The surgical staging and strategy of cervical dumbbell intra-extradural tumors / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristic, surgical stage, operative approach, resection and stability reconstruction of dumbbell intra-extradural tumor of cervical spine. Methods From January 1999 to December 2005, 37 consecutive cases with cervical dumbbell intra-extradural tumor were retrospectively studied. 18 males and 19 females ranged from 18 to 80 years old were involved in this study, including 25 schwannomas, 3 neurofibromas, 5 multi-neurofibromas and 4 malignant schwannomas. According to tumor location and involved range, all tumors were divided into five stages: 8 cases in Ⅰ stage, 9 cases in Ⅱstage, 13 cases in Ⅲ stage, 5 cases in Ⅳ stage and 2 cases in Ⅴ stage. Resection and reconstruction were performed at 20 patients through posterior-lateral approach, 17 patients through anterior-lateral combined with posterior-lateral approach. Lateral mass screw internal fixation system were used in 26 cases, while anterior combined posterior fixation were performed in 5 cases and none fixation in 6 cases. Results The follow-up period was from 3 months to 7 years. 1 case developed a transient weakening of upper limb, 1 case developed anesthesia in posterior neck, and 1 case developed Horner's sign. Vertebral artery ligation was performed in 1 case because of vertebral artery injury. 2 cases with malignant schwannoma occurred local recurrence in 1-2 years postoperation and received second operation. The recent effects after operation were satisfactory in majority cases,with complete recovery of spinal cord function in 19 cases. 2 cases without fixation appeared recuration deformity in cervical spine in 1-2 years postoperation. Conclusion The surgical approach and operative methods must be selected according to the location, surgical staging, characters of tumors. Stability reconstruction plays important roles in maintaining stability of cervical spine. More care should be taken in procedure for protecting vertebral artery, cervical nerve and spinal cord.