Publications by authors named "Thomas J Altstadt"

Tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) is a rare entity that is not well described in the neurosurgical literature. We present a case of a 37-year-old woman with a diffuse subtype TGCT of the cervical spine, affecting the left cervical 6-7 facet joint, with co-incidental cervical trauma. Initial management consisted of subtotal resection and cervical stabilization with cervical 6 to 7 laminectomy, and cervical 4 to thoracic 2 posterior instrumented fusion.

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Spinal cord herniation (SCH) is an uncommon traumatic event that should be considered in patients with vertebral fractures who develop an unusual constellation of autonomic and motor deficits. Herein, we describe a case of rapidly deteriorating neurological function following cervical spine fracture including sequelae such as bilateral lower-extremity weakness, loss of upper extremity motor function, and priapism. Decompression of the spinal cord allowed for the identification of the unusual herniation of the spinal cord and prevention of any further worsening of the neurological injury.

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The surgical treatment of ventral spinal canal compression has traditionally required either an anterior or combined anterior-posterior decompression and stabilization. These types of approaches carry a significant morbidity and may not be appropriate for all patients. We report our experience with multi-level corpectomies and reconstruction performed via a single, posterolateral approach.

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Recent studies have demonstrated excellent results in treating isthmic spondylolisthesis via an anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF). The authors describe 3 patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 who experienced sacral fractures after insertion of a unique, stand-alone anterior interbody fixation device. Three consecutive patients at a single institution were treated for Grade I spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 via a standalone ALIF with insertion of a novel biomechanical interbody device.

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Objective And Importance: We describe a patient with acromegaly and pituitary hyperplasia secondary to a growth hormone-releasing hormone-secreting gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor. This case report illustrates the importance of including this rare clinical syndrome in the differential diagnosis of acromegaly for patients with suspected or known neuroendocrine tumors.

Clinical Presentation: A 19-year-old, Asian-American, male patient with a 2-year history of a nonresectable, metastatic, intestinal carcinoid tumor presented with complaints of headaches, arthralgias, sweats, and changing features.

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