Effect analysis of vertebroplasty combined with posterior decompression and internal fixation in the treatment of spinal metastases with neurological symptoms / 国际外科学杂志

Objective:To analyze the efficacy of vertebroplasty combined with posterior decompression and internal fixation in the treatment of spinal metastases with neurological symptoms.Methods:This study was a retrospective analysis of 32 cases with neurological symptoms caused by spinal metastatic tumor in the Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from June 2016 to January 2022. All 32 patients (20 males, 12 females) aged between 39 to 85 years were enrolled in this study, with a mean age of (64.8±11.9) years. Surgery time, bleeding volume, modified Tokuhashi score, spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS) were collected. The visual analogue score (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) and American spinal cord injury association (ASIA) score before surgery, 1 month after surgery, 3 months after surgery and 6 months after surgery were collected and analyzed. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as mean±standard deviation( ± s), and the comparison before and after surgery was conducted using repeated-measures analysis of variance test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3). Results:All 32 patients were followed up for 6 months. The operation time was (209.6±49.0) min, and the blood loss was (462.9±298.3) mL. 14 patients(43.8%) were treated with blood transfusion. The modified Tokuhashi score was 8.09±2.89, and the SINS was 8.81±1.97. The VAS score before surgery, postoperative 1, 3, 6 months were 7.47±0.98, 3.87±0.87, 2.91±0.73 and 2.34±0.60, respectively. ODI score before surgery, postoperative 1, 3, 6 months were 79.13±9.50, 39.14±6.31, 34.43±6.42 and 31.08±4.80, respectively. KPS score before surgery, postoperative 1, 3, 6 months were 49.69±14.70, 64.68±15.02, 71.88±12.81 and 75.63±10.76, respectively. The ASIA grading at 6 months follow-up was improved compared to preoperative baseline. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 cases, including nerve root injury (1 case), bone cement leakage in paravertebral soft tissue (1cases), bone cement leakage in paravertebral vein(1case) and acute thoracic epidural hematoma (1case).Conclusion:Vertebroplasty combined with posterior decompression and internal fixation can effectively relieve pain, relieve the compression of spinal cord and nerve, recover nerve functions, and improve the quality of life of patients with spinal metastatic tumor.

Risk Factors Associated with Postoperative Infection in Cancer Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery

OBJECTIVES: To determine the rate of and main risk factors for postoperative infection in cancer patients who underwent spine surgery in the last 5 years in order to determine whether there is an association between postoperative infection and increased mortality during hospitalization. METHODS: All cancer patients who underwent surgical procedures between January 2015 and December 2019 at a single hospital specializing in spine cancer surgery were analyzed. The primary outcome of interest was postoperative infection. Bivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval for each variable in relation to the occurrence of infection. RESULTS: We evaluated 324 patients, including 176 men (54.3%) and 148 women (45.7%) with a mean age of 56 years. The incidence of postoperative infection was 20.37%. Of the 324 patients, 39 died during hospitalization (12%). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical time greater than 4 hours, surgical instrumented levels greater than 6, and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group of 3 or 4 were associated with an increased risk of postoperative infection, but these factors did not lead to an increase in mortality during hospitalization.

Establishment of a prognostic scoring model for the breast cancer patients with spinal metastasis / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective: To explore the prognostic factors for the breast cancer patients with spinal metastasis, and establish a prognostic scoring model. Methods: A total of 160 breast cancer patients with spinal metastasis in Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2008 to January 2016 were retrospectively identified. The clinical characteristics and prognosis were analyzed by univariate and multivariate survival analysis to explore the prognostic factors. And then a prognostic scoring model was developed according to the regression coefficient for each independent prognostic factor. Results: The 160 breast cancer patients with spinal metastasis whose average age was 56.8 years (range 22-82 years) were identified, and the median follow-up was 40 (24, 55) months. The multivariate Cox analysis showed that the patients' general condition, hormone receptor expression, visceral metastasis, and serum carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) level significantly influenced survival (P<0.05). According to the regression coefficients, a survival prediction scoring model comprising these factors was established, which ranged from 0 to 6 points. Three risk groups with different prognoses were identified : low risk group (0-1 point), intermediate risk group (2-4 points), and high risk group (5-6 points). Conclusion: The general condition, hormone receptor expression, visceral metastasis, and serum CA125 level were independent prognostic factors for the breast cancer patients with spinal metastasis. And the prognostic scoring model comprising these four clinical factors can effectively predict the patients' prognoses.

Dosimetric analysis of 3D-printing non-coplanar template combined with CT-guided125I seed implantation for the treatment of spinal metastasis / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective@#To compare the preoperative and postoperative dosimetric parameters in the treatment of spinal metastasis, and to verify the accuracy of 3D-printing non-coplanar template (3D-PNCT) combined with CT-guided 125I seed implantation for the treatment of spinal metastasis.@*Methods@#The treatment plans of 7 patients with spinal metastasis (9 lesions) from 2016 to 2018 receiving 3D-PNCT in combination with CT-guided 125I seed implantation were retrospectively analyzed. The dosimetric parameters including homogeneity index (HI), conformal index (CI), external index (EI), dose of 90% target volume(D90), mPD, volume percent of 100%, 150%, and 200% prescribed dose V100、V150、V200 and D2cm3 of spinal cord were compared before and after operation. The british columbia cancer ageny particle implantation quality evaluation standard was applied to evaluate the quality of implantation.@*Results@#The HI, EI and CI, D90, mPD, V100, V150, V200 and D2cm3 of spinal cord did not significantly differ before and after the plan (all P>0.05). Five were evaluated as excellent and 4 were assessed as good.@*Conclusion@#The postoperative dosimetric parameters of 3D-PNCT combined with CT guided 125I seed implantation of spinal metastasis are basically consistent with preoperative dosimetric parameters. The postoperative plans are evaluated as excellent or good, suggesting that the technology has a good therapeutic accuracy in the treatment of spinal metastasis.

Dosimetric analysis of 3D-printing non-coplanar template combined with CT-guided 125I seed implantation for the treatment of spinal metastasis / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To compare the preoperative and postoperative dosimetric parameters in the treatment of spinal metastasis,and to verify the accuracy of 3D-printing non-coplanar template (3D-PNCT)combined with CT-guided 125I seed implantation for the treatment of spinal metastasis.Methods The treatment plans of 7 patients with spinal metastasis (9 lesions) from 2016 to 2018 receiving 3D-PNCT in combination with CT-guided 125I seed implantation were retrospectively analyzed.The dosimetric parameters including homogeneity index (HI),conformal index (CI),external index (EI),dose of 90％ target volume (Dg0),mPD,volume percent of 100％,150％,and 200％ prescribed dose V100、V150、V200 and D2cm3 of spinal cord were compared before and after operation.The british columbia cancer ageny particle implantation quality evaluation standard was applied to evaluate the quality of implantation.Results The HI,EI and CI,Dg0,mPD,V100,V150,V200 and D2cm3 of spinal cord did not significantly differ before and after the plan (all P＞0.05).Five were evaluated as excellent and 4 were assessed as good.Conclusion The postoperative dosimetric parameters of 3D-PNCT combined with CT guided 125I seed implantation of spinal metastasis are basically consistent with preoperative dosimetric parameters.The postoperative plans are evaluated as excellent or good,suggesting that the technology has a good therapeutic accuracy in the treatment of spinal metastasis.

Oligodendroglioma with Sarcomatous Transformation: Case Report and Literature Review

Oligodendrogliomas are infiltrative tumors of the central nervous systemconsidered to be morphologically stable and to offer a better prognosis. Here, we describe the case of a 36- year-old man with an initial diagnosis of oligodendroglioma, World Health Organization (WHO) grade II, who presented transformation to a sarcomatous form, while maintaining the oligodendroglial component as well as the genetic characteristics of the initial tumor without having undergone any complementary treatments previously. Despite the favorable genetic characteristics, the tumor presented poor response to complementary treatments, and rapid progression, including spinal metastasis.

Utilidad de la cirugía espinal mínimamente invasiva (MISS) en el manejo de las metástasis espinales toraco-lumbares / Utility of minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS) in the management of thoraco-lumbar spinal metastases

Objetivo: Describir los resultados quirúrgicos y evolución de pacientes con metástasis espinales toraco-lumbares operadas con técnica mínimamente invasiva (MISS) utilizando para la decisión terapéutica la evaluación: Neurológica, Oncológica, Mecánica y Sistémica (NOMS). Material y Métodos: Se incluyeron en forma prospectiva pacientes con metástasis espinales toraco-lumbares operados con técnica MISS por el Servicio de Neurocirugía del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, entre junio de 2014 y junio de 2017. Se utilizó en todos los casos el algoritmo de evaluación NOMS para la decisión terapéutica. Se analizaron los resultados quirúrgicos postoperatorios como el Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), dolor (VAS: Visual Analogue Scale), Frankel, pérdida sanguínea, necesidad de transfusiones, complicaciones, uso de opioides y días de internación. Se consideró como estadísticamente significativo una p<0,05. Resultados: Durante el período de estudio 26 pacientes cumplieron los criterios de inclusión, de los cuales 13 fueron mujeres. La edad promedio fue 57 (27-83) años. El origen más frecuente de las lesiones fue cáncer de mama (27%). El síntoma más constante fue el dolor (96%), aunque 12 pacientes manifestaron inicialmente mielopatía (46%). Se observaron grados avanzados de invasión del canal con requerimiento de descompresión en el 65% de los casos. Acorde al Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS), 23 pacientes (89%) presentaron lesiones potencialmente inestables o inestables, requiriendo estabilización. Se evidenció una mejoría estadísticamente significativa del VAS en el 77% y del Frankel en el 67% de los casos tras la cirugía. No hubo necesidad de transfusiones. Se registró sólo una complicación quirúrgica leve (4%). La media de internación fue de 5,5 días. Conclusión: En nuestra serie y utilizando como algoritmo terapéutico el NOMS, la cirugía MISS resultó efectiva tanto para la descompresión para la estabilización espinal, con baja tasa de complicaciones y rápida recuperación postoperatoria.

Objective: To describe the surgical results and evolution of patients who undergo minimally-invasive spinal surgery (MISS) to treat thoracolumbar metastases, using the NOMS (Neurological, Oncological, Mechanical, Systemic) assessment tool to aid therapeutic decisions. Methods: Patients who underwent MISS to treat thoracolumbar metastases were prospectively enrolled at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, from June 2014 to June 2017. In all cases, the NOMS assessment tool was employed for therapeutic decision-making. Surgical results were analyzed, in terms of improvements in Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), pain severity (VAS), and the Frankel neurological scale; also measured were blood loss and the need for transfusions, complications, use of opioids, and the length of hospitalization. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Twenty-six patients were enrolled (13 women) of mean age 57 years old (27-83). Breast cancer was the most frequent primary tumor (27%). The main presenting symptom was pain (96%), although 12 patients presented with myelopathy (46%). High-grade epidural spinal cord compression requiring decompression was observed in 17 patients (65%). According to the SINS (Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score), most lesions were either potentially unstable or unstable (89%), requiring stabilization. After surgery, pain severity and neurological status improved significantly in 77% and 67% of patients, respectively, with low intraoperative blood loss and no need for transfusions. Only one minor surgical complication occurred (4%). The average hospital stay was 5.5 days. Conclusion: In our series, using the NOMS instrument as the therapeutic algorithm, MISS was effective for spinal decompression and stabilization, with a low rate of complications and rapid postoperative recovery.

The Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) as a Surgical Decision-Making Tool for the Treatment of Spine Metastasis / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the potential clinical use of the spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS) for determining the surgical strategy, especially regarding the need for anterior support. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The SINS seems to enable an improved qualitative and quantitative assessment of spinal instability in patients with spinal metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 69 consecutive patients who underwent surgical treatment for spinal metastasis. We assessed the patients' preoperative status with respect to each component of the SINS. Multiple logistic regression was performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) representing the associations among SINS, age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, modified Tokuhashi score, as well as the preoperative Nurick grade variables and reconstruction of the anterior spinal column. RESULTS: Among the 6 items in the SINS, those indicating the degree of collapse and alignment had significantly higher scores in those who underwent corpectomy and anterior support (p<0.001). Multiple logistic regression revealed that the total SINS was the only factor significantly associated with predicting whether anterior support should be performed (adjusted OR=1.595). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis suggested that a cut-off value of 10 points on the SINS scale could be used to decide whether anterior support following corpectomy should be performed (AUC=0.706). CONCLUSIONS: The SINS, insofar as it assesses the degree of collapse and alignment, is a potentially useful tool for determining the surgical strategy in patients with spinal metastasis, especially for deciding upon the necessity of additional anterior support procedures.

Epidural Metastasis in Malignant Thymoma Mimicking Epidural Abscess: Case Report and Literature Review

Thymoma and thymic carcinoma are rare epithelial tumors that originate from the thymus gland. Extrathoracic metastases occur in the liver, kidney, and bone in 1% to 15% of patients. Although thymoma and thymic carcinoma exhibit highly aggressive biological behavior, spinal metastasis is rare. We describe a 78-year-old man with left wrist and grasp weakness that occurred 7 days before admission. The patient underwent thymoma surgery 7 years ago and was cured. Magnetic resonance images showed a rim-enhanced mass in the C6–7–T1 epidural space. C6–7–T1 laminectomy was performed and the mass was removed. Histological examination was performed and patient was diagnosed with metastatic thymoma. The previous reported case occurred with involvement of the vertebral body or posterior element, but our case was mostly rim-enhanced and appeared as an abscess and intradural extramedullary tumor.

Establishment of a Disease-Specific Graded Prognostic Assessment for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Spinal Metastasis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with spinal metastasis (SM) show heterogeneous lengths of survival. In this study, we develop and propose a graded prognostic assessment for HCC patients with SM (HCC-SM GPA). METHODS: We previously reported the outcomes of 192 HCC patients with SM who received radiotherapy from April 1992 to February 2012. Prognostic factors that significantly affected survival in that study were used to establish the HCC-SM GPA. Validation was performed using an independent cohort of 63 patients recruited from September 2011 to March 2016. RESULTS: We developed the HCC-SM GPA using the following factors: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (0–2, 0 point; 3–4, 1 point), controlled primary HCC (yes, 0 point; no, 2 points), and extrahepatic metastases other than bone (no, 0 point; yes, 1 point). Patients were stratified into low (GPA=0), intermediate (GPA=1 to 2), and high risk (GPA=3 to 4). When applied to the validation cohort, the HCC-SM GPA determined median survival durations of 13.6, 4.8, and 2.6 months and 1-year overall survival rates of 58.3%, 17.8%, and 7.3% for the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk patient groups, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our newly proposed HCC-SM GPA successfully predicted survival outcomes.

Cervical Vertebral Metastasis from Tongue Carcinoma: A Rare Case Report and Review.

Head and neck cancers are emerging as major health problems in India. In 2010, head and neck cancer was ranked as the sixth leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Approximately 481,100 new cases developed, and 320,000 persons died of this disease, resulting in an average mortality rate of 7.3 and 3.2 per 100,000 males and females, respectively. Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most common head and neck malignancy having a propensity for the locoregional spread. Vascular invasion is very rare when compared to lymphatic spread. Most frequent sites of distant metastasis are lung, bone, liver, adrenals, heart, and kidney. We report a rare case of 39-year-old male with cervical vertebral metastasis from tongue carcinoma which is 9th case reported according to literature.

Survival score scales of patients operated with spinal metastases: retrospective application in a Brazilian population / Escalas de prognóstico em pacientes operados com metástases vertebrais: aplicação retrospectiva em população brasileira

ABSTRACT Spinal cord epidural metastasis (SEM) is a common complication of systemic cancer. Predicting these patient’s survival is a key factor to select the proper treatment modality, but the three most used score scales to predict their survival (Tokuhashi revised score, Tomita score and Bauer modified score) were designed in single institutions and their reliability to predict correctly the patient’s survival were first tested only in those specific populations. This prognostication issue is addressed in this article, evaluating retrospectively the survival of 17 patients with SEM from a Brazilian general hospital with these score scales. Our results show that the actual survival of those patients were worse than the predicted of all three score scales, suggesting that differences between the different populations might have affected their reliability and alert that their usage as a major factor to select the most appropriate treatment have to be done with caution.

RESUMO Metástases vertebrais são uma complicação comum em pacientes com câncer sistêmico. Avaliar o prognóstico e a sobrevida desses pacientes é um fator de grande importância para escolher o tratamento mais adequado, porém as três escalas mais usadas atualmente para prever a sobrevida deles (Tokuhashi revisada, Tomita e Bauer modificada) foram desenhadas em instituições isoladas, e sua habilidade em estimar corretamente a sobrevida desses pacientes foram testadas primeiramente apenas nessas populações específicas. Essa questão de estimar o prognóstico é abordada nesse artigo, analisando retrospectivamente a sobrevida de 17 pacientes com metástase vertebral provenientes de um hospital geral no Brasil com essas escalas. Nossos resultados apontam que a sobrevida real desses pacientes foi menor que a prevista pelas três escalas, sugerindo que as diferenças entres as diferentes populações podem ter afetado a aplicabilidade delas. Assim, alertamos que o uso dessas escalas em populações diferentes das estudadas originalmente deve ser feito com cuidado.

The killing effect of bone cement on spinal metastasis of transplanted VX2 carcinoma in experimental rabbit models / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the killing effect of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) on spinal metastasis of transplanted VX2 carcinoma in experimental rabbit models. Methods Spinal metastasis of transplanted VX2 carcinoma model was successfully established in 18 rabbits. The experimental rabbits were randomly and equally divided into three groups with 6 rabbits in each group. Under CT guidance , PMMA or saline was injected into the center of VX2 tumor; in group A 0.3 ml of PMMA was used, in group B 0.1 ml of PMMA was used and in group C (control group) 0.3 ml saline was used. Twenty-four hours after the injection, the animals were sacrificed. Four tissue samples were obtained from the sites at 1 mm , 5 mm, 10 mm and 15 mm away from the PMMA mass in each rabbit of group A and group B , while four tissue samples were collected from different four sites from the tumor ’s center to border in each rabbit of group C. TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method was used to determine the tumor cell apoptosis rate. Results After successful establishment of rabbit model, injection of PMMA was performed in sixteen among the eighteen rabbits. Technical success rates were 83.3% in both group A and B, and the success rate was 100% in group C. The difference in technical success rate was not significant. The mean tumor cell apoptosis rates of spinal VX2 carcinoma at 1 mm, 5 mm and 10 mm away from the PMMA mass in group A were (65.75±18.81)%, (50.00±14.24)% and(14.95±8.98)% respectively. The mean apoptosis rate in the control group was (9.79 ±5.24)%; the differences between the group A and the control group were statistically significant (P<0.05). The mean tumor cell apoptosis rate of spinal VX2 carcinoma at 15 mm away from the PMMA mass in group A was (10.30 ±8.13)%, which was not significantly different with that of the control group. The mean tumor cell apoptosis rates of spinal VX2 carcinoma at 1 mm and 5 mm away from the PMMA mass in group B were (49.20±15.57)% and(17.75±9.28)% respectively, which was significantly different with that of the control group(P<0.05); the mean tumor cell apoptosis rates at 10 mm and 15 mm away from the PMMA mass in group B were not significantly different with those of the control group. Statistically significant differences in the mean tumor cell apoptosis rates determined at 1 mm, 5 mm and 10 mm away from the PMMA mass existed between group A and group B(P<0.001). Conclusion PMMA can promote the apoptosis of tumor cells, properly increasing the injected amount of PMMA can enlarge the extent of tumor cell apoptosis.

Ultra Long Construct Minimally Invasive Spinal Stabilization Using Percutaneous Pedicle Screws in the Treatment of Symptomatic Multicentric Spinal Metastasis

Managing multiple level spinal metastases is challenging. We report the case of a 58-year-old female with advanced lung cancer who presented with multiple pathological fractures of the thoracic spine (T5, T6, T7, and T8 vertebrae). She was treated with palliative radiotherapy. Her resting pain improved, but the instability pain persisted. One month later, she had a trivial fall leading to a pathological fracture of the L2 vertebra with cauda equine syndrome. The patient was treated surgically with minimally invasive decompression of the L2 and with percutaneous instrumented stabilization using an ultra-long construct from T3 to L5 (15 spinal levels), spanning the previously radiated zone and the decompression site. Postoperatively, she had significant improvements in pain and neurology. There were no surgical complications. Ultra long construct minimally invasive spinal stabilization is the ideal approach for symptomatic multicentric spinal metastasis with poor prognostic scores. Using this technique, the goals of spinal stabilization and direct neural decompression can be achieved with minimal morbidity.

Minimally Invasive Option Using Percutaneous Pedicle Screw for Instability of Metastasis Involving Thoracolumbar and Lumbar Spine : A Case Series in a Single Center

OBJECTIVE: To report a minimally invasive treatment option using percutaneous pedicle screw fixation with adjuvant treatment for metastatic thoraco-lumbar and lumbar spinal tumors. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of charts of patients with spinal metastases. All were older than 18 years of age and were considered to have more than 3 months of life expectancy. The patients had single or two level lesions, and compression fracture or impending fracture. Exclusion criterion was metastasis showing severe epidural compression with definite neurological symptoms. Usually spinal segments from one level above to below pathology were stabilized. Visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain assessment and Frankel scale for neurological deficit were used, while pre- and post-operative performance status was evaluated using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG). RESULTS: Twelve patients (nine men, three women; median age 54.29 years) underwent surgery. All patients presented with back pain with/without radicular pain. There were no early complications and perioperative mortalities. Following surgery, a significant difference between average pre- and post-operative VAS scores was found (p=0.003). Overall, 91.8% of patients (11/12) experienced improvement in their ECOG score post-operatively. The mean ambulation time was 196.9 days [95% confidence interval (CI), 86.2-307.6 days; median, 97 days]. During follow-up, nine patients died and the mean overall survival time in enrolled twelve patients was 249.9 days (95% CI, 145.3-354.4 days; median, 176 days). CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive treatment using percutaneous pedicle screw fixation with adjuvant treatment is a good alternative treatment option for potential instability of the thoraco-lumbar and lumbar spinal metastasis.

Survival-Related Factors of Spinal Metastasis with Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Current Surgical Treatment Modalities : A Single Institute Experience

OBJECTIVE: Recently, the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been prolonged with improvements in various diagnostic tools and medical treatment modalities. Consequently, spine metastases from HCC are being diagnosed more frequently. The accurate prediction of prognosis plays a critical role in determining a patient's treatment plan, including surgery for patients with spinal metastases of HCC. We investigated the clinical features, surgical outcomes, and prognostic factors of HCC presenting with spine metastases, in patients who underwent surgery. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on 33 HCC patients who underwent 36 operations (three patients underwent surgical treatment twice) from February 2006 to December 2013. The median age of the patients was 56 years old (range, 28 to 71; male : female=30 : 3). RESULTS: Overall survival was not correlated with age, sex, level of metastases, preoperative Child-Pugh classification, preoperative ambulatory function, preoperative radiotherapy, type of operation, administration of Sorafenib, or the Tokuhashi scoring system. Only the Tomita scoring system was shown to be an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. Comparing the Child-Pugh classification and ambulatory ability, there were no statistically differences between patients pre- and post-operatively. CONCLUSION: The Tomita scoring system represents a practicable and highly predictive prognostic tool. Even though surgical intervention may not restore ambulatory function, it should be considered to prevent deterioration of the patient's overall condition. Additionally, aggressive management may be needed if there is any ambulatory ability remaining.

Glioblastoma Multiforme in the Pineal Region with Leptomeningeal Dissemination and Lumbar Metastasis

We report a case of a 31-year-old woman with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in the pineal region with associated leptomeningeal dissemination and lumbar metastasis. The patient presented with severe headache and vomiting. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed a heterogeneously enhanced tumor in the pineal region with obstructive hydrocephalus. After an urgent ventricular-peritoneal shunt, she was treated by subtotal resection and chemotherapy concomitant with radiotherapy. Two months after surgery, MRI showed no changes in the residual tumor but leptomeningeal dissemination surrounding the brainstem. One month later, she exhibited severe lumbago and bilateral leg pain. Thoracico-lumbar MRI showed drop like metastasis in the lumbar region. Finally she died five months after the initial diagnosis. Neurosurgeons should pay attention to GBM in the pineal region, not only as an important differential diagnosis among the pineal tumors, but due to the aggressive features of leptomeningeal dissemination and spinal metastasis.

Analysis of prognostic factors associated with survival in men with prostate cancer accompanied by spinal metastases at first diagnosis / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective:Prostate cancer frequently metastasizes to the spine. In this study, we investigate the prognostic factors as-sociated with survival in patients with prostate cancer accompanied by spinal metastases at their preliminary diagnosis. Methods:Clin-ical data of 49 patients who were diagnosed with spinal metastasis from prostate cancer between January 2005 and December 2010 were analyzed. Variables including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), previous skeletal-related event, Gleason score, prostate-specific anti-gen (PSA) nadir, and time to castration resistance were obtained. Moreover, the relationship between these variables and overall sur-vival (OS) was analyzed. Survival analysis was performed by using Kaplan-Meier curves. Furthermore, the differences among the OS rates were assessed by using the log rank test. The variables were statistically significant in the univariate analysis (P<0.05) and were included in the multivariate model. Results:The average follow-up time was 64.1 months among the 49 patients. By the end of the follow-up, 41 of these patients were dead;the mean survival was 27 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rate was 81.6%, 40.8%, and 20.4%, respectively. Univariate analysis identified that 6 variables were statistically significant prognostic factors of OS:with or without chemotherapy, ALP, previous skeletal-related event, Gleason score, PSA nadir, and time to castration resistance. The multivari-ate analysis showed that the time to castration resistance of ≥19 months and the addition of chemotherapy after disease progression are independent prognostic factors for a high OS. Conclusion:With or without chemotherapy and the time to castration resistance are the independent prognostic factors associated with survival in patients with prostate cancer accompanied by spinal metastases at first diagnosis.

Total En Bloc Thoracic and Lumbar Spondylectomy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Favorable Prognostic Indicators: Is It Merely Indicated for Solitary Spinal Metastasis?

A fifty-year-old female non-smoker with no other specific medical history visited our institute. She complained of axial back pain with no other neurological deficit. Chest X-ray, chest computed tomography (CT) scan, CT-guided needle aspiration biopsy, whole-body positron emission tomography, spine CT and spine magnetic resonance image findings suggested NSCLC with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, multiple brain metastases, and two isolated metastases to the T3 and L3 vertebral bodies. She underwent chemotherapy with gefitinib (Iressa(TM)) for NSCLC and gamma knife surgery for multiple brain metastases. We performed a two-staged, total en bloc spondylectomy of the T3 and L3 vertebral bodies based on several good prognostic characteristics, such as the lack of metastases to the appendicular bone, good preoperative performance status, and being an excellent responder (Asian, never-smoker and adenocarcinoma histology) to EGFR inhibitors. Improved axial back pain after the surgery enabled her to walk with the aid of a thoracolumbosacral orthosis brace on the third postoperative day. Her Karnofsky performance status score (KPS) was 90 at the time of discharge and has been maintained to date 3 years after surgery. In selected NSCLC patients with good prognostic characteristics, we suggest that locally curative treatment such as total en bloc spondylectomy or radiosurgery should be emphasized to achieve longer term survival for the selected cases.

Spinal Metastasis of Thymic Carcinoma as a Rare Manifestation: A Summary of 7 Consecutive Cases

BACKGROUNDS: Thymic carcinomas are very rare tumors that are often associated with extrathoracic metastasis to other organs. However, it is well known that thymic carcinomas rarely metastasize to the spine, and the prognosis, treatment, and natural course of this disease are not yet standardized. METHODS: We describe seven thymic carcinoma patients with spinal metastasis who were diagnosed and treated in our institute from January 2006 to December 2011. We performed surgical treatment and adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, in consideration of each individual disease's course, and we regularly followed up the patients. RESULTS: Of the seven patients, five were male and two were female. Six had metastases in the thoracic spine, and one had metastases in the lumbar spine. An extradural lesion was found in five patients, and two patients had both extradural and intradural lesions. The period from the primary diagnosis to spinal metastases varied widely (range, 1.23-14 years). After surgery, all patients showed an improvement of back pain and radicular pain. Two patients were lost to follow-up, but the other five maintained ambulatory function until their final follow-up. Four patients died because of pulmonary complications accompanied with the disease's progression. One patient died from uncontrolled brain metastases. After surgery, the median survival was 204+/-111.43 days. CONCLUSION: Because metastasis to the spine from thymic carcinoma is very rare, there are no treatment guidelines. Nevertheless, we suggest that appropriate surgical management of the metastatic lesion is necessary for the preservation of the patient's quality of life during survival.