Epidural varicosis is a rare though well-known cause of cauda equina syndrome (CES). Although inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction is the most common finding in such cases, portal vein hypertension can lead to epidural venous plexus engorgement by means of lumbar portocaval shunt activation. A 40-year-old woman presented with right-sided sciatica, which progressed to right foot drop and a 3-day history of vesical tenesmus and fecal retention. She was initially diagnosed with L4–5 lumbar disc protrusion. However, contrast-enhanced lumbar MRI scan showed the presence of epidural varices in the L3–S1 tract. Given the absence of vascular anomalies amenable to resection, etiological conservative treatment was addressed. Therefore, a complete diagnostic workup was performed and revealed deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, and portal vein thrombosis. Oral anticoagulant therapy was initiated and prompt resolution of CES was observed. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of CES secondary to epidural varicosis in the setting of acute portal vein thrombosis and extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO). In cases of epidural varicosis, conservative etiological treatment is the most appropriate choice as CES may be the epiphenomenon of underlying systemic pathophysiological processes.

Surgical strategy for meningioma resection in the elderly is controversial: diverse studies in the literature have pointed at the age as a negative prognostic factor in terms of postoperative results. The aim of this study is to compare surgical outcomes after resection of posterior fossa meningiomas in <70 and ≥ 70 years-old age groups. We reviewed 72 patients affected by posterior fossa meningiomas who underwent surgical treatment at San Filippo Neri Hospital, Rome, Italy between September 2010 and December 2022. We analyzed data regarding tumor size, clinical presentation, extent of resection and complication/mortality. The groups consisted of 52 (72,2%) young and 20 (27,8%) elderly patients. Gross total resection rate was significantly higher among youngsters (p = 0,013), mainly for planned subtotal removal in older patients. At 3-month follow-up, clinical improvement was seen in 19 (36,5%) young and 7 (35,0%) elderly patients, which raised at last follow-up, being 84,6% (44) and 80,0% (16), respectively (p = 0,406). Two cases of progression/recurrence among the elderly and 1 among youngsters were observed; one case of mortality among the elderly was reported. Safety data regarding postoperative complications and mortality in our series seem to confirm that there is no significant difference between older and younger patients, as long as older patients are carefully selected. Therefore, if surgery is proposed, it should be radical if gross total resection could be safely attempted.

The aim of our study was to study the association between end-of-surgery facial nerve stimulation threshold and extent of tumor resection in case of grade IV vestibular schwannomas. Grade IV VSs represent a surgical challenge as a risk/benefit ratio must be considered in balancing a satisfactory extent of resection against a good postoperative functional outcome. We reviewed a cumulative series of 57 patients with large/giant VSs who were operated on by retrosigmoid approach in the period from 2008 to 2018 in two European centers, namely San Filippo Neri Hospital, Rome, Italy and Masaryk Hospital, Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic. Extent of resection, intraoperative direct electrical stimulation threshold of facial nerve and postoperative facial outcome were examined. Total or near-total resection was accomplished in 40 (75.5%) cases. Two groups were compared: total or near-total resection (T + NT) and subtotal resection (ST); the end-of-surgery facial nerve stimulation threshold significantly differed (T + NT: 0.24 mA, ST: 0.44 mA, p = 0.036). A critical cutoff was found at 0.2mA; values similar or inferior to this correctly predicted total or near-total resection in 86.7% of cases. Thirty (56.6%) patients had a normal postoperative facial outcome (HB1). Among the 40 patients in T + NT group, 32 (80%) retained an acceptable facial function (HB1-2). Lower facial nerve stimulation thresholds positively predict a broader extent of resection and total or -near total resection should be accomplished in such cases. Judicious (subtotal) resection is preferred if threshold values increase while dissecting firmly adherent tumors.