Síndrome de la mano inútil con astereognosia secundaria a un astrocitoma cervical / Useless hand syndrome with astereognosis secondary to a cervical astrocytoma

Resumen El presente caso es un ejemplo del síndrome de la mano inútil de Oppenheim secundario a un astrocitoma cervical alto. La pérdida sensorial propioceptiva y discriminativa suspendida con conservación de la termoalgesia y el tacto crudo en ambas extremidades superiores es secundaria al daño a la entrada de la raíz dorsal y al núcleo cuneiforme. La torpeza y las dificultades para una prensión precisa con la mano se deben al daño del núcleo proprioespinal en las astas dorsales a nivel C3-C4. Este núcleo integra influencias excitadoras descendentes del tracto corticoespinal e interneuronas inhibitorias controladas por los sistemas descendentes y las aferencias de las extremidades anteriores. Probablemente la pérdida de las aferentes cervicales propioceptivas inhibitorias sea la culpable de las dificultades para agarrar con las manos.

The present case is an example of the useless hand syndrome of Oppenheim secondary to a high cervical astrocytoma. The suspended proprioceptive and discriminative sensory loss with conservation of thermoalgesia and crude touch in both upper extremities is secondary to damage to dorsal root entry and cuneate nucleus. The clumsiness and difficulties in precise grasping with the hand are due to damage of the propriospinal nucleus in the dorsal horns at C3-C4 level. This nucleus integrates descending excitatory influences from corticospinal tract and inhibitory interneurons controlled by descending systems and the forelimb afferents. Probably the loss of the inhibitory proprioceptive cervical afferents is the culprit of the difficulties in grasping by the hands.

Correlation of tokuhashi and tomita scores with the prognosis in metastatic breast cancer / Correlação dos escores de tokuhashi e tomita com o prognóstico em tumor metastático de mama / Correlación de las puntuaciones de tokuhashi y tomita com el pronóstico en tumor metastásico de mama

ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the concordance between the Tokuhashi and Tomita scores with the prognosis of patients with vertebral metastases due to breast tumor, treated at the outpatient clinic of the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Methods: Twenty-nine patients with vertebral metastases from breast tumor were retrospectively evaluated. Twenty patients were surgically treated and received adjuvant therapy and only nine received conservative (chemotherapy/radiotherapy) or palliative/support treatment, depending on Tokuhashi and Tomita scores. Results: In this study, all selected patients were females with vertebral metastasis due to breast tumor; mean age of 57.6 years (SD = 11.8 years). The accuracy of the Tokuhashi scale was 62.1% and that of Tomita 72.4%. In addition, the Tomita scale concentrates the majority of the patients' classifications for more than 12 months (69%), indicating a good relation with the long-term prognosis (> 12 months). None of the evaluated characteristics - age or surgery - statistically influenced the survival of patients with primary breast tumor (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The Tokuhashi and Tomita scores showed good accuracy in relation to the prognosis of patients with spinal metastasis due to breast tumor.

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo é avaliar a concordância entre os escores de Tokuhashi e Tomita com o prognóstico das pacientes acometidas por metástases vertebrais por tumor de mama, atendidas no ambulatório da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Métodos: Foram avaliadas retrospectivamente 29 pacientes com metástases vertebrais de tumor de mama. Vinte pacientes foram tratadas com cirurgia e terapia adjuvante e apenas nove receberam tratamento conservador (quimioterapia/radioterapia) ou paliativo/suporte, dependendo dos escores de Tokuhashi e Tomita. Resultados: No estudo, foram selecionadas pacientes do sexo feminino acometidas por metástase vertebral decorrente de tumor de mama; média de idade de 57,6 anos (DP = 11,8 anos). A acurácia da escala de Tokuhashi foi de 62,1% e a de Tomita, 72,4%. Além disso, a escala de Tomita concentra a maioria das classificações das pacientes do grupo por mais de 12 meses (69%), indicando boa relação com o prognóstico a longo prazo (>12 meses). Nenhuma das características avaliadas - idade ou cirurgia - influenciou estatisticamente a sobrevida das pacientes com tumor primário de mama (p > 0,05). Conclusão: Os escores de Tokuhashi e de Tomita apresentaram boa acurácia com relação ao prognóstico das pacientes acometidas por metástase na coluna vertebral decorrente de tumor de mama.

RESUMEN Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la concordancia entre las puntuaciones de Tokuhashi y Tomita con el pronóstico de las pacientes que tienen metástasis vertebrales por tumor de mama, tratadas en el ambulatorio de la Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp). Métodos: Se evaluaron retrospectivamente 29 pacientes con metástasis vertebrales por tumor de mama. Veinte pacientes fueron sometidas a tratamiento quirúrgico y terapia adyuvante y sólo nueve recibieron tratamiento conservador (quimioterapia/radioterapia) o paliativo/de apoyo, dependiendo de las puntuaciones de Tokuhashi y Tomita. Resultados: En el estudio, se seleccionaron pacientes del sexo femenino con metástasis vertebral derivada de tumor de mama; edad promedio de 57,6 años (DE = 11,8 años). La exactitud de la escala Tokuhashi fue del 62,1% y la de Tomita, el 72,4%. Además, la escala Tomita concentra la mayoría de las clasificaciones de las pacientes del grupo por más de 12 meses (69%), lo que indica una buena relación con el pronóstico a largo plazo (> 12 meses). Ninguna de las características evaluadas - edad o cirugía - influenció estadísticamente la supervivencia de las pacientes con tumor primario de mama (p > 0,05). Conclusión: Las puntuaciones de Tokuhashi y Tomita mostraron buena exactitud con relación al pronóstico de las pacientes que tienen metástasis de columna vertebral resultantes del tumor de mama.

Compressão medular / Medular compression

Este artigo abordará a investigação diagnóstica e tratamento de mielopatias causadas por compressões medulares agudas, com enfoque nas etiologias neoplásicas.

This article aims to review the diagnostic approach and treatment of myelopathies caused by acute spinal cord compression, focusing on neoplasic etiologies.

Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging of squamous cell carcinoma arising in a meningomyelocele

No abstract available.

Patterns of Treatment for Metastatic Pathological Fractures of the Spine: The Efficacy of Each Treatment Modality

BACKGROUND: Metastatic pathological fractures of the spine are a major problem for cancer patients; however, there is no consensus on treatment strategy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate various treatment options by analyzing their patterns for metastatic pathological fractures of the spine. METHODS: In this study, 54 patients (male:female = 36:18) who were diagnosed with metastatic pathological fractures of spine were recruited. Demographic data, origin of cancer, type of treatment, and results were obtained from electronic medical records. Treatment options were divided into radiotherapy (RT), vertebroplasty (VP) or kyphoplasty (KP), operation (OP), and other treatments. Treatment results were defined as aggravation, no response, fair response, good response, and unknown. The survival time after detection of pathologic fractures was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 62.3 years. Hepatocellular carcinoma was the most common cancer of primary origin (n = 9), followed by multiple myeloma (n = 8). RT was the most common primary choice of treatment (n = 29, 53.7%), followed by OP (n = 13, 24.1%), and VP or KP (n = 10, 18.5%). Only 13 of 29 RT cases and 7 of 13 OP cases demonstrated a fair or good response. The mean survival time following detection of pathological spinal fractures was 11.1 months for 29 patients, who died during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: RT was the most common primary choice of treatment for metastatic pathological fractures of the spine. However, the response rate was suboptimal. Although OP should be considered for the relief of mechanical back pain or neurologic symptoms, care should be taken in determining the surgical indication. VP or KP could be considered for short-term control of localized pain, although the number of cases was too small to confirm the conclusion. It is difficult to determine the superiority of the treatment modalities, hence, a common guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of metastatic pathological fractures of the spine is required.

Unusual cause of back pain in a 13-year-old boy: a thoracic osteoblastoma

No abstract available.

Sacroplastia: una nueva esperanza para el dolor por metástasis sacra / Sacroplasty: new hope for pain from sacral metastasis

La cementoplastía en aplastamientos o fracturas vertebrales es un proceder que se utiliza con mayor frecuencia en la sociedad moderna, basado en la inyección percutánea de polimetil-metacrilato. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar una experiencia de nuevo abordaje en el tratamiento del dolor oncológico; en este caso por metástasis en el cuerpo vertebral de S2, a partir de un cáncer de próstata, que refería un dolor incapacitante. Creemos que el proceder fue novedoso y que existen pocos casos reportados en la bibliografía mundial sobre la sacroplastia.

The cementoplasty in squashing or vertebral fractures is an action that is utilized with high frequency in the modern society, based in the percutaneous injection of polimetil-metacrylate. The objective of this presentation is to show you an experience to a new perspective in the treatment of the cancer pain; In this case for metastasis in S2's vertebral body, from a prostate cancer, that presented a crippling pain. That is why we thought the way it was conducted was innovative and there are few cases that have been reported in the worldwide bibliography on the sacroplasty.

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.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty complications

Percutaneous vertebroplasty, among various other options, has become a mainstay in the management of osteoporotic and malignant vertebral fractures. The purpose of this article is to describe complications arising from the procedure, which can be classified as mild, which may include a temporary increase in pain and transient hypotension; moderate, including infection and extravasation of cement into the foraminal, epidural or dural space; and severe such as cement leakage in the paravertebral veins, leading to pulmonary embolism, cardiac perforation, cerebral embolism or even death. Vertebroplasty is not a procedure without complications. The article defines them and describes methods to minimize them

Tumor de vaina nerviosa periférica maligno asociado a neurofibromatosis tipo 1: informe de dos casos / Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors associated with neurofibromatosis type 1: report of two clinical cases

Introducción: El tumor de vaina nerviosa periférica maligno (TVNPM) es un sarcoma de alto grado de malignidad, originado de componentes de las vainas nerviosas, fibroblastos, células perineurales y células de Schwann, que se asocia a neurofibromatosis tipo 1 con un riesgo de 10 a 13 %. Casos clínicos: Se presentan dos casos de TVNPM asociado a neurofibromatosis tipo 1. El primero presentó dolor moderado sin causa aparente, además de lesión intrarraquídea en resonancia magnética nuclear, manejada quirúrgicamente en dos ocasiones. Histológicamente correspondió a lesión neurofibromatosa en transición con neoplasia maligna. El segundo se manifestó con cifoescoliosis torácica, dolor y aumento de volumen. Asociado a la deformidad, la resonancia magnética mostró tumor en la región torácica posterior (T1 a T8), que fue resecado; se identificó neoplasia sarcomatosa infiltrante, muy celular, con inmunopositividad para proteína S100 y vimentina. Conclusiones: Los TNVPM son sarcomas con alto índice de recurrencia, capaces de producir metástasis a distancia desde etapas tempranas. A pesar de la resección amplia, los pacientes descritos no sobrevivieron dado el avance y tamaño de las lesiones. Por el crecimiento progresivo de los TNVPM y la dificultad anatómica para su abordaje, deberá tenerse un control estrecho de los pacientes con neurofibromatosis tipo 1 a fin de identificar tempranamente la transformación maligna de las lesiones.

BACKGROUND: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is a sarcoma with a high grade of malignancy originating in the nerve sheath components, fibroblasts, perineural cells, and Schwann cells. It is associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) with a risk of 10-13%. CLINICAL CASES: We present two cases of NF-1-associated MPNST. The first patient presented moderate pain with no apparent cause, in addition to the presence of intraspinal lesion demonstrated by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI), which was managed surgically on two occasions. Histologically, it corresponded to a neurofibromatosis lesion in transition with malignant neoplasm. The second case manifested with thoracic kyphoscoliosis, pain, and an increase in volume. Associated with the deformity, MRI showed a withering tumor in the posterior thoracic region (T1-T8), observing an infiltrating, cellular sarcomatous neoplasm with immunopositivity for S-100 protein and vimentin. CONCLUSIONS: MPNSTs are sarcomas with a high index of recurrence with the ability to produce distant metastasis during early stages. Despite wide resection, patients did not survive due to the advancement and size of the lesions (determining factors in the prognosis). Due to the progressive growth of MPNST and the anatomic difficulty for its approach, there should be strict surveillance of patients with NF-1 for early detection of malignant transformation in these lesions.

Hemangioma vertebral del arco posterior con extensión extraósea y sintomatología neurológica: informe de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Vertebral hemangioma of the posterior arch with subsequent extraosseous extension and neurological symptoms: case report and literature review

Introducción: El hemangioma vertebral es el tumor más común de la columna vertebral, se identifica hasta en 11 % de las autopsias. Es tipificado como una malformación benigna vascular de crecimiento lento; en ocasiones involucra los elementos posteriores, asociándose a compromiso neurológico. Por lo general es asintomático, encontrándose de forma incidental al estudiar el dolor de origen espinal en busca de otra patología; ocasionalmente produce manifestación neurológica. La extensión extraósea intrarraquídea con compromiso neurológico ha sido poco informada y representa un reto terapéutico. Caso clínico: Adolescente femenina con hemangioma vertebral de tamaño inusual del arco posterior con extensión hacia el conducto raquídeo que ocasionó manifestaciones neurológicas y ameritó tratamiento quirúrgico para su resección y fijación transpedicular. Conclusiones: El hemangioma vertebral es una lesión asintomática que no requiere tratamiento específico. Solo en algunos casos es necesario el tratamiento quirúrgico, que debe llevarse a cabo oportunamente cuando hay compresión neurológica, para evitar secuelas permanentes. El crecimiento extraóseo intrarraquídeo con deterioro neurológico es una presentación inusitada.

BACKGROUND: Vertebral hemangioma is the most common benign spinal tumor and is found in 11% of postmortem studies as a slow-growing benign vascular malformation. It usually involves the vertebral body and sometimes the posterior vertebral elements. When the posterior elements are involved, spinal cord compression with neurological symptoms are seen more often. Vertebral hemangiomas exist as a continuum of manifestations and lesions ranging from the common asymptomatic forms to the rare compression lesion. Extraosseous extension of vertebral hemangioma with cord compression and neurological symptoms is a rare condition and represents a treatment challenge. Surgical options are open resection, embolization or vertebroplasty. CLINICAL CASE: We report a case of a vertebral hemangioma with extraosseous extension to the spinal canal with an unusual size and osseous component in the posterior elements. This tumor caused neurological manifestations and was surgically treated with posterior decompression and stabilization with transpedicular screws and rods. Clinical outcome was good. CONCLUSIONS: Vertebral hemangioma is normally an asymptomatic benign lesion not requiring specific treatment. Only in a few cases is surgical treatment required. When neurological compromise is present, early treatment should be carried out before the presence of permanent paralysis.

Benign versus malignant compression fracture: a diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of various Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) features in differentiating malignant from benign compression fracture of the spine. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective review of MRI spine of patients with vertebral compression fracture identified from the hospital database between June 2004 and February 2006 by two radiologists blinded to the clinical data. Various MRI features were evaluated for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. An additional combination of two, three, four, and five MRI features that had statistically significant (P value less than 0.005) were also calculated for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). RESULTS: Fifty-eight spinal MRI were included from 35 patients with metastatic vertebral compression fractures and 23 patients with benign vertebral compression fractures. MR imaging features suggestive of malignant vertebral compression fracture were convex posterior border of the vertebral body, involvement of the pedicle or posterior element, epidural mass, paraspinal mass, and destruction of bony cortex. Among these, involvement of pedicle or posterior element was the most reliable finding (sensitivity 91.4% and specificity 82.6%) for diagnosis of malignant vertebral compression fracture. A combination of two or more MRI features gave very high specificity and PPV. CONCLUSION: Certain MR imaging characteristics can reliably distinguish malignant from benign compression fracture of the spine. Combination of several MRI features strongly affirmed the diagnosis of malignant compression fracture, especially in a patient where tissue biopsy is not justified.

Congenital irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation associated with cervical intramedullary astrocytoma causing progressive spastic quadriparesis.

Simultaneous presence of congenital irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) and cervical intramedullary astrocytoma has not been previously described and may cause disabling myelopathy. This 55-year-old lady presented with suboccipital pain, spastic quadriparesis, Lhermitte's phenomenon and sphincteric disturbances. Lateral radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging showed irreducible AAD, occipitalized atlas, C2-3 fusion, and,an intramedullary tumor from C2-5 level iso-to-hypointense, non-enhancing, except in a small segment in the dorsal C2 level. A suboccipital craniectomy with C2-5 laminectomy revealed a greyish-white tenacious tumor. The tumor was decompressed using a C2-5 midline myelotomy and duroplasty. An occipitocervical lateral mass fixation was performed. Histopathology revealed a low-grade astrocytoma. At three-month follow-up, her spasticity had decreased and quadriparesis and sphincteric disturbances were persisting. Postoperative lateral radiographs and intrathecal contrast CT scan showed a stable occipitocervical construct. Thus, the suboccipital craniectomy and laminectomy with midline myelotomy and duroplasty facilitated space for progressively expanding intramedullary astrocytoma with irreducible AAD; the lateral mass fixation provided stability at the craniovertebral junction.

Percutaneous Sacroplasty for Sacral Metastatic Tumors Under Fluoroscopic Guidance Only

Percutaneous sacroplasty is a safe and effective procedure for sacral insufficient fractures under CT or fluoroscopic guidance; although, few reports exist about sacral metastatic tumors. We designed a pilot study to treat intractable pain caused by a sacral metastatic tumor with sacroplasty. A 62-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman with medically intractable pain due to metastatic tumors of S1 from lymphoma and lung cancer, respectively, underwent percutaneous sacroplasty. Over the course of the follow-up period, the two patients experienced substantial and immediate pain relief that persisted over a 3-month and beyond. The woman had deposition of PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) in the needle track, but did not experience significant symptoms. No other peri-procedural complications were observed for either patient.

Neurofibromatosis type I: spinal neoplasia without symptoms.

Neurofibromatosis1 (NF-1) or von Recklinghausen disease is the most common of the neurocutaneous syndromes. It is characterized by presence of hamartomas in multiple organs. Inheritance is autosomal dominant but spontaneous mutations are seen in half the cases. The authors are reporting a classical case of this syndrome with spinal neoplasia which was interestingly asymptomatic. Authorities seem to agree that because the risk of developing intradural disease is significant in patients with NF-1, a routine MRI of the entire spine should be obtained.

Tratamento de dor em paciente com tumor sacral inoperável: relato de caso / Management of pain in patient with inoperable sacral tumor: case report

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Diversas técnicas podem ser utilizadas no controle de dor em pacientes oncológicos. O objetivo deste relato é mostrar o uso de algumas medidas terapêuticas empregadas para tratar um paciente com quadro doloroso importante de difícil controle. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo masculino, 70 anos, com cordoma sacral e com possibilidade terapêutica muito difícil. Apresentava quadro de dor importante associado ao tumor. São relatadas diversas técnicas utilizadas no seu tratamento e os resultados obtidos. CONCLUSÕES: Os bloqueios neurolíticos, para o controle da dor em paciente com tumores cuja possibilidade terapêutica é difícil, constituem técnica eficaz quando bem indicados e realizados dentro de critérios estabelecidos.

Results of radiotherapy in non round cell spinal metastasis.

Spinal metastases are commonly encountered by physicians in a variety of clinical fields. There are some controversies in choice of treatment between surgery and radiotherapy. This report is a study of the outcomes of radiotherapy for metastatic nonround cell tumors of the spine. Medical records and films of 31 patients who were treated with radiotherapy at Songklanakarind Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The most common primary tumors were prostate and breast. One patient had spinal metastases from malignant serous cystadenoma of the fallopian tube of which no previous report has been published. This patient had excellent results after radiotherapy. Back and neck pain were the primary symptoms of the patients, while motor or sensory deficits (or both) were found in 58 per cent of the cases. Seven patients had neurological recovery and 18 patients had pain relief after radiotherapy. Cause of compression is the only factor effecting the result from univariate and multivariate analysis. Spinal cord compressed by a tumor had a better recovery than those which were compressed by a bony fragment or intervertebral disc. The authors concluded that radiotherapy remains a good treatment for patient with non round cell spinal metastasis. Cause of spinal cord compression is the only factor predicting the result of treatment.