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Vigneul E, Del Gaudio N, de Nijs L, Raftopoulos C. Neurological outcome following delayed traction and fixation in severe tetraparesis consecutive to posterior decompression for Chiari malformation: a case report. Childs Nerv Syst 2024; 40:1943-1947. [PMID: 38374472 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-024-06327-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chiari malformation type 1 (CM1) is a congenital hindbrain malformation characterized by herniation of the cerebellar tonsils below the foramen magnum. The term Chiari type 1.5 is used when herniation of the brainstem under the McRae line and anomalies of the craniovertebral junction are also present. These conditions are associated with several symptoms and signs, including headache, neck pain, and spinal cord syndrome. For symptomatic patients, surgical decompression is recommended. When radiographic indicators of craniovertebral junction (CVJ) instability or symptoms related to ventral brainstem compression are present, CVJ fixation should also be considered. CASE DESCRIPTION We report the case of a 13-year-old girl who presented with severe tetraparesis after posterior decompression for Chiari malformation type 1.5, followed 5 days later by partial C2 laminectomy. Several months after the initial surgery, she underwent two fixations, first without and then with intraoperative cervical traction, leading to significant neurological improvement. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION This case report underscores the importance of meticulous radiological analysis before CM surgery. For CM 1.5 patients with basilar invagination, CVJ fixation is recommended, and C2 laminectomy should be avoided. In the event of significant clinical deterioration due to nonadherence to these guidelines, our findings highlight the importance of traction with increased extension before fixation, even years after initial destabilizing surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Vigneul
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neural Differentiation (NEDI), Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology Group, Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Nicole Del Gaudio
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Loïc de Nijs
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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Zhang B, Qi M, Xin Z, Du Y, Zhang C, Liu Z, Guan J, Wang Z, Jian F, Duan W, Chen Z. Intra-articular Distraction Versus Decompression to Treat Basilar Invagination Without Atlantoaxial Dislocation: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 54 Patients. Neurospine 2023; 20:498-506. [PMID: 37401068 PMCID: PMC10323352 DOI: 10.14245/ns.2244910.455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The surgical management of basilar invagination without atlantoaxial dislocation (type B basilar invagination) remains controversial. Hence, we have reported the use of posterior intra-articular C1-2 facet distraction, fixation, and cantilever technique versus foramen magnum decompression in treating type B basilar invagination as well as the results and surgical indications for this procedure. METHODS This was a single-center retrospective cohort study. Fifty-four patients who underwent intra-articular distraction, fixation, and cantilever reduction (experimental group) and foramen magnum decompression (control group) were enrolled in this study. Distance from odontoid tip to Chamberlain's line, clivus-canal angle, cervicomedullary angle, craniovertebral junction (CVJ) triangle area, width of subarachnoid space and syrinx were used for radiographic assessment. Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores and 12-item Short Form health survey (SF-12) scores were used for clinical assessment. RESULTS All patients in the experimental group had a better reduction of basilar invagination and better relief of pressure on nerves. JOA scores and SF-12 scores also had better improvements in the experimental group postoperation. SF-12 score improvement was associated with preoperative CVJ triangle area (Pearson index, 0.515; p = 0.004), cutoff value of 2.00 cm2 indicating the surgical indication of our technique. No severe complications or infections occurred. CONCLUSION Posterior intra-articular C1-2 facet distraction, fixation, and cantilever reduction technique is an effective treatment for type B basilar invagination. As various factors involved, other treatment strategies should also be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Lab of Spinal Cord Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Maoyang Qi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Lab of Spinal Cord Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zong Xin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Lab of Spinal Cord Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yueqi Du
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Spine Center, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Beijing, China
| | - Can Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Spine Center, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Beijing, China
| | - Zhenlei Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Spine Center, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Beijing, China
| | - Jian Guan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Spine Center, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Beijing, China
| | - Zuowei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Spine Center, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Beijing, China
| | - Fengzeng Jian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Lab of Spinal Cord Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Spine Center, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Beijing, China
| | - Wanru Duan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Lab of Spinal Cord Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Spine Center, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Beijing, China
| | - Zan Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Lab of Spinal Cord Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Spine Center, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Beijing, China
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