Three-dimensional models: an emerging investigational revolution for craniovertebral junction surgery.

Complex craniovertebral junctional anomalies can be daunting to treat surgically, and preoperative information regarding the osseous abnormalities, course of the vertebral arteries, size of the pedicles, and location of the transverse foramina is invaluable to surgeons operating on these challenging cases. The authors present their experience with the emerging technology of 3D model acquisition for surgery in 11 cases of complex craniovertebral junction region anomalies. For each case, a 3D printed model was made from thin CT scans using a 64-slice CT scanner.

C2-3 Fusion, C3-4 Cord Compression and C1-2 Posterior Facetal Instability: An Evaluation of Treatment Strategy Based on Four Surgically Treated Cases.

Study Design: Four patients had C2-3 vertebral fusion and radiologically demonstrated cord compression at C3-4 level related to disc bulge with or without association of osteophytes and C1-2 posterior facetal dislocation. The outcome of treatment by atlantoaxial and subaxial facetal fixation is discussed.

Purpose: The article evaluates the significance of atlantoaxial facetal instability in cases having C2-3 vertebral fusion and cord compression at the level of C3-4 disc.

Immediate Postoperative Disappearance of Retro-Odontoid "Pseudotumor".

Objective: The authors present reports of 2 cases in which there was manifest atlantoaxial instability and presence of retro-odontoid pseudotumor. The retro-odontoid tumor disappeared in the immediate postoperative phase after surgery, which involved facetal distraction and atlantoaxial fixation. The cases are discussed.

Sylvian fissure epidermoid cyst presenting with intention tremor.

Epidermoid tumors are benign tumors which contain keratin, cellular debris, and cholesterol, and are lined with stratified squamous epithelium. They grow in discreet silence sustained over a multitude of years. The tumors most commonly present with headache and seizures.

Is Only Stabilization the Ideal Treatment for Ossified Posterior Longitudinal Ligament? Report of Early Results with a Preliminary Experience in 14 Patients.

Background And Objective: Surgical treatment of ossified posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) continues to be wrought with confusion, debate, and arguments. We report our experience with an alternative form of treatment that involves only fixation of the involved spinal segments. We report and put on record our remarkably gratifying clinical experience in 13 of 14 patients having OPLL after surgery that involved only facetal fixation and aimed at arthrodesis of involved spinal segments.

Morphometric analysis of the cervical facets and the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of Goel inter-facet spacer distraction technique.

Aim: Quantitative anatomy of the facets of the sub-axial cervical spine was performed. The purpose of the evaluation was to determine the feasibility of insertion of Goel inter-facetal articular spacers in the sub-axial cervical spine. Only few studies detailing the morphometry of the facets are available in the literature.

Only fixation for cervical spondylosis: Report of early results with a preliminary experience with 6 cases.

Aim: The author reports early post-operative outcome and preliminary experience with an alternative form of treatment of cervical degenerative or spondylotic disease leading to spinal canal stenosis that involves fixation-arthrodesis of the affected spinal segment using one or two (double insurance) transarticular screws for each joint.

Materials And Methods: During the period of months from March 2013 to July 2013, six patients having cervical spondylotic cord compression were treated with transarticular method of screw fixation of the involved segments. The operation involved section of the spinous process at its base, opening up of the facet joint, denuding of articular cartilage, placement of intraarticular cavity bone graft chips and insertion of either a single or two transarticular screws at each level.

Orbital cortical approach to lesions around the frontal horn of the lateral ventricle: indication and surgical parameters.

Background: An orbital cortical approach to lesions in the region of the frontal horn is described on the basis of surgical experience with five cases and dissections of three cadaveric brain specimens. The approach involves cortical incision over the orbital surface of the frontal brain and directing the surgical trajectory superiorly. The possible indications of the approach and the critical surgical parameters are described.

Human surfactant protein D alters oxidative stress and HMGA1 expression to induce p53 apoptotic pathway in eosinophil leukemic cell line.

Surfactant protein D (SP-D), an innate immune molecule, has an indispensable role in host defense and regulation of inflammation. Immune related functions regulated by SP-D include agglutination of pathogens, phagocytosis, oxidative burst, antigen presentation, T lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine secretion, induction of apoptosis and clearance of apoptotic cells. The present study unravels a novel ability of SP-D to reduce the viability of leukemic cells (eosinophilic leukemic cell line, AML14.

Craniovertebral junction instability: special reference to paediatric age group.

Craniovertebral junction is the centre for stability and of mobility of the spine. The region is ingeniously designed and structured to permit a complex array of movements whilst preserving the stability. The occipitoatlantal joint is the centre for stability, whilst atlantoaxial joint is the centre for mobility.

Morphological and functional changes in colon after coloplasty for management of corrosive esophageal strictures.

Background: The etiology of corrosive esophageal strictures is different from that reported in Western literature, with acid ingestion being a major cause. This study evaluated functional and morphological changes in the colon used as neoesophagus.

Methods: Functional changes in the neoesophagus were evaluated by symptom score of dysphagia and manometry.