Lateral approach for anterior thoracic spinal lesions

ANCA-Associated Systemic Vasculitis Presenting With Hypertrophic Spinal Pachymeningitis: A Report of 2 Cases and Review of Literature

Reports of hypertrophic pachymeningitis associated with myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA) localized exclusively in the spine were quite rare. Two cases of ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis (AASV) presenting with hypertrophic spinal pachymeningitis (HSP) causing low back pain and numbness are described. Two patients showed prominent systemic and local inflammatory reactions manifested as fever, elevated levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, and markedly increased levels of total protein of cerebrospinal fluid. The gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scan of spinal cord demonstrated diffuse spinal dura matter thickening. Additionally, simple microscopic hematuria was found in 1 case suggestive of renal involvement and the other 1 complicated with interstitial lung disease. Then, a diagnosis of HSP secondary to AASV was made. Combination therapy of corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide produced a rapid improvement in the clinical symptoms and laboratory parameters. Followed up for 6 months, 1 case relapsed when the dosage of prednisone was tapered to 10 mg daily. Since the patient refused rituximab-based regimen, an immunosuppressive triple-therapy (corticosteroid, cyclophosphamide, and azathioprine) was initiated and brought control of the disease during the subsequent 6 months of follow-up.HSP is a relatively rare form of central nervous system involvement of AASV. Early recognition and intervention are of great significance since the pathogenesis of HSP starts with an inflammatory and fibrosing process.

Recapping T-saw laminocostotransversoplasty for ventral meningiomas in the thoracic region

BACKGROUND

Treatment of ventral lesions to the spinal cord in the thoracic spinal canal (e.g., meningiomas) are surgical challenges. Original or modified costotransversectomy has been commonly used for extirpation of such lesions. However, these techniques incur great loss of posterior elements followed by spinal instability that requires spinal fusion. The authors have developed a new surgical technique that combined the advantages of posterolateral exposures and recapping laminoplasty (recapping T-saw laminocostotransversoplasty). The purpose of this study was to examine the safety and effectiveness of this technique for surgical excision of ventrally located meningiomas in the thoracic region.

METHODS

Three patients underwent recapping laminocostotransversoplasty for extirpation of ventral meningiomas in the thoracic spine. A T-saw was used for bone cutting. Following tumor extirpation with the infiltrated dura and dural reconstruction, the resected posterior elements were recapped to their original sites. Patients were evaluated both clinically and radiographically by plain radiography and computed tomography (CT).

RESULTS

Tumor excision, dural reconstruction, and bone recapping were achieved without neurological complications in all patients. Neurological improvement was observed dramatically in all three patients. A mean of 2.3 laminae and 1.3 ribs were excised. The mean follow-up was 9.7 years. CT scans confirmed primary bony union in all patients within 6 months. No major complications were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Recapping T-saw laminocostotransversoplasty not only provides greater access to the anterior thoracic spinal canal but also allows anatomical reconstruction of the excised bone.