Laminectomy without instrumentation for surgical treatment of metastatic spinal cord compression

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the development of mechanical complications as a result of spinal decompression or cauda equina in patients with metastatic tumors of the spine via laminectomy or laminoartrectomy without fixation. METHODS: We studied the medical records of all patients submitted to spine decompression with laminectomy without fixation. The decompression was indicated to treat cord compression or cauda equina caused by metastatic tumors. Patients were evaluated for the development of postoperative mechanical instability by comparing the preoperative radiological examinations with the latest one available in the medical record review.. In these images, we evaluated the emergence of new deformity in the sagittal or coronal planes and translational deformity. We consider new deformity, signs of deformity greater or equal to 5° in the coronal or sagittal planes and signs of increased vertebral translation greater than or equal to 3 mm. RESULTS: No patient developed radiological instability in the period evaluated with an average follow-up of 163.24 days (3-663). The complication rate in our sample was not higher than the previously reported in the literature. CONCLUSION: Isolated laminectomy at one or more levels is a safe procedure for the treatment of metastatic spinal cord compression where the spine is judged stable before surgery.

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Radiation-Sensitive Spine Tumor

Spinal Neurosurgery ◽

10.1093/med/9780190887773.003.0017 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 159-174

Author(s):

Adam M. Robin ◽

Ilya Laufer

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Spinal Cord Compression ◽

Cauda Equina ◽

Spinal Metastases ◽

Cord Compression ◽

External Beam Radiation ◽

Spinal Instability ◽

Mechanical Instability

A decision-making framework called NOMS (neurologic, oncologic, mechanical and systemic) facilitates and guides therapeutic decisions for patients with spinal metastases. Patients should be evaluated for signs of myelopathy or cauda equina syndrome. The Epidural Spinal Cord Compression (ESCC) scale facilitates reporting of the degree of radiographic spinal cord compression. A determination of the expected histology-specific tumor response to conventionally fractionated external beam radiation (cEBRT) and systemic therapy should be made. Radiation therapy effectively treats biologic pain for radiosensitive tumors such as multiple myeloma. Patients should undergo a careful evaluation of movement-associated pain as tumor-induced spinal instability is an independent indication for surgery. Determination of tumor-associated mechanical instability can be facilitated by the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS). Herein, the authors present a case of spinal multiple myeloma managed using the NOMS framework and in consideration of current evidence and treatment paradigms.

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Radiotherapy for metastatic spinal cord compression with increased radiation doses (RAMSES-01): a prospective multicenter study

BMC Cancer ◽

10.1186/s12885-019-6390-x ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dirk Rades ◽

Olfred Hansen ◽

Lars Henrik Jensen ◽

Liesa Dziggel ◽

Christian Staackmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Overall Survival ◽

Spinal Cord Compression ◽

Cord Compression ◽

Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression ◽

Sensory Function ◽

Radiation Doses ◽

Conventional Radiotherapy ◽

Precision Radiotherapy

Abstract Background Patients with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) and favorable survival prognoses can benefit from radiation doses greater than 30Gy in 10 fractions in terms of improved local progression-free survival (LPFS) and overall survival (OS). Methods/design This prospective study mainly investigates LPFS after precision radiotherapy (volumetric modulated arc therapy or stereotactic body radiotherapy) with 18 × 2.33Gy in 3.5 weeks. LPFS is defined as freedom from progression of motor deficits during radiotherapy and an in-field recurrence of MSCC following radiotherapy. The maximum relative dose allowed to the spinal cord is 101.5% of the prescribed dose, resulting in an equivalent dose in 2Gy-fractions (EQD2) for radiation myelopathy is 45.5Gy, which is below the tolerance dose of 50Gy according to the Quantitative Analyses of Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic (QUANTEC). The EQD2 of this regimen for tumor cell kill is 43.1Gy, which is 33% higher than for 30Gy in 10 fractions (EQD2 = 32.5Gy). Primary endpoint is LPFS at 12 months after radiotherapy. Secondary endpoints include the effect of 18 × 2.33Gy on motor function, ambulatory status, sensory function, sphincter dysfunction, LPFS at other follow-up times, overall survival, pain relief, relief of distress and toxicity. Follow-up visits for all endpoints will be performed directly and at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after radiotherapy. A total of 65 patients are required for the prospective part of the study. These patients will be compared to a historical control group of at least 235 patients receiving conventional radiotherapy with 10x3Gy in 2 weeks. Discussion If precision radiotherapy with 18 × 2.33Gy results in significantly better LPFS than 10x3Gy of conventional radiotherapy, this regimen should be strongly considered for patients with MSCC and favorable survival prognoses. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04043156. Registered 30-07-2019.

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Metastatic spinal cord compression

British Journal of Hospital Medicine ◽

10.12968/hmed.2019.0399 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 81 (4) ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Surendra Patnaik ◽

Joseph Turner ◽

Praveen Inaparthy ◽

Will KM Kieffer

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Compression ◽

Cauda Equina ◽

Spinal Column ◽

Cord Compression ◽

Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression ◽

Neurological Injury ◽

Clinical Approach ◽

Mobility Function ◽

Ongoing Development

Metastatic spinal cord compression is compression of the spinal cord or cauda equina as a result of metastatic deposits in the spinal column. It affects approximately 4000 cases per year in England and Wales. Prompt identification and treatment of metastatic spinal cord compression is necessary to prevent irreversible neurological injury, treat pain and maintain patients' mobility, function and independence. Survival of patients with common malignancies has improved significantly with the ongoing development of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, as well as improved surgical treatment of resectable primary tumours. This article outlines the clinical approach to presentation, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management.

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Utilization of laser interstitial thermotherapy guided by real-time thermal MRI as an alternative to separation surgery in the management of spinal metastasis

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2015.2.spine141185 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. 400-411 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

Claudio E. Tatsui ◽

R. Jason Stafford ◽

Jing Li ◽

Jonathan N. Sellin ◽

Behrang Amini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Spinal Cord ◽

Real Time ◽

Spinal Cord Compression ◽

Spinal Metastasis ◽

Cord Compression ◽

The Mean ◽

Interstitial Thermotherapy

OBJECT High-grade malignant spinal cord compression is commonly managed with a combination of surgery aimed at removing the epidural tumor, followed by spinal stereotactic radiosurgery (SSRS) aimed at local tumor control. The authors here introduce the use of spinal laser interstitial thermotherapy (SLITT) as an alternative to surgery prior to SSRS. METHODS Patients with a high degree of epidural malignant compression due to radioresistant tumors were selected for study. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain and quality of life were obtained before and within 30 and 60 days after treatment. A laser probe was percutaneously placed in the epidural space. Real-time thermal MRI was used to monitor tissue damage in the region of interest. All patients received postoperative SSRS. The maximum thickness of the epidural tumor was measured, and the degree of epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) was scored in pre- and postprocedure MRI. RESULTS In the 11 patients eligible for study, the mean VAS score for pain decreased from 6.18 in the preoperative period to 4.27 within 30 days and 2.8 within 60 days after the procedure. A similar VAS interrogating the percentage of quality of life demonstrated improvement from 60% preoperatively to 70% within both 30 and 60 days after treatment. Imaging follow-up 2 months after the procedure demonstrated a significant reduction in the mean thickness of the epidural tumor from 8.82 mm (95% CI 7.38–10.25) before treatment to 6.36 mm (95% CI 4.65–8.07) after SLITT and SSRS (p = 0.0001). The median preoperative ESCC Grade 2 was scored as 4, which was significantly higher than the score of 2 for Grade 1b (p = 0.04) on imaging follow-up 2 months after the procedure. CONCLUTIONS The authors present the first report on an innovative minimally invasive alternative to surgery in the management of spinal metastasis. In their early experience, SLITT has provided local control with low morbidity and improvement in both pain and the quality of life of patients.

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