Diffusion tensor imaging tractography in patients with intramedullary tumors: comparison with intraoperative findings and value for prediction of tumor resectability

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Setzer ◽  
Ryan D. Murtagh ◽  
F. Reed Murtagh ◽  
Mohammed Eleraky ◽  
Surbhi Jain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Diffusion Tensor Imaging ◽  
Interrater Reliability ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Cleavage Plane ◽  
Lesion Volume ◽  
Spinal Cord Tumors ◽  
Intramedullary Tumors ◽  
Intramedullary Spinal Cord

Object The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the predictive value of diffusion tensor (DT) imaging with respect to resectability of intramedullary spinal cord tumors and to determine the concordance of this method with intraoperative surgical findings. Methods Diffusion tensor imaging was performed in 14 patients with intramedullary lesions of the spinal cord at different levels using a 3-T magnet. Routine MR imaging scans were also obtained, including unenhanced and enhanced T1-weighted images and T2-weighted images. Patients were classified according to the fiber course with respect to the lesion and their lesions were rated as resectable or nonresectable. These results were compared with the surgical findings (existence vs absence of cleavage plane). The interrater reliability was calculated using the κ coefficient of Cohen. Results Of the 14 patients (7 male, 7 female; mean age 49.2 ± 15.5 years), 13 had tumors (8 ependymomas, 2 lymphomas, and 3 astrocytoma). One lesion was proven to be a multiple sclerosis plaque during further diagnostic workup. The lesions could be classified into 3 types according to the fiber course. In Type 1 (5 cases) fibers did not pass through the solid lesion. In Type 2 (3 cases) some fibers crossed the lesion, but most of the lesion volume did not contain fibers. In Type 3 (6 cases) the fibers were completely encased by tumor. Based on these results, 6 tumors were considered resectable, 7 were not. During surgery, 7 tumors showed a good cleavage plane, 6 did not. The interrater reliability (Cohen κ) was calculated as 0.83 (p < 0.003), which is considered to represent substantial agreement. The mean duration of follow-up was 12.0 ± 2.9. The median McCormick grade at the end of follow-up was II. Conclusions These preliminary data suggest that DT imaging in patients with spinal cord tumors is capable of predicting the resectability of the lesion. A further prospective study is needed to confirm these results and any effect on patient outcome.

scholarly journals Diffusion tensor imaging to guide surgical planning in intramedullary spinal cord tumors in children

2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asim F. Choudhri ◽  
Matthew T. Whitehead ◽  
Paul Klimo ◽  
Blake K. Montgomery ◽  
Frederick A. Boop
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Diffusion Tensor Imaging ◽  
Surgical Planning ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Spinal Cord Tumors ◽  
Intramedullary Spinal Cord

scholarly journals Application of multishot diffusion tensor imaging in spinal cord tumors

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-64
Author(s):  
Jiefei Li ◽  
Le He ◽  
Yuqi Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Diffusion Tensor Imaging ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Preoperative Imaging ◽  
Spinal Cord Tumors ◽  
Intramedullary Tumors ◽  
Routine Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Diffusion Tensor Imaging Dti

Objective: To explore the usefulness of multishot diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for evaluating the neurological function of patients with spinal cord tumors Methods: Routine magnetic resonance imaging and multishot DTI were performed in five patients with spinal cord tumors. The values of fractional anisotropy (FA) and radial diffusivity (RD) were analyzed. Results: Multishot DTI of spinal cord tumors allowed for defining the margins of tumors and determining the relationship of tumors with the adjacent white matter structures of the spinal cord. Multishot DTI demonstrated significantly increased RD and decreased FA of spinal cord tumors compared with those of the normal spinal cord. Conclusions: Multishot DTI is a potentially useful modality for differentiating resectable tumors from nonresectable ones based on preoperative imaging alone as well as for differentiating intramedullary tumors from extramedullary ones. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these results.

scholarly journals Surgical treatment of primary intramedullary spinal cord tumors in adult patients

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
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Previous Treatment ◽  
Cervical Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Tumors ◽  
Intramedullary Tumors ◽  
Treatment Protocols ◽  
Intramedullary Spinal Cord ◽  
Neurological Outcomes ◽  
Neurological Morbidity ◽  
Microsurgical Resection

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.

Risk factor analysis of progressive spinal deformity after resection of intramedullary spinal cord tumors in patients who underwent laminoplasty: a report of 105 consecutive cases

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 655-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Shi ◽  
Shan Wang ◽  
Huifang Zhang ◽  
Guoqin Wang ◽  
Yi Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Spinal Deformity ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽  
Spinal Cord Tumors ◽  
Intramedullary Spinal Cord

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.

Utility of neurophysiological monitoring using dorsal column mapping in intramedullary spinal cord surgery

2010 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 623-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel S. Yanni ◽  
Sedat Ulkatan ◽  
Vedran Deletis ◽  
Ignacio J. Barrenechea ◽  
Chandranath Sen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Evoked Potential ◽  
Dorsal Column ◽  
Posterior Column ◽  
Anatomical Landmarks ◽  
Spinal Cord Tumors ◽  
Intramedullary Tumors ◽  
Intramedullary Spinal Cord ◽  
Strip Electrode ◽  
Spinal Cord Surgery

Object Intramedullary spinal cord tumors can displace the surrounding neural tissue, causing enlargement and distortion of the normal cord anatomy. Resection requires a midline myelotomy to avoid injury to the posterior columns. Locating the midline for myelotomy is often difficult because of the distorted anatomy. Standard anatomical landmarks may be misleading in patients with intramedullary spinal cord tumors due to cord rotation, edema, neovascularization, or local scar formation. Misplacement of the myelotomy places the posterior columns at risk of significant postoperative disability. The authors describe a technique for mapping the dorsal column to accurately locate the midline. Methods A group of 10 patients with cervical and thoracic intramedullary spinal cord lesions underwent dorsal column mapping in which a strip electrode was used to define the midline. After the laminectomy and durotomy, a custom-designed multielectrode grid was placed on the exposed dorsal surface of the spinal cord. The electrode is made up of 8 parallel Teflon-coated stainless-steel wires (76-μm diameter, spaced 1 mm apart) embedded in silastic with each of the wires stripped of its insulating coating along a length of 2 mm. This strip electrode maps the amplitude gradient of conducted spinal somatosensory evoked potentials elicited by bilateral tibial nerve stimulation. Using these recordings, the dorsal columns are topographically mapped as lying between two adjacent numbers. Results The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of the preoperative, immediate, and short-term postoperative neurological status, focusing especially on posterior column function. There were 8 women and 2 men whose mean age was 52 years. There were 4 ependymomas, 1 subependymoma, 1 gangliocytoma, 1 anaplastic astrocytoma, 1 cavernous malformation, and 2 symptomatic syringes requiring shunting. In all patients the authors attempted to identify the midline by using anatomical landmarks, and then proceeded with dorsal column mapping to identify the midline electrophysiologically. In the 2 patients with syringomyelia and in 5 of the patients with tumors, the authors were unable to identify the midline anatomically with any certainty. In 2 patients with intramedullary tumors, they were able to identify the midline anatomically with certainty. Dorsal column mapping allowed identification of the midline and to confirm the authors' anatomical localization. In 2 patients with intramedullary tumors, posterior column function was preserved only on 1 side. All other patients had intact posterior column function preoperatively. Conclusions Dorsal column mapping is a useful technique for guiding the surgeon in locating the midline for myelotomy in intramedullary spinal cord surgery. In conjunction with somatosensory evoked potential, motor evoked potential, and D-wave recordings, we have been able to reduce the surgical morbidity related to dorsal column dysfunction in this small group of patients.

Nonenhancing tumors of the spinal cord

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 403-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Bradley White ◽  
Gary M. Miller ◽  
Kennith F. Layton ◽  
William E. Krauss
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Common Finding ◽  
Subtotal Resection ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Spinal Cord Tumors ◽  
Intramedullary Tumors ◽  
Intramedullary Spinal Cord ◽  
Tumor Invasiveness ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Tumor Types

Object Enhancement of pathological entities in the central nervous system is a common finding when the blood–brain barrier has been compromised. In the brain, the presence or absence of gadolinium enhancement is often an indicator of tumor invasiveness and/or grade. In the spinal cord, however, contrast enhancement has been shown in all tumor types, regardless of grade. In this study the authors explore the incidence of nonenhancing tumors of the spinal cord and the clinical course of patients with these lesions. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted in which investigators examined the patterns of enhancement of histologically proven intramedullary spinal cord tumors that had been evaluated at the Mayo Clinic between 1998 and 2002. The tumors that did not enhance were the subject of this report. Results A total of 130 patients with intramedullary tumors were evaluated. Of those, 11 patients (9%) had tumors that did not enhance. Histologically, a majority of tumors were astrocytomas (eight low-grade and two high-grade lesions); one tumor was a subependymoma. Morphologically, most of the tumors were diffuse and none had associated cysts. Tumors spanned from two to seven levels and were located throughout the spinal cord (four cervical, three cervicothoracic, one thoracic, and three thoracolumbar). Biopsy procedures were performed in eight patients, subtotal resection was performed in two, and gross-total resection in one. After a mean follow-up period of 19 months, tumors remained stable in eight patients but progressed in three, two of whom died. Conclusions A number of intramedullary spinal cord tumors will not enhance after addition of contrast agents. The absence of enhancement does not imply the absence of tumor.

scholarly journals Diffusion tensor imaging in unclear intramedullary tumor-suspected lesions allows separating tumors from inflammation

Spinal Cord ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Hohenhaus ◽  
Yorn Merz ◽  
Jan-Helge Klingler ◽  
Christoph Scholz ◽  
Ulrich Hubbe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Diffusion Tensor Imaging ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Spinal Cord Tumor ◽  
Intramedullary Tumor ◽  
Diagnostic Study ◽  
Spinal Cord Tumors ◽  
Lesion Area ◽  
Inflammatory Lesions ◽  
Central Lesion

Abstract Design Prospective diagnostic study. Objectives Primary imaging-based diagnosis of spinal cord tumor-suspected lesions is often challenging. The identification of the definite entity is crucial for dedicated treatment and therefore reduction of morbidity. The aim of this trial was to investigate specific quantitative signal patterns to differentiate unclear intramedullary tumor-suspected lesions based on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Setting Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Germany. Methods Forty patients with an unclear tumor-suspected lesion of the spinal cord prospectively underwent DTI. Primary diagnosis was determined by histological or clinical work-up or remained indeterminate with follow-up. DTI metrics (FA/ADC) were evaluated at the central lesion area, lesion margin, edema, and normal spinal cord and compared between different diagnostic groups (ependymomas, other spinal cord tumors, inflammations). Results Mean DTI metrics for all spinal cord tumors (n = 18) showed significantly reduced FA and increased ADC values compared to inflammatory lesions (n = 8) at the lesion margin (p < 0.001, p = 0.001) and reduced FA at the central lesion area (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences comparing the neoplastic subgroups of ependymomas (n = 10) and other spinal cord tumors (n = 8), but remaining differences for both compared to the inflammation subgroup. We found significant higher ADC (p = 0.040) and a trend to decreased FA (p = 0.081) for ependymomas compared to inflammations at the edema. Conclusion Even if distinct differentiation of ependymomas from other spinal cord neoplasms was not possible based on quantitative DTI metrics, FA and ADC were feasible to separate inflammatory lesions. This may avoid unnecessary surgery in patients with unclear intramedullary tumor-suspected lesions.

Intramedullary spinal cord tumors in patients older than 50 years of age: management and outcome analysis

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raj K. Shrivastava ◽  
Fred J. Epstein ◽  
Noel I. Perin ◽  
Kalmon D. Post ◽  
George I. Jallo
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Spinal Cord Tumors ◽  
Intramedullary Spinal Cord ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Older Adult Population ◽  
Fine Print

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).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document