Surgical Outcome and Prognostic Factors of Spinal Intramedullary Ependymomas in Adults

The goal of treatment for spinal ependymoma is complete removal with minimal postoperative neurological deficit. The authors correlated the results of surgical management for spinal cord ependymoma with the rate of postoperative disease progression and the prognostic factors. Thirty-one cases of spinal ependymomas, surgically treated between 1979 and 1998, were retrospectively analyzed. The authors reviewed clinical features, radiological characteristics and operative findings for the surgical outcome analysis. Thirty-five percent of patients with preoperative Nuricks grade better than grade 4 showed improvement in functional status, whereas no improvement was observed in patients with preoperatively poorer functional status (P=0.05). The proportion of complete surgical removals was influenced by tumor location (40% in cases around the conus versus 97% in other regions, P=0.003) and histology (42% in the myxopapillary subtype versus 97% in the non-myxopapillary subtype, P=0.001). Disease progression was observed in six cases, the mean progression free interval after surgical removal was 83 months and the 5-year progression free rate was 70%. Disease progression was found in two out of 23 cases from the complete removal group and in four out of eight cases from the incomplete removal group (P=0.008). In the aspect of disease progression, the only statistically significant factor by multivariate analysis was the surgical extent of removal (P=0.010). Of those patients where there was incomplete removal, radiation therapy lead to improved clinical results, which were not statistically significant (P=0.27). In the surgical treatment of spinal cord ependymoma, preoperative functional status and the extent of removal were the significant prognostic factors influencing postoperative outcome. Early diagnosis is vital and complete removal of the tumor should be attempted in all surgical treatment of spinal ependymoma.     

髓内星形细胞瘤与室管膜瘤的MRI诊断与鉴别诊断

目的:探讨髓内星形细胞瘤与室管膜瘤的MRI表现及鉴别诊断要点。方法:回顾性分析12例髓内星形细胞瘤与室管膜瘤患者的临床资料和MRI资料,并总结其MRI特征。结果:12例患者中,星形细胞瘤7例,室管膜瘤5例。7例星形细胞瘤中,4例位于颈段脊髓,3例位于胸段脊髓,MRI表现为浸润性生长,范围广泛,增强扫描呈不均匀强化,边界不清,趋向于散在强化。5例室管膜瘤中,3例位于颈段脊髓,2例位于圆锥和终丝段,多呈膨胀性生长,可占据整个脊髓断面,增强扫描呈较均匀性强化,边界可相对清楚,多伴有脊髓空洞和囊变,出血常见。结论:髓内室管膜瘤手术可完全切除,预后较好;星形细胞瘤较难完全切除,预后相对较差,MRI可提供对于二者的鉴别依据,具有一定的临床意义。     

肺癌硬膜下脊髓外转移患者临床特征分析

背景与目的肺癌硬膜下脊髓外转移罕见,可导致严重的神经损害,本研究旨在阐明其临床特征。方法2013年5月-2016年5月,北京协和医院8例确诊硬膜下脊髓外转移肺癌患者纳入该研究,系统回顾分析临床资料。结果7例非小细胞肺癌及1例小细胞肺癌合并硬膜下脊髓外转移。马尾综合征是最常见的临床表现。行腰椎穿刺的5例（100%）患者脑脊液找到肿瘤细胞。脊髓增强核磁（magnetic resonance imaging, MRI）发现,3例软脊膜弥漫线样增强,4例硬膜下脊髓外多发结节,1例具有上述两种表现。4例接受靶向治疗和/或放疗患者神经系统症状改善或稳定。中位生存时间是5.8个月。结论硬膜下脊髓外转移需依靠神经系统症状及增强MRI影像学检查诊断。靶向治疗和/或放疗可能有效。     

Spinal computed tomography and computed tomographic metrizamide myelography in the early diagnosis of metastatic disease

New lesions were shown by Tc99m bone scans to have developed in sixty patients with known metastatic cancer or high-risk primary cancer and normal neurologic examinations; they were further evaluated with plain radiographs, spinal computed tomography (CT), and CT myelography (CT-M) according to an algorithm. Three groups were identified based on plain radiographs: group 1 (normal radiograph), group 2 (compression fracture as indicated by radiograph), group 3 (evidence of metastasis as indicated by radiograph). In group 1 (n = 18), spinal CT revealed that 33% of the patients had benign disease and 67%, metastases; epidural compression was seen in 25% of the patients with metastasis as indicated by CT-M. In group 2 (n = 26), CT-M disclosed that 38% had a benign compression fracture and 62% had metastases and that 63% of the patients with metastases had an epidural compression. In group 3 (n = 16), spinal CT revealed that 15 patients had metastases (one patient had benign disease). Epidural cord compression was seen in 47% of the patients with metastatic disease. In all groups, the presence of cortical bone discontinuity around the neural canal (seen in 31 patients) was highly associated with epidural compression (seen in 20 patients). Our approach allowed the early and accurate diagnosis of spinal metastasis and epidural tumor as well as the diagnosis of benign disease and was useful in planning optimal local therapy.     

Spondylodiscitis in patients with spinal cord compression: a possible pitfall in radiation oncology.

PURPOSE: In patients presented for spinal irradiation it may be difficult to distinguish between malignant and benign lesions if only plain X-rays and computed tomography (CT)-scans are available. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be of great diagnostic value. METHODS: From 11/1995 to 05/2000 447 patients were presented for spinal irradiation, 264 beyond regular operating hours. At presentation no spinal MRI was available in 170/447 and 132/264 patients. RESULTS: After spinal MRI, diagnosis was changed from vertebral metastases to spondylodiscitis in 10/170 and 8/132 patients. Six of these patients were already known as cancer patients. CONCLUSION: In patients presented for spinal irradiation spondylodiscitis is not very uncommon. If there is any doubt about metastatic disease as the cause for spinal cord compression a spinal MRI has to be demanded, even beyond regular operating hours.     

3D打印非共面模板联合CT引导125I粒子植入治疗脊柱转移瘤剂量学分析

目的 对比分析3D打印非共面模板联合放射性粒子植入治疗脊柱转移瘤的术前、术后计划的剂量学参数,验证该技术指导放射性粒子治疗的精确性。方法 回顾分析2016-2018年于北京大学第三医院接受3D打印非共面模板联合 CT引导¹²⁵I粒子植入的脊柱转移瘤患者7例共9个病灶的治疗计划,比较术前、术后靶区适形指数(CI)、均匀性指数(HI)、靶区外体积指数(EI)、90%靶区体积剂量(D90)、匹配周边剂量(mPD)、V100、V150、V200及脊髓D2cm³。并且应用不列颠哥伦比亚癌症协会粒子植入质量评价标准评价粒子植入质量。结果 患者术前和术后验证的靶区D90、mPD、V100、V150、V200、CI、EI、HI及脊髓D2cm³剂量参数间差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。9个术后计划评价结果中优5个、良4个。结论 3D打印非共面模板联合 CT引导¹²⁵I粒子植入治疗脊柱转移瘤的术后剂量学参数与术前相比具有良好的一致性,术后计划评价为优或良,提示该技术治疗脊柱转移瘤准确性良好。     

3D打印非共面模板联合CT引导125I粒子植入治疗脊柱转移瘤剂量学分析

目的 对比分析3D打印非共面模板联合放射性粒子植入治疗脊柱转移瘤的术前、术后计划的剂量学参数,验证该技术指导放射性粒子治疗的精确性。方法 回顾分析2016-2018年于北京大学第三医院接受3D打印非共面模板联合 CT引导¹²⁵I粒子植入的脊柱转移瘤患者7例共9个病灶的治疗计划,比较术前、术后靶区适形指数(CI)、均匀性指数(HI)、靶区外体积指数(EI)、90%靶区体积剂量(D90)、匹配周边剂量(mPD)、V100、V150、V200及脊髓D2cm³。并且应用不列颠哥伦比亚癌症协会粒子植入质量评价标准评价粒子植入质量。结果 患者术前和术后验证的靶区D90、mPD、V100、V150、V200、CI、EI、HI及脊髓D2cm³剂量参数间差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。9个术后计划评价结果中优5个、良4个。结论 3D打印非共面模板联合 CT引导¹²⁵I粒子植入治疗脊柱转移瘤的术后剂量学参数与术前相比具有良好的一致性,术后计划评价为优或良,提示该技术治疗脊柱转移瘤准确性良好。     

Mixed Germinoma and Choriocarcinoma in the Intramedullary Spinal Cord: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Summary Primary germinomas in the spinal cord are very rare with only 15 cases published previously. In this case a 22-year-old woman with urinary incontinence, lumbago, and bilateral leg pain and weakness was found to have a solid tumor in the conus medullaris between the L1 and L2 vertebral bodies. Serum HCG was elevated without pregnancy. The pathological diagnosis was mixed germinoma and choriocarcinoma of the intramedullary spinal cord. She received craninospinal irradiation and three courses of chemotherapy and is currently asymptomatic with no evidence of recurrence and metastasis 22 months after surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a patient with a primary mixed germinoma and choriocarcinoma of the intramedullary spinal cord. The previous 15 cases of primary spinal cord germinoma have been reviewed for comparison.     

Pediatric spinal glioblastoma ofthe conus medullaris：a case report oflong survival

High?grade gliomas of the spinal cord represent a rare entity in children. Their biology, behavior, and controversial treatment options have been discussed in a few pediatric cases. These tumors are associated with severe disability and poor prognosis. We report a case of a 4?year?old child diagnosed with an isolated glioblastoma multiforme of the conus medullaris. The patient underwent subtotal surgical excision, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and oral chem?otherapy. He is alive with mild neurologic deifcits at 52months after diagnosis. We describe the peculiar characteris?tics of this rare condition in pediatric oncology. We also provide an overview of current multidisciplinary therapeutic approaches and prognostic factors for this disease.     

Management of metastatic spinal cord compression

Metastatic spinal cord compression, diagnosed in 3-7% of cancer patients, is one of the most dreaded complications of metastatic cancer. It is an oncologic emergency, which must be diagnosed early and treated promptly to achieve the best results and avoid progressive pain, paralysis, sensory loss and sphincter incontinence. Patients who are ambulatory at the time of the diagnosis have a higher probability of obtaining good response to treatment and a longer survival. In clinical practice, back pain accompanies metastatic spinal cord compression in most cases, even in patients with no neurologic deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging is the best tool for diagnosing metastatic spinal cord compression and is able to identify spinal cord compression in 32-35% patients with back pain, bone metastases and normal neurologic examination. Moreover, magnetic resonance imaging gives the extension of the lesion, can diagnose other unsuspected clinical metastatic spinal cord compression sites, and is useful for the radiation oncologist in defining the target volume. Radiotherapy is the treatment of choice in most cases, whereas surgery is advised only in selected patients (ie, if stabilization is necessary, if radiotherapy has already been given in the same area, when vertebral body collapse causes bone impingement on the cord or nerve roots, when there are diagnostic doubts, or when computed tomography-guided percutaneous vertebral biopsy cannot be performed). Laminectomy should be abandoned in favor of more aggressive surgery (ie, posterior, anterior, and/or lateral approach, tumor mass resection, and stabilization of the spine). Generally, radiotherapy must be administered 7-10 days after surgery. The optimal radiation schedule has not been defined. However, as recently suggested by some clinical trials, even the hypofractionated radiotherapy regimens are effective and can be used without increasing radiation-induced myelopathy. Moderate doses of dexamethasone should be used in the early phases of therapy. After radiotherapy, spinal recurrence is generally found in sites different from the first compression area. A close post-treatment follow-up is suggested using clinical parameters (pain, motor and sphincter function), and magnetic resonance imaging should be performed only when a second metastatic spinal cord compression and/or myelopathy are clinically suspected.     

Intramedullary spinal cord recurrence after high-dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation for limited-disease small cell lung cancer

Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis is very rare in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), and develops in only 2% of neurological disorders associated with SCLC according to previous reports. We describe here a patient with SCLC who developed intramedullary spinal cord recurrence after high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) followed by autologous blood progenitor cell transplantation (ABPCT). A 59-year-old Japanese male was referred to us for diagnosis and treatment of an abnormal shadow on a chest radiograph. Based on transbronchial biopsy and staging procedures, he was diagnosed with limited-disease (LD)-SCLC. He received concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by late intensification with HDCT supported by ABPCT. He achieved complete response and was discharged after receiving prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI). However 6 months later, he noticed rapidly progressive weakness of the left lower extremity and bowel/bladder dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spinal cord disclosed an intramedullary tumor exhibiting an enhancement effect with Gd-DTPA at the 11-12th level of the thoracic vertebra. Immediately, radiotherapy to the spinal cord metastasis was given at a dose of 30 Gy, and his neurological disorders were completely resolved. At this time of reporting, he is doing well without recurrence. This case indicates that intramedullary spinal cord is one of the recurrence sites implicated after HDCT and PCI in LD-SCLC.     

A Royal College of Radiologists National Audit of Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression and Implications for the Development of Acute Oncology Services

AimsTo audit the current use of radiotherapy in UK cancer centres for the treatment of metastatic spinal cord compression against national standards that seek to optimise functional and quality of life outcomes.Materials and methodsA Royal College of Radiologists prospective national audit of patients treated with radiotherapy in UK cancer centres was carried out over a 3 month period between September and December 2008, with a repeat audit carried out in August 2012.ResultsFive hundred and ninety-six cases were received from 42 cancer centres (74%) in 2008, with data from 323 cases received from 52 (90%) centres in 2012. Ninety-three per cent (358) of patients had a diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging scan carried out within 24 h of referral for radiotherapy in 2008 compared with 205 patients (97%) in 2012. One hundred and eleven (32%) good prognosis patients were discussed with spinal surgeons; only 10 good prognosis patients were recorded as proceeding to surgery in 2008. This improved in 2012, with 94 (41% of good prognosis patients recorded as having been discussed with nine proceeding to surgery). Sixty-nine per cent of paraplegic patients in 2008 received multiple fractions of radiotherapy, which was similar to 2012 when 62% received more than a single fraction. A metastatic spinal cord compression co-ordinator was available in just over 50% of cases (164/323) and was involved in patient management in 26% of cases in 2012.ConclusionDespite level 1 evidence of the superior functional outcome and survival benefit for surgery, few good prognosis patients were recorded as having been discussed with surgeons and even fewer proceeded to surgery.     

Total Vertebral Body Breast Cancer Metastases: One Case Report and Literature Review

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly seen malignant tumors in the female population, and it ranks the first in the incidence of malignancies among women. The skeleton is a common metastatic site for advanced breast cancer and is where spinal metastasis is most frequently seen. The incidence rate of spinal metastasis in descending order is as follows: thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae, sacrococcy-geal vertebrae and cervical vertebrae. Although osseous metastasis of breast cancer is very common, cases with metastasis to all vertebral bodies is currently very rare. The diagnostic method of osseous metastasis of breast cancer typically includes radiograph, CT and MRI. Ordinary radiograph has a high specificity but a low sensitivity, so total vertebral body metastases can only be detected when the extent of osteoclasia exceeds 50%. Some diagnostic shortcomings remain, although the sensitivity of CT and MRI has been greatly improved compared to the radiograph. At present, the most advanced synchronous PET-CT visualization can presumably raise the sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of breast cancer, based on the features of 18F-FDG imaging, and combined with morphologic change and precise localization. The following case report is in regard to a patient with total vertebral body metastasis from breast cancer detected by PET-CT.     

M.R.I. Spectrum of Intrinsic Spinal Cord Lesions

We report our experience of 42 patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies demonstrating intrinsic lesions of the spinal cord, excluding those secondary to spondylosis, trauma or congenital malformations. Histological confirmation of the radiological diagnosis was obtained in 15 (36%). MRI is more sensitive than either myelography or CT. MRI identified a previously non-visualised lesion in 17 of 30 cases. In a further 13 cases, MRI contributed by identifying associated features such as cysts and haemorrhage which have aided in the diagnosis and management of the patients. The last 12 cases, which were patients with multiple sclerosis, had MRI as the only neuroradiological examination. These illustrate a range of appearances. The overlap of imaging appearances of the various pathologies implies that a useful diagnosis and differential can only be offered by considering the MRI appearances of a lesion, with its associated features, with the clinical presentation, and with other imaging modalities where appropriate.     

Differential diagnosis of T2 hyperintense spinal cord lesions: Part A

Hyperintense spinal cord signal on T2‐weighted images is seen in a wide‐ranging variety of spinal cord processes including; simple MR artefacts, congenital anomalies and most disease categories. Characterization of the abnormal areas of T2 signal as well as their appearance on other MR imaging sequences, when combined with clinical context and laboratory investigations, will often allow a unique diagnosis, or at least aid in narrowing the differential diagnosis. A wide range of instructive cases is discussed here with review of the published reports focusing on pertinent MR features to aid in diagnosis.     

术前ＭＲＩ诊断椎管内神经源性肿瘤５０例分析

目的：探讨椎管内神经源性肿瘤的ＭＲＩ征象,以提高其诊断准确率,减少误诊。方法：回顾分析５０例术前ＭＲＩ诊断为神经源性肿瘤的临床影像资料,与术后病理诊断进行对照。结果：３７例经手术病理证实诊断正确,诊断正确率７４％,其中神经鞘瘤３５例,神经纤维瘤２例;１３例术前将其他疾病误诊为神经源性肿瘤,误诊率为２６％,其中脊膜瘤８例,血管瘤２例,松果体瘤椎管内转移、浆细胞骨髓瘤及极外侧型椎间盘突出各１例。结论：细致观察肿瘤的ＭＲＩ征象,结合性别、发病部位及临床病史等进行综合分析,有助于提高神经源性肿瘤的术前ＭＲＩ诊断和鉴别诊断水平。     

Radiation tolerance of the spinal cord previously-damaged by tumor and operation: Long term neurological improvement and time-dose-volume relationships after irradiation of intraspinal gliomas

Of 26 patients with intramedullary spinal cord gliomas (9 astrocytomas, 5 glioblastomas, 12 ependymomas) seen at the Massachusetts General Hospital from 1962–1980, 24 were irradiated (21 initially and 3 after post-surgical recurrence). Those 19 patients who survived at least 1 year after completion of irradiation were evaluated for post-irradiation neurological changes. No patient developed radiation myelopathy. Return to a permanently and completely normal neurological status occurred for $\text{33}\text{51}$ (65%) of pre-irradiation neurological deficits. The major cause of post-irradiation neurological deterioration was tumor recurrence.Although 18/19 patients had their thoracic or lumbar spinal cords irradiated, each with field sizes greater than 10 cm, spinal cord doses approaching, equalling, or occasionally exceeding various definitions of spinal cord tolerance were tolerated well without evidence of radiation myelopathy. Spinal cords of patients with intramedullary gliomas, often with major neurological deficits prior to irradiation, may be treated safely to doses approaching or equalling spinal cord tolerance levels. These doses are expected to locally control most ependymomas and astrocytomas without an increased risk of radiation myelopathy. Caution should be observed if doses higher than this are contemplated in an attempt to cure a glioblastoma, because the 5 % tolerance level of the damaged spinal cord remains to be defined.     

Surgical outcomes in spinal cord subependymomas: an institutional experience

Spinal cord subependymomas are very rare. Most studies on spinal cord subependymomas have been case reports with literature reviews. This study presented a surgical series of 13 patients with histologically proven spinal cord subependymomas. Their clinical data, radiological findings, operative records, and follow-up outcomes were reviewed. There were 5 male and 8 female patients with a mean age of 39.5 years. The mean follow-up period was 67.8 months. Four tumors were located in the cervical spine, 5 in the cervicothoracic spine, and 4 in the thoracic spine. Gross total resection (GTR) of the tumor with a well-demarcated dissection plane was achieved in 9 cases, and subtotal resection was achieved in 4 cases. The symptoms present before the surgery were improved in 11 cases at last follow-up and the current status of 2 patients had no change compared to the preoperative presentation at last follow-up. The postoperative follow-up magnetic resonance imaging showed no recurrence in the 9 GTR cases during the mean follow-up period of 70.3 months. No recurrence/regrowth of the residual tumors was observed in the 4 STR cases during the mean follow-up period of 62.0 months. Spinal cord subependymomas are amenable to surgical resection. It is possible to achieve GTR of intramedullary subependymomas that have a well-demarcated dissection plane. When GTR cannot be achieved, STR of the lesion for decompression is advised, and follow-up imaging is needed. A good clinical outcome after GTR or STR can be expected.     

MRI新技术在脊髓病变中的应用

脊髓常规MRI检查主要包括SE序列的T1WI和T2WI、FLAIR序列及磁共振脊髓成像，近年各种功能性MR新技术在脊髓的应用亦日益普遍。本文扼要介绍了脊髓常规MRI检查。并着重回顾和总结了近年各种新技术在脊髓的临床应用现状和研究进展情况。     

High-dose, single-fraction image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy for metastatic spinal lesions

PURPOSE: To report tumor control and toxicity for patients treated with image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy (RT) for spinal metastases with high-dose single-fraction RT. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 103 consecutive spinal metastases in 93 patients without high-grade epidural spinal cord compression were treated with image-guided intensity-modulated RT to doses of 18-24 Gy (median, 24 Gy) in a single fraction between 2003 and 2006. The spinal cord dose was limited to a 14-Gy maximal dose. The patients were prospectively examined every 3-4 months with clinical assessment and cross-sectional imaging. RESULTS: The overall actuarial local control rate was 90% (local failure developed in 7 patients) at a median follow-up of 15 months (range, 2-45 months). The median time to local failure was 9 months (range, 2-15 months) from the time of treatment. Of the 93 patients, 37 died. The median overall survival was 15 months. In all cases, death was from progression of systemic disease and not local failure. The histologic type was not a statistically significant predictor of survival or local control. The radiation dose was a significant predictor of local control (p = 0.03). All patients without local failure also reported durable symptom palliation. Acute toxicity was mild (Grade 1-2). No case of radiculopathy or myelopathy has developed. CONCLUSION: High-dose, single-fraction image-guided intensity-modulated RT is a noninvasive intervention that appears to be safe and very effective palliation for patients with spinal metastases, with minimal negative effects on quality of life and a high probability of tumor control.