Dural suturing for repair of cerebrospinal fluid leak in transnasal transsphenoidal surgery

OBJECTIVE

Repair of a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak after transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) is usually accomplished using various graft materials. These methods are effective in most, but not all, cases.

METHODS

Since 2006, we have been directly suturing the sellar floor dura in patients with an intraoperative CSF leak. Fat and/or fascial grafts were utilized only when a major CSF leak developed. The incidence of postoperative CSF rhinorrhea was compared before and after the suture.

RESULTS

Postoperative CSF rhinorrhea developed in 3.7% (7 out of 188) of cases before 2005, but never since the dural suture was introduced (0 out of 136, 0%; P = 0.0229). Although watertight closure was not achieved in some cases, narrowing the dural defect and supporting the intrasellar graft was attained in every case. Surgical time was approximately 30 min longer in patients who underwent dural suture (148 +/- 42 min) than those who did not (119 +/- 37 min; P = 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Direct suturing of the sellar dura is a simple, safe, and reliable surgical technique for repairing CSF leaks after TSS. Using this procedure, more than 70% of patients with an intraoperative CSF leak can avoid autologous tissue grafts.

[Quantitative test to distinguish spinal fluid from saline solution in combined spinal-epidural anesthesia]

OBJECTIVES

To validate the use of a digital blood glucose meter for detecting the presence of spinal fluid during combined spinal-epidural anesthesia in terms of specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and likelihood ratios.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Validation was studied in 30 patients scheduled for surgery under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia. A positive finding, defined as detection of spinal fluid return or aspiration by the epidural or spinal needle, was compared with results of standard reference tests (the pattern of sensory or motor block after administration of the local anesthetic). After locating the epidural space with saline solution, the test was performed and 3 mL of local anesthetic was administered. If no sensory or motor blockade was evident, the test was considered a true negative. Spinal puncture was then performed, the test was repeated, and 2 to 3 mL of local anesthetic was injected. The test was considered a true positive if sensory or motor blockade was evident. These findings entered into the validation analyses.

RESULTS

Sensitivity was 100%, specificity 94%, positive predictive value 93%, negative predictive value 100%, the positive likelihood ratio 15.5, and negative likelihood 0.

CONCLUSION

Blood glucose meter readings provide a valid quantitative measure for distinguishing spinal fluid from saline solution during combined spinal-epidural anesthesia. The method, which uses a readily available device, is easy to use to rule out the presence of spinal fluid.

[Headache following laparotomy; chronic subdural haematoma following epidural anaesthesia]

A 63-year-old man underwent an exploratory laparotomy because of rectal carcinoma. The operation was performed under general anaesthesia in combination with epidural anaesthesia. Since the operation the patient complained of a headache. Eight weeks after the operation he was hospitalized because of worsening of the headache and also drowsiness. A physical examination showed a slight tendency to incline to the left. A CT scan showed a subdural haematoma, which was relieved with surgery. We suspected that accidental puncture of the dura caused the haematoma. The incidence, causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this rare complication are discussed.

[Massive pneumocephalus and cerebrospinal fluid fistula after thoracotomy]

We report the case of a 70-year-old man (ASA physical status 2) who developed massive pneumocephalus caused by a fistula between the subarachnoid and pleural spaces following a left pneumonectomy. After an uneventful immediate postoperative period, the patient was readmitted to the recovery care unit with dyspnea, intense headache, confusion, and diminished level of consciousness. Computed tomography confirmed a cerebrospinal fluid fistula secondary to the opening of the intradural space during tumor resection. Treatment was conservative, consisting of rest in a slightly Trendelenburg position, antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent meningitis, and a water seal on the thoracic drainage tube.

Use of self-closing U-clips for dural repair in mini-invasive surgery for herniated disc

OBJECT

The feasibility of a new technique of dural repair (self-closing U-clips) in mini-invasive surgery for herniated disk is demonstrated in this case report.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 44-year-old male patient underwent lumbar microdiscectomy at out Institute, with subsequent dural leak as surgical complication; the dural leak re-appeared even after a second intervention in which we used muscle and dural graft and fibrin glue to repair the leak. We then decided to employ self-closing nitinol- U-clip to achieve primary dural closure.

RESULTS

After the intervention the patient no more presented signs or symptoms due to the unintended durotomy, and the postoperative course was uneventful.

CONCLUSION

Self-closing nitinol U-clips (Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis) can be used for closing a dural tear through a mini-invasive approach that could make a conventional microsuturing technique very difficult.

[Surgical management of dural injuries and postoperative cerebrospinal fluid fistulas in spinal surgeries]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the surgical management of dural injuries and postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas in spinal surgeries and to observe clinical outcomes, since intraoperative injury of dura mater and postoperative CSF fistulas are common complications of spinal surgeries.

METHODS

A retrospective research was designed and 405 patients with complete data who underwent spinal surgeries between June 2002 and March 2006 were acquired, including 298 cases of male and 107 cases of female, with the mean age of 46.2 years (ranging from 11 years to 78 years). The course of disease lasted from 3 months to 5 years. A total of 28 cases of intraoperative dural injuries and durotomies (28/405, 6.91%) were recorded, including 3 cases of cervical spinal surgery (3/152, 1.97%), 19 cases of thoracic and lumbar spinal surgery (19/239, 7.95%) and 6 cases of sacral surgery (6/14, 42.86%). CSF fistulas occurred in 6 cases of 28 patients. There were 2 cases in which no intraoperative dural injury was detected but CSF fistulas occurred after operation. The incidence of postoperative CSF fistula was 1.98% (8/405). Surgical management included closure of breach in the dura mater, oversewing every layer of the wound, bed rest and compression dressing and so on. Clinical outcomes of surgical management were recorded.

RESULTS

The average follow-up lasted for 1 year and 5 months (ranging from 3 months to 4 years). Preoperative symptoms remitted to different extents. There were 8 cases of postoperative CSF fistula which were cured ultimately. A total of 6 cases of CSF fistulas from dorsal injuries of dura mater were treated mainly by bed rest, compression dressing and reoperations, while 2 cases of fistulas from ventral and lateral injuries of dura mater were treated by additional continuous cerebrospinal fluid drainage using a lumbar subarachnoid catheter. One case of central nervous system infection occurred and was treated successfully by multi-disciplinary disposal.

CONCLUSION

Timely and correct surgical intervention and postoperative management can help to heal dural injuries in spinal surgeries and can prevent occurrence of postoperative CSF fistulas.

Intracranial hypotension following scoliosis surgery: dural penetration of a thoracic pedicle screw

The authors report on a 14 years old female with intracranial hypotension who had a history of spinal instrumentation surgery for scoliosis 3 months prior to her admission. She had been diagnosed with migraine in a neurology clinic and was under medical therapy when presented. During the investigation process, a right thoracic pedicle screw, which was penetrating and transversing the dura mater at the T3-T4 level was identified. The diagnosis and management of such a case is discussed. Knowledge of this entity is of extreme importance to spine surgeons, in order to prevent delayed diagnosis and possible complications.

Gunshot wounds to the spine: literature review and report on a migratory intrathecal bullet

Treatment of the complex injury to the spine produced by a gunshot wound remains controversial. Treatment depends on the physician's ability to understand mechanism of injury, principles of medical management, diagnostic imaging, and surgical options. Antibiotics are an important component of treatment and should be continued for a minimum of 7 days in cases of wounds that both perforate the colon and injure the spine. Corticosteroids do not affect neurologic outcome and therefore should not be used. Decompression and removal of intracanal bullets at T12 and below may improve motor function. In select cases of cervical injuries, removal of intracanal bullet fragments may be justified, particularly with incomplete lesions. Regardless of injury level, new-onset or progressive neurologic deterioration is an indication for urgent decompression. Optimal surgical timing remains a controversial issue, and more study is needed to develop treatment guidelines. Intrathecal migratory missiles represent a very rare subset of the gunshot wounds to the spine, and their treatment should be individualized. In this article, we review the literature and then describe the case of a migratory intrathecal bullet in the lumbar spine of a patient who presented with cauda equina-type symptoms.

Intrathecal migratory foreign body without neurological deficit after a gunshot wound

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Penetrating bullets dissipate thermal and kinetic energy into surrounding tissues. Within the thecal sac, this is universally associated with neurological deficits.

PURPOSE

We report a case of intrathecal penetration of a bullet without neurological deficit.

STUDY DESIGN

Case report.

METHODS

A 14-year-old girl was shot in the back, entering adjacent to the L3 vertebra and settling within the spinal canal adjacent to the S1 vertebra. In the absence of neurological deficits, initial management was nonoperative.

RESULTS

Over the period of a week, the patient developed an episode of intense radicular pain, although her neurological examination remained normal. Location of the bullet was shown to vary from S1 to T12 on multiple imaging studies, and this was influenced by patient positioning. She subsequently underwent a bilateral hemilaminotomy and durotomy with excision of the intrathecal bullet.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients can avoid neurological injury even with an intrathecal gunshot wound. However, intrathecal bullets may then migrate and cause variable neurological complaints, necessitating surgical removal. Patient positioning can influence bullet location which can be useful in surgical planning.

Cerebrospinal fluid leak after anterior cervical disc fusion: an unusual cause of dysphagia and neck mass

OBJECTIVE

Dysphagia after anterior cervical disc fusion (ACDF) is a common complaint. We present two cases of dysphagia caused by a rare complication after ACDF: cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak into the neck.

STUDY DESIGN

A case series of two patients.

METHODS

Both patients underwent a chart review, comprehensive history, physical examination, flexible nasolaryngoscopy, and radiographic imaging. A literature review of the MEDLINE database (1966-2006), using key words "dysphagia" and "anterior discectomy," was performed.

RESULTS

We present two patients with persistent dysphagia after ACDF surgery caused by CSF leak into the neck. Their clinical presentation, physical and radiographic examination findings, and hospital course will be discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

CSF collection presenting as dysphagia and neck mass after ACDF must be included in the differential diagnosis because incision and drainage is contraindicated, and fine needle aspiration (FNA) must be performed under sterile conditions. Treatment including lumbar drain or re-exploration is appropriate.

Subdural hematoma following spinal cord stimulator implant

Headache following interventional procedures is a diagnostic challenge due to the multitude of possible etiologies involved. Presentation can be simple (PDPH alone) or complex (exacerbation of pre-existing chronic headache along with PDPH) or headache associated with a new onset intracranial process. Subdural hematoma is a rare complication of cranio-spinal trauma. Cranial subdural hematoma may present in an acute, sub-acute, or chronic fashion. Diagnosis of a subdural hematoma in the wake of a PDPH is difficult, requiring a high level of suspicion. Delayed diagnosis of subdural hematoma is usually related to failure to consider it in the differential diagnosis. Thorough history, assessment of the evolution of symptoms, and imaging studies may identify the possible cause and help direct treatment. Change in the character of initial presenting symptoms may be a sign of resolution of the headache or the onset of a secondary process. We report a case of acute intracranial subdural hematoma secondary to unintentional dural puncture during placement of a permanent spinal cord stimulator lead for refractory angina. There is need for careful follow-up of patients with a known post-dural tear. Failure to identify uncommon adverse events in patients with complicated spinal cord stimulator implantation may lead to permanent injury.

Acute spinal pain during an attempted lumbar epidural blood patch in congenital lumbar spinal stenosis and epidural lipomatosis

Congenital lumbar spinal stenosis is an uncommon condition that is often asymptomatic in young adults. Herein, we document the first reported occurrence of acute radicular back pain and associated congenital lumbar spinal stenosis in a healthy 24-year-old woman undergoing an epidural blood patch for treatment of a post-dural puncture headache related to an accidental dural puncture sustained during placement of a labor epidural catheter. The acute pain symptoms were elicited twice with injection of less than 1 mL of fluid into the epidural space during the fluoroscopically assisted epidural blood patch. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine demonstrated shortened pedicle length consistent with severe congenital lumbar spinal stenosis and prominent epidural fat. We speculate that the transient increase in pressure within the epidural compartment following injection of a small amount of fluid could have compressed neural structures resulting in severe radicular pain. The prominent epidural fat could have prevented rapid disbursement of the injected fluid which could have further served to propagate the pressure increase throughout the epidural compartment. The unique radiographic features of congenital spinal stenosis could predispose some patients with this unrecognized condition to develop acute pain upon injection of a small amount of fluid into the epidural compartment. Unrecognized congenital lumbar spinal stenosis is an important addition to the differential diagnosis of acute radicular pain elicited during an epidural blood patch in previously asymptomatic patients.

Clinics in diagnostic imaging (119). Post-traumatic intracerebral pneumatocele

A 36-year-old man presented with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea after head injury in a road traffic accident three weeks prior to presentation. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrated a hypointense cavity in the left frontal lobe communicating with the frontal horn of the left lateral ventricle, consistent with an intracerebral pneumatocele. The fistulous track communicating with the frontal sinus was demonstrated on the sagittal and coronal images. The patient underwent surgical decompression of the cavity and repair of the dural defect and fracture of the frontal bone. Postoperatively, the patient made excellent recovery. An intracerebral pneumatocele should be recognised on MR imaging, as potential complications include tension pneumocephalus and meningitis, and surgical treatment is indicated in most of the cases.