Paraparesis

The spinal column is rarely affected by hydatid cyst; however, when involved, it has higher rates of recurrence particularly in case of osseous and paravertebral extensions. We report a 36-year-old patient. The patient was operated previously for hydatid cyst through laminectomy 13 years ago. After 13 years of surgery, the patient was admitted to our clinic with progressive paraparesis. Radiological evaluation revealed multicystic lesions affecting T4 and T5 vertebrae as well as the posterior thoracic wall and paravertebral musculature. Serological findings were also compatible with a hydatid cyst. The patient underwent surgical treatment; the cystic lesions were removed, and vertebral stabilization was provided. The treatment of hydatid cyst in the spine is challenging. Particularly in cases with vertebral involvement, spinal instability and recurrence are the main handicap. Preoperative and postoperative antihelminthic treatment as well as close clinical, radiological and serologi...

Adults of Gurltia paralysans were obtained from veins of the spinal cord subarachnoid space from three domestic cats presenting with chronic paraparesis/paraplegia from rural areas of southern Chile. Four adult nematodes were collected (2 males and 2 females) were recovered from cat 1, 14 adult nematodes (12 females and 2 males) from cat 2, and 12 nematodes (10 females and 2 males) were collected from cat 3. Parasite induced lesions that compromised subarachnoid vein microvasculature at the thoracic, lumbar, sacral spinal cord segments extending to conus medularis. Female nematodes measured 25 mm long (range = 25–30 mm) and 0.1 mm wide. Male measured a mean of 16 mm length (range = 13–18 mm) with a body diameter of 0.1 mm (range = 0.08–0.15 mm). The present study described structural features of G. paralysans, a rare parasite first reported in the 1930s, and provides additional reports on associated clinical and pathological findings in naturally infected domestic cats.

To evaluate the effectiveness of early and prolonged locomotor treatment with the use of a robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) device (Lokomat; Hocoma Inc., Zurich, Switzerland) on the functional outcomes of patients after subacute stroke. ... Rehabilitation department in ...

Intramedullary mature teratomas particularly in adults are rarely encountered. In this manuscript the authors have reviewed the adult intramedullary lesions of the spinal cord published in the literature that are harbouring the characteristics of a mature teratoma and analysed the results with respect to histopathology, epidemiology, diagnostic methods and treatment. An illustrative case of an extremely unusual localization is also presented.

Spontaneous spinal subdural hematomas are rare and may be caused by vascular malformations or bleeding disorders. The diagnosis is based on the conjunction of clinical examination with imaging studies, being MRI the gold standard in detection and surgical planning. The authors report the case of a patient on anticoagulant therapy in the context of atrial fibrillation and mechanical prosthetic mitral and tricuspid valves, presenting with sudden onset of dorsal pain radiated to both lower limbs, paresthesias and progressive paraparesis. The impossibility to perform MRI (because the mechanical valve prostheses) hindered the diagnosis of acute spontaneous subdural hematoma. After reversal of the anticoagulation and surgical treatment, clinical course was favorable with neurological recovery.

The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for neurological development in children aged 1 to 3 years with a mild paraparesis form of motor development of lower extremities. Identification and follow-up of the neurorisk factors is important for early detection of neurodevelopmental deviations as well as for initiating early therapeutic treatments, which can improve the processes of brain plasticity and lead to recovery of the damaged function. Analysis of risk factors in children with paraparesis form of development revealed complicated pregnancy such as maternal diseases, fetal growth retardation or placental immaturity in 48% of these children; 26% of children were born before or after the term, and 34% had complications during delivery such as cesarean section or breech birth. In the present study, 80% of children with motor disabilities of lower extremities had Apgar index 10, 8% Apgar index 9, and only 12% had Apgar index lower than 8. Only 10% of 50 study children had ...

Cavernous haemangiomas are vascular malformations that may affect any part of the central nervous system. Epidural haemangiomas are rare and constitute ~4% of all epidural tumours and 12% of all intraspinal haemangiomas. These tumours enlarge slowly and produce symptoms of progressive myelopathy or radiculopathy or both. History, clinical examination, routine radiographs, MRI and histopathological studies are the aids for a definitive diagnosis. Surgery can give a very beneficial result with good functional and neurological improvement. Chance of recurrence is less after a good surgical removal. Here we present a case of spinal extradural cavernous haemangioma in a 65- year-old man who had a good functional and neurological recovery after surgery. At 9 months postoperative follow-up, he did well without any new problems with regard to recurrence. We report this case for its rarity.