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.

Total en bloc spondylectomy for spinal tumors of the fourth lumbar spine via a posterior approach: our clinical experience / 中华骨科杂志

Objective To study the feasibility and safety of total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) for bone tumors of the fourth lumbar spine and evaluate the clinical outcomes.Methods From March 2011 to December 2013,21 patients undergone total en bloc spondylectomy in posterior-only approach were retrospectively reviewed.The patients included 9 males and 12 females,with a mean age of 47.1± 15.6 years old (range,15-71 years old).This series included 12 cases of primary bone tumors and 9 cases of solitary metastases.Preoperative evaluation according to clinical,imaging and pathologic features was performed meticulously to select patients.The length of surgery,estimated blood loss,surgical margins,instrumentation failure,perioperative complications,Frankel scale,visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain,local control rate and overall survival were reviewed and analyzed.Results Total en bloc spondylectomy was performed successfully in all patients.Average operative time and estimated blood loss were 297.6±44.6 min (range,225-420 min) and 2 247.1±904.5 ml (range,900-4100 ml),respectively.The mean follow-up time was 50.4± 17.1 mons (range,24-79 mons).All patients encountered nerve roots stretch and 5 patients (23.8％) showed lower extremeties neurological dysfunction.All of them improved in 2-4 weeks postoperatively and recovered completely at 6-month follow -up.Cerebrospinal fluid leak was found in 4 patients (19.0％).The VAS score was 1.5±1.4 at post-operation,which was significantly lower than the 6.2± 1.6 in average at operation (P=0.008).Three patients with metastatic tumors died during the follow-up.Titanium mesh cage subsidence was observed in 7 patients (33.3％).No implant failure was occurred during the follow-up.Conclusion Total en bloc spondylectomy for tumors of the fourth lumbar spine in a posterior-only approach is feasible.However,there are many intraoperative neurological complications and the indications for TES are extremely limited.

Delayed Epidural Mucin Collection after Surgery for Spinal Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

A rare case of delayed large epidural mucin collection causing neurologic deficit after surgery for metastatic pancreatic cancer is reported. A 65-year-old man presented with intractable upper-thoracic back pain radiating to the chest and gait disturbance. He had a history of subtotal pancreatectomy due to intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas and concurrent chemotherapy. Eight months after pancreatectomy, multiple thoracic spinal metastasis was diagnosed with routine up positron emission tomography-computed tomography. Radiotherapy for spinal metastasis and subsequent chemotherapy was carried out. Sixteen months after pancreatectomy, gait disturbance occurred and follow-up thoracic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed aggravation of metastasis at T2 and T4 compressing the spinal cord. We performed a decompressive laminectomy with subtotal resection of the tumor masses and pedicle screw fixation at C7–T6. Neurologic status improved after the operation. Histopathologic examinations revealed the tumor as metastatic mucin producing adenocarcinoma. Three months after surgery, motor weakness and pain was reappeared. MRI showed large amount of epidural fluid collection. We performed wound revision and there was large amount of gelatinous fluid at the epidural space. We suggest that postoperative mucin collection and wound problems should be considered after surgery for mucin producing metastatic pancreatic tumor.

Vertebral compression fractures after spine irradiation using conventional fractionation in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

PURPOSE: To evaluate the risk of vertebral compression fracture (VCF) after conventional radiotherapy (RT) for colorectal cancer (CRC) with spine metastasis and to identify risk factors for VCF in metastatic and non-metastatic irradiated spines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 68 spinal segments in 16 patients who received conventional RT between 2009 and 2012. Fracture was defined as a newly developed VCF or progression of an existing fracture. The target volume included all metastatic spinal segments and one additional non-metastatic vertebra adjacent to the tumor-involved spines. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 7.8 months. Among all 68 spinal segments, there were six fracture events (8.8%) including three new VCFs and three fracture progressions. Observed VCF rates in vertebral segments with prior irradiation or pre-existing compression fracture were 30.0% and 75.0% respectively, compared with 5.2% and 4.7% for segments without prior irradiation or pre-existing compression fracture, respectively (both p < 0.05). The 1-year fracture-free probability was 87.8% (95% CI, 78.2-97.4). On multivariate analysis, prior irradiation (HR, 7.30; 95% CI, 1.31-40.86) and pre-existing compression fracture (HR, 18.45; 95% CI, 3.42-99.52) were independent risk factors for VCF. CONCLUSION: The incidence of VCF following conventional RT to the spine is not particularly high, regardless of metastatic tumor involvement. Spines that received irradiation and/or have pre-existing compression fracture before RT have an increased risk of VCF and require close observation.

Primary Spinal Cord Melanoma

Primary central nervous system (CNS) melanoma is a rare condition that accounts for only 1% of all melanomas. A 34-year-old Korean female presented with a two-month history of progressive weakness in both legs. Spinal magnetic resonance image (MRI) revealed a spinal cord tumor at the level of T4, which was hyperintense on T1-weighted imaging and hypointense on T2-weighted imaging. The intradural and extramedullary tumor was completely resected and diagnosed as melanoma. There were no metastatic lesions. At three years after surgery, the patient is still alive, with no evidence of tumor recurrence. We present the details of this case along with a comprehensive review of spinal cord melanoma.

Mieloma múltiplo da coluna: avaliação do tratamento cirúrgico / Mieloma múltiple de la columna: evaluacióndel tratamiento quirúrgico / Multiple myeloma of the spine: surgical treatment evaluation

INTRODUÇÃO: o mieloma múltiplo é uma neoplasia maligna de proliferação monoclonal e difusa de células plasmáticas na medula óssea comum no sistema esquelético. O sítio mais frequente é a coluna vertebral. O mieloma múltiplo pode provocar dor intratável, instabilidade e déficit neurológico na coluna vertebral. O tratamento cirúrgico dessa neoplasia na coluna vertebral consiste em descompressão ampla e artrodese com ou sem instrumentação. A literatura médica apresenta poucas pesquisas com foco no resultado clínico em relação à dor e à melhora neurológica. OBJETIVO: avaliar os resultados clínicos do tratamento cirúrgico de pacientes portadores de mieloma múltiplo na coluna. MÉTODOS: estudo retrospectivo de 16 pacientes portadores de mieloma múltiplo na coluna que foram submetidos à descompressão cirúrgica com ou sem instrumentação. A extensão das lesões foi classificada de acordo com o método de Tomita. Os pacientes foram avaliados em relação à melhora dos sintomas dolorosos e em relação ao quadro neurológico de acordo com a classificação de Frankel. RESULTADOS: os quatro pacientes que apresentavam exame normal (Frankel E) permaneceram sem déficit neurológico no período pós-operatório. Dois pacientes Frankel D evoluíram para Frankel E. Dos três pacientes que apresentavam Frankel C, dois obtiveram melhora (Frankel D) e um manteve o mesmo grau de déficit. Os quatro pacientes que apresentavam Frankel B evoluíram para Frankel D após a descompressão. Déficit neurológico completo (Frankel A) estava presente em três pacientes, dois evoluíram com melhora da função neurológica (Frankel B e C) e um evoluiu a óbito no pós-operatório imediato. CONCLUSÕES: o tratamento cirúrgico do mieloma na coluna apresenta bons resultados em relação à dor e melhora do quadro neurológico em casos bem selecionados.

INTRODUCTION: multiple myeloma is a malignant neoplasm of monoclonal and diffuse proliferation of plasma cells that typically involves the bone marrow. The spine is one of the most commonly affected sites. It may cause severe intractable pain, spinal instability, or neurological complications. The surgical treatment for multiple myeloma includes open decompressive surgery and arthrodesis with or without stabilization. The medical literature presents little researches focused on clinical outcome with regard to pain and neurological improvement. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate clinical outcomes in patients surgically treated for multiple myeloma of the spine. METHODS: a total of 16 consecutive patients who underwent spinal column decompression for multiple myeloma with or without stabilization were retrospectively studied. The local extent of tumor was graded based on Tomita et al. classification. The patients were assessed with regard to pain and neurological improvement according to Frankel's classification. RESULTS: the four patients with normal examination (Frankel E) remained without neurologic deficit in the postoperative period. Two Frankel D patients evolved to Frankel E. Two Frankel C patients evolved to improvement (Frankel D) and one Frankel C patient remained with the same status. Four Frankel B patients evolved to Frankel D after decompression. Two Frankel A patients (complete neurological deficit) also improved their neurological status (Frankel B and C), and one died in the immediate postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: surgical treatment of spinal lesions due to myeloma presents good clinical outcome based on pain and neurological improvement in well selected cases.

INTRODUCCIÓN: el mieloma múltiple es una neoplasia maligna de proliferación monoclonal y difusa de células plasmáticas en la médula ósea siendo común en el sistema esquelético. El sitio más frecuente es la columna vertebral. El mieloma múltiple puede provocar dolor intratable, inestabilidad y déficit neurológico en la columna vertebral. El tratamiento quirúrgico del mieloma en la columna vertebral consiste en descompresión amplia y artrodesis con o sin instrumentación. La literatura médica presenta pocas investigaciones con enfoque en el resultado clínico en relación al dolor y mejoría neurológica. OBJETIVOS: evaluar los resultados clínicos del tratamiento quirúrgico de pacientes portadores del mieloma múltiple en columna. MÉTODOS: estudio retrospectivo de 16 pacientes portadores del mieloma múltiple en la columna que fueron sometidos a la descompresión quirúrgica con o sin instrumentación. La extensión de las lesiones fue clasificada de acuerdo con el método de Tomita. Los pacientes fueron evaluados en relación a la mejoría de los síntomas dolorosos y en relación al cuadro neurológico de acuerdo con la clasificación de Frankel. RESULTADOS: los cuatro pacientes que presentaron examen normal (Frankel E) permanecieron sin déficit neurológico en el postoperatorio. Dos pacientes Frankel D evolucionaron para Frankel E. De los tres pacientes que presentaron Frankel C, dos obtuvieron mejoría (Frankel D) y uno mantuvo el mismo grado de déficit. Los cuatro pacientes que presentaron Frankel B evolucionaron para Frankel D después de la descompresión. Déficit neurológico completo (Frankel A) estaba presente en tres pacientes, dos evolucionaron con mejoría de la función neurológica (Frankel B y C) y un evolucionó con óbito en el postoperatorio inmediato. CONCLUSIÓN: el tratamiento quirúrgico del mieloma en la columna presenta buenos resultados en relación al dolor y mejoría del cuadro neurológico en casos bien seleccionados.

The analysis for multiple spinal neoplasm by two operation methods / 中国基层医药

Objective To disscuas the effect and complication of spinal operation combined with vertebroplasty in treating formultiple spinal neoplasm. Methods During the last two years, 18 patients with multiple spinal neoplasm including metastases, multiple myeloma andlymphoma were treated by operation combined with vertebroplasty, 2 vertebral body segments were involved in 5 cases, 3 to 4 vertebralbody segments were involved in 9 cases, more than 5 segments were involved in other 4 cases. Neurological function deficit and severe pain were seen in all the cases. Patients were evaluated byTomita prognostic scoring system before the operation; The average point was 7.2 (from 3 to 9 points). Results The pain relief ratewas 83.3%(15/18), and neurological recovery was found in 9 out of 12 patients who had neurological deficit. According to the system of frankel and neurological function, 1 patient recovered from grade B to grade C after the operation, and there was no change in another patients who was evaluated as grade A before the operation. The main complication of vertebroplasty was leakage of PMMA. Six patients had leakage of PMMA into adjacent structures in this series. Conclusion Better results of pain relief and neurological function recovery and living quality can be achieved by surgical palliation of operation combined with vertebroplasty formultiple spinal neoplasm.

Lumbar Spinal Extradural Angiolipoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Angiolipomas in the lumbar spinal region are extremely rare. The present report describes the identification of such a tumor and its removal, and discusses the tumor characteristics and prognosis. A 74-year-old woman was presented with a 5-month history of lower back pain. Severe radiculopathy was experienced in the left leg for 5 days prior to the presentation, and there were no neurological deficits. Magnetic resonance (MR) images showed an approximately 3.5 cm heterogeneously enhanced and elongated mass at the left L5-S1 level. A portion of the mass appeared with high signal intensity on T2-weighted MR images, with low signal intensity on T1-weighted images, and with high signal intensity on T1 fat suppression enhancement images. Resection of the tumor was approached via an L5 and S1 laminectomy. A fibrous sticky yellowish hypervascular tumor was identified. Histological study revealed the tumor as an angiolipoma. Symptoms were relieved after tumor excision, and there were no neurological sequelae. Although extremely rare, lumbar epidural angiolipoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lumbar spinal epidural lesions. The prognosis after surgical management of this lesion is favorable.

Posterior Mediastinal Chordoma: 1 case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Chordomas are slowly growing and rare malignant tumors arising from the remnants of the notochord. Furthermore, intrathoracic chordomas presenting as a posterior mediastinal tumor account for only 1~2% of all reported chordomas. Incomplete resection of these tumors can lead to local recurrence, distant metastasis and result in a poor outcome, but complete remission can be expected with complete resection and adjuvant radiotherapy. We report a case of thoracic chordoma presenting as a posterior mediastinal tumor which was successfully treated with complete resection and adjuvant radiotherapy without recurrence and distant metastasis for 2 years.