Cardiorespiratory Fitness Moderates the Age-Related Association Between Executive Functioning and Mobility: Evidence From Remote Assessments

Background and Objectives

In older adults, executive functions are important for daily-life function and mobility. Evidence suggests that the relationship between cognition and mobility is dynamic and could vary according to individual factors, but whether cardiorespiratory fitness reduces the age-related increase of interdependence between mobility and cognition remains unexplored.

Research Design and Methods

One hundred eighty-nine participants (aged 50-87) were divided into 3 groups according to their age: middle-aged (MA; <65), young older adults (YOA; 65-74), and old older adults (OOA; ≥75). Participants performed Timed Up and Go and executive functioning assessments (Oral Trail Making Test and Phonologic verbal fluency) remotely by videoconference. Participants completed the Matthews questionnaire to estimate their cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2 max in ml/min/kg). A 3-way moderation was used to address whether cardiorespiratory fitness interacts with age to moderate the relationship between cognition and mobility.

Results

Results showed that the cardiorespiratory fitness × age interaction moderated the association between executive functioning and mobility (β = -0.05; p = .048; R2 = 17.6; p < .001). At lower levels of physical fitness (<19.16 ml/min/kg), executive functioning significantly influenced YOA's mobility (β = -0.48, p = .004) and to a greater extent OOA's mobility (β = -0.96, p = .002).

Discussion and Implications

Our results support the idea of a dynamic relationship between mobility and executive functioning during aging and suggest that physical fitness could play a significant role in reducing their interdependency.

Videoconference version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment: normative data for Quebec-French people aged 50 years and older

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic forced health professionals to rapidly develop and implement telepractice and remote assessments. Recent reviews appear to confirm the validity of a wide range of neuropsychological tests for teleneuropsychology and among these, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a cognitive screening test widely used in clinical settings. The normative data specific to the context of videoconference administration is essential, particularly that consider sociodemographic characteristics.

Aims

This study had for objective to develop French-Quebec normative data for videoconference-administration of the MoCA that consider sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods

A total of 230 community-dwelling adults aged 50 years and older taking part in clinical trials completed the MoCA by videoconference. Regression analyses were run with sex, education, and age as predictors of the total MoCA scores, based on previously published norms. As an exploratory analysis, a second regression analysis was also run with cardiovascular disease as a predictor.

Results

Regression analyses revealed that older age and lower education were associated with poorer total MoCA scores, for medium effect size (p < 0.001, R² = 0.17). Neither sex nor cardiovascular disease, were significant predictors in our analyses. For clinicians, a regression equation was proposed to calculate Z scores.

Discussion

This study provides normative data for the MoCA administered via videoconference in Quebec-French individuals aged 50 years and over.

Conclusions

The present normative data will not only allow clinicians to continue to perform assessments remotely in this pandemic period but will also allow them to perform cognitive assessments to patients located in remote areas.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40520-022-02092-1.

COVEPIC (Cognitive and spOrt Virtual EPIC training) investigating the effects of home-based physical exercise and cognitive training on cognitive and physical functions in community-dwelling older adults: study protocol of a randomized single-blinded clinical trial

BACKGROUND

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown and social distancing measures are applied to prevent the spread of the virus. It is well known that confinement and social isolation can have a negative impact on physical and mental health, including cognition. Physical activity and cognitive training can help enhance older adults' cognitive and physical health and prevent the negative collateral impacts of social isolation and physical inactivity. The COVEPIC study aims to document the effects of 6 months of home-based physical exercise alone versus home-based physical exercise combined with cognitive training on cognitive and physical functions in adults 50 years and older.

METHODS

One hundred twenty-two healthy older adults (> 50 years old) will be recruited from the community and randomized to one of the two arms for 6 months: (1) home-based physical exercises monitoring alone and (2) combined physical exercises monitoring with home-based cognitive training. The primary outcome is cognition, including general functioning (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score), as well as executive functions, processing speed, and episodic memory (composite Z-scores based on validated neuropsychological tests and computerized tasks). The secondary outcome is physical functions, including balance (one-leg stance test), gait and mobility performance (Timed Up and Go, 4-meter walk test), leg muscle strength (5-time sit-to-stand), and estimated cardiorespiratory fitness (Matthews' questionnaire). Exploratory outcomes include mood, anxiety, and health-related quality of life as assessed by self-reported questionnaires (i.e., Geriatric depression scale-30 items, Perceived stress scale, State-trait anxiety inventory-36 items, Perseverative thinking questionnaire, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 10, and 12-item Short Form Survey).

DISCUSSION

This trial will document the remote monitoring of home-based physical exercise alone and home-based physical combined with cognitive training to enhance cognitive and physical health of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Remote interventions represent a promising strategy to help maintain or enhance health and cognition in seniors, and potentially an opportunity to reach older adults in remote areas, where access to such interventions is limited.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical trial Identifier NCT04635462 . COVEPIC was retrospectively registered on November 19, 2020.

Facilitating Exercise Habit Formation among Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

BACKGROUND

The importance of promoting exercise adherence among individuals with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is imperative. However, challenges in maintaining behavior among ACS patients are also well-documented. Emerging findings in the general population have supported the use of habit-formation techniques, which include incorporating routine consistency and cues, to be effective for facilitating exercise behavior. The effectiveness of habit formation approaches, however, has not been tested on participants with ACS. The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of facilitating physical activity habits among patients with ACS in a two-arm, parallel design, randomized controlled pilot trial.

METHODS

Participants (n = 13) were older adult patients (M age = 64.20, SD = 5.35) with ACS who were referred to a cardiac rehabilitation center. The experimental group attended monthly group meetings from months 1-3 and received phone call follow-ups from months 4-6.

CONCLUSIONS

The experimental group showed an increase in weekly moderate-to-vigorous level physical activity, M = 228.20 mins (SD = 112.45), compared with the control group, M = 151.17 (SD = 112.22), d = 0.61. The experimental condition also showed greater use of routine consistency (experimental: M = 4.60 (SD = 0.548); control: M = 3.76 (SD = 1.62)) and cue usage (experimental: M = 3.60 (SD = 0.471); control: M= 2.60 (SD = 0.398)) over the control condition at the six-month mark. The study supports the effectiveness of habit-building techniques among patients with ACS, with effect sizes ranging from a medium to large magnitude. Findings from this pilot study support a full clinical trial with larger sample size.

The effectiveness of decompression as initial treatment for jaw cysts: A 10-year retrospective study

Background

Decompression is an approved alternative to cystectomy in the treatment of jaw cysts. This study aimed to evaluate its effectiveness as an initial procedure, as well as factors with potential to influence outcome.

Material and Methods

The frequency of decompression was analysed, whether completed in one session or followed by enucleation at the Division of Oral Surgery and Orthodontics, Department of Dental Medicine and Oral Health, Medical University of Graz, from 2005 to 2015. Further analysis focussed on factors potentially influencing outcome: cyst location, histopathology, means of preserving the cyst opening, cyst size, patient age.

Results

In all, 53 patients with 55 jaw cysts (mean age of 35.1) were treated by initial decompression in the ten-year period. In the majority of cases, histopathological analysis revealed a follicular cyst (43.6%), followed by odontogenic keratocysts (23.7%), radicular cysts (21.8%), residual cysts (7.3%) and nasopalatine cysts (3.6%) Treatment was completed with a single decompression in 45.5% of the cases. Among those, 72.0% were follicular cysts and 8.0% odontogenic keratocysts. Subsequent enucleation was needed in 54.5% of all cases, with a majority in the keratocystic group (36.7%). Histological findings, means of keeping the cyst open, and patient age were found to influence the effectiveness of decompression.

Conclusions

Decompression could be performed as a procedure completed in one session or combined with subsequent enucleation, mainly dependent on histopathological findings. Subsequent enucleation of odontogenic keratocysts is highly recommended.

Key words:Jaw cysts, decompression, enucleation, histopathology, obturator.

Transcrestal maxillary sinus augmentation: Summers' versus a piezoelectric technique--an experimental cadaver study

OBJECTIVES

Sinus floor augmentation using transalveolar techniques is a successful and predictable procedure. The aim of the study was to compare the performance of conventional hand instruments using mallets and osteotomes with that of piezoelectric-hydrodynamic devices for maxillary sinus floor elevation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In 17 undamaged cadaver heads on randomly allocated sites, Schneiderian membrane elevation was carried out transcrestally using piezosurgery and a hydrodynamic device or by conventional hand instrumentation. After simulation of sinus augmentation by the use of a radiopaque impression material, a post-operative CT scan was carried out and volumes were determined. Statistic significant differences between the two methods were evaluated by nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test with P < 0.05.

RESULTS

A mean graft volume of 0.29 ± 0.18 cm(3) (0.07-0.60 cm(3)) was measured for the Summers' technique compared to 0.39 ± 0.32 cm(3) (0.05-1.04 cm(3)) for the Sinus Physiolift(®) technique. There is no statistically significant difference with regard to trauma to the Schneiderian membrane or augmented volume.

CONCLUSIONS

Both techniques generate expedient augmentation volume in the posterior atrophic maxilla. The piezoelectric technique can be recommended as an alternative tool to graft the floor of human maxillary sinuses.

Clinically relevant complications related to posterior atlanto-axial fixation in atlanto-axial instability and their management

BACKGROUND

The Magerl transarticular technique and the Harms-Goel C1 lateral mass-C2 isthmic screw technique are the two most commonly used surgical procedures to achieve fusion at C1-C2 level for atlanto-axial instability. Despite recent technological advances with an increased safety, several complications may still occur, including vascular lesions, neurological injuries, pain at the harvested bone graft site, infections, and metallic device failure.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed all patients (n=42 cases) undergoing a Harms-Goel C1-C2 fixation surgery with polyaxial C1 lateral mass screws and C2 isthmic screws at two different institutions between 2003 and 2012 and report clinical and radiological complications. One patient was lost to follow-up. The mean follow-up of the remaining 41 patients was 18.7 months (range 12-90). A clinically relevant complication was defined as a complication determining the onset of a new neurological deficit or requiring the need for a revision surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 14 complications occurred in 10 patients (24.4% of 41 patients). Greater occipital nerve neuralgia was evident in 4 patients (9.8%). All but one completely resolved at the end of the follow-up. Persistent neck pain was reported by 3 patients (7.3%), hypoesthesia by 1 patient (2.4%), and anesthesia in the C2 area on both sides in 1 patient (2.4%). Furthermore, a superficial, a deep, and a combined superficial and deep wound infection occurred in 1 patient each (2.4%). One patient (2.4%) had pain at the iliac bone graft donor site for several weeks with spontaneous resolution. A posterior progressive intestinal herniation through the iliac scar was seen in 1 case (2.4%), which required surgical repair. No vascular damages occurred. Altogether, 5/41 patients (12.2%) had a clinically relevant complication including 4 patients necessitating a revision surgery at the C1-C2 level (9.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Atlanto-axial fixation surgery remains a challenging procedure because of the proximity of important neurovascular structures. Nevertheless, on the basis of our current experience, the C1 lateral mass-C2 isthmic screw technique appears to be safe with a low incidence of clinically relevant complications. Postoperative C2 neuralgia, as the most frequent problem, is due to surgical manipulation during preparation of the C1 screw entry point.

The influence of bone marrow aspirates and concentrates on the early volume stability of maxillary sinus grafts with deproteinized bovine bone mineral - first results of a RCT

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to investigate whether bone marrow aspirates (BMA) and concentrates (BMAC) influence the grafts' stability when added to deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) within the first 6 months after maxillary sinus augmentation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

26 CT data of 13 patients undergoing bilateral maxillary sinus augmentation in a split-mouth design were evaluated using the Voxim software by comparing the graft volumes 2 weeks after the sinus lift procedure with CT data obtained 6 months later. DBBM with (N = 6) or without tibial BMA (N = 6) and DBBM with (N = 7) and without adding iliac BMAC (N = 7) were used as grafts. Absolute and percentage changes in the graft volumes were evaluated, and the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test and the nonparametric Wilcoxon test were performed to determine significant differences between the graft volumes within each single split-mouth group and between the two groups.

RESULTS

Overall, the volumes decreased between 15% and 21%. All single groups showed statistically significant decreases over 6 months of healing. The time-dependent changes in volumes between the different groups were not statistically significant (P = 0.818).

CONCLUSIONS

An evident decrease in graft volume over the first 6 months of healing has to be expected irrespectively of graft composite. Neither BMA nor BMAC seem to have an evident impact. Overaugmentation seems recommendable in two-stage maxillary sinus surgery.

Reproducibility of volumetric measurements on maxillary sinuses

Although computer assisted volumetric quantification of human maxillary sinuses is commonly used to measure volumetric changes during life, reliability data for this procedure are lacking. The objective of this retrospective study is to test a semi-automatic virtual volumetric analysis technique on 36 CT scans of human maxillary sinuses. Three examiners with different clinical experience performed all measurements in three replicates. As principle of proof, the technique was examined on 12 phantoms with known volumes. The validation of the method revealed that the mean relative error was 0.364%. For the retrospective volumetric measurements from maxillary sinuses the intra- and inter-examiner agreement was quantified using appropriate intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC 1,k and ICC 2,k) and the Bland-Altman analysis. ICC values ranging from 0.997 to 0.999 indicate almost perfect agreement for intra- and inter-examiner data. The Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated good intra- as well as inter-examiner agreement for the two proficient examiners and a lack of agreement for the untrained examiner. It can be concluded that this measurement procedure using CT scans could be strongly recommended for clinical application to determine the volume of human maxillary sinuses reliably.

Rapid maxillary expansion screws on the test bench--a pilot study

In order to apply high, short-term forces during rapid maxillary expansion (RME) to the sutures of the maxilla with minimum loss of force and without causing unwanted side-effects (dentoalveolar tipping, etc.), the appliance should be as rigid as possible. The retention arms of the RME screws, representing a particularly vulnerable and stressed weak point of RME appliances, were the focus of this laboratory technical study. Retention arms of 16 types of RME screws comprising four arms and one with eight arms were examined using a three-point bending test. According to their ability to absorb the applied bending loads, the screws were classified in product groups from 1 (highest) to 6 (lowest). Fifteen of the tested retention arms (stainless steel), despite having the same diameter (1.48-1.49 mm), differed up to 69.81 per cent between the highest (288.0 N) and lowest (169.6 N) maximum force parameters and up to 66.40 per cent between the highest (3325.9 N/mm(2)) and lowest (1998.7 N/mm(2)) maximum bending stress parameters. Due to optimum formability, though reduced rigidity, a titanium screw for nickel-sensitive patients (group 6) displayed the lowest force and bending tension values. The stainless steel double arms of the eight-arm screw device welded on both ends displayed the highest force data. The mean ductilities of the groups with the most and least rigid single steel arms differed by 22.77 per cent. Statistical analysis using the Pearson correlation coefficient revealed a significant indirect correlation between ductility and both maximum force (r = -0.780, P < 0.001) and maximum bending stress (r = -0.778, P < 0.001). The SUPERscrews, the Tiger Dental four-arm screw (group 1), and the eight-arm screw displayed the highest capacity to absorb an applied bending load. The screws in groups 3-6 appear acceptable for RME during the pre-pubertal period, whereas in the pubertal and post-pubertal period, groups 1 and 2 are sufficient. In early adulthood only the screws in group 1 and especially the eight-arm screw seem advisable, as mechanical demands increase with age.

All-ceramic immediate restoration of one-piece zirconium dioxide implants

The multipiece nature of different implant systems is problematic for a number of reasons. The greatest challenge is bacterial colonization of the implant and of the surrounding tissue, because of the implant/abutment and abutment/crown interfaces, as well as the micromovements of the individual components of the implant. A possibility of eliminating microgaps between the individual components of the implant on the one hand and avoiding micromovements on the other is described in this paper.

Intradural pleural malignant mesothelioma

Pleural malignant mesothelioma is a rare tumour of the pleural epithelium, which progresses by infiltration into the lung parenchyma, the chest wall, and the mediastinum. Haematogenous spreading may occur in the late stages of the disease. Spinal involvement is exceptional and usually occurs in the vertebral body or epidural space, and intradural location of a mesothelioma is even more uncommon. In this article, a MEDLINE literature review on intradural mesothelioma was conducted and four intradural mesothelioma cases in the English literature were retrieved: one in the intradural extramedullary location and three with intramedullary growth. Additionally, we report a 50-year-old patient with a pleural malignant mesothelioma that spreads across the dura into the spinal cord at T5.

Delayed surgical management of a traumatic bilateral cervical facet dislocation by an anterior–posterior–anterior approach

Delayed diagnosis (more than one month after injury) of a bilateral cervical facet dislocation is exceptional, and delayed treatment is different from treatment in the acute stage. We describe a neurologically intact 51-year-old patient, in whom the diagnosis of bilateral cervical facet dislocation at C5/6 was made 10 weeks after the trauma. An anterior-posterior-anterior approach was performed, with repositioning during the posterior approach, and with anterior and posterior C5/6 fixation. The patient remained neurologically intact, and radiographic fusion was observed 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Additionally, the (English) literature is reviewed and discussed.

Implantation of a distractible titanium cage after cervical corpectomy: technical experience in 20 consecutive cases

BACKGROUND

This prospective observational study was undertaken to investigate the advantages, the safety, and the drawbacks of reconstructing a cervical corpectomy with a distractible corpectomy cage. According to the author's literature search, this is the second clinical report on a distractible cervical corpectomy cage.

METHOD

20 Consecutive patients underwent a single- or multi-level cervical corpectomy for spondylotic myelopathy, traumatic fracture, or tumor. The corpectomy defect was reconstructed by means of a distractible titanium cage, and local bone from the corpectomy was layed around the cage for fusion. An anterior cervical plate and/or a posterior lateral mass or pedicle screw fixation was added in all patients. The average follow-up was 14 months, and all patients had at least 12 months of follow-up.

FINDINGS

No hardware failure occurred in any of the patients. Construct stability was achieved in 19 out of 20 patients (95%) at 12 months postoperatively. The mean regional lordosis was 1 degrees preoperatively, 9 degrees postoperatively, and 7 degrees at the follow-up. Mean neck pain on a VAS was 3.9 preoperatively, and 2.6 at 12 months. There were three perioperative complications: transient neurological worsening in one patient, one transient vocal cord paralysis, and persistent dysphagia in one patient.

CONCLUSION

A single- or multi-level cervical corpectomy can be safely and effectively reconstructed by a distractible titanium cage and local bone graft in combination with anterior cervical plating and/or posterior lateral mass/pedicle screw fixation. Potential advantages of this technique are an unforced cage insertion in its non-distracted position, press-fitting the cage into the corpectomy defect through cage distraction, correction of kyphosis or preservation of local lordosis through cage distraction, and the absence of donor site morbidity. However, the stability rate in the current series did not exceed the fusion rates of auto- or allografts.

Resection of thoracic dumbbell neurinomas: Single postero-lateral approach or combined posterior and transthoracic approach?

Dumbbell tumours are those with an intraspinal and a paraspinal component, connected through a frequently enlarged and eroded intervertebral foramen. Most dumbbell tumours are located in the thoracic spine, and most of them are schwannomas. The extraspinal tumour extension is usually larger than the intraspinal tumour part, but the intraspinal tumour component commonly causes the typical symptoms: local pain and symptoms from spinal cord compression in the thoracic spine. Diagnosis is best established by magnetic resonance imaging with and without contrast agent injection. Controversy exists as to whether to remove thoracic dumbbell tumours using a single posterior approach with posterolateral extension or using a combined posterior and transthoracic approach. We report the removal of a dumbbell neurinoma at T6/7 using a single posterior midline approach with laminectomy and costo-transversectomy and review the literature regarding the approaches to thoracic dumbbell tumours.

Surgical management of cervical fractures in ankylosing spondylitis using a combined posterior-anterior approach

The management of cervical fractures in ankylosing spondylitis patients is controversial. In the present article, a literature review is conducted, and the author's experience with four consecutive cases, operated on using a combined approach, is reported. One patient was operated on using the combined approach after developing progressive deformity in a halo fixator, one patient after early redislocation of an anterior monosegmental fixation, and two patients were operated on primarily using the combined approach. All four patients achieved good alignment and immediate stability and no dislocation or deformity was observed during the mean observation period of 11 months.

Unstable burst fractures of the thoraco-lumbar junction: treatment by posterior bisegmental correction/fixation and staged anterior corpectomy and titanium cage implantation

BACKGROUND

Controversy exists about the best treatment of unstable thoraco-lumbar (TL) burst fractures. Kyphosis correction and canal decompression in case of a neurological deficit are recognized treatment objectives, and various conservative and surgical strategies have been proposed. This prospective observational study evaluates the benefits and risks of a posterior bisegmental transpedicular correction/fixation and staged anterior corpectomy and titanium cage implantation in unstable TL junction burst fractures.

METHOD

20 consecutive patients with a single-level traumatic unstable burst fracture at the TL junction were operated on by a bisegmental posterior correction/fixation, followed by anterior corpectomy and titanium cage implantation 7-10 days later. The radiological and clinical course is documented over a period of 24 months.

FINDINGS

The mean posttraumatic loss of anterior vertebral body height was 58% (45-70%). The posttraumatic mean regional kyphosis was 16 degrees and could be corrected by the posterior approach to a mean lordosis of 2 degrees. Mean secondary loss of the kyphosis correction was 3 degrees over 24 months. No hardware failure occurred, and construct stability was observed in all 20 patients. One surgical complication occurred during the posterior approach, and three transient surgical complications by the anterior approach. 12 of the 14 patients with an initial neurological deficit recovered an average of 1.5 grades on the ASIA scale. At 24 months postoperatively, the mean regional TL back pain on a VAS (0-10) was 1.6, and the mean pain at the anterior approach site was 1.2.

CONCLUSION

Posterior bisegmental transpedicular correction/fixation and staged anterior corpectomy and titanium cage implantation is a safe and reliable surgical treatment option in unstable TL junction burst fractures. The advantages of this technique are a complete kyphosis correction, immediate stability, maintenance of kyphosis correction, and complete spinal canal decompression in case of a neurological deficit. However, these advantages have to be carefully weighed against the double approach morbidity.

Traumatic vertical atlantoaxial dislocation

We present a case of traumatic vertical atlantoaxial dislocation of 16 millimetres with a fatal outcome. We hypothesize that this extremely rare traumatic vertical atlantoaxial dislocation results from insufficiency of the C1/C2 facet capsules after rupture of the tectorial membrane and the alar ligaments.

Unstable upper and middle thoracic fractures. Preliminary experience with a posterior transpedicular correction-fixation technique

A number of conservative and operative approaches have been described for the treatment of unstable traumatic upper and middle thoracic fractures. The advantage of surgical correction and fixation/fusion lies in its potential to restore sagittal and coronal alignment, thereby indirectly decompressing the spinal cord. A consecutive series of 8 patients with unstable traumatic upper and middle thoracic fractures is reviewed. In all patients, polyaxial pedicle screws were inserted bilaterally into the two levels above and below the fracture. Rods that were less contoured ("undercontoured") than the regional hyperkyphosis at the injured level, were anchored to the caudal four screws. The cranial four screws, with the vertebrae to which they were inserted, were then progressively pulled posteriorly onto the undercontoured rods with rod reducers, thus correcting the hyperkyphosis and anterolisthesis. The mean follow-up was 15 months. The mean regional kyphosis was 23 degrees preoperatively, 17 degrees postoperatively and 18 degrees at follow-up. The mean anterolisthesis was 8 mm preoperatively, 1 mm postoperatively and 1 mm at follow-up. No hardware failure occurred. Five patients with complete spinal cord injury at presentation made no neurological recovery, two patients with incomplete spinal cord injury initially (ASIA B), recovered substantially (to ASIA D), and the patients who were neurologically intact at presentation remained so.

The anterior approach to anterior cervical meningiomas: review illustrated by a case

Anterior cervical meningiomas have traditionally been operated on by a posterior approach. However, several reports of an anterior approach to anterior cervical meningiomas and other anterior cervical intradural lesions have documented important advantages: large bony window of access, extradural coagulation of anterior blood supply to meningiomas, visualization of the intradural pathology in front of the spinal cord, and absence of manipulation of the spinal cord during resection of the lesion. In this study, the literature about anterior approaches to anterior cervical meningiomas is systematically reviewed and the advantages and disadvantages of the technique are discussed. Furthermore, a case of complete resection of a large anterior cervical intradural extramedullary meningioma from C5-7 by a three-level corpectomy with progressive postoperative neurological recovery is illustrated, confirming the advantages of the anterior approach.

Immediate open anterior reduction and antero-posterior fixation/fusion for bilateral cervical locked facets

BACKGROUND

Bilateral cervical locked facets is a severe traumatic lesion, most frequently resulting in tetraplegia. The common treatment strategy has been an attempt of awake, closed reduction, adding general anesthesia, muscle relaxation and manual traction in difficult cases. In cases of failed closed reduction, open reduction has most commonly been performed by a posterior approach. Patients in the current series have been managed by immediate open anterior reduction and circumferential fixation/fusion. The technique is described and its potential advantages are discussed.

METHOD

Five consecutive patients with traumatic bilateral cervical locked facets are reported. The injury level was C4/5 in one and C5/6 in four patients. Four patients had initial tetraplegia, one patient was neurogically intact. All patients underwent immediate open anterior reduction by interbody distraction and gentle manual traction, followed by circumferential fixation/fusion. Mean follow-up was 15 months.

FINDINGS

Immediate anterior open reduction was rapidly and reliably achieved in all five patients. No surgical complication occurred. All patients showed fusion at the three-month follow-up. All four tetraplegic patients regained at least one functional root level, but remained tetraplegic.

CONCLUSION

Immediate open anterior reduction of bilateral cervical locked facets and combined antero-posterior fixation/fusion was safe and reliable. This treatment strategy avoids time loss and patient discomfort from attempted closed reduction by traction, obviates the need for external immobilization, and results in an excellent fusion rate.

Malignant transformation of a spinal cord ganglioglioma--case report and review of the literature

Gangliogliomas are tumors of mixed glial and neuronal phenotype that usually have a benign clinical course. Rare cases display anaplastic features at the time of first presentation or progress to anaplastic gliomas over extended times. We report on a ganglioglioma of the spinal cord that recurred as a malignant glioma one and a half years after resection. The initial neoplasm was composed of a mixture of well-differentiated ganglionic and astrocytic cells. The recurrent tumor was an anaplastic small-cell glioma. The sole unusual aspect in the initial neoplasm was an abundance of small vessels with calcified walls, which mimicked a vascular malformation.

Surgical treatment of cervical myelopathy of unclear aetiology

In some cases neither the clinical pattern nor the findings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help to determine the cause of a cervical myelopathy. The differential diagnosis of such cases as a rule includes spondylotic myelopathy, a solitary focus of multiple sclerosis and an intramedullary tumour in early stage. Worsening of signs and symptoms due to the circumscribed lesion of the spinal cord can require surgical treatment, even if no certain diagnosis could be stated thus far. The question is how to choose a surgical procedure which is beneficial for all three kinds of spinal cord pathology in their initial stage, which at the same time does not jeopardise spine and spinal cord and allows secondary surgery if needed after the precise nature of the lesion has been assessed. Ventral decompression and fusion with or without dorsal decompression seems to be a convincing procedure.

Bilateral occipital condylar fracture. Case report about successful treatment with SOMI brace

Treatment guidelines for occipital condyle fractures (OCFs) are not established. Options for unilateral OCF have been discussed in the literature, but not for bilateral cases. We describe a bilateral OCF type II (according to the Anderson/Montesano classification) in a 30-year-old patient, where immobilisation in a SOMI brace (sternal occipital mandibular immobilisation) was successfully used.

Dysplastic dens of the axis: case report

In a patient injured in a bicycle accident, radiological evaluation of the cervical spine revealed an oblique orientation of a dysplastic dens of the axis, which, to our knowledge, has not been reported in the literature. There were no other bony or soft tissue anomalies and no associated instability. This case should draw attention to congenital anomalies of the cranio-cervical junction in trauma patients.

Idiopathic symptomatic epidural lipomatosis of the lumbar spine

BACKGROUND

Symptomatic spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) of the lumbar spine is a rare disease, often associated with steroid overload. Idiopathic lipomatosis is even much less frequent. Signs and symptoms depend upon the level and degree of nerve root compression. Diagnosis is best based on MRI. Weight reduction can be curative, however after failure of medical treatment or in severe cases surgical decompression should be performed.

METHOD

Four patients with severe symptoms of lumbar spinal epidural lipomatosis were treated by surgical decompression. Patient history and neurological examination are described, diagnostic imaging is demonstrated, surgical treatment and outcome are documented. Different surgical techniques including laminectomy, interlaminar fenestration and lateral recess decompression were applied and are discussed.

FINDINGS

All four patients improved after surgery. No surgical complications were observed. Even though limited to four cases this is the second largest series of operated idiopathic spinal epidural lipomatosis.

INTERPRETATION

Surgical decompression was effective in improving symptoms in severe lumbar idiopathic spinal epidural lipomatosis.

Thoracic myelopathy due to enlarged ossified yellow ligaments. Case report and review of the literature

Enlarged ossified yellow ligaments are a rare and poorly understood cause of thoracic myelopathy. The authors report the case of a patient in whom thoracic myelopathy was caused by enlarged ossified yellow ligaments.

Intraoperative color-coded duplex sonography for localization of a distal middle cerebral artery aneurysm: technical case report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE

We describe the surgical treatment of a small, distal, middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm, performed using intraoperative color-coded duplex sonography for localization.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 55-year-old man presented with a sudden intense headache. Computed tomographic scans revealed a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Angiography demonstrated two MCA aneurysms, one arising from the proximal bifurcation of the right MCA and the other from its distal bifurcation.

TECHNIQUE

On Day 1, the proximal MCA aneurysm was clipped via the standard transsylvian approach. The distal MCA aneurysm was identified with the aid of color-coded duplex sonography and was successfully clipped with minimal additional dissection of the sylvian fissure.

CONCLUSION

Color-coded duplex sonography provides a two-dimensional image of the brain parenchyma and color-coded flow imaging of cerebral vessels in real time. It may be used for rapid intraoperative localization of small, distally located, cerebral aneurysms.