Postcraniotomy function of the temporal muscle in skull base surgery: technical note based on a preliminary study.
(2012)
Journal - TheScientificWorldJournal (England )
Abstract :
Purpose. Patients undergoing craniotomies necessitating preparation of the temporal muscle (TM) may experience postoperative functional impairment of the temporomandibular joint. This topic has not been thoroughly discussed in the literature so far. In the present study, the authors propose a questionnaire as an evaluation tool to assess to what degree different TM preparation techniques correlate with postoperative temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Materials and Methods. Between 2004 and 2006, 286 patients underwent either pterional or temporal craniotomies in the department of craniotomies at the University of Münster in Germany. Intraoperatively the TM was prepared either interfascial, submuscular, or subfascial. A patient-based questionnaire was designed and validated (Kendalls-t = +1) in order to evaluate the patients' postoperative temporomandibular functional outcome. Based on strict inclusion/exclusion criteria, 69 patients were eligible for the application of the questionnaire in this preliminary study. Results. Seventeen percent of the patients complained of either temporomandibular joint pain (3%) or restricted mouth opening (13%) postoperatively in a follow-up period between 3 and 12 months. In 92% postoperative complaints were reported within the first 3 months and in 58% of the patients with complaints the pain eased off. In 34% a therapy was required for the pain to be controlled. In one patient (8%) a postoperative arthroscopy has been necessary. Of the patients who experienced postoperative complaints, 67% had undergone temporal and 33% pterional craniotomy. In the group where postoperatively there were issues of temporomandibular pain/dysfunction, 42% had had the TM dissected, in 25% incised, and in 8% transected. For 25% of the patients, the type of intraoperative manipulation remained unknown. Conclusion. For postoperative quality control, the questionnaire showed to be a suitable evaluation tool. Concerning the different preparation techniques, subfascial preparation of the TM tends to result in less postoperative complaints and is thus recommended.
Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis and multiple brain metastases from urothelial carcinoma.
(2011)
Journal - Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia (Scotland )
Abstract :
Intramedullary spinal cord metastases (ISCM) are rare spinal cord neoplasms associated with severe neurological deterioration and poor life expectancy. However, their incidence is expected to increase as a result of advances in diagnostic techniques and longer survival of patients with cancer due to improvements in cancer therapy. Reports on ISCM from primary urothelial carcinoma are virtually non existent. We report a 74-year-old male patient with a significant history of a high-grade urothelial carcinoma who presented with progressive back pain and concomitant weakness, grade 3-4/5 proximally and 0-1/5 distally, and distal hyperesthesia and hyperalgesia, particularly of the left lower limb. MRI revealed a contrast-enhancing intramedullary lesion at Th11/Th12. Laminectomies of Th11/Th12 and lesion resection were performed. Postoperative histopathological examinations confirmed the metastatic nature of the lesion. Subsequently the patient developed multiple brain metastases. Radiation therapy was refused by the patient. We conclude that ISCM are devastating complications of systemic cancer. Early and thorough diagnosis, as well as carefully considered and prompt therapy, is important for minimizing the patient's functional deficit, thus improving quality of life.Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.