Introduction Tenosynovial giant cell tumours (TSGCTs) usually arise from the synovial membranes of tendon sheaths, bursa, and joints. They are rarely found in the spine. Lesions of the upper cervical spine (C1/2) are extremely rare, with only 13 previous cases reported in the literature. Of these, all previous anterior upper cervical cases (C1/2) have been deemed unresectable and have been managed with immunotherapy or radiological surveillance. Case presentation We report two cases of TSGCST in the cervical spine: one with a lesion at C1/2 and another at C6/7. Discussion The location of our C1/2 lesion was unique, allowing for a new endoscopic endonasal tissue biopsy method and a new transoral surgical approach for successful gross total resection. Our C6/7 lesion had a more typical location and was removed via a C6/7 laminectomy.
Background: Despite the publication of international guidelines, the management of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) varies due to clinician preference and varying clinical evidence. An audit was performed to review the current pathways used in clinical practice with the aim of formulating an institution-specific protocol to optimize and standardize care. Methods: An internal audit was performed on the management of patients with NPH who presented to the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane between January 2016 and February 2019. Results: Forty-one patients were included in the study. Lumbar puncture (LP) was the main diagnostic test used (63.4%). About 14.6% underwent lumbar drain (LD) insertion instead. About 12.2% did not undergo either LP or LD before definitive treatment. Only 60% of all patients underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion. Overall, five treatment pathways were noted. LP + VP shunt showed the greatest average improvement in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) or Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (+3.8 ± 3.18), followed by LD + VP shunt (+3.25 ± 3.52) and sole treatment with LP (+1.83 ± 1.18). Both pre and post intervention assessment of gait and cognition were only performed in 31% and 48.8% of patients, respectively. Four types of cognitive assessment were used (MOCA 46.4%, MMSE 46.4%, Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale 3.6%, and Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-III 3.6%). MoCA showed greater cognition improvement (2.07) compared to MMSE (1.3) post intervention. There was no consistent objective gait assessment test used. Conclusion: The multiple NPH treatment pathways, low rate of pre and post objective symptom assessment, and lack of standardized gait and cognitive assessment tests demonstrate a clear need for an institution-specific NPH management protocol to standardize diagnostic workup, definitive management, and allied health assessment.
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