Cadaveric evaluation of minimally invasive posterolateral thoracic corpectomy: a comparison of 3 approaches.

Study Design: A cadaver study comparing 3 different minimally invasive approaches to the anterior thoracic spine.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of minimally invasive thoracic corpectomy from a posterolateral approach and to compare surgical results from 3 approaches.

Summary Of Background Data: Traditional posterolateral approaches to the thoracic spine are effective but are associated with a high rate of operative morbidity.

Minimally invasive posterior osteotomies.

Objective: Surgery for thoracolumbar deformity can lead to significant muscle injury, excessive blood loss, and severe postoperative pain. The aim of the following studies was to determine the feasibility of minimally invasive posterior thoracic corpectomy and thoracolumbar osteotomy techniques for deformity in human cadavers and select clinical cases.

Methods: Human cadaveric specimens were procured for thoracic corpectomy and Smith-Petersen and pedicle subtraction osteotomy using a minimally invasive approach.

Posterior minimally invasive approaches for the cervical spine.

Cervical microendoscopic foraminotomy/discectomy and cervical microendoscopic decompression of stenosis are highly effective, minimally invasive approaches to cervical radiculopathy due to foraminal osteophytes or lateral disc herniation and cervical spondylotic myelopathy, respectively. The operative technique utilized in each of these procedures is described in detail, together with the advantages of the minimally invasive technique over traditional open approaches. Complication avoidance and management is also discussed.

Superficial peroneal nerve syndrome: an unusual nerve entrapment. Case report.

Lower-extremity pain and paresthesia have multiple origins. Early recognition of the symptoms of peripheral nerve entrapment leads to timely treatment and avoids the cost of unnecessary studies. The authors report on a case of superficial peroneal nerve syndrome resulting from nerve herniation through a fascial defect, which was responsive to surgical treatment.

Surgical reversal of prolonged blindness from a metastatic neuroblastoma.

Background: Reports of tumor-related anterior visual pathway blindness that have resolved after surgical decompression are rare. The longest reported duration of tumor-related blindness completely reversed by optic nerve decompression is 3 days. We describe a pediatric patient with 7 days of no light perception who experienced reversal of blindness following tumor resection and optic nerve decompression.

Well-circumscribed, minimally enhancing glioblastoma multiforme of the trigone: a case report and review of the literature.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is known to present within the lateral ventricle but is relatively infrequent and predominantly found in the frontal horn or body of the ventricle. A GBM located within the trigone is rare, and one that appears well-circumscribed, homogeneous, and minimally contrast enhancing, as demonstrated in this patient, is highly unusual.

Adjacent segment disease after lumbar or lumbosacral fusion: review of the literature.

Study Design: Review of the literature.

Objectives: Review the definition, etiology, incidence, and risk factors associated with as well as potential treatment options.

Summary Of Background Data: The development of pathology at the mobile segment next to a lumbar or lumbosacral spinal fusion has been termed adjacent segment disease.