Tratamiento quirúrgico de las metástasis espinales epidurales / Surgical Treatment for Epidural Spine Metastasis

Introducción:Los tumores metastásicos son los más comunes de la columna vertebral.Objetivo:Evaluar los resultados quirúrgicos de pacientes con metástasis espinales epidurales, según dolor pre-y posoperatorio, estado neurológico e índice de discapacidad.Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de tipo longitudinal retrospectivo en una muestra de 34 pacientes de 20 o más años de edad ‒universo conformado por 62 pacientes‒con metástasis espinal, atendidos en el hospital "Hermanos Ameijeiras" entre enero 2016-marzo 2018 y operados con técnica de descompresión por corpectomía y fijación de columna. Se comprobóla intensidad del dolor mediante la escala Denis;el estado neurológico mediante la escala de Frankel y el porcentaje de discapacidad a través de la escala Oswestry. Se aplicaron pruebas de significación estadística. La investigación cumplió con los principios de la Declaración de Helsinski.Resultados:predominaron los pacientes de 40 a 59 años (64,7 por ciento) y sexo masculino (67,6 por ciento). El tumor primario más frecuente fue el hematopoyético (41,2 por ciento), con afectación del segmento torácico (57,9 por ciento). La técnica criolla, la más empleada con el 44,1 por ciento. En el preoperatorio la mayoría se encontraban en Denis III, con Frankel D y 66,2 por ciento de discapacidad. En la evaluación posoperatoria la mayoría se encontraban en un Denis entre 0 y 1, Frankel E con conservación del estado neurológico y 31,4 por ciento de incapacidad (p= 0,000). Conclusiones:El tratamiento quirúrgico de los pacientes con metástasis vertebral por medio de instrumentación y descompresión tiene beneficios clínicos, sobre todo, la mejora del dolor y de la función neurológica(AU)

Introduction: Metastatic tumors are the most frequent in the spine. Objective: To evaluate surgical results in patients with epidural spine metastatic tumors, according to pain before and after surgery, their neurological status, and disability index. Methods: This is a retrospective longitudinal descriptive study in a sample of 34 patients older than 20 years- longitudinal descriptive study in a sample of 34 patients aged 20 or over from a universe made up of 62 patients. They had spinal metastases, they were treated at Hermanos Ameijeiras hospital from January 2016 to March 2018. They underwent surgery with a decompression technique by corpectomy and spinal fixation. Pain intensity was verified using Denis scale; neurological status using Frankel scale and the percentage of disability using Oswestry scale. Statistical significance tests were applied. The investigation complied with the principles of Declaration of Helsinki. Results: Patients aged 40 to 59 years (64.7percent) and male (67.6 percent) predominated. The most frequent primary tumor was hematopoietic (41.2 percent), with involvement of the thoracic segment (57.9 percent). The Cuban technique was the most used (44.1 percent). During the preoperative period, the majority were in Denis III, with Frankel D and 66.2 percent were disabled. At the postoperative evaluation, the majority were in Denis between 0 and 1, Frankel E with preservation of neurological status and 31.4 percent of disability (p= 0.000). Conclusions: Surgical treatment of patients with vertebral metastases by means of instrumentation and decompression has clinical benefits, above all, the improvement of pain and neurological function(AU)

Sarcoma de Ewing extraóseo en espacio epidural / Extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma in spinal epidural space

El sarcoma extraóseo de Ewing pertenece a la familia de tumores neuroectodérmicos que derivan de la cresta neural, característico por su agresividad. Varias localizaciones se han descrito, sin embargo, la presentación epidural es rara. El pronóstico ha mejorado por nuevos esquemas oncológicos y están en estudio otras dianas terapéuticas.

Extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma belongs to the family of neuroectodermal tumors that derive from the neural crest, characteristic of its aggressiveness. Several locations have been described, however,epidural presentation is rare. Prognosis has been improved by new oncological regimens and other therapeutic targets are being studied.

Survival score scales of patients operated with spinal metastases: retrospective application in a Brazilian population / Escalas de prognóstico em pacientes operados com metástases vertebrais: aplicação retrospectiva em população brasileira

ABSTRACT Spinal cord epidural metastasis (SEM) is a common complication of systemic cancer. Predicting these patient’s survival is a key factor to select the proper treatment modality, but the three most used score scales to predict their survival (Tokuhashi revised score, Tomita score and Bauer modified score) were designed in single institutions and their reliability to predict correctly the patient’s survival were first tested only in those specific populations. This prognostication issue is addressed in this article, evaluating retrospectively the survival of 17 patients with SEM from a Brazilian general hospital with these score scales. Our results show that the actual survival of those patients were worse than the predicted of all three score scales, suggesting that differences between the different populations might have affected their reliability and alert that their usage as a major factor to select the most appropriate treatment have to be done with caution.

RESUMO Metástases vertebrais são uma complicação comum em pacientes com câncer sistêmico. Avaliar o prognóstico e a sobrevida desses pacientes é um fator de grande importância para escolher o tratamento mais adequado, porém as três escalas mais usadas atualmente para prever a sobrevida deles (Tokuhashi revisada, Tomita e Bauer modificada) foram desenhadas em instituições isoladas, e sua habilidade em estimar corretamente a sobrevida desses pacientes foram testadas primeiramente apenas nessas populações específicas. Essa questão de estimar o prognóstico é abordada nesse artigo, analisando retrospectivamente a sobrevida de 17 pacientes com metástase vertebral provenientes de um hospital geral no Brasil com essas escalas. Nossos resultados apontam que a sobrevida real desses pacientes foi menor que a prevista pelas três escalas, sugerindo que as diferenças entres as diferentes populações podem ter afetado a aplicabilidade delas. Assim, alertamos que o uso dessas escalas em populações diferentes das estudadas originalmente deve ser feito com cuidado.

Survival score scales of patients operated with spinal metastases: retrospective application in a Brazilian population.

Spinal cord epidural metastasis (SEM) is a common complication of systemic cancer. Predicting these patient's survival is a key factor to select the proper treatment modality, but the three most used score scales to predict their survival (Tokuhashi revised score, Tomita score and Bauer modified score) were designed in single institutions and their reliability to predict correctly the patient's survival were first tested only in those specific populations. This prognostication issue is addressed in this article, evaluating retrospectively the survival of 17 patients with SEM from a Brazilian general hospital with these score scales. Our results show that the actual survival of those patients were worse than the predicted of all three score scales, suggesting that differences between the different populations might have affected their reliability and alert that their usage as a major factor to select the most appropriate treatment have to be done with caution.

Epidural Capillary Hemangioma of the Thoracic Spine / Hemangioma capilar extradural da coluna torácica

Background Hemangiomas are congenital vascular malformations pathologically considered as harmatomas and classified as capillary, cavernous, arteriovenous or venous, and usually located at soft tissue or bone, mainly in the spinal column. Pure epidural capillary hemangiomas are extremely rare lesions that should be included in the differential diagnosis of spinal epidural lesions; only three patients with epidural capillary hemangiomas have been reported to date. Case Report We report a case of a 57-year-oldman that complained of dorsal and back pain. The neurological examination revealed back tenderness and crural paraparesis. His reflexes were exaggeratedand Babinski signwaspresenton both sides.Amagnetic resonance imaging showed an epidural lesion at the level of T10­12 that demonstrated extension with intense postgadolinium enhancement. These lesions were different from more common lesions, mainly schwanommas, mainly due to the foraminal extension, which sets them apart from cavernous hemangiomas. The surgical ressection was performed. After laminectomy, a reddish epiduralmass that extended intothe right T11­12 foraminawas revealed. Thefeeding vessels had to be identified and divided. In such cases, the surgeonmust carefully dissect the lesion circumferentially away from the dura and employ judicious hemostasis. The patient́s histopathological examination revealed a vascular tumor composed of vessels of several calibers. The imagery obtained from the exams led to the diagnosis of a capillary hemangioma. Conclusions Pure epidural capillary hemangiomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of spinal epidural lesions, mainly schwanommas, especially due to the foraminal extension, which may differentiates them from cavernous hemangiomas. Surgical excision is mandatory and intervertebral foraminal extension may preclude gross total resection.

Introdução Os hemangiomas são malformações vasculares congênitas patologicamente consideradas como hamartomas. Podem ser classificadas como capilar, cavernoso, arteriovenoso ou venoso, e são geralmente localizadas em tecidos moles ou ossos, principalmente na coluna vertebral. Hemangioma capilar epidural puro é uma lesão extremamente rara que deve ser incluída no diagnóstico diferencial das lesões espinais epidurais, foram relatados casos de apenas três pacientes com hemangiomas capilares epidurais. Relato de Caso Relatamos o caso de um homem de 57 anos de idade com queixa de dorsalgia. Ao exame neurológico, paraparesia crural, com hiperreflexia e sinal de Babinski bilateral. A ressonância magnética mostrou uma lesão epidural no nível de T10­12 com intenso realce pós-gadolíneo. Hemangioma capilar deve ser diferenciado de lesões mais comuns, principalmente schwannomas, devido à extensão foraminal. A ressecção cirúrgica foi realizada. Um processo expansivo epidural avermelhado, se estendendo para o forâmen direito de T11­12, tornou-se evidente após a laminectomia. Os vasos que o irrigavam foram identificados e adequadamente separados. A lesão foi cuidadosamente dissecada circunferencialmente e uma hemostasia criteriosa foi realizada. O exame histopatológico revelou um tumor vascular composto por vasos de vários calibres. Exames de imagem corroboraram com a hipótese de um hemangioma capilar. Conclusões Hemangiomas capilares epidurais puros devem ser incluídos no diagnóstico diferencial das lesões da coluna vertebral epidural, principalmente schwanommas, especialmente devido à extensão foraminal. A excisão cirúrgica é obrigatória e a extensão para o forame intervertebral pode impossibilitar a ressecção total.

Prognostic parameters and spinal metastases: a research study.

OBJECT: To identify pre-operative prognostic parameters for survival in patients with spinal epidural neoplastic metastasis when the primary tumour is unknown. METHODS: This study was a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent surgery for spinal epidural neoplastic metastases between February 1997 and January 2011. The inclusion criteria were as follows: known post-operative survival period, a Karnofsky Performance Score equal to or greater than 30 points and a post-operative neoplastic metastasis histological type. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate post-operative survival, and the Log-Rank test was used for statistical inference. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients who underwent 52 surgical procedures were identified. The mean age at the time of spinal surgery was 53.92 years (std. deviation, 19.09). The median survival after surgery was 70 days (95% CI 49.97-90.02), and post-operative mortality occurred within 6 months in 38 (73.07%) patients. Lung cancer, prostate cancer, myeloma and lymphoma, the 4 most common primary tumour types, affected 32 (61.53%) patients. The three identified prognostic parameters were the following: pre-operative walking incapacity (American Spinal Injury Association, A and B), present in 86.53% of the patients (p-value = 0.107); special care dependency (Karnofsky Performance Score, 10-40 points), present in 90.38% of the patients (p-value = 0.322); and vertebral epidural neoplastic metastases that were in contact with the thecal sac (Weinstein-Boriani-Biagini, sector D), present in 94.23% of the patients (p-value = 0.643). When the three secondary prognostic parameters were combined, the mean post-operative survival was 45 days; when at least one was present, the survival was 82 days (p-value = 0.175). CONCLUSIONS: Walking incapacity, special care dependency and contact between the neoplastic metastases and the thecal sac can help determine the ultimate survival of this patient population and, potentially, which patients would benefit from surgery versus palliation alone. A 2- to 3-month post-operative survival period justified surgical treatment.

Diretrizes no tratamento das metástases epidurais da coluna vertebral: atualização / Guidelines for treatment of epidural spinal metastases

Objetivo: Atualizar conceitos e recomendar condutas da prática médica nos aspectos de prognóstico,diagnóstico e tratamento das metástases epidurais da coluna vertebral. Método: O período de apuração das publicações situou-se entre janeiro de 1990 a janeiro de 2006, incluídas as referências relevantes prévias. A ausência de evidências de valor científico para determinar padrões ou diretrizes de conduta em temas médicos que geram incertezas da prática, permite usar do termo diretrizes para todas as recomendações. Resultados: A modalidade de tratamento a ser escolhido depende da análise dos fatores preditivos de prognóstico, tais como: o estado clínico do doente; a possibilidade de resgatar ou manter a capacidade de deambulação; grau de disseminação e transmissão da neoplasia primária.As informações obtidas com o diagnóstico de imagem da ressonância magnética efetuada em toda a extensão da coluna vertebral e o complemento das imagens ósseas pertinentes da tomografia axial computadorizada são necessárias na escolha e implementação do tratamento escolhido. O tratamento cirúrgico inclui a descompressão circunferencial da medula espinhal, a reconstrução do corpo vertebral e a estabilização segmentar da coluna vertebral. Conclusões: As recomendações conferem eficácia e eficiência nas condutas médicas. O prognóstico depende dos fatores preditivos de sobrevivência.Os exames complementares de imagem auxiliam no estadiamento e planejamento do tratamento.A modalidade de tratamento escolhida depende da previsão de sobrevivência e da capacidade de deambulação do doente.

Objective: Bring up-to-date concepts and conduct practice parameters recomendations concerningaspects in prognosis, diagnosis and treatment of spinal epidural metastases. Method: Pertinent publications between January, 1990 and January, 2006, including previous relevant medical articles were reviewed. The absence of scientific value for evidence to determine conduct standards or guidelines in uncertain medical practice allows to use as guideline all recomendations. Results: The choice of a treatment modality depends on predictive prognosis factors, such as: patient’s clinical state; preservation or salvage of walking capabilty; primary cancer spreading and transmission grade. Diagnostic information obtained by magnetic ressonance imaging of the spinal column complemented by pertinent computorized axial tomography bone images are necessary to choose and implement the treatment modality. Surgical treatment includes: circumferential spinal cord decompression; vertebral body reconstruction; segmental vertebral column stabilization. Conclusions: Recommendations bestow efficacy and efficiency of medical conducts. Complementary imaging studies are useful to determine the treatment, staging and planning. Treatment modality to be chosen depends on the patients’ survival expectancy and their capability to walk.

[Epidural spinal cavernous angioma: case report]. / Angioma cavernoso espinhal epidural: relato de caso.

Epidural spinal cavernous angiomas account for approximately 4% of all spinal epidural tumors. More recently the diagnosis has become more frequent due to refinement of imaging modalities. We describe a 50-year-old woman with a spinal epidural cavernous angioma at L1-L2, which was successfully surgical treated. Clinical picture, imaginology and treatment of this entity is reviewed.

Angioma cavernoso espinhal epidural: relato de caso / Epidural spinal cavernous angioma: case report

A ocorrência de um angioma cavernoso epidural primário é incomum, constituindo aproximadamente 4 por cento de todos os tumores epidurais espinhais, entretanto o número de relatos desta entidade tem aumentado nos últimos anos, provavelmente devido aos melhores recursos diagnósticos. Relatamos o caso de um paciente com um angioma cavernoso epidural puro em nível espinhal de L1-L2 , que apresentava quadro clínico de compressäo medular lenta e progressiva, com piora importante recente. A ressonância magnética de coluna lombosacra demonstrou lesäo hipo e isointensa em T1 e hiperintensa em T2. O paciente foi submetido a tratamento cirúrgico com boa recuperaçäo neurológica. Os achados clínicos, de imagem, anátomo-patológicos e de tratamento desta patologia säo analisados e discutidos.

Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia causing cauda equina compression: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (Masson's vegetant hemangioendothelioma) is a rare condition affecting the neuraxis. In the literature, only one case of this lesion involving the vertebral canal with spinal cord compression has been reported. We present a case of cauda equina compression due to this abnormality. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 17-year-old boy was admitted at our hospital with pain, numbness, paresis of the left lower extremity, and bladder dysfunction of approximately 1 month's duration. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the spine revealed a tumor within the spinal canal at the T12-L1 level. INTERVENTION: The patient underwent a T12-L1 laminectomy. An epidural red nodular tumor was visualized and totally resected. The findings of the pathological examination were compatible with intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia. At follow-up examination 1 month after the operation, the patient had complete resolution of the pain, and the motor deficit and bladder dysfunction had improved significantly. CONCLUSION: This rare benign vascular lesion may be clinically and histopathologically mistaken for an angiosarcoma. Because the intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia can be cured by complete surgical resection, it is important to distinguish between these two lesions to avoid inappropriate aggressive treatment.

Lipoma epidural lombar: relato de caso e revisäo da literatura / Lumbar epidural lipoma: case report

Descrevemos um caso raro de lipoma epidural lombar, em um paciente do sexo feminino de 55 anos. Foi feita exérese total do tumor através de laminectomia, com remissäo da sintomatologia. Revisamos, da literatura, 22 casos associados a corticoterapia, e 3 casos, como o nosso, näo relacionados a corticóide.