Tumor maligno de columna vertebral / Malignant tumor of the spine

RESUMEN Introducción: Los tumores de columna vertebral son neoplasias poco comunes que pueden ser de origen primario o secundario. Las de origen primario son las que se presentan con menor recurrencia clínica, y se caracterizan generalmente por manifestaciones de dolor a nivel local y en menor proporción, por afectación neurológica. Objetivo: Describir el proceso de diagnóstico de un paciente con tumor de columna lumbar, el tratamiento recibido y su evolución. Caso clínico: Paciente de 77 años de edad con cuadro clínico consistente en dolor lumbar, paresias y parestesias. Se realizaron ayudas diagnósticas como radiografía y tomografía, en las que se evidenció una extensa lesión tumoral de la columna lumbar, valorada por cirugía de columna. Se realizó laminectomía descompresiva a nivel de L4 bilateral, artrodesis de T12 a L5 y se tomó biopsia abierta del tumor de la columna. Después de la cirugía la paciente presentó mejoría de la sintomatología. El informe anatomopatológico del tumor evidenció un tumor maligno indiferenciado. Conclusiones: El diagnóstico de tumor en columna lumbar se basa en evidencia clínica, imágenes diagnósticas, biopsia e inmunohistoquímica; una vez realizado el diagnóstico, el tratamiento debe incluir una combinación de quimioterapia, radioterapia y cirugía. La tomografía axial computarizada se utiliza como ayuda quirúrgica. Durante el procedimiento quirúrgico es pertinente realizar la resección de la lesión y obtener una confirmación histológica para definir el tratamiento antineoplásico y la malignidad de dicho tumor. El tratamiento oportuno reduce el riesgo de daño neurológico y mantiene la estabilidad mecánica espinal(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Spinal tumors are rare neoplasms that can be of primary or secondary origin. Those of primary origin are those that present with less clinical recurrence, and are generally characterized by manifestations of local pain and to a lesser extent, by neurological involvement. Objective: To describe the diagnostic process of a patient with lumbar spine tumor, the treatment received and the evolution. Clinical report: We report a case of a 77-year-old patient, with a clinical situation of low back pain, paresis and paresthesias. Diagnostic aids such as radiography and tomography were performed, which showed an extensive tumor lesion of the lumbar spine, it was assessed for spinal surgery. Decompressive laminectomy was performed at the bilateral L4 level, arthrodesis from T12 to L5, and an open biopsy of the spinal tumor was taken. The patient had improvement in symptoms after surgery. The pathological report of the tumor showed an undifferentiated malignant tumor. Conclusions: The diagnosis of lumbar spine tumor is based on clinical evidence, diagnostic images, biopsy and immunohistochemistry. Once the diagnosis is made, treatment should include a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Computerized axial tomography is used as a surgical aid. During the surgical procedure, it is pertinent to resect the lesion and to obtain histological confirmation to define the antineoplastic treatment and the malignancy of said tumor. Prompt treatment reduces the risk of neurological damage and maintains spinal mechanical stability.

Tumores primarios de la columna vertebral: sospecha, lineamientos terapéuticos y nuevas tecnologías / Primary tumors of the spine: suspicion, therapeutic guidelines and new technologies

Los tumores de la columna vertebral son de muy rara ocurrencia, la difícil anatomía de la columna vertebral y su íntima relación con estructuras neurales hacen que la cirugía de resección sea muy compleja. Un diagnóstico tardío, una mala planificación de la biopsia y una técnica quirúrgica poco especializada pueden tener un impacto muy negativo e irreversible en la calidad de vida y en la sobrevida del paciente. En este trabajo abordaremos los principios del estudio y tratamiento de los tumores primarios de la columna.

Spinal tumors are very rare, the difficult anatomy of the spine and their intimate relation with neural structures make resection surgery very complex. A late diagnosis, poor planning of the biopsy and an unskilled surgical technique can have a very negative and irreversible impact on the quality of life and the patient's survival. In this work we will address the principles of the study and treatment of primary tumors of the spine.

Lesiones metastásicas a columna vertebral en pacientes con cáncer en Cartagena / Spine metastastic injuries in patients with cancer in Cartagena

Introducción las metástasis a columna vertebral son una entidad frecuente en el paciente con cáncer. Con el aumento de la esperanza de vida en la población general y además el aumento en la sobrevida del paciente con cáncer se hace más probable la aparición de metástasis espinales. El conocimiento regional de las características de las metástasis a columna vertebral brinda información importante que orienta el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de los pacientes afectados. El objetivo del estudio es determinar las características de las metástasis a columna vertebral en pacientes con cáncer en la ciudad de Cartagena, Colombia. Materiales & Métodos se realizó un estudio descriptivo revisando las historias clínicas de pacientes adultos con metástasis a columna, en cuatro instituciones de salud de la ciudad entre 2015 y 2017 con disponibilidad de imágenes y biopsia diagnóstica. Se indagaron características sociodemográficas, segmento de la columna afectado, región anatómica de la vértebra afectada, pronóstico por escalas de Tomita y Tokuhashi, la frecuencia de conducta apropiada según el pronóstico. El análisis fue mediante frecuencias absolutas y relativas, además se realizó caracterización de las metástasis vertebrales estratificando por órgano afectado por el tumor primario. Resultados se analizaron 27 historias clínicas que mostraron una mediana de edad en los pacientes de 56 años. El tumor primario con mayor frecuencia fue el de pulmón con 33.3%. El segmento de la columna más afectado fue el toracolumbar con un 63%. El sitio anatómico vertebral más afectado fue el cuerpo con 92,6%. El compromiso neurológico se presentó en un 77,8%. Discusión las lesiones metastásicas a columna en nuestra población están siendo diagnosticadas de manera tardía. Nivel de evidencia: IV

Background spinal metastases are a frequent entity in cancer patients. With the increase of the life expectancy in the general population and also the increase in the survival of the patient with cancer, the appearance of spinal metastasis is more probable. Regional knowledge of the characteristics of spinal metastasis provides important information that guides the diagnosis and treatment of affected patients. The aim of the story is to determine the characteristics of spinal metastasis in patients with cancer in the city of Cartagena, Colombia. Methods a descriptive study was conducted reviewing the clinical histories of adult patients with spinal metastasis, in four health institutions of the city between 2015 and 2017 with availability of images and diagnostic biopsy. Sociodemographic characteristics, segment of the affected column, anatomical region of the affected vertebra, prognosis by scales of Tomita and Tokuhashi, the frequency of appropriate behavior according to the prognosis were investigated. The analysis was carried out using absolute and relative frequencies; furthermore, characterization of the vertebral metastasis was carried out stratifying by organ affected by the primary tumor. Results We analyzed 27 medical records that showed a median age in the patients of 56 years. The primary tumor most frequently was the lung with 33.3%. The segment of the most affected column was the thoracolumbar with 63%. The most affected vertebral anatomical site was the body with 92.6%. The neurological compromise was presented in 77.8%. Discussion Metastatic spinal lesions in our population are being diagnosed late. Evidence Level: IV

Tumor de células gigantes espinal en niños: Reporte de dos casos / Spinal giant cell tumor in children. Report of two cases

El tumor de células gigantes espinal es una neoplasia de estirpe benigna y comportamiento local agresivo, de presentación rara en la población pediátrica. El dolor asociado al compromiso neurológico es la presentación típica en niños. La resección amplia del tumor y la descompresión de los elementos neurales asociada a fusión instrumentada permiten obtener una columna estable, preservar o restaurar la función neural y evitar la recidiva tumoral. Se presentan dos pacientes con tumor de células gigantes espinal en esqueleto inmaduro, sometidos a resección y estabilización mediante artrodesis instrumentada, sin recidiva en el posoperatorio alejado. La presentación clínica, la edad de los pacientes y los resultados quirúrgicos a largo plazo hacen de extremo valor el reporte de estos casos en esqueletos inmaduros. Nivel de Evidencia: III

Spinal giant-cell tumor is a benign neoplasm with locally aggressive behavior, and rare in the pediatric population. Pain associated with neurological manifestations is the typical presentation in children. Tumor wide resection and decompression of neural elements together with instrumented spinal fusion allow to obtain a stable column, preserve or restore neural function and avoid tumor recurrence. We present two patients with spinal giant-cell tumor in the immature skeleton who underwent resection and stabilization by instrumented spinal fusion, without recurrence in the long-term postoperative period. Reporting of these cases is extremely valuable due to the clinical presentation, age of patients, and long-term postoperative results in the immature skeleton. Level of Evidence: III

Instrumentación anterior y posterior para tratamiento de fractura por metástasis vertebral / Anterior and posterior instrumentation for treatment of fracture by vertebral metastasis

Las fracturas tumorales en columna vertebral son parte de la etiología de las fracturas patológicas a este nivel, que por edad de presentación así como la clínica observada puede darnos directrices del tipo de tumor que afecta al esqueleto axial, por lo que es importante su identificación, clasificación y terapéutica a seguir, en especial en aquellos que se encuentra afectada la parte neurológica distal. Teniendo en consideración este aspecto planteamos el caso clínico a continuación.

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Teratoma sacrococcígeo: diagnóstico, evaluación y terapia prenatal / Sacrococcygeal teratoma: diagnosis, evaluation and prenatal therapy

El teratoma sacrococcígeo representa la lesión tumoral más frecuente durante la gestación. Si bien su frecuencia es baja, en asociación con hidrops puede determinar la aparición de insuficiencia cardiaca fetal y posterior muerte fetal in útero. La evaluación prenatal mediante ultrasonografía, debe orientarse hacia la selección de aquellos fetos candidatos a intervención prenatal para mejorar el resultado perinatal de fetos con compromiso hemodinámico que se encuentran bajo la viabilidad. El objetivo de la presente actualización es exponer las herramientas actualmente en uso para realizar dicha evaluación y los resultados de la cirugía prenatal. La puntuación del perfil cardiovascular fetal mediante la ecografía, se propone como una herramienta sensible y útil en la selección de fetos candidatos a intervención prenatal. Tanto la cirugía abierta como el abordaje mínimamente invasivo se exponen como alternativas en el manejo prenatal de fetos candidatos a intervención con sobrevida reportada en torno al 50 y 44 por ciento respectivamente.

The sacrococcygeal teratoma is the most common tumor during prenatal period. Although its frequency is low, together with hydrops could determine the occurrence of fetal heart failure, and subsequent fetal death in utero. Prenatal ultrasonographic evaluation, should be directed toward selection of those fetuses as candidates for prenatal therapy, to improve their perinatal outcome, when they present hemodynamic compromise while they are under fetal viability. The purpose of this update is to expose the tools currently used to conduct the assessment and the results of prenatal surgery. The fetal cardiovascular profile score by ultrasound is proposed as a sensible and useful tool in the selection of candidates for prenatal intervention. Both open surgery as minimally invasive approach are presented as alternatives in the prenatal management of fetus as candidates to intervention, has been reported a survival about 50 and 44 percent respectively.

An update in the management of spinal metastases / Atualização no manejo das metástases na coluna vertebral

The best clinical treatment for spinal metastases requires an integrated approach with input from an interdisciplinary cancer team. The principle goals of treatment are maintenance or improvement in neurologic function and ambulation, spinal stability, durable tumor control, and pain relief. The past decade has witnessed an explosion of new technologies that have impacted our ability to reach these goals, such as separation surgery and minimally invasive spinal procedures. The biggest advance, however, has been the evolution of stereotactic radiosurgery that has demonstrated durable tumor control both when delivered as definitive therapy and as a postoperative adjuvant even for tumors considered markedly resistant to conventional external beam radiation. In this paper, we perform an update on the management of spinal metastases demonstrating the integration of these new technologies into a decision framework NOMS that assesses four basic aspects of a patient’s spine disease: Neurologic, Oncologic, Mechanical Instability and Systemic disease.

O tratamento dos pacientes com metástases na coluna requer uma abordagem multidisciplinar por equipe especializada em oncologia. Os objetivos básicos do tratamento são a manutenção/ melhora da função neurológica com preservação da deambulação, manutenção da estabilidade da coluna, controle tumoral e alívio da dor. A última década testemunhou uma explosão de novas tecnologias que auxiliaram a atingir os objetivos terapêuticos, como a cirurgia de separação e procedimentos minimamente cirúrgicos minimamente invasivos. Contudo, o maior avanço terapêutico constitui-se do uso da radiocirurgia no tratamento das metástases de coluna, que possibilita bom controle local tanto como terapia definitiva ou no pós-operatório de tumores, mesmo os considerados radioresistentes à radioterapia convencional. No presente artigo, realizamos atualização do manejo das metástases de coluna, apresentando a integração das novas tecnologias em um algoritmo de decisão “NOMS” que inclui os quatros aspectos básicos dos pacientes com metástases na coluna:Neurologic, Oncologic, Mechanical InstabilityeSystemic disease.

Manejo das neoplasias metastáticas da coluna vertebral - uma atualização / Management of metastatic spinal column neoplasms - an update

O aumento da sobrevivência do paciente oncológico decorrente da melhoria e do avanço das modalidades terapêuticas promove progressivo aumento da prevalência das neoplasias metastáticas da coluna vertebral, tornando o seu conhecimento condição sine qua non para os profissionais da área de saúde. As metástases na coluna vertebral são usualmente procedentes de neoplasia maligna da mama, pulmão e próstata, o gênero masculino é o mais acometido e a dor é o sintoma inicial em mais de 90% dos pacientes. Estima-se que 30-90% dos pacientes com câncer em estágio terminal apresentem metástase em algum segmento da coluna vertebral. A alta prevalência das neoplasias malignas e a significativa experiência dos autores no tratamento das metástases na coluna vertebral motivaram uma atualização do tema. Acreditamos que a padronização da conduta e o conhecimento pormenorizado dos principais aspectos da doença, podem promover a melhor opção terapêutica. O presente estudo visa à revisão e descrição didática dos principais aspectos relacionados à fisiopatologia, diagnóstico e tratamento desta entidade.

The increased survival of cancer patients due to the improvement and advancement of therapeutic modalities has promoted progressive increase in the prevalence of metastatic tumors of the spine, making it important for healthcare professionals to acquire knowledge in the field. Spinal column metastases are usually secondary to malignant neoplasm of the breast, lung and prostate, male gender being the most often affected and pain being the initial symptom in 90% of patients. It is estimated that 30-90% of terminally ill patients with cancer have metastases at some spinal column segment. Clinical history, physical and neurological assessments are critical to determine the degree and extent of the lesion, and therefore choose the appropriate imaging method to be requested. This study aims to perform a review and didactic description of the main aspects related to the physiopathology, diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Desmoid Type Fibromatosis in the Facet Joint of Lumbar Spine: Case Report and Review of Literature

Desmoid type fibromatosis is a benign fibroblastic tumor arising from the fascia or musculoaponeurosis. It may occur in various locations, but most commonly in the shoulder girdle and neck; to our knowledge, there has been no reported case originating from a facet joint of the spine. We report CT and MR imaging findings of a desmoid type fibromatosis, involving the facet joint of the L3-4 spine with bone involvement.

Image-Guided Percutaneous Lipiodol-Pingyangmycin Suspension Injection Therapy for Sacral Chordoma

A 74-year-old man presented with a progressively worsening pain in sacrum and was diagnosed to have a sacral chordoma by biopsy in May, 2004. Percutaneous intratumoral injection with lipiodol-pingyangmycin suspension (LPS) was carried out under image guidance and repeated when the pain in sacrum recurred and the tumor increased. During a 6-year follow-up period, three sessions of this treatment were executed. CT imaging and Karnofsky Performance Score were used to evaluate the size of tumor and quality of life, respectively. The patient was free of pain after each procedure and had a high quality of life with a Karnofsky Performance Score above 80 points. The tumor lesion in sacral area was effectively controlled. No complications were observed. Percutaneous intratumoral injection with LPS under image guidance may be an effective and safe alternative for the patients with sacral chordoma.

Ependimoma mixopapilar dorsolumbar: reporte de un caso / Ependymoma myxopapillary dorsolumba: case report

Se presenta un caso con diagnóstico de Ependimoma mixopapilar de localización dorso lumbar con cuadro de presentación de paraparesia progresiva y que recibió tratamiento quirúrgico y oncológíco. La evolución no fue satisfactoria a pesar de mejorar el estado neurológico motor, por su grado de extensión y adherencia a estructuras nerviosas y óseas.

A Spinal Cord Astrocytoma and Its Concurrent Osteoblastic Metastases at the Time of the Initial Diagnosis: a Case Report and Literature Review

Bone metastasis from a spinal cord astrocytoma has been reported only twice in the English medical literature. It is generally known that bone metastasis is found after the initial diagnosis with/without intervening surgery rather than being found at the time of the diagnosis of astrocytoma. The purpose of this article is to report for the first time a case of concurrent bone metastasis from a spinal cord astrocytoma at the time of diagnosing the spinal cord astrocytoma.

Robot-assisted Resection of Paraspinal Schwannoma

Resection of retroperitoneal tumors is usually perfomed using the anterior retroperitoneal approach. Our report presents an innovative method utilizing a robotic surgical system. A 50-yr-old male patient visited our hospital due to a known paravertebral mass. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a well-encapsulated mass slightly abutting the abdominal aorta and left psoas muscle at the L4-L5 level. The tumor seemed to be originated from the prevertebral sympathetic plexus or lumbosacral trunk and contained traversing vessels around the tumor capsule. A full-time robotic transperitoneal tumor resection was performed. Three trocars were used for the robotic camera and working arms. The da Vinci Surgical System(R) provided delicate dissection in the small space and the tumor was completely removed without damage to the surrounding organs and great vessels. This case demonstrates the feasibility of robotic resection in retroperitoneal space. Robotic surgery offered less invasiveness in contrast to conventional open surgery.

Tumores espinales primarios en la infancia: epidemiologia, diagnostico, estadificacion y tratamiento / Primary tumors of the spine in children: epidemiology, diagnosis, staging and treatment

Introducción: Los tumores vertebrales son infrecuentes en la infancia. El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar las variables clínico-epidemiológicas, los estudios complementarios, los procedimientos diagnósticos, los criterios de estadificación y los resultados terapéuticos. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó una evaluación retrospectiva de una muestra de 43 niños tratados en un período de 20 años. Variables analizadas: dolor, compromiso neurológico, deformidad, claudicación para la marcha, masa palpable, recidiva, supervivencia y complicaciones terapéuticas. La estadificación se efectuó según la histología, la extensión anatómica y el comportamiento biológico del tumor. El seguimiento mínimo fue de 2 años y la significación estadística ≤0,05. Resultados: Prevalencia en los varones, edad promedio 9,3 años. Estirpes más frecuentes: histiocitosis de células de Langerhans, osteoma osteoide y quistes óseos aneurismáticos. Datos clínicos relevantes: dolor, deformidad, afectación neurológica. Retardo diagnóstico promedio, 7 meses. En la mayoría de las lesiones seudotumorales no hubo correlación entre la benignidad histológica y el comportamiento clínico. En 31 niños la cirugía incluyó tres procedimientos básicos: curetaje, resección en bloque y vertebrectomía. El tratamiento médico incluyó a 13 pacientes con histiocitosis. Los diversos protocolos terapéuticos modificaron favorablemente las variables analizadas. Conclusiones: Se requiere un alto índice de sospecha a fin de establecer el diagnóstico y el tratamiento tempranos y evitar las deformaciones o el daño neurológico permanente. La estadificación tumoral es imprescindible para el estudio individual y la comparación con otras series.

The Surgical Treatment for Spinal Intradural Extramedullary Tumors

BACKGROUND: We wanted to investigate the results of surgical treatment and analyze the factors that have an influence on the neurologic symptoms and prognosis of spinal intradural extramedullary (IDEM) tumors. METHODS: The spinal IDEM tumor patients (11 cases) who had been treated by surgical excision and who were followed up more than 1 year were retrospectively analyzed. Pain was evaluated by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the neurologic function was assessed by Nurick's grade. The pathological diagnosis, the preoperative symptom duration, the tumor location on the sagittal and axial planes and the percentage of tumor occupying the intradural space were investigated. In addition, all these factors were analyzed in relation to the degree of the preoperative symptoms and the prognosis. On the last follow-up, the MRI was checked to evaluate whether or not the tumor had recurred. RESULTS: The most common diagnosis was schwannomas (73%), followed by meningiomas (18%). The percentage of tumor occupying the intradural space was 82.9 +/- 9.4%. The VAS score was reduced in all cases from 8.0 +/- 1.2 to 1.2 +/- 0.8 (p = 0.003) and the Nurick's grade was improved in all cases from 3.0 +/- 1.3 to 1.0 +/- 0.0 (p = 0.005). The preoperative symptoms were correlated with only the percentage of tumor occupying the intradural space (VAS; r2 = 0.75, p = 0.010, Nurick's grade; r2 = 0.69, p = 0.019). One case of schwannoma recurred. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of neurologic symptoms was correlated with the percentage of tumor occupying the intradural space. All the tumors were able to be excised through the posterior approach. The postoperative neurologic recovery was excellent in all the cases regardless of any condition. Therefore, aggressive surgical excision is recommended even for cases with a long duration of symptoms or a severe neurologic deficit.

Giant Vertebral Notochordal Rest: Magnetic Resonance and Diffusion Weighted Imaging Findings

A giant vertebral notochordal rest is a newly described, benign entity that is easily confused with a vertebral chordoma. As microscopic notochordal rests are rarely found in adult autopsies, the finding of a macroscopic vertebral lesion is a new entity with only seven previously presented cases. We report here radiological findings, including diffusion weighted images, of a patient with a giant notochordal remnant confined to the L5 vertebra, with an emphasis on its distinction from a chordoma.

Una rara complicación de la anestesia epidural y subaracnoidea. Tumores epidermoideos espinales / A rare complication of epidural and subarachnoid anesthesia iatrogenic spinal epidermoid tumors

Los tumores epidermoideos espinales son tumores muy poco frecuentes, que pueden tener un origen congénito o iatrogénico. Los tumores de origen iatrogénico pueden formarse a partir de la implantación de fragmentos de piel dentro del espacio epidural o subaracnoideo, que posteriormente crecen. El arrastre de células epidérmicas se puede producir por un "efecto de biopsia" durante las punciones lumbares, por una inadecuada adaptación del mandril dentro de la aguja. El tiempo de latencia hasta la aparición de los primeros síntomas neurológicos puede estar entre los 2 y 10 años. Se localizan, principalmente, en la columna lumbar. Los signos y los síntomas varían según la situación, el sitio y la dimensión del tumor. Las manifestaciones clínicas tienen relación con su efecto compresivo y aparecen cuando este tumor adquiere un tamaño de 1,5 a 3 cm. y comienza a ejercer presión sobre las raíces nerviosas de la cola de caballo. El diagnóstico presuntivo se establece por el antecedente de alguna punción lumbar practicada en años anteriores, en un paciente que presenta la clínica antes mencionada, sumado al informe radiológico del hallazgo de una imagen con diferente densidad dentro del canal medular, de localización extramedular y próxima a la zona de la punción lumbar. El pronóstico es bueno por su benignidad anatomopatológica y el tratamiento es quirúrgico.

Spinal epidermoid tumors are very rare and their origin may be either congenital or iatrogenic. Iatrogenic tumors may originate from the implant of skin fragments within the epidural or subarachnoid space and later grow. The dragging of epidermic cells may occur from a "biopsy effect" during lumbar punctures due to an inadequate placement of the mandrel inside the needle. The time of latency until the appearance of the first neurological symptoms may be between 2 to 10 years. They are mainly located in the lumbar spine. Signs and symptoms vary according to the situation, site and size of the tumor. Clinical manifestations are related to their compression effect and appear when the tumor reaches a size of 1.5 to 3 cm and begins to exert pressure on the nerve roots of the horsetail. Presumptive diagnosis is based on the history of a lumbar puncture of some years back in a patient with the above-mentioned background of compressive symptoms added to the radiological report of an image with a different density within the medullar canal, located extra-medularly and near the area of the lumbar puncture. Treatment is surgical and it has a good prognosis due to it being anatomo-pathologically benign.

Os tumores epidermóides espinhais sao raros. Podem ser congenitos ou iatrogenicos. Os iatrogenicos originam-se da implantação de fragmentos de pele dentro do espaço epidural ou subaracnóideo que posteriormente cresce. O arrasto de células epidérmicas pode ocorrer por "efeito de biópsia" durante punções lombares com agulhas com mandril inadaptados. O tempo de latencia até o aparecimento dos primeiros sintomas neurológicos varia entre 2 e 10 anos. Os tumores se localizam, principalmente, na coluna lombar. Os sinais e sintomas variam conforme a situação, o sítio e a dimensao do tumor. As manifestaçoes clínicas associam-se a seu efeito compressivo e aparecem quando o tamanho do tumor atinge 1,5 a 3 cm e começa a comprimir as raízes nervosas da cauda eqüina. O diagnóstico presuntivo é estabelecido pelo antecedente de alguma punção lombar praticada em anos anteriores, em um paciente que apresenta o quadro clínico antes mencionado, além de um relatório radiológico do achado de uma imagem com diferente densidade dentro do canal medular, de localização extramedular e próxima da região da punção lombar. Por sua benignidade anatomopatológica, o prognóstico é bom, e o tratamento é cirúrgico.

Síndrome de destrucción vertebral: sistemas de evaluación en su diagnóstico / Vertebral destruction syndrome: diagnostic evaluation systems

BACKGROUND: Vertebral Destruction Syndrome (VDS) is a pathology of multiple etiologies causing structural alterations of the spine, producing deformity with neurological and mechanical alterations. In order to study VDS, a diagnostic process is carried out, sometimes with unexpected results. We undertook this study to validate the systematization of a series of studies to arrive at the diagnosis of VDS. METHODS: We included 105 patients in the study with diagnosis of VDS from January 1998 to December 2005, taking into consideration specificity, sensitivity and predictive value of each integrated study in order to determine its diagnostic value. RESULTS: The most frequent etiology was Pott's Disease (24 cases) followed by osteomyelitis (20 cases), metastasis (18 cases) and multiple myeloma and plasmacytoma (16 cases each). The higher sensitivity in Pott's Disease was obtained with bone scan and polymerase chain reaction (PCR); for multiple myeloma, computerized axial tomography (CAT) and bone scan; CAT and bone scan for infections; MRI for primary tumors; and MRI and bone scan for secondary tumors. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce false positives to 2% and to reduce the maximum number of false negatives, studies such as CAT, MRI, bone scan, PCR, ESR, C-reactive protein and determination of alkaline and acid phosphatase must be included in the VDS study protocol. Other studies have very low diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.

Intracranial Dural Metastasis of Ewing's Sarcoma: a Case Report

Although intracranial dural metastasis of Ewing's sarcoma is a very rare finding, its imaging characteristics are similar to those of its primary form in the central nervous system. Thus, this tumor must be considered in the differential diagnosis of extra-axial dural masses.