Impact of Tumor Histology on Resectability and Neurological Outcome in Primary Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors: A Single-Center Experience With 102 Patients

Neurosurgery ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 188-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac O. Karikari ◽  
Shahid M. Nimjee ◽  
Tiffany R. Hodges ◽  
Erin. Cutrell ◽  
Betsy D. Hughes ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: Surgical outcomes for intramedullary spinal cord tumors are affected by many variables including tumor histology and preoperative neurological function. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of tumor histology on neurological outcome in primary intramedullary spinal cord tumors. METHODS: A retrospective review of 102 consecutive patients with intramedullary spinal cord tumors treated at a single institution between January 1998 and March 2009. RESULTS: Ependymomas were the most common tumors with 55 (53.9%), followed by 21 astrocytomas (20.6%), 12 hemangioblastomas (11.8%), and 14 miscellaneous tumors (13.7%). Gross total resection was achieved in 50 ependymomas (90.9%), 3 astrocytomas (14.3%), 11 hemangioblastomas (91.7%), and 12 miscellaneous tumors (85.7%). At a mean follow-up of 41.8 months (range, 1-132 months), we observed recurrences in 4 ependymoma cases (7.3%), 10 astrocytoma cases (47.6%), 1 miscellaneous tumor case (7.1%), and no recurrence in hemangioblastoma cases. When analyzed by tumor location, there was no difference in neurological outcomes (P = .66). At the time of their last follow-up visit, 11 patients (20%) with an ependymoma improved, 38 (69%) remained the same, and 6 (10.9%) worsened. In patients with an astrocytoma, 1 (4.8%) improved, 10 (47.6%) remained the same, and 10 (47.6%) worsened. One patient (8.3%) with a hemangioblastoma improved and 11 (91.7%) remained the same. No patient with a hemangioblastoma worsened. In the miscellaneous tumor group, 2 (14.3%) improved, 10 (71.4%) remained the same, and 2 (14.3%) worsened. Preoperative neurological status (P = .02), tumor histology (P = .005), and extent of resection (P < .0001) were all predictive of functional neurological outcomes. CONCLUSION: Tumor histology is the most important predictor of neurological outcome after surgical resection because it predicts resectability and recurrence.

Neurosurgery ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 76 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S4-S13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac O. Karikari ◽  
Shahid M. Nimjee ◽  
Tiffany R. Hodges ◽  
Erin Cutrell ◽  
Betsy D. Hughes ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: Surgical outcomes for intramedullary spinal cord tumors are affected by many variables including tumor histology and preoperative neurological function. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of tumor histology on neurological outcome in primary intramedullary spinal cord tumors. METHODS: A retrospective review of 102 consecutive patients with intramedullary spinal cord tumors treated at a single institution between January 1998 and March 2009. RESULTS: Ependymomas were the most common tumors with 55 (53.9%), followed by 21 astrocytomas (20.6%), 12 hemangioblastomas (11.8%), and 14 miscellaneous tumors (13.7%). Gross total resection was achieved in 50 ependymomas (90.9%), 3 astrocytomas (14.3%), 11 hemangioblastomas (91.7%), and 12 miscellaneous tumors (85.7%). At a mean follow-up of 41.8 months (range, 1-132 months), we observed recurrences in 4 ependymoma cases (7.3%), 10 astrocytoma cases (47.6%), 1 miscellaneous tumor case (7.1%), and no recurrence in hemangioblastoma cases. When analyzed by tumor location, there was no difference in neurological outcomes (P = .66). At the time of their last follow-up visit, 11 patients (20%) with an ependymoma improved, 38 (69%) remained the same, and 6 (10.9%) worsened. In patients with an astrocytoma, 1 (4.8%) improved, 10 (47.6%) remained the same, and 10 (47.6%) worsened. One patient (8.3%) with a hemangioblastoma improved and 11 (91.7%) remained the same. No patient with a hemangioblastoma worsened. In the miscellaneous tumor group, 2 (14.3%) improved, 10 (71.4%) remained the same, and 2 (14.3%) worsened. Preoperative neurological status (P = .02), tumor histology (P = .005), and extent of resection (P < .0001) were all predictive of functional neurological outcomes. CONCLUSION: Tumor histology is the most important predictor of neurological outcome after surgical resection because it predicts resectability and recurrence.


Author(s):  
Sebastian Ille ◽  
Arthur Wagner ◽  
Ann Kathrin Joerger ◽  
Maria Wostrack ◽  
Bernhard Meyer ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (IONM) has increased patient safety and extent of resection in patients with eloquent brain tumors. Despite its comprehensive capability for the resection of intramedullary spinal cord tumors (ISCTs), the application during the resection of these tumors is controversial. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the resection of ISCTs in 83 consecutive cases. IONM was performed in all cases. Each patient's motor status and the McCormick scale was determined preoperatively, directly after surgery, at the day of discharge, and at long-term follow-up. Results IONM was feasible in 71 cases (85.5%). Gross total resection was performed in 75 cases (90.4%). Postoperatively, patients showed new transient deficits in 12 cases (14.5%) and new permanent deficits in 12 cases (14.5%). The mean McCormick variance between baseline and long-term follow-up was − 0.08 ± 0.54. IONM's sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for the patient's motor status at the day of discharge was 75.0%, 64.7%, 45.5%, and 86.8%. It was 88.9%, 59.7%, 24.2%, and 97.4% for the motor outcome at long-term follow-up. Patients experienced postoperative complications in 15 cases (18.1%). Conclusion IONM, as performed in the present study, shows a high sensitivity and NPV but low specificity and PPV, particularly for the patient's motor status at the long-term follow-up. As far as practicable by a retrospective study on IONM, our results confirm IONM's usefulness for its application during the resection of ISCTs. However, these results must be approved by a prospective study.


2008 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Augusto Taricco ◽  
Vinicius Monteiro de Paula Guirado ◽  
Ricardo Bragança de Vasconcellos Fontes ◽  
José Pindaro Pereira Plese

BACKGROUND: Primary spinal cord intramedullary tumors are rare and present with insidious symptoms. Previous treatment protocols emphasized biopsy and radiation/chemotherapy but more aggressive protocols have emerged. OBJECTIVE: To report our experience. METHOD: Forty-eight patients were diagnosed with primary intramedullary tumors. The cervical cord was involved in 27% and thoracic in 42% of patients. Complete microsurgical removal was attempted whenever possible without added neurological morbidity. RESULTS: Complete resection was obtained in 33 (71%) patients. Neurological function remained stable or improved in 32 patients (66.7%). Ependymoma was the most frequent tumor (66.7%). CONCLUSION: Neurological outcome is superior in patients with subtle findings; aggressive microsurgical resection should be pursued with acceptable neurological outcomes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 655-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Shi ◽  
Shan Wang ◽  
Huifang Zhang ◽  
Guoqin Wang ◽  
Yi Guo ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVELaminoplasty has been used in recent years as an alternative approach to laminectomy for preventing spinal deformity after resection of intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCTs). However, controversies exist with regard to its real role in maintaining postoperative spinal alignment. The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of progressive spinal deformity in patients who underwent laminoplasty for resection of IMSCT and identify risk factors for progressive spinal deformity.METHODSData from IMSCT patients who had undergone laminoplasty at Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital between January 2014 and December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate tests and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to assess the statistical relationship between postoperative spinal deformity and radiographic, clinical, and surgical variables.RESULTSOne hundred five patients (mean age 37.0 ± 14.5 years) met the criteria for inclusion in the study. Gross-total resection (> 95%) was obtained in 79 cases (75.2%). Twenty-seven (25.7%) of the 105 patients were found to have spinal deformity preoperatively, and 10 (9.5%) new cases of postoperative progressive deformity were detected. The mean duration of follow-up was 27.6 months (SD 14.5 months, median 26.3 months, range 6.2–40.7 months). At last follow-up, the median functional scores of the patients who did develop progressive spinal deformity were worse than those of the patients who did not (modified McCormick Scale: 3 vs 2, and p = 0.04). In the univariate analysis, age (p = 0.01), preoperative spinal deformity (p < 0.01), extent of tumor involvement (p < 0.01), extent of abnormal tumor signal (p = 0.02), and extent of laminoplasty (p < 0.01) were identified as factors associated with postoperative progressive spinal deformity. However, in subsequent multivariate logistic regression analysis, only age ≤ 25 years and preoperative spinal deformity emerged as independent risk factors (p < 0.05), increasing the odds of postoperative progressive deformity by 4.1- and 12.4-fold, respectively (p < 0.05).CONCLUSIONSProgressive spinal deformity was identified in 25.7% patients who had undergone laminoplasty for IMSCT resection and was related to decreased functional status. Younger age (≤ 25 years) and preoperative spinal deformity increased the risk of postoperative progressive spinal deformity. The risk of postoperative deformity warrants serious reconsideration of providing concurrent fusion during IMSCT resection or close follow-up after laminoplasty.


Neurosurgery ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 855-859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul R. Cooper

Abstract The reported results of treatment of intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCT) are difficult to interpret because of heterogeneous management strategies, small numbers of patients, and short periods of follow-up. In 1985 we published the early results of operative treatment of 29 patients with IMSCT and were cautiously optimistic that aggressive operative management would have a salutary effect on long-term outcome. In this report, the most recent clinical status of these 29 original patients is reviewed, along with that of 22 additional ones, to assess the intermediate and long-term results of treatment of IMSCT in 51 patients who underwent microsurgical resection between 1981 and 1987. Of these 51 patients, 24 had ependymomas, 18 had astrocytomas, and the remainder had a variety of less common lesions. Thirty-seven patients survive and have been followed for periods up to 72 months (mean 38 months). The neurological conditions of 21 patients are improved or have stabilized following operation. The conditions of 16 patients are worse postoperatively: 11 from operation and 5 from progression of disease. Eight patients are neurologically intact, 7 walk independently but abnormally, 9 ambulate with the aid of a cane or walker, and the remaining 13 are not ambulatory. Twelve of 18 patients with astrocytomas and 2 of 24 patients with ependymomas have died after a mean survival of 10 months from operation. Patients with ependymomas who had gross total resection have fared the best, with no deaths or recurrences, but no relationship could be discerned between the extent of resection and outcome in patients with astrocytomas. The author concludes that radical resection of IMSCT may be performed with initial stabilization or improvement of neurological function in the majority of patients. In patients with ependymomas the extent of resection correlated well with long-term outcome. In patients with astrocytomas. however, there was no such relationship. All 7 patients with astrocytomas of Grades III and IV have died, as have 4 of 11 patients with astrocytomas of Grades I and II.


2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raj K. Shrivastava ◽  
Fred J. Epstein ◽  
Noel I. Perin ◽  
Kalmon D. Post ◽  
George I. Jallo

Object. Intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCTs) in the older-age adult population pose complex management issues regarding the extent of resection and functional outcome, especially in terms of quality of life. Historically, IMSCTs in the older adult population were treated with irradiation alone because it was assumed that functional recovery would be poor. The authors examined their IMSCT database and report the first large series of IMSCTs in patients older than 50 years of age. Methods. In this retrospective clinical and chart review there were 30 cases meeting inclusion criteria drawn from databases at three different institutions. A modified McCormick Scale was used to assess functional levels in all 30 patients pre- and postoperatively. The mean age of patients in this cohort was 59.8 years (range 50–78 years), and the mean follow- up period was 10.6 years (range 2–16 years). Ependymoma was the most common tumor (83%), and 55% were located in the thoracic spine. The most common presenting symptom was sensory dysesthesia, with rare motor loss. The prodromal period to treatment was 19.4 months. Based on the McCormick Scale score at last follow-up examination 67% of patients were clinically functionally the same, 9% were worse, and 24% were improved after surgery. There were two deaths due tumor progression (both malignant tumors) and one recurrence (anaplastic astrocytoma). All three patients in whom malignant astrocytomas were diagnosed underwent postoperative radiation therapy. Conclusions. In the population of patients older than age 50 years, thoracic ependymomas are the most common IMSCTs that present characteristically with sensory symptoms. The longer prodromal period in the older adult population may reflect the fact that their diagnosis and workup is inadequate. There was no significant increase in the length of stay in the neurosurgical ward. The authors recommend motor evoked potential-guided aggressive microsurgical resection, because the long-term outcome of benign lesions is excellent (good functional recovery and no tumor recurrence).


2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. S103
Author(s):  
Isaac O. Karikari ◽  
Shahid M. Nimjee ◽  
Tiffany R. Hodges ◽  
Betsy D. Hughes ◽  
Erin Cutrell ◽  
...  

1996 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. 1036-1043 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shlomo Constantini ◽  
John Houten ◽  
Douglas C. Miller ◽  
Diana Freed ◽  
Memet M. Ozek ◽  
...  

✓ Over a 13-year period extending from 1980 to 1993, 27 children less than 3 years of age underwent operation for removal of an intramedullary spinal cord tumor (IMSCT). The majority (18 of 27) of children had undergone surgery before being referred to New York University (NYU) Medical Center. The most common reasons for radiological investigation were pain (42%), motor regression (36%), gait abnormalities (27%), torticollis (27%), and progressive kyphoscoliosis (24%). Forty procedures were performed in 27 children. Nine children underwent two operations and two children underwent three procedures. A gross-total resection was achieved in 72% of the procedures. There was no surgical mortality. A comparison of the preoperative and 3-month postoperative functional grades for the first NYU procedure (NYU-1) yielded the following findings: 20 patients' conditions remained the same, five patients improved, and two patients deteriorated. The functional outcomes of a second operation (NYU-2) were similar. The majority of the children (24 of 27, 89%) had histologically determined low-grade lesions. There were 12 patients with low-grade astrocytomas (Grades I-III), eight with gangliogliomas, two with ganglioglioneurocytomas, one with a glioneurofibroma, and one child with a mixed astro/oligodendroglioma. Two children had anaplastic astrocytomas (Grades II–III) and one child had a glioblastoma multiforme. In a median follow-up review of 76 months, two patients died and two patients were lost to follow up. The 3- and 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 81.7% (standard error of the mean (SEM) 0.083) and 76.2% (SEM 0.094), respectively. Eight of 24 patients suffered a recurrence within a mean time of 45.4 ± 28.9 months. All were treated with surgery (NYU-2). Lesions recurred in three of 12 children with low-grade astrocytomas, two of eight children with gangliogliomas, one child with an anaplastic astrocytoma, one child with a ganglioglioneurocytoma, and one child with a glioblastoma multiforme. At follow-up review, most of these children were doing well. Sixteen are in functional Grades I or II and 18 children attend a normal school system. The authors conclude that surgery for the removal of IMSCTs in children less than 3 years of age can be performed radically and safely. The postoperative functional performance is determined by the degree of the preoperative deficit. It is, therefore, of utmost importance to diagnose and treat these children as early as possible. Spinal cord tumors should be recognized as potentially excisable lesions on their initial presentation and when they recur. The optimum treatment for malignant lesions is still to be determined.


Author(s):  
B. D. Bharath Singh Naik ◽  
Kadali Satyavara Prasad ◽  
Phaneeswar Thota ◽  
Raman B. V. S.

Background: Intramedullary spinal cord tumors are rare entity accounting for only 5-6% of all central nervous system tumors. Much literature is not available regarding these tumors owing to their rarity. Present study includes 24 cases of intramedullary spinal cord tumors with pain and progressive weakness. Radiological evaluation showed various intramedullary lesions like ependymoma, astrocytoma, epidermoid etc. spreading over various levels of spinal cord like cervicomedullary, cervicodorsal and dorsal cords.Methods: The study included all the cases admitted with intramedullary spinal cord tumors in neurosurgery ward in King George hospital, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India during a period of three years from 2014 to 2016. Clinical profile of the patients was analyzed for the clinical presentation, age and sex distribution, histopathological study, pre-and postoperative neurological status, complications and functional outcome. All the patients are followed for a period of 6months to 3years.Results: Of the 24 cases, most common age group was second (7 patients) and third (7 patients) decades which is upto 29.16% each.  Males (16 patients) are more affected than females in 66.66%. Ependymoma is the most common tumor seen in 41.66% (10 patients) followed by astrocytoma in 33.33% (8 patients). The surgical technique, extent of resection, pre and postoperative neurological status and functional outcome are discussed.Conclusions: Intramedullary tumours occur commonly among males in the 2nd to 4th decades. Among the intramedullary tumours ependymoma from the commonest lesion subtypes. Most common location is cervical cord segment. Ependymomas have a good plane of cleavage and are thus amenable to radical excision. Patients with good Mc Cormicks grade in pre-operative stage are more amenable for total or near total excision. Prognostic factors affecting outcome are the preoperative neurological status, the plane of cleavage, the extent of resection, the nature and subtype of the lesion. With the improvement in microsurgical techniques and novel adjunctive like MRI, CUSA and intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, surgery for intramedullary lesions can be carried out with acceptable morbidity and mortality. 


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