STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PURPOSE: We experienced the situation wherein some patients had new-onset pain or dysesthesia around the ring and little fingers (C8 symptom) or ulnar aspect of the forearm (T1 symptom) after cervical laminoplasty (LP). We investigated the incidence and the cause of new C8 or T1 symptoms and the clinical outcomes after C3–C6 LP or C3–C7 LP. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: There were some reports regarding complications after cervical LP. However, there was no report regarding C8 or T1 symptoms after cervical LP. METHODS: Among the 33 patients enrolled in this study, 11 and 22 patients were treated with C3–C6 LP and C3–C7 LP, respectively. We prospectively evaluated C8 or T1 symptoms daily postoperatively for 1 week. The distance of the posterior spinal cord shifting and posterior subarachnoid space from C2 to T1 was measured by T2-weighted midsagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We evaluated pre- and postoperative axial neck pain, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and JOA score improvement rate. RESULTS: C8 or T1 symptoms occurred in five and three patients with C3–C6 LP (45.5%) and C3–C7 LP (13.6%), respectively. The distance of the posterior subarachnoid space in C3–C6 LP at C7 was significantly shorter than that in C3–C7 LP at T1 on MRI 24 hours postoperatively (p=0.0448). Postoperative axial neck pain, pre- and postoperative JOA scores, and JOA score improvement rate were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of C8 or T1 symptoms in C3–C6 LP was higher than that in C3–C7 LP. C8 or T1 symptoms would be caused by the posterior fila radicularia and spinal cord impingement on the intact lower end of the lamina.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Fingers ; Forearm ; Humans ; Incidence ; Laminoplasty ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neck Pain ; Paresthesia ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord ; Subarachnoid Space

Spinal adhesive arachnoiditis is an inflammation and fibrosis of the subarachnoid space and pia mater caused by infection, trauma, spinal vascular anomalies, and iatrogenic (surgery and/or puncture). Adhesive arachnoiditis develops various symptoms and signs (gait disturbances, radiating pain, paralysis, and incontinence). On the other hand, adhesive arachnoiditis associated with cauda equina syndrome has not been reported in Korea until now. The authors experienced cauda equina syndrome caused by adhesive arachnoiditis of the lumbar spine with satisfactory results following decompression. We report this case with a review of the relevant literature.
Adhesives ; Arachnoid ; Arachnoiditis ; Cauda Equina ; Decompression ; Fibrosis ; Hand ; Inflammation ; Korea ; Paralysis ; Pia Mater ; Polyradiculopathy ; Spine ; Subarachnoid Space

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) usually occurs due to aneurysmal rupture of intracranial arteries and its typical computed tomography (CT) findings are increased attenuation of cisterns and subarachnoid spaces. However, several CT findings mimicking SAH are feasible in diverse conditions. They are so-called as pseudo-SAH, and this report is a case of pseudo-SAH which is misdiagnosed as aneurysm rupture accompanied by bilateral chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH). A 42-year-old male with severe headache visited our institute. Non-contrast brain CT images showed increased attenuation on basal cistern, and cSDH on both fronto-temporo-parietal convexity with midline shifting. Trans-femoral cerebral angiography was done and we confirmed small aneurysm at right M1 portion of middle cerebral artery. Under diagnosis of SAH, we planned an operation in order to clip aneurysmal neck and remove cSDH. cSDH was removed as planned, however, there was no SAH and we also couldn't find the rupture point of aneurysm. Serial follow-up CT showed mild cumulative cSDH recurrence, but the patient was tolerant and had no neurologic deficit during hospitalization. We have checked the patient via out-patient department for 6 months, there are no significant changes in volume and density of cSDH and the patient also have no neurologic complications.
Adult ; Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Brain ; Brain Edema ; Cerebral Angiography ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Headache ; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic ; Hemorrhage ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Intracranial Hypertension ; Male ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Neck ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Outpatients ; Recurrence ; Rupture ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Subarachnoid Space

We encountered a very rare case of spontaneous spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage and a spinal intradural arachnoid cyst (AC) that were diagnosed at different sites in the same patient. These two lesions were thought to have interfered with the disease onset and deterioration. A 30-year-old man presented with sudden neck pain and orthostatic headache. Diplopia, ophthalmic pain, and headache deteriorated. CSF leakage was confirmed in C2 by radioisotope cisternography, and an epidural blood patch was performed. While his symptoms improved gradually, paraparesis suddenly progressed. Thoracolumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an upper thoracic spinal intradural AC, which was compressing the spinal cord. We removed the outer membrane of the AC and performed fenestration of the inner membrane after T3-4 laminectomy. Postoperative MRI showed complete removal of the AC and normalized lumbar subarachnoid space. All neurological deficits including motor weakness, sensory impairment, and voiding function improved to normal. We present a case of spontaneous spinal CSF leakage and consecutive intracranial hypotension in a patient with a spinal AC. Our report suggests that if spinal CSF leakage and a spinal AC are diagnosed in one patient, even if they are located at different sites, they may affect disease progression and aggravation.
Adult ; Arachnoid ; Blood Patch, Epidural ; Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Diplopia ; Disease Progression ; Headache ; Humans ; Intracranial Hypotension ; Laminectomy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Membranes ; Neck Pain ; Paraparesis ; Spinal Cord ; Subarachnoid Space

We report 3 cases of arachnoid cysts (ACs) that completely disappeared after burr hole drainage, without cyst fenestration into the subarachnoid space or cystoperitoneal shunt. The first patient was a 21-year-old female with an AC of the right cerebral convexity, found incidentally. After endoscopic AC fenestration was performed, the patient complained of persistent headache. Two-month postoperative brain imaging revealed reaccumulated AC and associated multi-stage subdural hematoma. Burr hole drainage was performed to resolve the chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). Three months later, brain computed tomography showed that the CSDH and the AC had disappeared. The second patient was an 11-year-old male who had a history of trauma 1 month prior to presentation at the clinic. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed an AC in the left sylvian fissure with CSDH. We performed burr hole drainage to treat the CSDH first. Subsequently, the AC as well as the CSDH disappeared. The third case was an AC of the right parietal convexity, found incidentally. Only burr hole drainage was performed, following which, the AC disappeared. This case series shows that an AC can disappear naturally after rupture into the subdural space by trauma or the burr hole procedure.
Arachnoid Cysts ; Arachnoid ; Brain ; Child ; Drainage ; Female ; Headache ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neuroimaging ; Rabeprazole ; Rupture ; Subarachnoid Space ; Subdural Space ; Trephining ; Young Adult

Subdural hematoma (SDH) due to spontaneous rupture of intracranial aneurysm rarely occurs. The prevalence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with SDH is approximately 0.5%–10.3% of all aneurysmal SAH. We report a case of aneurysmal rupture with SDH and SAH due to arachnoid defect after aneurysm clipping. The decedent was a 51-year-old woman who underwent brain surgery for SAH a few years ago. Two days before she died, she had nausea and sentinel headache. She was alive in the morning and was found dead at 6 PM. Injuries in the external surface were not found. A fresh SDH, measured approximately 90 mL, was found in the right hemisphere. SAH was diffusely distributed at the base of the brain and the right sylvian fissure. Two aneurysmal clippings were found in the anterior communicating artery and right internal carotid artery. A ruptured de novo aneurysm was also found in the right proximal middle cerebral artery. An uncal herniation was also observed. The cause of death was SAH with SDH due to de novo intracranial aneurysm. The tearing caused by the adhesion between the aneurysm and arachnoid, high blood pressure, and massive bleeding has been thought to be the causative mechanism of aneurysmal SAH with SDH. However, in this case, the arachnoid defect was caused by aneurysmal clipping through pterional approach. This defect served as the passage between the subarachnoid and subdural spaces. The autopsy for recurrent intracranial aneurysm will increase according to the extending life expectancy of patients after aneurysmal clipping.
Aneurysm ; Arachnoid ; Arteries ; Autopsy ; Brain ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Cause of Death ; Female ; Headache ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Life Expectancy ; Middle Aged ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Nausea ; Prevalence ; Rupture ; Rupture, Spontaneous ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Subdural Space ; Tears

Superficial siderosis (SS) of the central nervous system is a rare disease, which is caused by the accumulation of iron from the hemoglobin in the superficial layer of the brain, spinal cord, and central parts of cranial nerves. The etiology of SS is the accumulation of hemosiderin in the subarachnoid space due to chronic or repeated hemorrhage resulting in progressive and irreversible neurological dysfunction. The cause of the disease is aneurysm, trauma, tumor, and vascular malformation. In most cases, the cause of bleeding is unknown. Clinical features include sensorineural hearing loss, cerebellar ataxia, and myelopathy. Until now, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has only been diagnosed and there is no standardized treatment. We will investigate clinical features and MRI findings of SS disease in the central nervous system using 2 patient cases.
Aneurysm ; Brain ; Central Nervous System ; Cerebellar Ataxia ; Cranial Nerves ; Dizziness ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; Hemorrhage ; Hemosiderin ; Humans ; Iron ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Rare Diseases ; Siderosis ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Subarachnoid Space ; Vascular Malformations ; Vertigo

Superficial siderosis results from the deposition of hemosiderin in subpial layers of the central nervous system following hemorrhage in subarachnoid spaces. Infratentorial superficial siderosis (ISS) presents with unique clinical features including progressive hearing loss, ataxia, and myelopathy, and the most common cause of idiopathic ISS is dural abnormality. Here we report a case of idiopathic ISS with radiological findings of spontaneous intracranial hypotension, whose clinical symptoms of ISS including cerebellar dysfunction improved after supine position was maintained for 2 months.
Ataxia ; Central Nervous System ; Cerebellar Diseases ; Hearing Loss ; Hemorrhage ; Hemosiderin ; Intracranial Hypotension ; Siderosis ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Subarachnoid Space ; Subdural Effusion ; Supine Position

Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system (CNS) is a progressive and debilitating neurological disease manifesting sensorineural hearing loss, cerebellar ataxia, and pyramidal tract signs. Chronic extravasation of blood into the subarachnoid space results in the accumulation of hemoglobin derivate in the subpial layer of the CNS, which is toxic to the neural tissues. Craniopharyngioma is a benign third ventricle tumor, which rarely presents with tumor bleeding. We report a rare case of superficial siderosis associated with craniopharyngioma with intratumoral hemorrhage in a patient with no history of prior trauma or CNS surgery.
Central Nervous System ; Cerebellar Ataxia ; Craniopharyngioma ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pyramidal Tracts ; Siderosis ; Subarachnoid Space ; Third Ventricle

An 8-year-old female Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) reared in a wetland center, died 2 h after sudden onset of astasia and dyspnea despite medical treatment. Gross examination of internal organs revealed 10 adult filarioid nematodes in the right ventricle of the heart and three between the left and right cerebral hemispheres. All nematodes were identified as Dirofilaria immitis by direct microscopy and polymerase chain reaction assay. Histopathological observation revealed multifocal hemorrhage in the cerebral subarachnoid space and focal necrosis with hemorrhagein the cerebellar parenchyma. Although rare, veterinarians should consider cerebral dirofilariasis as a differential diagnosis in unexplained neurological cases.
Adult ; Animals ; Brain ; Cerebrum ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dirofilaria immitis ; Dirofilaria ; Dirofilariasis ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Heart ; Heart Ventricles ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Korea ; Microscopy ; Necrosis ; Otters ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Subarachnoid Space ; Veterinarians ; Wetlands