in the near future.

Brain Mapping↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Lumbar spinal stenosis. Symptomatology and methods of treatment].

INTRODUCTION: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) may be defined as any type of the narrowing of the spinal nerve root canal (the lateral recess), intervertebral foramina, or its combination. It may be local, segmental or generalized; it can be caused by bone or soft tissue, and the narrowing can involve the bony canal or the dural sac or both. The normal sagital diameter of the lumbar canal is 15 to 25 mm and measurements below this are regarded as suggestively abnormal; a diameter less than 12 mm confirms the presence of stenosis. On the other hand, the lateral recess height less than 3 mm is suggestive, and less than 2 mm is a diagnostic sign of stenosis. There are two large groups of LSS: congenital-developmental stenosis and acquired stenosis with many subgroups (Scheme 1). The number of surgical operations due to LSS is increased during the ensuing years especially in elderly persons. This is why we would like to emphasize the important role of this phenomenon as there are only a few published papers in domestic literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a consecutive series of 38 patients with LSS diagnosed for the last five years (January 1990-December 1994), aged from 20 to 70 years (average age 48.55) there were 21 males (Table 1); 34 of them had LSS as a result of bony changes, while the rest of 4 were iatrogenic (3 after disc extirpation and one after laminectomy) (Fig. 1). Herniation of the nucleus pulposus in combination with LSS was found in 12 patients (31.57%). Local segmental stenosis was identified in 16 patients (42.10%). (Graph. 1) (Fig. 2); the others had the generalized type of stenosis involving two levels (17 patients-44.7%); three levels (4 patients-10.52%) or 4 levels (one patient-2.63%) (Fig. 3). As far as symptomatology is concerned 31 patients had low-back pain with acute radicular complaints and motor weakness as the result of lesion of one or two spinal roots (20 patients). There were no neurogenic claudication or cauda equina compression syndromes. Electromyoneurographic studies (EMNG) in surgically treated patients revealed preoperative signs of muscle denervation in 15 patients (7.42%) (Table 2); the rest of them had signs of chronic irritative lesions of the corresponding root. RESULTS: Twenty one patients were operated on: 19 with signs and symptoms of generalized type of LSS and only two with lateral recess stenosis (Table 2). Congenital developmental stenosis was identified in 6 young patients (20 to 40 years of age) (Fig. 4). Single-level laminectomy with medial facetectomy and nerve root decompression was performed in 10 patients, and the rest of them had two level or three level decompressive laminectomies with medial facetectomy and roots decompression (Fig. 5). Dissectomy was done in 8 patients (Graph 2). None of our patients had concomitant arthrodesis, or needed reoperation. Postoperative EMNG improvement was confirmed in 13 patients of 15 (86.66%); this is about 61.90% in comparison to all operated patients (Table 3). The main complaints after the operation were: low-back pain (70%), leg numbness (70%), slight walking difficulties (60%); however all were able to walk more than 500 meters. The answer to the question how they felt after the operation, 15 patients responded to feel better or much better (71.42%), 3 felt the same (14.28%), and 3 felt worse than before the operation. Five patients retired before the operation, 7 changed their occupation taking an easier job, 9 returned to the same job, and none retired after the operation (Table 3). DISCUSSION: A certain number of patients had congenital-developmental stenosis with thickening of the laminae and development of short, squat pedicles with a decreased anterior-posterior diameter of the spinal canal. There are numerous variations of this pattern which remain asymptomatic until later developmental changes precipitate the typical radiculopathy and cauda equina changes in LSS. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Irreversible conduction block in isolated nerve by high concentrations of local anesthetics.

BACKGROUND: Delivery of large doses of local anesthetics for spinal anesthesia by repeated injections or continuous infusion could expose the cauda equina to concentrations of drug that may be neurotoxic per se. We studied this possible neurotoxic effect by assessing recovery from conduction blockade of desheathed peripheral nerves after exposure to some of the local anesthetic solutions commonly used for spinal anesthesia. METHODS: The reversibility of conduction blockade was studied in desheathed bullfrog sciatic nerves, using the sucrose-gap method for recording compound action potentials, before and during exposure to local anesthetics and during drug washout. The nerves were exposed for 15 min to 5% or 1.5% lidocaine, with or without 7.5% dextrose; 0.5% tetracaine; or 0.75% bupivacaine (the latter two without dextrose). Some nerves were also bathed in 7.5% dextrose (without local anesthetic) or in 0.06% tetracaine, which in this preparation is equipotent to 5% lidocaine. After 15 min in the drug, the nerves were washed for 2-3 h and soaked in Ringer's solution overnight. Nerves exposed only to Ringer's solution served as controls. We also studied neuronal uptake and washout of radiolabeled lidocaine. RESULTS: Exposure of nerves to 5% lidocaine, with or without 7.5% dextrose, or to 0.5% tetracaine resulted in irreversible total conduction blockade, whereas 1.5% lidocaine or 0.75% bupivacaine caused 25-50% residual block after the 2-3 h wash. Nerves exposed to Ringer's solution, 7.5% dextrose or 0.06% tetracaine had 0-10% residual block after 2-3 h wash. The action potential of all nerves declined after overnight soak to between 30-60% of the control value, except for those nerves exposed to 5% lidocaine or 0.5% tetracaine, which showed no activity. Exposure to 5% lidocaine for periods of only 4-5 min produced total, irreversible loss of conduction. The uptake by and washout of radiolabeled lidocaine from the nerves indicate that the maximum amount of residual drug after 2-4 min of exposure to 5% lidocaine and a 3-h wash should cause at most only 50% conduction block. CONCLUSIONS: Solutions of 5% lidocaine and 0.5% tetracaine that have been associated with clinical cases of cauda equina syndrome after continuous spinal anesthesia caused irreversible conduction block in desheathed amphibian nerve. Whether these in vitro actions also occur in mammalian nerves in vivo is an important, clinically relevant question now under investigation in our laboratory.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2001

Symptoms of thoracolumbar junction disc herniation.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective clinical review of patients with thoracolumbar junction disc herniation. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical features of thoracolumbar junction disc herniation and to prepare a chart for the level diagnosis in the neurologic findings and symptoms. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Thoracolumbar junction disc herniations show a variety of signs and symptoms because of the complexity of the upper and lower neurons of the spinal cord, cauda equina, and nerve roots. Furthermore, much is still unknown about thoracolumbar junction disc herniations because of their rare frequency. METHODS: The clinical features of 26 patients who had undergone operations for single disc herniations at T10-T11 through L2-L3 were investigated. Affected levels were as follows: 2 patients with disc herniation at T10-T11 disc, 4 patients at T11-T12, 3 patients at T12-L1, 6 patients at L1-L2, and 11 patients at L2-L3. The level of disc space of interest was confirmed with whole-spine plain roentgenograms. The caudal end of the cord was judged by magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomographic myelogram. RESULTS: Two patients with T10-T11 disc herniation showed moderate lower extremity weakness, increased patellar tendon reflex, and sensory disturbance of the entire lower extremities. Three of four patients with T11-T12 disc herniation experienced lower extremity weakness, and three patients had accentuated patellar tendon reflex. Sensory disturbance was observed in the anterolateral aspect of the thigh in one patient and on the entire leg in three patients. Bowel and bladder dysfunction was noted in three patients. In the T12-L1 disc herniation group (n = 3), muscle weakness and atrophy below the leg were advanced, and bowel and bladder dysfunction were also noted. Two of these three patients had bilateral drop foot, and one patient had unilateral drop foot; sensory disturbance was noted in the sole or foot and around the circumference of the anus, and the patellar tendon reflex and Achilles tendon reflex were absent. All six patients with L1-L2 disc herniation showed severe thigh pain and sensory disturbance at the anterior aspect or lateral aspect of the thigh. On the other hand, there were no clear signs of lower extremity weakness, muscle atrophy, deep tendon reflex, or bowel and bladder dysfunction in these patients. In the L2-L3 disc herniation group (n = 11), all patients had severe thigh pain and sensory disturbance of the anterior aspect or the lateral aspect of the thigh. Weakness in the quadriceps was noted in five patients and weakness in the tibialis anterior in two patients. Decreased or absence of patellar tendon reflex was observed in nine patients. Five patients had positive straight leg raising test results, and eight patients showed positive femoral nerve stretch test results. CONCLUSION: Among thoracolumbar junction disc herniations, T10-T11 and T11-T12 disc herniations were considered upper neuron disorders, T12-L1 disc herniations were considered lower neuron disorders, L1-L2 disc herniations were considered mild disorders of the cauda equina and radiculopathy, and L2-L3 disc herniations were considered radiculopathy. These findings had relatively distinct differences among herniated disc levels.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

MRI of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

We describe the results of MRI of the spine in a case of Guillain-Barré syndrome. The main finding was abnormal enhancement of the nerve roots in the region of the conus medullaris and cauda equina.

Cauda Equina↗
PubMed1991

[Herniated intradural lumbar disk: a clinical case].

The authors report a case of intradural disk herniation at L4-5 observed in a patient with longstanding low back pain and sciatica due to a herniated disk. After having undergone various surgical procedures for this disorder, the patient recently developed a multiradicular syndrome of the cauda equina.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Anterior decompression of the spine for metastatic epidural cord compression: a promising avenue of therapy?

Most metastatic epidural tumors arise in a vertebral body and invade the anterior epidural space. Therefore, it is logical to decompress the spine anteriorly and not by traditional laminectomy. Surgical decompression is indicated if relapse occurs after radiotherapy and further radiation cannot be administered, if there is neurological deterioration during radiotherapy, and when histological diagnosis of the primary tumor is lacking. This pilot study consists of eleven consecutive anterior decompressions of the spine performed in nine patients. In seven instances other treatment modalities had been exhausted, and in four patients a tissue diagnosis was lacking. Before operation eight of the patients were nonambulatory, four of them paraplegic. Following decompression all but one patient became ambulatory. At operation the main bulk of the compressing tumor was found anterior or anterolateral to the cord. Spine stabilization was done when stability was a problem. Wound infection in one patient was the only postoperative complication. The encouraging outcome of our management prompts us to suggest that anterior decompression of the spine should be considered more often in metastatic compression of the cord and cauda equina.

Cauda Equina↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Caudal regression syndrome: MR appearance.

This article reports a case of caudal regression syndrome with hypoplasia of the sacrum, accompanied by an imperforate anus with ano-vestibular fistula. Magnetic resonance images showed a characteristic wedge-shaped cord terminus and the separation of anterior and posterior spinal roots at the level of the cauda equina.

Anus, Imperforate↗
PubMed1978

Intradural herniation of lumbar intervertebral discs.

A case of intradural rupture of a lumbar intervertebral disc is reported, and the literature is reviewed. The majority of intradural disc herniations occur at the L4--5 level. These patients usually have neurologic deficits more severe than those found in the much more common extradural disc herniations. The myelographic picture varies from an irregularly marginated intradural lesion overlying the disc space to a complete block. The common factor allowing intradural disc herniation is probably dense adhesions between the dura and the posterior longitudinal ligament, preventing the more common lateral extradural disc herniation. Intradural disc herniation should be included in the differential diagnosis of lumbar intradural lesions causing nerve root or cauda equina compression.

Adult↗