Surgical treatment and outcomes of metastatic breast cancer to the spine

Metastatic vertebral body and spinal epidural lesions cause significant pain and neurological morbidity and negatively impact quality of life and survival. In instances of metastatic epidural spinal cord compression, treatment typically involves surgery and radiotherapy. The incidence of spinal metastases in breast cancer patients is high. In the light of recent improvements in survival among some patients with breast cancer, we reviewed the treatments and outcomes for patients with breast cancer who presented to our institution with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression. We identified all patients undergoing open surgery for the treatment of breast cancer metastases to the spine at our center from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2009. We retrospectively reviewed records for the details of medical history, treatment, surgery, radiographic imaging, and follow-up. The Death Master File from the United States Social Security Administration was queried to identify the date of death where the medical record was incomplete. Outcomes were assessed by overall survival as well as preoperative and postoperative ambulatory status, bladder function, and the American Spinal Injury Association impairment classification system (ASIA). A total of 15 female patients were identified as having surgical intervention directly related to breast cancer metastasis to the spine. Most lesions (12/15) were located in the anterior vertebral column (vertebral body and/or pedicle). Two patients required re-operation, one for epidural fluid collection and one for infection. Roughly half of the patients (8/15) had well-controlled systemic disease at the time of surgery. Five patients had non-contiguous metastatic lesions elsewhere in the spine. Median survival following surgery was 1025 days; control of systemic disease did not predict duration of postoperative survival. Seven patients had documented improvement in their ability to ambulate in the first 30 days following surgery. Bladder function was preserved in all. No patient deteriorated; and five patients had postoperative improvement of their ASIA impairment scale grade. We concluded that aggressive therapy, including surgery, is warranted for patients with symptomatic metastatic epidural spinal cord compression from breast cancer, including in the setting of advanced and progressive systemic disease.     

Total spondylectomy of a symptomatic hemangioma of the lumbar spine.

A vertebral hemangioma with dural compression and neurological deficit is rare. We report a symptomatic lumbar vertebral hemangioma which was successfully managed with total spondylectomy. The patient was a 31-year-old man whose chief complaint was low back pain. He had a slight sensory disturbance in the right thigh. Plain radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a tumor in the second lumbar vertebra, which extended into the spinal canal, compressing the dura. A percutaneous needle biopsy did not provide a pathological diagnosis. Before surgery, the arteries feeding the tumor were embolized using coils. We performed a total spondylectomy of the second lumbar vertebra with anterior reconstruction with a glass ceramic spacer and posterior instrumentation. The intraoperative pathological examination revealed a hemangioma of the lumbar spine. At the 4-year follow-up examination, the patient is completely asymptomatic without evidence of tumor recurrence.     

A novel surgical technique for aggressive vertebral hemangiomas

Vertebral hemangiomas are relatively common, but those causing spinal cord compression are rare. A 19-year-old male presented with thoracic back pain. The neurologic examination was normal and radiological examinations demonstrated an aggressive vertebral hemangioma centered within the T11 vertebral body. Damaged vertebral bone and soft tissue components of the mass were observed in the epidural space. Surgery was performed using a new technique involving radiofrequency ablation, injection of a hemostatic agent (FLOSEAL, Baxter, USA), and bone autograft placement in the affected vertebral body. There were no complications intra- or postoperatively, and the patient's back pain resolved completely during the postsurgical period. Bleeding is a serious issue in cases of aggressive vertebral hemangioma. This new technique provides improved bleeding control and strengthens the affected vertebra through autograft placement.     

Multilevel thoracic hemangioma with spinal cord compression in a pediatric patient: case report and review of the literature

Purpose

Vertebral hemangiomas are common benign vascular tumors of the spine. It is very rare for these lesions to symptomatically compress neural elements. If spinal cord compression does occur, it usually involves only a single level. Multilevel vertebral hemangiomas causing symptomatic spinal cord compression have never been reported in the pediatric population to the best of our knowledge.

Methods

We report the case of a 15-year-old boy presenting with progressive paraparesis due to thoracic spinal cord compression from a multilevel thoracic hemangioma (T5–T10) with epidural extension.

Results

Because of his progressive neurological deficit, he was initially treated with urgent multilevel decompressive laminectomies from T4 to T11. This was to be followed by radiotherapy for residual tumor, but the patient was unfortunately lost to follow-up. He re-presented 3 years later with recurrent paraparesis and progressive disease. This was treated with urgent radiotherapy with good response. As of 6 months follow-up, he has made an excellent neurological recovery.

Conclusions

In this report, we present the first case of a child with multilevel vertebral hemangiomas causing symptomatic spinal cord compression and review the literature to detail the pathophysiology, management, and treatment of other cases of spinal cord compression by vertebral hemangiomas.     

Epidural haemangiomas during pregnancy.

Two cases of vertebral haemangiomas are reported which presented as spinal cord syndromes during pregnancy. Eleven additional cases of epidural haemangiomas in the literature which became symptomatic during pregnancy are reviewed. In 11 out of 13 cases symptoms presented during the third trimester of pregnancy and in all but two cases the epidural lesions were in the upper six thoracic vertebrae. These features can be explained by the effect of the gravid uterus on the relatively sparse vascular supply of the upper thoracic spinal cord.     

椎管内硬脊膜外海绵状血管瘤的诊治

目的总结单纯椎管内硬脊膜外海绵状血管瘤的诊治经验。方法回顾性分析2006年2月至2009年3月经病理证实的7例单纯椎管内硬脊膜外海绵状血管瘤患者的临床表现、MRI特征和手术结果。结果 7例均表现为慢性双下肢麻木及无力,1例伴有神经根性症状;脊柱MRI显示6例病变位于胸椎,1例位于颈胸交界区;所有病变均达到手术全切,术后所有患者神经功能症状明显改善。结论单纯椎管内硬脊膜外海绵状血管瘤临床少见;主要表现为脊髓及神经根慢性受压而出现神经功能缺损症状及体征;脊柱MRI示病变位于硬脊膜外脊髓背侧或一侧,且有经相应椎间孔向外生长的趋势;手术切除病变较为容易,术后患者神经功能改善明显。     

Post-surgical thoracic pseudomeningocele causing spinal cord compression

Pseudomeningoceles are extradural cerebrospinal fluid collections categorized into three groups: traumatic, congenital, and iatrogenic. Iatrogenic pseudomeningoceles occur after durotomy, usually after cervical or lumbar spine surgery. Although many remain asymptomatic, pseudomeningoceles can compress or herniate the spinal cord and nerve roots. We present a 57-year-old woman who had a thoracic laminectomy and discectomy. Two weeks after surgery, she presented with lower extremity weakness and gait difficulty. Physical examination revealed hyperreflexia and a T11 sensory level. MRI revealed a pseudomeningocele compressing the thoracic spinal cord. The patient underwent surgical drainage of the cyst. On follow-up, she had complete resolution of her symptoms, and MRI did not show a residual lesion. To our knowledge, this is the second documented post-operative pseudomeningocele causing symptomatic spinal cord compression of the thoracic spine. In this article, a review of the literature is presented, including four reported patients with post-traumatic pseudomeningocele causing myelopathic symptoms and 20 patients with iatrogenic pseudomeningocele that resulted in neurological decline due to herniation or compression of neural tissue. Treatment options for these lesions include conservative management, epidural blood patch, lumbar subarachnoid drainage, and lumbo-peritoneal shunt placement. Surgical repair, usually by primary dural closure, remains the definitive treatment modality for iatrogenic symptomatic pseudomeningoceles.     

Spinal epidural haematoma: MRI-aided diagnosis.

Spinal epidural haematoma is a rare cause of spinal cord compression. It is most commonly attributed to trauma and coagulation disorders. We report a case of a 64 year-old man with thrombocytopaenia who presented with a traumatic epidural haematoma who p resented with right hemiparesis which progressed to complete tetraplegia. MR of the cervical spine showed an epidural collection on the posterior aspect of the cord throughout the cervical spine. The patient underwent C1-C7 laminectomy and decompression. Postoperatively, the patient has improved gradually and has power of grade 3 (Medical Research Council classification of power) in all 4 limbs at 2-month follow-up. MRI is an important modality in the early diagnosis of spinal epidural haematomas and can facilitate emergent decompressive surgery which offers the best chance of neurological improvement.     

Capillary hemangioma of the cauda equina presenting with radiculopathy and papilledema.

A 42-year-old, non-obese man with a three-month history of headache, pulsatile tinnitus, transient visual obscurations, and scintillations later developed low back pain with right lower extremity radiation. Brain MRI and magnetic resonance venography were normal, but spine MRI revealed a mass in the cauda equina. Neuro-ophthalmologic examination disclosed bilateral optic disc edema with normal visual function. During spine surgery, cerebrospinal fluid, released under high pressure despite prior hyperventilation, contained a glucose level of 51 mg/dl and a protein level of 1840 mg/dl. Histologic and immunohistochemical features of the lesion were compatible with a capillary hemangioma. Although spinal cord tumors have been associated with papilledema, this is the first report of a capillary hemangioma of the cauda equina in this context. If papilledema is present, spinal cord imaging should be performed when lumbar puncture discloses unexplained protein elevation and in cases that lack clinical features typical of idiopathic intracranial hypertension.     

Interventional angiography in neuropediatrics

Since the introduction of non-invasive imaging techniques (CT, US, MRI), superselective cerebrospinal angiography has been playing a major role as a diagnostic tool as well as a therapeutic procedure prior to surgery or as an alternative. Surgical neuroangiography is now also a well-established therapeutic technique in neuropediatrics. Lesions fed by the external carotid artery and spinal cord lesions are the main indications. The first group consists of maxillofacial vascular malformations, nasopharyngeal angiofibromas, and vascularized tumors of the facioorbital area (hemangiopericytoma, angiosarcoma ...). Spinal lesions for which embolization can be considered are benign tumors of the vertebral column (vertebral hemangioma, aneurysmal bone cyst ...) and vascular malformations intrinsic to the spinal cord. Particles (Ivalon, dura) are the safest embolization materials and have a wide range of possible applications; glues such as IBC have defined but limited indications. Digital subtraction angiography is crucial during the procedure and in determining the overall doses of contrast medium to be administered. Furthermore, decisions can be made more rapidly and precisely, with a definite improvement in the therapeutic results.     

Multifocal Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the pediatric spine: a case report and literature review

Case report An 11-month-old boy presented with a 3-month history of lower extremity weakness. CT and MRI of the spine revealed an enhancing epidural mass, extending from T1 through T5 and exiting through multiple foramina. The largest extraspinal extent was located at the T3 vertebral level and was accompanied by complete T3 vertebral collapse. A second lytic lesion at the L2 vertebral body without an obvious enhancing mass was also noted. Open biopsy and decompression of the spinal cord were performed, and histopathological analysis revealed a mixed inflammatory lesion with abundant S-100 and CD1a immunoreactive Langerhans cells consistent with the diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH).Discussion The authors present a very rare pediatric case of spinal LCH causing spinal cord compression. Possible clues to early detection, consideration of differential diagnoses, and a brief literature review are presented.     

Epidural extension of a lumbar vertebral haemangioma.

Vertebral haemangiomas are relatively common, but those extending into the epidural space are rare. A 59-year-old man with severe lower back and right leg pain that did not resolve with conservative treatment was seen in an outpatient clinic. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine identified an L3 vertebral corpus lesion with epidural extension. The diagnosis was unclear, so the patient underwent surgery. The pathologic diagnosis was capillary haemangioma, so angiography-guided embolization was performed postoperatively. Vertebral haemangioma must be considered when there is evidence of a vertebral corpus lesion with epidural extension on magnetic resonance imaging.     

Neurological deterioration after laminectomy for spondylotic cervical myeloradiculopathy: the putative role of spinal cord ischaemia.

Most cases of neurological deterioration after laminectomy for cervical radiculomyelopathy occur several weeks to months postoperatively, except when there has been direct trauma to the spinal cord or nerve roots during surgery. Four patients are described who developed episodes of neurological deterioration during the postoperative recovery period that could not be attributed to direct intraoperative trauma nor to epidural haematoma or instability of the cervical spine as a consequence of laminectomy. Following laminectomy for cervical radiculomyelopathy four patients were unchanged neurologically from their pre-operative examinations, but as they were raised into the upright position for the first time following surgery focal neurological deficits referrable to the spinal cord developed. Hypotension was present in all four cases during these episodes and three of the four patients had residual central cervical cord syndromes. These cases represent the first reported instances of spinal cord ischaemia occurring with post-operative hypotensive episodes after decompression for cervical spondylosis.     

Clinical course of spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma mimicking Guillain-Barré syndrome in a child: a case report and literature review

We describe a 9-year-old female with thoracic epidural haematoma. The clinical course simulated Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) so intravenous immunoglobulin therapy was started at the paediatric clinic. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 3 days after admission showed thoracic epidural haematoma between T2 and T8. An emergency laminectomy was performed and the patient's neurological symptoms began to improve immediately after surgery and she made a full recovery during the 2 weeks of follow-up. Time is a very important factor in achieving reversibility of symptoms of compressive cord lesions, such as spinal epidural haematoma, and MRI is mandatory for patients with progressive paraplegia, even though the signs and symptoms might suggest GBS.     

Mechanisms underlying spinal cord damage in decompression sickness.

Decompression sickness, which damaged the spinal cord, was produced in anesthetized dogs using a compression chamber. Cerebrospinal fluid pressure and several intravascular and intracardiac pressures were monitored during the course of the simulated dives. Manometric responses to forcible lung inflation and abdominal compression were measured both predive and postdive after signs of spinal cord damage were evident. Cinevenography of the epidural vertebral venous system was performed both predive and postdive. Histopathologic studies of the brains and cords of both predive and postdive. Histopathologic studies of the brains and cords of paretic animals were carried out. The results indicate that the epidural vertebral venous system becomes obstructed during spinal cord damaging decompression sickness and strongly suggests that spinal cord infarction in decompression sickness is caused by obstruction of cord venous drainage at the level of the epidural vertebral venous system.     

Vertebro-epidural lumbosacral vascular malformations. An unusual cause of lumbo-sciatic pain

Sciatica is most commonly caused by nerve root compression secondary to herniated disk. Rarely, it can be due to a lumbosacral vascular malformation. We present five cases with such a malformation, presenting as a chronic lumboradiculagia. The patients were explored with computed tomography, MRI and selective spinal angiography. Polymorphic anatomic and hemodynamic aspect of these cases are reported: 1. One vertebral hemangioma with epidural extension; 2. Three purely epidural malformations: a) one epidural cavernous hemangioma, b) one epidural arteriovenous malformation, c) one epidural varix; 3. One paravertebral arteriovenous fistula with epidural venous drainage. Diagnosis of these rare malformations may be difficult. A multiplanar cross-sectional magnetic resonance and computed tomography scan with contrast enhancement can show characteristic abnormalities and may assist in recognition these malformations. Selective spinal angiography confirms the diagnosis, allows to classify the malformation and is required to evaluate endovascular therapeutic possibilities.     

Primary Eosinophilic Granuloma of Adult Cervical Spine Presenting as a Radiculomyelopathy

We report a case of 29-year-old man diagnosed as a primary eosinophilic granuloma (EG) lesion of the seventh cervical vertebra. He had paresthesia on both arms, and grasping weakness for 10 days. Cervical magnetic resonance image (MRI) showed an enhancing mass with ventral epidural bulging and cord compression on the seventh cervical vertebra. Additionally, we performed spine series MRI, bone scan and positive emission tomography for confirmation of other bone lesions. These studies showed no other pathological lesions. He underwent anterior cervical corpectomy of the seventh cervical vertebra and plate fixation with iliac bone graft. After surgical management, neurological symptoms were much improved. Histopathologic evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of EG. There was no evidence of tumor recurrence at 12 months postoperative cervical MRI follow-up. We reported symptomatic primary EG of cervical spine successfully treated with surgical resection.     

Centrosomatic spinal tuberculosis: radiographic features in 10 cases

We report a series of 10 cases of centrosomatic tuberculosis of the spine. The mean age of the patients was 36 years. Plain x-rays of the spine showed isolated defects in 3 cases, a defect with wedge fracture in 3 and a wedge fracture alone in 2. A sequestrum was found in 2 cases and bony condensation around the defect in 6. A CT scan performed in 3 cases showed, in addition to the bone lesions, a perilesional bony condensation in all cases. Soft tissue abscess formation was noted in 1 case and epidural involvement in the 2 others. MRI performed in 2 cases evidenced an alteration of the vertebral body signal with localized anterior epiduritis at the site of a small epidural abscess. CT scan and MRI contribute usefully to the radiographic diagnosis of centrosomatic tuberculosis, evidencing sequestra, bony condensation at the periphery of defects, and the presence of soft tissue abscesses and or epidural involvement. When these signs are absent, the differential diagnosis may be difficult with other causes of tumor formation, requiring vertebral biopsy.     

Hodgkin's disease presenting with spinal cord compression

INTRODUCTION: Hematological neoplasms may be complicated by signs of neurological compression. Most cases reported in the literature have described advanced-stage non-Hodgkin lymphomas. We report a case of spinal cord compression revealing an isolated vertebral localization of Hodgkin lymphoma. CASE REPORT: Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine in a 54-year-old man who presented with spastic paraplegia revealed a vertebral and extradural mass. After laminectomy, histology and immunohistochemistry showed Hodgkin's disease. Post-operative staging did not reveal any other localization. The patient responded favorably after decompressive surgery and ABVD regimen. CONCLUSION: Spinal cord compression is a rare complication of Hodgkin's disease, occurring in only 5p.cent of cases, usually in the setting of progressive, advanced disease. As the initial symptom of Hodgkin's disease, it is extremely rare, with only a few cases reported in the literature. Significant results may be obtained with decompressive surgery and chemotherapy when the disease is promptly diagnosed. Spinal cord compression by primary Hodgkin's disease is a very infrequent situation. We urge this diagnosis be considered in all patients presenting with spinal cord compression attributed to malignancy.     

经口咽前路寰枢椎复位钢板置入内固定治疗颅颈交界部畸形的MRI评价

背景：颅颈交界部畸形经口咽前路寰枢椎复位钢板置入内固定治疗过程中,X射线、CT对于颅颈交界部病变的检查只能显示其骨性结构,无法显示脊髓情况。 目的：分析颅颈交界部畸形经口咽前路寰枢椎复位钢板内固定前后的磁共振图像,探讨MRI成像对其内固定术式的选择及效果判断的价值。 方法：选择2009-06/2010-04收治的颅颈交界部畸形患者25例,男9例,女16例,术前均行X射线、CT、MRI检查,采用经口咽前路寰枢椎复位钢板置入内固定治疗方式,置入后6个月内行MRI复查。 结果与结论：所有患者均顺利完成内固定,未出现脊髓血管损伤等严重并发症。25例患者置入后MRI成像显示内固定在位,寰枢椎复位,脊髓受压情况改善,11例随访患者中,原上颈椎局部疼痛、活动受限等情况有9例明显改善或消失。提示MRI能够多方位清晰显示颅颈交界部畸形情况,对脊髓及颅内病变的显示更直接,可为颅颈交界部畸形经口咽前路寰枢椎复位钢板置入内固定手术方式的选择、脊髓受压情况及手术效果的判断、术后恢复提供客观依据。