Intraoperative spinal sonography: adjunct to metrizamide CT in the assessment and surgical decompression of posttraumatic spinal cord cysts

Ten patients with prior spinal cord trauma were examined preoperatively by metrizamide computed tomography (CT) and were studied subsequently by intraoperative spinal sonography. On comparing intraoperative sonography with metrizamide CT, it was found that metrizamide CT tends to overestimate the size and number of posttraumatic cysts, that areas of myelomalacia on metrizamide CT correspond to areas of abnormal echogenicity on intraoperative sonography, and that intracyst septations are seen only on intraoperative sonography. By monitoring the position of the shunting catheter during surgery, intraoperative sonography can assure its proper intramedullary placement and demonstrate the successful decompression of the cyst. If no cyst is found with intraoperative sonography, further surgery is obviated. Intraoperative sonography is recommended for all cases where decompression of cord cysts is planned.
CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				N. J. Fischbein, W. P. Dillon, C. Cobbs, and P. R. Weinstein The "Presyrinx" State: A Reversible Myelopathic Condition That May Precede Syringomyelia AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., January 1, 1999; 20(1): 7 - 20. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				H. K. Rosenberg and N. H. Sherman Ultrasound Guidance: For Interventional and Intraoperative Techniques in Infants and Children Clinical Pediatrics, August 1, 1990; 29(8): 457 - 464. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. G. Grant and E. M. White Review Article: Pediatric Neurosonography J Child Neurol, October 1, 1986; 1(4): 319 - 337. [Abstract] [PDF]