Utility of intraoperative real-time near-infrared fluorescence surgery for spinal schwannoma.

The authors report the first cases of fluorescence-guided spinal surgery of schwannomas using near-infrared fluorescence imaging with the delayed window indocyanine (ICG) green (DWIG) technique for accurate real-time intraoperative tumor visualization. Patients with intradural spinal schwannomas received 0.5 mg/kg ICG at the beginning of surgery.

Infected epidural hematoma of the lumbar spine associated with invasive pneumococcal disease.

Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) and spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) are neurologic emergencies with distinct etiologies and treatment. Despite similarities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), their differentiation is usually possible with meticulous history taking and neurologic examinations. We report an unusual case of SEA that developed from preceding SEH, posing a diagnostic challenge to physicians.

Changes in nerve root motion and intraradicular blood flow during an intraoperative straight-leg-raising test.

Study Design: An intraoperative straight-leg-raising (SLR) test was conducted to investigate patients with lumbar disc herniation to observe the changes in intraradicular blood flow, which then were compared with the clinical features.

Objective: The legs of each patient were hung down from the operating table as a reverse SLR test during surgery, and intraradicular blood flow was measured.

Summary Of Background Data: It is not known whether intraradicular blood flow changes during the SLR test in patients with lumbar disc herniation.