Arachnoiditis ossificans: clinical series and review of the literature

Authors

Christopher M. Maulucci, Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 909 Walnut St., 3rd Floor, Philadelphia 19107, USA. Electronic address: cmaulucci@gmail.com.
George M. Ghobrial, Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 909 Walnut St., 3rd Floor, Philadelphia 19107, USA.
Mark E. Oppenlander, Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 909 Walnut St., 3rd Floor, Philadelphia 19107, USA; Division of Neurological Surgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix 85003, USA.
Adam E. Flanders, Division of Neuroradiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 1068 Main Building, 132 South 10th Street, Philadelphia 19107, USA.
Alexander R. Vaccaro, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rothman Institute, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 925 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia 19107, USA.
James S. Harrop, Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 909 Walnut St., 3rd Floor, Philadelphia 19107, USA.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Ossification of the leptomeninges, or arachnoiditis ossificans (AO) of the spine resulting in neurologic decline is a rarely reported disease. To date, there are 72 cases in the literature. The natural history of the disease and the best management strategy for patients with this condition is unknown. A series of five cases is presented adding to the relative paucity of knowledge of this potentially debilitating disease. METHODS: A retrospective review of five cases of patients with arachnoiditis ossificans from 2009 to 2013 was conducted. All cases were obtained from a single institution. The diagnosis was based upon computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. RESULTS: All five patients in the series were found have a history of prior spinal procedures. Three of the five patients had no history of intradural procedures or violation of the dura. Three of the patients underwent surgery to address neurologic deficits related to AO. Surgical intervention mainly consisted of decompression via laminectomy without resection of the intradural bony lesions. All patients improved neurologically postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Arachnoiditis ossificans is a rare disease typically affecting the thoracolumbar spine. It may result in devastating neurological deficits. There is no consensus as to the appropriate treatment strategy and the surgical procedures can be technically demanding due to the tight adherence of the abnormal bone to neural structures. For those patients who exhibit no symptoms referable to the AO, close observation may be performed. However, once progressive neurologic deficits occur due to AO, decompression via laminectomy can be a successful strategy.

Medical Subject Headings

Adult; Aged; Arachnoiditis (surgery); Decompression, Surgical (methods); Female; Humans; Laminectomy (methods); Male; Middle Aged; Ossification, Heterotopic (surgery); Treatment Outcome

Publication Date

9-1-2014

Publication Title

Clinical neurology and neurosurgery

E-ISSN

1872-6968

Volume

124

First Page

16

Last Page

20

PubMed ID

24999276

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.clineuro.2014.06.024

Recommended Citation

Maulucci, Christopher M.; Ghobrial, George M.; Oppenlander, Mark E.; Flanders, Adam E.; Vaccaro, Alexander R.; and Harrop, James S., "Arachnoiditis ossificans: clinical series and review of the literature" (2014). Neurosurgery. 1605.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/neurosurgery/1605