Clinical Evaluation of 68 Cases of Spinal Cord Tumors

ABSTRACT

The author analyzed 68 cases of the spinal cord tumors who had been operated at the Department of Neurosurgery of the Hanyang University Hospital from 1985 to 1989. The results were summerized as followings 1) The spinal cord tumor was most common in the 5th decade of age(18 cases, 26.5%) and the ratio of male to female was 1.5 1, male predominant. The most common pathologic type was neurogenic tumor(29 cases, 42.6%). 2) The tumors were located most frequently in the thoracic area(35 cases, 51.5%) and in the intradural extramedullary space(30 cases, 44.1%). The most common initial presentation was pain and the paraparesis was most frequent symptom on admission. 3) The ratio of positive findings in plain radiologic study was 55.9% and all cases were shown the complete or partial blockings in myelography. 4) The computed tomographic scanning with water-soluble contrast media was useful in planning of operation to provide the exact relationship between the tumor, spinal cord and location of dura. 5) The total or gross total removal was possible in 60.3%(41 cases) and the result within postoperative one month was recovery or improvement in 73.5%(50 cases), the follow-up result was 83%(49 cases among 59 cases). 6) The most common postoperative complication was the spinal deformity in children(37.5%), and the osteoplastic laminotomy was required in prevention of this. 7) The incidence of metastatic tumor was 16.2%(11 cases), relatively high rate and the lung was most common primary focus. In plain X-ray examination, the bone destruction was most commonly found(54.5%) and the follow-up result was poor than the other tumors.