Dural metastasis from prostate cancer is rare and may mimic a subdural hematoma (SDH). Preoperatively diagnosis may be difficult and only reveal its presence during surgery. We present such a case and review the literature to identify common characteristics. A 65-year-old man presented with headache, confusion, and progressive right upper limb weakness. Past history included a prostate adenocarcinoma with bone metastasis 3 years earlier. Head computed tomography (CT) scan without contrast revealed a multinodular bilateral hyperdense extra-axial lesion interpreted as acute SDH. At surgery planned for SDH drainage no blood was found; instead there was an en plaque subdural yellowish tumor. Histopathologic examination was consistent with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate. We found 11 cases reported as dural metastasis of prostate cancer mimicking SDH. Surgery was performed on nine cases with no suspicion of dural metastasis. On preoperative nonenhanced CT scan images, three types of image patterns can be described: a nodule in SDH, multinodular metastasis surrounded by SDH, and large en plaque subdural tumor. The latter group consists of those cases where no blood but rather an en plaque subdural tumor was found at surgery. Even though rare, dural metastasis should be considered among the differential diagnoses in a patient known for prostate cancer.
Objective?To evaluate clinical and radiologic outcome in patients treated with a dynamic cervical implant (DCI) or anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF).
Study Design?A prospective comparative cohort study.
Methods?The study included 60 patients with one- or two-level cervical degenerative disk disease (DDD) undergoing treatment with either DCI (n?=?30) or ACDF (n?=?30). Clinical and radiologic outcomes were assessed 3 and 12 months after surgery. Clinical scoring systems included the Visual Analog Scale for Neck (VAS-N) and Arm pain (VAS-A), the Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPAD), and the European Quality of Life Scale (EQ-5D).
Results?Both the DCI and ACDF group showed significant clinical improvement 12 months after surgery using the VAS-N (p?=?0.034 and p?0.001, respectively), VAS-A (p?0.001 and p?0.001, respectively), NPAD (p?0.001 and p?0.001, respectively), and EQ-5D (p?0.001 and p?0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences in clinical outcome comparing both groups at the 3- and 12-month follow-up. The fusion rate at 12 months after surgery was 39.4% and 80.0% in the DCI and ACDF groups, respectively. Radiolucency was found in 90.9% in the DCI group at 12-month follow-up.
Conclusion?The clinical results for DCI treatment are equivalent to those for ACDF in the treatment of one- and two-level cervical DDD at 12 months after surgery. Further studies are necessary to investigate the high rates of radiolucency and fusion associated with DCI treatment.
At a frequency of 10 %, dysphonia due to recurrent nerve palsy is a relevant complication in cervical spine surgery, albeit temporary in most cases. Postoperative dysphagia is common and should be evaluated and treated during follow-up.
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