Surgical outcome for occipitocervical intradural extramedullary tumors / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the surgical strategy and outcome for occipitocervical extramedullary tumors.Methods 15 patients with occipitocervical extramedullary tumors from January 2007 to July 2010 were reviewed retrospectively.There were 7 males and 8 females with an mean age of 44.6 years (range,21-72 years).All cases were intradural tumors,including 7 cases in dorsolateral,5 cases in lateral side,and 3 cases in ventralis of spinal cord.Functional and neurological statuses were assessed using the Frankel grade and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scale.According to Frankel grade system,there were 4 patients with Grade C,8 with Grade D,and 3 with Grade E.The mean preoperative JOA score was 10.5±3.6.Based on the tumor site,there were 5 cases in medulla oblongata-C1 and 10 cases in C1,2.Frankel grade and JOA score were used to evaluate neurological status and general health.The improvement of symptoms and characteristics of surgical strategies were analyzed.Results All cases were followed up for 2-4 years (mean 2.8 years).Complete resection of tumor and good fusion of bone graft were found in radiography postoperatively.The pathological diagnoses included 10 cases of schwannoma,3 cases of meningioma and 2 cases of neurofibroma.There was statistical difference between the preoperative and the final follow-up functional and neurological statuses including Frankel grade and JOA score.At the latest follow-up,2 cases improved from Frankel grade C to D,2from C to E,6 from D to E,but none in 2 cases with grade D.The mean JOA score at final follow-up was 15.6±1.6,and the average improvement rate was 80.7％± 17.4％.The mean preoperative C0-2 angle was 27.0°±4.1 °,and C2-7 angle was 16.8°± 12.7°.C0-2 angle was 27.6°±8.8°,and C2-7 angle was 10.2°±6.8° at the latest follow-up.However,these differences did not reach statistical significance.Conclusion Surgical treatment can effectively maintain or improve neurological function and improve quality of life.Extramedullary tumors can be resected completely by posterior approach,and spinal stabilization can be obtained satisfactorily through selecting appropriate surgical strategies.For medulla oblongata-C1 level,occipitocervical fusion is usually chosen after extirpation of tumor.For C 1,2 level,C1,2 fusion after tumor resection is useful in preventing atlantoaxial instability.