OBJECTIVECervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction in adults. In spite of this, the impact of the changes in myelopathic signs following cervical decompression surgery and their relationship to functional outcome measures remains unclear. The main goals of our study were to prospectively assess changes in myelopathic signs with a functional outcome scale (the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association [mJOA] scale) following cervical decompression surgery and to objectively test a proposed new myelopathy scale (MS).METHODSBetween 2008 and 2011, 36 patients with CSM were observed following cervical decompression surgery. Patient data including mJOA and MS scores were prospectively collected and analyzed preoperatively and at 1 year after surgery.RESULTSIn this cohort, reflex, Babinski, and proprioception signs showed statistically significant improvement following surgery at 1 year (p = < 0.001, p = 0.008, and p = 0.015, respectively). A lesser degree of improvement was observed with the Hoffman sign (p = 0.091). No statistically significant improvement in clonus occurred (p = 0.368). There was a significant improvement in mJOA (p ≤ 0.001) and MS (p ≤ 0.001) scores at 1 year compared with the preoperative scores. The results showed an inverse correlation between MS and mJOA scores both pre- and postoperatively (Spearman's correlation coefficient = −0.202 preoperatively and −0.361 postoperatively).CONCLUSIONSImprovement in myelopathic signs was noted following cervical decompression surgery in patients with CSM. The newly devised MS scale demonstrated these findings, and the new MS scale correlates with improvement in mJOA scores in this patient cohort.
BACKGROUNDPreviously, solitary and unilateral aggregates of intracranial subdural osteomas have been described. These tumors are thought to be slow growing and at times inconsequential on the basis of characteristics of subjacent brain. Unilateral location and history of traumas have led to the thought that the head trauma may play a role in pathogenesis.OBSERVATIONSThe authors describe a unique case of a patient who was found to have bilateral intracranial subdural osteomas of unequal size on the basis of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The presenting symptom was headache. Initially small and thought to be irrelevant, these tumors grew over the course of 7 years to cause mass effect and effacement of the sulci and gyri. The larger 15-cm-long tumor was excised and was sent for pathology, which showed classic histology for subdural osteoma.LESSONSThe described case uniquely demonstrates evidence of the slow growth of intracranial subdural osteomas over the course of years. It is crucial not to disregard the tumor because it can grow over time to cause mass effect. Patient follow-up is strongly recommended. Bilateral tumor occurrence at a similar location in this case supports an etiology other than trauma. Further research is necessary.
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