Osteoradionecrosis of the cervical spine resulting from radiotherapy for primary head and neck malignancies: operative and nonoperative management

2005 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Donovan ◽  
Thanh V. Huynh ◽  
Eric B. Purdom ◽  
Robert E. Johnson ◽  
Joseph C. Sniezek
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Hyperbaric Oxygen ◽  
Spinal Cord Compression ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Spinal Instability ◽  
Spinal Stability ◽  
Head And Neck Malignancies

✓ Osteoradionecrosis is a process of dysvascular bone necrosis and fibrous replacement following exposure to high doses of radiation. The poorly vascularized necrotic tissue may cause pain and/or instability, and it cannot resist infection well, which may result in secondary osteomyelitis. When these processes affect the cervical spine, the resulting instability and neurological deficits can be devastating, and immediate reestablishment of spinal stability is paramount. Reconstruction of the cervical spine can be particularly challenging in this subgroup of patients in whom the spine is poorly vascularized after radical surgery, high-dose irradiation, and infection. The authors report three cases of cervical spine osteoradionecrosis following radiotherapy for primary head and neck malignancies. Two patients suffered secondary osteomyelitis, severe spinal deformity, and spinal cord compression. These patients underwent surgery in which a vascularized fibular graft and instrumentation were used to reconstruct the cervical spine; subsequently hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy was instituted. Fusion occurred, spinal stability was restored, and neurological dysfunction resolved at the 2- and 4-year follow-up examinations, respectively. The third patient experienced pain and dysphagia but did not have osteomyelitis, spinal instability, or neurological deficits. He underwent HBO therapy alone, with improved symptoms and imaging findings. Hyperbaric oxygen is an essential part of treatment for osteoradionecrosis and may be sufficient by itself for uncomplicated cases, but surgery is required for patients with spinal instability, spinal cord compression, and/or infection. A vascularized fibular bone graft is a very helpful adjunct in these patients because it adds little morbidity and may increase the rate of spinal fusion.

Radiation-Sensitive Spine Tumor

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.

scholarly journals Cervical myelopathy due to neurovascular compression syndrome caused by persistent first intersegmental artery: a case report

BMC Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuro Endo ◽  
Taku Sugawara ◽  
Naoki Higashiyama
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Compression ◽  
Cervical Myelopathy ◽  
Anatomical Variation ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
Burning Sensation ◽  
Motor Dysfunction ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Left Shoulder ◽  
Neurovascular Compression

Abstract Background Persistent first intersegmental artery (PFIA) is a rare anatomical variation of vertebral arteries and is an asymptomatic finding in most cases. Here we report a rare case of cervical myelopathy caused by spinal cord compression by the PFIA. Case presentation The patient was a 52-year-old man who complained of numbness and burning sensation around the neck and left shoulder area, partial weakness in the left deltoid muscle, right side thermal hypoalgesia, and disturbance of deep sensation since the past 1 year, and the symptoms had gradually worsened. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) showed spinal cord compression by the left PFIA at the C1/C2 level. Because conservative treatment was ineffective, microvascular decompression (MVD) of the PFIA was performed. The left PFIA was laterally transposed using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) bands and anchored to the dura mater using three PTFE bands. To achieve adequate transposition, the small blood vessels bridging the spinal cord and PFIA and the dorsal root nerve had to be sacrificed. Postoperative T2-weighted MRI showed a small hyperintense region in the lateral funiculus of the spinal cord, but no new neurological deficits were identified. In the early postoperative stage, the patient’s deep sensory impairment and motor dysfunction were improved. His numbness and burning sensation almost disappeared, but slight thermal hypoalgesia remained in the lower limb. Conclusion MVD is an effective treatment for spinal cord compression caused by the PFIA, but further studies are necessary to help address technical difficulties and avoid complications.

scholarly journals Non-fusion palliative spine surgery without reconstruction is safe and effective in spinal metastasis patients: retrospective study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siravich Suvithayasiri ◽  
Borriwat Santipas ◽  
Sirichai Wilartratsami ◽  
Monchai Ruangchainikom ◽  
Panya Luksanapruksa
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Compression ◽  
Survival Data ◽  
Spinal Metastasis ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Survival Duration ◽  
Related Complication ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Anterior Reconstruction

AbstractConsidering the shorter life expectancy and poorer prognosis of metastatic epidural spinal cord compression patients, anterior reconstruction and fusion may be unnecessary. This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of palliative surgery for metastatic epidural spinal cord compression with neurological deficit among patients who underwent posterior decompression and instrumentation without fusion or anterior reconstruction. This single-center retrospective review included all patients aged > 18 years with thoracic or lumbar spinal metastasis who were surgically treated for metastatic spinal cord compression without fusion or anterior reconstruction at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand during July 2015 to December 2017. Data from preoperation to the 1-year follow-up, including demographic and clinical data, Frankel classification, pain scores, complication, revision surgery, health-related quality-of-life scores, and survival data, were collected and analyzed. A total of 30 patients were included. The mean age was 59.83 ± 11.73 years, and 20 (66.7%) patients were female. The mean operative time was 208.17 ± 58.41 min. At least one Frankel grade improvement was reported in 53.33% of patients. The pain visual analog scale, the EuroQOL five-dimension five-level utility score, and the Oswestry Disability Index were all significantly improved at a minimum of 3 months after surgery. No intraoperative mortality or instrument-related complication was reported. The mean survival duration was 11.4 ± 8.97 months. Palliative non-fusion surgery without anterior reconstruction may be considered as a preferable choice for treating spinal metastasis patients with spinal cord compression with neurological deficits.

scholarly journals IgG4-Related Sclerosing Disease Causing Spinal Cord Compression: The First Reported Case in Literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Nooraldin Merza ◽  
Ahmed Taha ◽  
John Lung ◽  
Anthony W. Benderman ◽  
Stephen E. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Compression ◽  
Cervical Spinal Cord ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Pathological Examination ◽  
Tissue Mass ◽  
Systemic Steroids ◽  
First Case

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is known for forming soft tissue mass lesions that may have compressive effects. It is an extremely rare disease that most frequently affects the pancreas causing autoimmune pancreatitis. It can also affect the gallbladder, salivary glands, and lacrimal glands causing respective organ-specific complications. In our report, we describe an IgG4-RD case that affected the spinal cord. A 60-year-old female presented with cervical spinal cord compression caused by IgG4-RD leading to several neurological deficits. Pathological examination of the excisional biopsy of the mass revealed dense lymphoplasmacytic cells infiltration and stromal fibrosis with IgG4 and plasma cells. The patient showed a dramatic response to the administration of systemic steroids with almost resolution of her neurological symptoms. This case highlights the first case in literature for IgG4-RD of the extradural tissue causing spinal compression. Hereby, we also demonstrate the dramatic response of IgG4-RD to the administration of systemic steroids as the patient had no recurrence after 5 years of close follow-up, the longest reported period of follow-up reported in the literature to date.

Severe Spinal Cord Compression by Pure Giant Intradural Schwannoma of Cervical Spine

2018 ◽  
Vol 110 ◽  
pp. 17-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Quillo-Olvera ◽  
Guang-Xun Lin ◽  
Jin-Sung Kim
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Spinal Cord Compression ◽  
Cord Compression

The use of flexion-extension magnetic resonance imaging for evaluating signal intensity changes of the cervical spinal cord

2009 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 366-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kern H. Guppy ◽  
Mark Hawk ◽  
Indro Chakrabarti ◽  
Amit Banerjee
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Mr Imaging ◽  
Spinal Cord Compression ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Dynamic Mr

The authors present 2 cases involving patients who presented with myelopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine showed spinal cord signal changes on T2-weighted images without any spinal cord compression. Flexion-extension plain radiographs of the spine showed no instability. Dynamic MR imaging of the cervical spine, however, showed spinal cord compression on extension. Compression of the spinal cord was caused by dynamic anulus bulging and ligamentum flavum buckling. This report emphasizes the need for dynamic MR imaging of the cervical spine for evaluating spinal cord changes on neutral position MR imaging before further workup for other causes such as demyelinating disease.

A rare cause of spinal cord compression: imaging appearances of gout of the cervical spine

2006 ◽  
Vol 35 (12) ◽  
pp. 942-945 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Dharmadhikari ◽  
P. Dildey ◽  
I. G. Hide
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Spinal Cord Compression ◽  
Cord Compression

scholarly journals Spinal Cord Compression Secondary to Extramedullary Hematopoiese in a Patient with a Beta-Thalassemia

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Compression ◽  
Mass Effect ◽  
Myeloproliferative Disorders ◽  
Extramedullary Hematopoiesis ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Beta Thalassemia ◽  
Spleen And Lymph Nodes ◽  
Upper Thoracic

Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is a rare cause of spinal cord compression (SCC). EMH represents the growth of blood cells outside of the bone marrow and occurs in a variety of hematologic illnesses, including various types of anemia and myeloproliferative disorders. Although EMH usually occurs in the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes, it may also occur within the spinal canal. When this occurs, the mass effect can compress the spinal cord, potentially leading to the development of neurological deficits. We present a case of SCC secondary to EMH. Our patient is a 26-year-old male with beta-thalassemia who presented with both upper thoracic and lower extremity symptoms of spinal cord compression. This report illustrates the importance of considering EMH in the differential diagnosis of SCC, even in the absence of signs of its most common etiologies.

Spine Metastases

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ori Barzilai ◽  
Mark H. Bilsky ◽  
Ilya Laufer
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Spinal Cord Compression ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
External Beam Radiation ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Spinal Instability ◽  
Beam Radiation ◽  
Therapeutic Decisions

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. The Epidural Spinal Cord Compression 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 and systemic therapy should be made. Radiation therapy effectively treats biologic pain and 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. 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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