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INTRODUCTION: The treatment of spinal nerve root cysts is not uniform. In the past decades, microsurgical resection to preserve nervous tissue has been reported. We report on our microsurgical method and present the clinical results in relation to surgical outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective review of a consecutive series of patients who underwent surgical cyst closure from 2006 to 2010. RESULTS: Twelve patients, all female, with a total of 23 cysts underwent surgery for 20 symptomatic cysts. The mean age was 45 (range 13-75) years. Following treatment with this procedure, 95% of the cysts were closed and 5% had notably diminished at post-operative magnetic resonance imaging. Clinical improvement was seen in 67% of the patients; one improved temporarily, two remained unchanged and one had worsened at the last follow-up. The mean post-operative follow-up period was 11 (range 3-19) months. Clinical outcome was associated with none of the pre-operative parameters, i.e. pain-provoking postural position, cyst size, number of treated cysts, educational level or pre-operative sick leave. CONCLUSION: We find that our surgical technique is suit-able for closure of spinal nerve root cysts; however, the clinical outcome after surgery was sub-optimal according to preoperative clinical judgement. Consequently, we have established a dedicated outpatient clinic that performs extensive pre-operative assessment and investigation of patients with symptomatic spinal nerve root cysts. We hereby hope to improve surgical outcome in the future.

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PURPOSE: In Denmark, prevention to reduce the spina bifida birth rate has focused on two areas: folic acid supplementation (1997) and changes in the national ultrasonography screening programme (2004). Myelomeningocele (MMC) is the most severe malformation among the spina bifidas. Taking into consideration the potential negative effect of high-dose folic acid consumption, we found a need to look into the effectiveness of these two strategies in our complete MMC population. METHODS: All spina bifida patients born in the western part of Denmark are differentiated into proper subgroups based on MR imaging, giving us a unique chance to study a true MMC population. The total number of the group of MMC children since 1983 is 121. One hundred and eight (89%) parents answered a questionnaire. RESULTS: Following the changes in the prenatal ultrasonography screening programme in 2004, a significant decline of 60% live birth MMC per year was noted, incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 40% (22-73%), p = 0.3%. We found no change in MMC birth rate after introduction of folic acid supplementation, IRR = 121% (81-181%), p = 36%. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate no effect of folic acid recommendation due to lack of compliance among women of reproductive age in Denmark. However, we found an improved early detection rate of prenatal MMC by high-quality ultrasonography. Subsequent early termination of pregnancy has led to a significant reduction of birth rate of babies with MMC.

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PURPOSE: We aim to correlate the frequency of infections after ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement in neonates with myelomeningocele (MMC) who did not receive prophylactic antibiotics to the timing of VP shunt placement and the frequency of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage at the MMC wound. METHODS: Fifty-nine newborns with MMC underwent VP shunt insertion in the period 1983-2007. We reviewed retrospectively all records. RESULTS: After MMC closure, 24 out of 59 newborns had an infection. The relative risk (RR; 95%) of having an infection is significantly higher [RR = 4,69 (1.145397-19.23568; P = .03761817)], and neuroinfection showed a tendency towards RR = 3.5 (.7067445-17.03112; P = .15414095) in newborns without symptomatic hydrocephalus at birth when we had a wait-and-watch policy (late shunt placement) compared with newborns with prompt shunt placement. The RR (95%) of having an infection [RR = 6,8 (3.314154-13.95228; P = 1.235e-07)] and also neuroinfections [RR = 4,76 (2.043019-11.09025; P = .00044478)] was highly significant if the child presented with MMC wound with CSF leakage before VP shunt insertion (Table 3). CONCLUSIONS: Centers with a conservative antibiotic policy should be even more careful to avoid CSF leakage before shunt placement as this gives a highly significant increased risk of both infections in total and neuroinfections, and they should reconsider this conservative policy in newborns with MMC due to the significantly high infection rate.

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INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to study pre- and postoperative symptoms, radiological findings and operative complications in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, operated in the atlantoaxial joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 31 RA patients (24 women, seven men) operated for anterior atlantoaxial subluxation (aAAS) at the Neurosurgical Department, Aarhus University Hospital, in the period of 1993-2003. Information was obtained retrospectively from the patients charge. RESULTS: Mean age at RA debut was 38 years (16-69 yrs), and neck symptoms were seen after a mean time of 15 years (0-39 yrs) of illness. Radiological examination at this time showed irreversible atlantoaxial changes, and operation was performed within 0-9 years (mean 1.6 yrs). The patients were characterized by high disease activity: C-reactive protein, anaemia, positive IgM-rheumatoid factor (84%), and progressive radiological changes in the peripheral joints. All patients were treated with DMARDs (disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs). Neck pain (100%) and neurological symptoms/manifestations (87%) were seen preoperatively. After operation symptoms were relieved in 68% of the patients, while 22% were unchanged, and 10% had worsened. Postoperative complications included cardiac death, dislocation of the cervical spine, fracture of arcus atlantis, hemiparesis, dysphagia, bed sores and infection of the surgical scar (29%). CONCLUSION: Neck symptoms were seen after 15 years of illness, and within the following 1.6 years patients were operated for aAAS. After the operation most of the patients (68%) had relief from symptoms, while 29% had postoperative complications, including cardiac death, dislocation of the cervical spine, fracture of arcus atlantis, hemiparesis, dysphagia, bed sores and infection in the surgical scar.

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INTRODUCTION: A longitudinal cavity in the medulla spinalis is known as a syringomyelia. If the cavity is a widening of the central canal, it is known as hydromyelia. Traumatic spinal cord injury may lead to the development of syringomyelia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the period 1959-1990 twenty patients with spinal cord injury in East Denmark (including Greenland) developed later symptomatic posttraumatic syringomyelia. RESULTS: The mean time from trauma to diagnosis was 12 years. Mean time from first symptom to time of diagnosis was three years. Thirteen patients were operated with syringoperitoneal drain, myelotomy or decompression of the spinal cord and dural reconstruction. The best effect of the operations was on pain; little or no effect was found on activities of daily living, motor function, spasticity, sensibility, and bladder and bowel function. DISCUSSION: The main objective of performing operation is to stop further development of disabling symptoms. We recommend that patients with spinal cord injury have an MRI performed three months after injury independent of recovery. If a cyst or syrinx is present or relevant clinical symptoms emerge, MRI should be performed every three months. If no cyst or syrinx or changes in neurological status develop, MRI should be performed every six months. If no changes are seen in two years, MRI should be performed every two or more years.

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