Surgery is the only definitive treatment for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), however, the degree of neurological recovery is often unpredictable. Here, we assess the utility of a multidimensional diagnostic approach, consisting of clinical, neurophysiological, and radiological parameters, to identify patients likely to benefit most from surgery. Thirty-six consecutive patients were prospectively analyzed using the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) score, MEPs/SSEPs and advance and conventional MRI parameters, at baseline, and 3- and 12-month postoperatively. Patients were subdivided into “normal” and “best” responders (<50%, ≥50% improvement in mJOA), and correlation between Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) parameters, mJOA, and MEP/SSEP latencies were examined. Twenty patients were “best” responders and 16 were “normal responders”, but there were no statistical differences in age, T2 hyperintensity, and midsagittal diameter between them. There was a significant inverse correlation between the MEPs central conduction time and mJOA in the preoperative period (p = 0.0004), and a positive correlation between fractional anisotropy (FA) and mJOA during all the phases of the study, and statistically significant at 1-year (r = 0.66, p = 0.0005). FA was significantly higher amongst “best responders” compared to “normal responders” preoperatively and at 1-year (p = 0.02 and p = 0.009). A preoperative FA > 0.55 was predictor of a better postoperative outcome. Overall, these results support the concept of a multidisciplinary approach in the assessment and management of DCM.

SUMMARY -

Frontal sinus mucoceles are benign, pseudocystic lesion deriving from the obliteration of the sinus ostium, resulting in a continuous mucous accumulation. The growing process of a mucocele leads to a progressive enlargement of the sinus cavity, thickening and eroding its bony walls up to invading the surrounding tissues. The surgical procedure through an endoscopic endonasal approach is the current treatment option for such conditions, but in cases with an extensive bone erosion and intracranial or intraorbital extension, a transcranial approach should be preferred. We report a case of a frontal sinus mucocele with unusual intraorbital and intracranial extension, causing exophthalmos and ophthalmoplegia, removed through a transcranial frontal approach and the subsequent obliteration of the sinus.

We describe a 28-year-old woman with intracranial hypertension due to a meningioma invading the unique transverse sinus (with absent contralateral sinus). Clinical remission and normalization of orbital echography were obtained by resection of the intradural tumor and peeling of the dural attachment. In such cases, resection and reconstruction of the involved sinus segment is at high risk of venous infarction. Endovascular stenting of the obstructed sinus is a valid alternative when the stenosis is not remarkable. Single tumor removal may lead to partial sinus decompression and increased venous flow, resulting in long-term clinical remission.

Background:Intramedullary, nondysraphic, spinal cord lipomas are rare and account for less than 1% of all spinal cord lesions. Symptoms typically consist of a progressive myelopathy associated with increasing degrees of paralysis (e.g., quadriparesis/plegia, paraparesis/plegia).Case Description:A 39-year-old male, without a history of spinal dysraphism, presented with a progressive spastic quadriparesis. This was attributed to magnetic resonance-documented large intramedullary cervical lipoma. Following partial intramedullary surgical debulking of the lesion, the patient neurologically improved.Conclusion:Partial debulking of a cervical intramedullary lipoma in a patient who originally presented with a severe quadriparesis resulted in significant neurological improvement. Notably, utilization of intraoperative ultrasonography, CO2 laser, and both motor evoked and somatosensory evoked potentials can be helpful during the removal of such lipomas.