Case report: a case of primary intracranial parasagittal meningeal angiosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Angiosarcoma, also known as malignant hemangioendothelioma, is a rare vasogenic malignant tumor, commonly found on the skin of the head and neck, rarely occurring in the intracranial region. As for intracranial meningeal angiosarcoma, only 8 cases have been reported before and there is no clinical study with large sample size. We report here a case of parasagittal meningeal angiosarcoma. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 48-year-old Chinese male patient was admitted to our hospital due to headache accompanied by bilateral lower limb weakness. On admission, CT showed a high-density mass on both sides of the sagittal sinus at the top of the frontal lobe. We performed exploratory surgical resection of the tumor. During the operation, it was found that the tumor originated from the dura mater and extensively invaded the surrounding brain tissue and skull, and the surrounding hemosiderin deposition was observed. Postoperative pathology suggested angiosarcoma. CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial meningeal angiosarcoma is difficult to accurately diagnose before surgery, so radiologists and neurosurgeons need to strengthen their understanding of this disease. The presence of extensive superficial hemosiderin deposition during operation may contribute to the diagnosis, and immunohistochemistry is very important for the diagnosis of intracranial angiosarcoma.

Pretemporal Transcavernous Approach for Resection of Non-meningeal Tumors of the Cavernous Sinus: Single Center Experience.

OBJECTIVES: To study the outcomes of the pretemporal transcavernous approach in the treatment of non-meningeal tumors involving cavernous sinus and to investigate the surgical strategy for these lesions. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 45 patients with non-meningeal tumors involving cavernous sinus. All 45 patients received microsurgical resection via the pretemporal transcavernous approach from April 2012 to January 2019 by the same neurosurgeon. We analyzed clinical manifestations, image data, perioperative complications, surgical outcomes, functional outcomes, and follow-up data of these patients. RESULTS: Gross total resection was achieved in 38 cases (84.4%) of the 45 patients. Preoperatively, a total of 64 individual cranial nerves were affected. Postoperatively, 92.2% of 64 impaired cranial nerves completely or partially restored function, 7.8% had worsened function compared with their preoperative statuses, and 5 new cranial nerve deficits (CNV) were observed in five patients during the last follow-up. Seven patients presented transient new cranial nerve deficits (5 CNIII and 2 CNVI), three cases suffered transient worsen cranial nerve deficits (3 CNIII and 1 CNVII). There were no cases of intracranial hematoma, intracranial infection, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, and death. The progression of residual tumor was observed in two patients (1 chordoma and 1 pituitary adenoma). CONCLUSIONS: Non-meningeal tumors involving cavernous sinus can be safely and radically removed with less morbidity and mortality. Pretemporal transcavernous approach is an ideal approach to the cavernous sinus and can be tailored individually.

Intracranial Ewing Sarcoma - A case report.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is a rare entity with <15 cases reported in the literature. It belongs to a family of round-cell neuroectodermally derived tumors bearing many similarities to peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (pPNET). There is currently no established treatment protocol. Reported cases are treated with either surgery alone or surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe a case of intracranial left frontal ES in a 19-year-old patient who presented with change in behavior. Diagnosis was unclear based on radiological findings on MRI and CT alone. MRI brain with contrast demonstrated a large extra-axial ovoid heterogeneously enhancing left frontal convexity mass. The patient underwent gross total resection with adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation. No local or systemic recurrence was found at 12 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Intracranial ES/pPNET is rare tumor with nonspecific clinical presentation and radiological findings. They are locally invasive. Surgery with adjuvant chemoradiation is the mainstay treatment. Distinction of pPNET and cPNET is important for therapeutic and prognostic purposes.

Primary extracranial nasopharyngeal meningioma in a dog.

An 8-year-old Labrador Retriever was presented for inspiratory efforts with stertor. A rhinoscopy and a magnetic resonance imaging scan were performed and revealed a naso-pharyngeal mass. The mass was identified in the nasopharynx without meningeal extension. This mass was both T1- and T2-hyperintense, compared to normal brain parenchyma without significant postcontrast enhancement. The mass was surgically removed and the histologic diagnosis was a mesenchymal tumor. Immunohistochemistry with antibodies was conducted and consistent with an extracranial meningioma. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report documenting a primary extracranial nasopharyngeal meningioma in a dog.

Spinal location is prognostic of survival for solitary-fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma of the central nervous system.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have highlighted infratentorial tumor location as a prognostic factor for solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) and hemangiopericytoma (HPC) of the central nervous system (CNS), and spinal location is considered a positive prognostic factor for other tumors of the CNS. While SFT/HPC of the CNS is known to frequently arise from the spinal meninges, there are no case series that report outcomes for spinally located CNS tumors, and their prognosis in relation to intracranial and other CNS-located tumors is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate outcomes for patients with SFT/HPC of the spinal meninges. METHODS: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End-Results Program was used to identify patients with SFT/HPC within the CNS from 1993-2015. We retrospectively analyzed the relationship between tumor location (spinal vs. Brain and other CNS) and survival. RESULTS: We identified 551 cases of CNS SFT/HPC, 64 (11.6%) of which were primary tumors of the spinal meninges. Spinal tumors were more likely than brain and other CNS tumors to be SFT vs. HPC (37.5 vs. 12%, p < 0.001), benign (42.2 vs. 20.3%, p < 0.001), and less than 5 cm (53.1 vs. 35.7%, p < 0.001). The 10-year survival rates for spinal and brain/other CNS tumors were 85 and 58%, respectively. Median survival time was significantly longer for spinal tumors (median survival not reached vs. 138 months, p = 0.03, HR = 0.41 [95% CI 0.18-0.94]). On multivariable analysis, spinal tumor location was associated with improved survival over tumors located in the brain and other CNS (HR = 0.36 [95% CI 0.15-0.89], p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Spinal tumor location is associated with improved survival in patients with SFT/HPC of the CNS. Larger institutional studies are necessary to characterize the relationship between tumor location and other relevant factors such as presentation and amenability to gross-total resection and adjuvant radiotherapy. Future studies exploring optimal management of spinally located tumors are also needed.

Solitary fibrous tumor: A clinical case. / Tumor fibroso solitario extra-intramedular de localización dorsal.

INTRODUCTION: Solitary fibrous tumor (TFS) is a rare tumor of mesenchymal origin, located mainly in the pleura. It is extraordinarily infrequent find it at the intraespinal level, being the thoracic region the most frequent. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 48-year-old patient with progressive ascending lower limb and myelopathy of one month of evolution, with intraspinal location at the D3-D4 level. It was surgically operated by posterior dorsal approach and D3-D4 laminoplasty, with an intradural tumor with an intramedullary component of approximately 18×12mm. The resection was complete and the pathological anatomy gave the diagnosis of solitary fibrous tumor. The patient is currently asymptomatic. DISCUSSION: Complete tumor resection and histopathological features are the main prognostic factors. Surgery have a main role in this type of neoplasia. CONCLUSION: There are few case published of solitary fibrous tumor with intraspinal localization. We apport another case to the literature.

Solitary-fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma of the central nervous system: a population-based study.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) was recently updated, restructuring solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) and hemangiopericytoma (HPC) into one combined entity. This is the first population-based study to examine outcomes of SFT/HPC based on the new WHO guidelines. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (1998-2013) was queried to examine age-adjusted incidence and prognostic factors associated with overall survival in 416 surgically resected cases. Age-adjusted incidence was calculated to be 3.77 per 10,000,000 and was rising. Median survival was 155 months, with 5- and 10-year survival rates of 78 and 61%, respectively. Younger age, Asian/Pacific Islander versus white race, benign histology, tumor location, gross-total resection (GTR), and GTR plus radiation (RT) versus subtotal resection were significantly associated with survival. In multivariable analysis, older age (HR = 1.038, p < 0.0001), infratentorial location (HR = 2.019, p = 0.038), GTR (HR = 0.313, p = 0.041), and GTR + RT (HR = 0.215, p = 0.008) were independent prognostic factors. In the HPC and borderline/malignant subgroups, GTR + RT was associated with significantly increased survival compared with GTR alone (HR = 0.537, p = 0.039 and HR = 0.525, p = 0.038). After eliminating patients that died within 3 months of diagnosis, GTR + RT was still associated with an incremental increase in survival (HR = 0.238, p = 0.031) over GTR alone (HR = 0.280, p = 0.054). GTR + RT may be optimal in the management CNS HPC and SFT/HPC tumors with borderline/malignant features. This study, in combination with existing literature, warrants further investigation of adjuvant radiation through a prospective clinical trial.

Invasiveness is associated with metastasis and decreased survival in hemangiopericytoma of the central nervous system.

Meningeal hemangiopericytoma (m-HPC) is a rare tumor of the central nervous system (CNS), which is distinguished clinically from meningioma by its tendency to recur and metastasize. The histological classification and grading scheme for m-HPC is still evolving and few studies have identified tumor features that are associated with metastasis. All patients at our institution with m-HPC were assessed for patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics associated with survival, recurrence, and metastasis. New findings were validated using the SEER database. Twenty-seven patients were identified in our institutional records with m-HPC with a median follow-up time of 85 months. Invasiveness was the strongest predictor of decreased overall survival (OS) and decreased metastasis-free survival (MFS) (p = 0.004 and 0.001). On subgroup analysis, bone invasion trended towards decreased OS (p = 0.056). Bone invasion and soft tissue invasion were significantly associated with decreased MFS (p = 0.001 and 0.012). An additional 315 patients with m-HPC were identified in the SEER database that had information on tumor invasion and 263 with information on distant metastasis. Invasion was significantly associated with decreased survival (HR = 5.769, p = 0.007) and metastasis (OR 134, p = 0.000) in the SEER data. In this study, the authors identified a previously unreported tumor characteristic, invasiveness, as the strongest factor associated with decreased survival and metastasis. The association of invasion with decreased survival and metastasis was confirmed in a separate, larger, publicly available database. Invasion may be a useful parameter in the histological grading and clinical management of hemangiopericytoma of the CNS.

Intracranial Extraskeletal Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcomas (MCSs) are rare tumors accounting for <0.16% of intracranial tumors. They are usually described as occurring in the age group of 20-30 years and are commonly found in the frontoparietal region arising from the falx and surrounding dura. We describe 3 cases at varying ages, locations, and outcomes. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 42-year-old woman with anterior one third falx-based lesion; a 7-year-old boy with mid one third falcine lesion with hyperostosis of bone, presenting in comatose stage; and a 52-year-old woman with left posterior lateral frontal dural-based lesion are presented. Histopathology of all cases was confirmed with immunohistochemistry. All patients underwent complete excision but had varying outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial MCSs are rare malignant tumors with poor prognosis. Because of their rarity, it may not be considered as a differential diagnosis and it is often misdiagnosed radiologically, but the importance lies in the need of radical excision. The potential effect of postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy is controversial. This article sheds some light on variable prognosis of this tumor.

NAB2-STAT6 fusion gene analysis in two cases of meningeal solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma with late distant metastases.

We present two cases of meningeal solitary fibrous tumor (SFT)/hemangiopericytoma (HPC) with immunohistochemistry of STAT6 and analysis of NAB2-STAT6 fusion genes. Case 1 was a 37-year-old male with a left middle fossa tumor; case 2 was a 68-year-old female with a cerebellar tumor. They showed late metastasis to the lung or bone 8 or 13 years, respectively, after the first surgery. Histology of both primary and metastatic tumors showed a cellular hemangiopericytomatous pattern with nuclear atypia. The primary tumors showed nuclear staining of STAT6, but both metastatic tumors showed nuclear and cytoplasmic STAT6. DNA sequencing revealed two kinds of NAB2-STAT6 fusion genes. One consisted of exon 6 of NAB2, intron 6 of NAB2, and the middle of exon 17 of STAT6 (observed in the primary and metastatic tumors of case 1); the other consisted of exon 6 of NAB2 and the beginning of exon 17 of STAT6 (observed in the metastatic tumor of case 2). The primary tumor of case 2 had both fusion genes. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to report NAB2-STAT6 fusion gene analysis in primary and metastatic meningeal SFT/HPCs and a case showed different fusion gene status in the metastatic tumor.

Hemangiopericitoma intracraneano: Reporte de un caso y revisión del tema / Intracranial Haemangiopericytoma: Case report and literature review

INTRODUCCIÓN: el Hemangiopericitoma (HPC) es un tumor hipervascular infrecuente que constituye menos del 1% de todos los tumores del Sistema Nervioso Central (SNC) y aproximadamente el 3% de los tumores vinculados a las meninges. Son tumores agresivos que requieren un tratamiento enérgico mediante cirugía y radioterapia, y a pesar del mismo, generalmente son tumores recidivantes, pudiendo generar metástasis a distancia. OBJETIVOS: comunicar el primer caso en que se hace diagnóstico con un panel inmunohistoquímico completo de HPC en Uruguay, y a partir del mismo, se realiza una revisión bibliográfica. MATERIALES Y MÉTODO: en primer lugar se presenta un caso clínico de un paciente que fue asistido en el Hospital de Clínicas. Mediante estudios de imagen se sospecha probable HPC, es intervenido quirúrgicamente de coordinación y el diagnóstico definitivo se realiza mediante estudio de anatomía patológica que incluye técnica inmunohistoquímica. A partir de este caso clínico ilustrativo se realizó una puesta al día sobre esta patología. DISCUSIÓN: a nivel intracraneano, los HPC tienen una distribución similar a los meningiomas, con una base de implantación dural. Tal es su similitud con los meningiomas, que fueron considerados como una variante meningoblástica o angiomatosas de los mismos. Desde 1993 se los clasifica como un grupo aparte, presentando 2 variantes: clásica, de bajo grado (grado II) y anaplásico (grado III). El estudio histopatológico (morfológico e inmunohistoquimico) es fundamental ya que los diferencia definitivamente a los meningiomas de los HCP. En cuanto a los marcadores, y siguiendo la bibliografía referente, nuestro caso reportado fue negativo para CD 34 pero positivo para factor VIIIa. CONCLUSIONES: los HPC del SNC son tumores poco frecuentes, con un comportamiento agresivo, tendencia a recurrir y dar metástasis a distancia. Por lo que es fundamental tener siempre presente este tipo de lesiones en patología tumoral de meninges. Un diagnóstico rápido con estudio histológico y confirmación immunohistoquímica permite llegar al diagnostico y a un tratamiento oportuno agresivo, ya que el mismo es lo único que está demostrado que mejora el pronóstico.

INTRODUCTION: the haemangio-pericytoma (HPC) is a rare hypervascular tumor that accounts for less than 1% of all the Central Nervous System (CNS) tumor and approximately 3% of the tumors involving the meninges. They are aggressive tumors that require an energetic therapy including surgery and radiotherapy, despite which the tumors tend to relapse, potentially giving rise to distant metastases. OBJECTIVES: to report the first case where the diagnosis is reached with the comprehensive immuno-histochemistry panel for HPC in Uruguay, and literature review based on that case. MATERIALS AND METHOD: we describe the case of a patient treated at the Hospital de Clínicas. Imaging studies suggested a potential HPC; the patient underwent scheduled surgery and the final diagnosis was reached through the pathology assessment, using immunohistochemistry. A literature review of the condition is presented on the basis of the clinical report. DISCUSSION: at an intracranial level, HPCs have a distribution similar to that of meningiomas, with a dural implantation. They are so much alike meningiomas that they were considered to be a meningoblastic or angiomatous variant of those tumors. Since 1993 they are classified as a separate group with 2 variations: classical, low-grade (grade II) and anaplastic (grade III). The histology test (morphological and immunohistochemistry) is essential, since it reveals the differences between HCPs and meningiomas. As to markers, in accordance with the bibliography, our case was reported as negative for CD 34 but was positive for factor VIIIa. CONCLUSIONS: SNC HPCs are uncommon tumors that behave aggressively; they tend to relapse and cause distant metastases. Hence, it is always crucial to bear this diagnosis in mind when facing a meningeal tumor. A quick diagnosis including histology and immuno-histochemical confirmation allows for a timely aggressive therapy- the only thing that improves prognosis.

Viral infection of implanted meningeal tumors induces antitumor memory T-cells to travel to the brain and eliminate established tumors.

BACKGROUND: Leptomeningeal metastases occur in 2%-5% of patients with breast cancer and have an exceptionally poor prognosis. The blood-brain and blood-meningeal barriers severely inhibit successful chemotherapy. We have developed a straightforward method to induce antitumor memory T-cells using a Her2/neu targeted vesicular stomatitis virus. We sought to determine whether viral infection of meningeal tumor could attract antitumor memory T-cells to eradicate the tumors. METHODS: Meningeal implants in mice were studied using treatment trials and analyses of immune cells in the tumors. RESULTS: This paper demonstrates that there is a blood-meningeal barrier to bringing therapeutic memory T-cells to meningeal tumors. The barrier can be overcome by viral infection of the tumor. Viral infection of the meningeal tumors followed by memory T-cell transfer resulted in 89% cure of meningeal tumor in 2 different mouse strains. Viral infection produced increased infiltration and proliferation of transferred memory T-cells in the meningeal tumors. Following viral infection, the leukocyte infiltration in meninges and tumor shifted from predominantly macrophages to predominantly T-cells. Finally, this paper shows that successful viral therapy of peritoneal tumors generates memory CD8 T-cells that prevent establishment of tumor in the meninges of these same animals. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the hypothesis that a virally based immunization strategy can be used to both prevent and treat meningeal metastases. The meningeal barriers to cancer therapy may be much more permeable to treatment based on cells than treatment based on drugs or molecules.

Meningeal fibroma: a rare meningioma mimic.

Meningeal fibromas are rare intracranial tumors that mimic meningiomas radiologically as well as histologically. The authors report 2 cases of meningeal fibroma with detailed clinical, radiological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical features, and discuss the differential diagnosis of this entity. Knowledge of this rare tumor is essential for pathologists to be able distinguish it from more common meningeal tumors, especially in younger patients. This knowledge is also essential for neurosurgeons, as incomplete resection may lead to tumor recurrence, and such patients require close follow-up.

Meningeal hemangiopericytomas: a clinicopathological study with emphasis on MGMT (O(6) -methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase) promoter methylation status.

Meningeal hemangiopericytomas (HPCs) are aggressive dural-based tumors, for which no prognostic or predictive marker has been identified. Gross total resection is treatment of choice, but not easily achieved; hence, alkylating agents like temozolomide (TMZ) are now being tried. O(6) -methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation has proven prognostic and predictive value in glioblastomas. This study evaluates MGMT promoter methylation in meningeal HPCs to determine its role in HPC oncogenesis and its association with patient outcome. Meningeal HPCs diagnosed between 2002 and 2011 were retrieved and clinicopathological features reviewed. MGMT promoter methylation status was assessed by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for MGMT protein. HPCs accounted for 1.1% of all CNS tumors. Forty cases were analyzed; the majority were adults (mean age = 41.4 years). Seventy percent were primary and 30% were recurrent tumors; 60% were grade II and 40% were grade III. MGMT promoter methylation was identified in 45% of cases, including Grade II (54.2%) and Grade III (31.3%) (P = 0.203). Promoter methylation was significantly (P = 0.035) more frequent in primary (57.1%) than in recurrent (16.7%) tumors. No correlation was noted between MGMT promoter methylation by MSP and MGMT protein expression by IHC, or with progression-free survival. Thus, a significant proportion of HPCs demonstrate MGMT promoter methylation, suggesting possible susceptibility to TMZ. As promoter methylation is more frequent in primary tumors, TMZ may serve as a therapeutic option in residual primary tumors. Epigenetic inactivation of MGMT in HPCs necessitates the assessment of prognostic and predictive value of MGMT promoter methylation in HPCs in larger clinical trials.

Dural metastasis of Ewing's sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic Ewing's sarcoma to the central nervous system is an uncommon condition and debate concerning the true origin of its metastases is still up to date. To the best of our knowledge, only two cases of dural metastatic Ewing's sarcoma have been published in the English medical literature. We present an additional case in a 24-year-old female and discuss the pathogenesis of these unusual tumors with review of the relevant literature concerning their treatment and outcome. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 24-year-old female with previous history of pelvis Ewing's sarcoma and recently discovered lung metastases, presented with moderate headache for the past 2 weeks and weakness in her left leg for the past 2 days. Computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an extra-axial right frontoparietal mass invading the superior sagittal sinus but with clear delineation with brain parenchyma. Imaging features were suggestive of a meningioma as no abnormalities in the skull abutting to the tumor were noted. The patient underwent surgical removal of her tumor. Near total resection was achieved and histological examination showed evidence of metastatic Ewing's sarcoma. Postoperative adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy were administered. The patient improved well postoperatively with full recovery of her motor weakness. She is symptom free with no signs of progression, at most recent follow-up, 8 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Despite its rarity, metastatic Ewing's sarcoma must be considered in the differential diagnosis of extra-axial dural masses particularly meningiomas.

Meningeal Solitary Fibrous Tumor

We report a rare case of a patient with meningeal solitary fibrous tumor. A 60-year-old woman presented with right leg monoparesis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging demonstrates a well enhancing huge mass, located in left parietal lobe. Cerebral angiography demonstrating increased vascularity in area of the tumor, which had feeder vessels extending from the internal carotid artery and external carotid artery. A presumptive diagnosis of meningioma or hemangiopericytoma was considered. At surgery, the consistency was firm and had destroyed the dura and skull. A gross total resection was performed. Immunohistochemically, tumor was strongly, and widely, positive for CD34 and vimentin. There was no staining for epithelial membrane antigen(EMA), S-100 protein, cytokeratin, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Differential diagnosis of intracranial solitary fibrous tumor includes fibroblastic meningioma, meningeal hemangiopericytoma, neurofibroma, and schwannoma.

Spinal Cord Tumors: An Analysis of 654 Cases(1973-1999)

OBJECTIVE: The spinal cord tumors(including vertebral tumors) are increasingly diagnosed and operated due to development of refined diagnostic and therapeutic tools. It is necessary to re-evaluate clinical features and surgical results of spinal cord tumors with increasing cases and developing treatment modalities. The authors reviewed the spinal cord tumor cases to evaluate their clinical characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The retrospective review of 654 cases of spinal cord tumors between 1973 and 1999 was done. The clinical features, pathological analysis and surgical results were analyzed and compared to the literature. The results of the study are analyzed with a more detailed consideration of each of major pathologies: neurogenic tumors, meningeal tumors, neuroepithelial tumors, and metastatic tumors. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The spinal cord tumor was most common in the 5th decade of age(145 cases, 22.1%) and 78 cases(11.9%) were found in children under 15 years of age. The ratio of male to female was 1.2:1. The pathologic diagnosis was neurogenic tumor in 266 cases(40.7%), neuroepithelial tumor in 131(20.0%), metastatic tumor in 118(18.0%), and meningeal tumor in 94(14.4%) in the order of frequency. The tumor was located most frequently in the thoracic area(36.5%) and in the intradural extramedullary space(38.1%). The most common initial presentation was pain(40.1%) and the mean duration for presentation to operation was 14.8 months. The total or gross total removal was possible in 404 cases(61.7%) and the surgical result on the postoperative one month was recovery or improvement in 424 cases(64.8%), stationary in 188(28.7%), progression in 42(6.4%). As a surgical complication, there was a spinal deformity(12 cases), wound infection(5 cases), aspiration pneumonia(5 cases) etc. Neurogenic tumors and menigiomas showed good surgical results, whereas neuroepithelial tumors(except ependymoma) and metastatic tumors showed relatively poor prognosis.

Spinal Cord Tumors : An Analysis of 175 Cases(1973-1986)

The authors analyzed 175 cases of spinal cord tumor who had been operated upon at the Department of Neurosurgery of the Seoul National University Hospital from 1973 to 1986. The tumor was most common in the 5th decade of age(47 cases, 26.9%) and 24 cases(13.7%) were children. And the ratio of male to female was 1.2:1. The pathologic diagnosis was neurogenic tumor in 73 cases(41.7%), metastatic tumor in 29 cases(16.6%), glial tumor in 24 cases(13.7%), and meningeal tumor in 23 cases(13.1%) in the order of frequency, and the tumors of dysembryogenesis were only 2 cases(1.1%). The tumors were located most frequently in the thoracic area(79 cases, 45.1%) and I the intradural extramedullary space(79 cases, 45.1%). The most common initial presentation was pain(86 cases, 49.1%) and the mean duration of presentation was 20.6 months. On admission 70 cases(40.0%) were in the 'paraparesis stage'. The mean value of the CSF protein was 741mg%. The rate of positivity of the plain spinal radiologic study was 55.7% and the most common positive findings was the increased interpedicular distance(46 cases, 29.1%). the total or gross total removal was possible in 105 cases (60.0%). The surgical result within the postoperative one month was recovery in 52 cases(29.7%), improvement in 76 cases(43.4%), stationary state in 36 cases (20.6%), progression in 11 cases(6.3%). After 20.1 months of the mean follow-up duration in 109 cases(62.3%), the result was recovery in 69 cases(63.3%), improvement in 16 cases(14.7%), stationary state in 8 cases(7.3%), progression in 16 cases(14.7%). As a major complication, there was a spinal deformity in 6 cases(3.4%), pulmonary embolism in 2 cases(1.1%), postoperative hematoma and meningitis in 1 case(0.6%) each. Ten cases(5.7%) were followed up to their deaths. And the authors discussed the clinical features of the spinal cord tumors reported in the literatures and the results of the present study with a more detailed consideration on each of major pathologies, neurogenic tumors, meningeal tumors, glial tumors, and metastatic tumors.