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PubMed1993

[Extramedullary hematopoiesis. An unusual cause of Pagetic spinal cord compression].

An original case is reported: spinal cord compression due to extramedullary hematopoiesis of the epidural space, related to Paget's disease of bone, successfully treated by surgery. Extramedullary hematopoiesis, usually occurring in cases of hematological disease, can also complicate Paget's disease, probably by bone effraction mechanism. A review of literature has found 5 other cases of extramedullary hematopoiesis occurring in Paget's disease, without hematological disease. Medullar scintigraphy (Indium111, Technetium99 Sulfur colloid) can confirm the diagnosis after X-ray findings, without the need for biopsy. Awareness knowledge of this complication can sometimes avoid invasive investigation. Low dose radiotherapy is useful in the case of hematological disorders. In Paget's disease, there is a risk of sarcomatous degeneration. In our patient, surgery cured cord compression, but it relapsed because of extensive fibrosis, in complicating surgical hemorrhage.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

MRI in the diagnosis and treatment of suspected malignant spinal cord compression.

It remains unclear whether MRI is essential in all patients with suspected malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC), or whether some patients can be treated on the basis of plain radiographic findings and neurological examination. A prospective study was carried out of 280 consecutive patients with suspected MSCC, and the results of neurological examination plus plain radiographs were compared with MRI. 201 patients had MSCC (186 extradural, 5 intradural extramedullary and 10 intramedullary) and 11 patients had thecal sac compression without evidence of spinal cord compression. 25% of patients with MSCC had two or more levels of compression, 69% of these involving more than one region of the spine. A paraspinal mass was noted at the site of extradural spinal cord compression in 28%, and only one-third of these were detected on plain radiography. Focal radiographic changes and consistent neurology were present in 91 (33%) patients who had not had previous radiotherapy. MRI confirmed the presence of MSCC in 89/91 patients (specificity and positive predictive value of radiographic/clinical findings 98%) and the level of disease in all. MRI led to a change in the radiotherapy plan in 53% of patients (21% major change). The sensory level when present was four or more segments below the MRI level in 25/121 (21%) patients, and two or more levels above in 8/121 (7%) patients. Although focal radiographic abnormalities with consistent neurological findings, when present, accurately predicted the presence and level of MSCC, whole spine MRI is indicated in most patients with suspected MSCC because the additional information may alter the management plan. Treatment may be appropriately initiated on the basis of focal radiographic changes and consistent neurology if MRI is contraindicated or delayed, and in patients with a poor prognosis. In patients in whom there are no focal radiographic abnormalities and consistent neurological findings, urgent MRI is mandatory before radiotherapy is commenced.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Spinal cord compression secondary to prostate carcinoma: treatment and prognosis.

Of 35 patients with prostate carcinoma and suspected spinal cord compression 26 (74%) had myelograms and/or magnetic resonance imaging studies demonstrating epidural spinal cord compression. In 5 of 26 patients (19%) spinal cord compression was the first indication of prostate cancer. All patients were initially treated with radiation, steroids and androgen deprivation therapy. Three patients underwent laminectomy. Of 12 patients (100%) ambulatory at presentation 12 remained ambulatory. Of 12 patients (83%) who were paraparetic at presentation 10 were ambulatory after treatment. However, 2 of these patients subsequently had recurrent compression and became paraplegic. Overall, 7 of 26 patients (27%) had recurrent compression. Of 5 patients who either presented with paraplegia or in whom paraplegia developed secondary to recurrent spinal cord compression 4 remained paraplegic despite treatment. The average survival of these 5 patients after treatment was 3.9 months versus 18 months for the group as a whole. In ambulatory or paraparetic patients radiation, androgen deprivation therapy and steroids are effective palliative therapy. However, patients who present with paraplegia or in whom paraplegia developed secondary to recurrent compression are often not palliated by this combination therapy. Prophylactic radiation of vertebral metastases discovered concurrently with compressive metastases may be valuable in preventing paraplegia.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression.

It is important to remember that ESCC is a complication of systemic malignancy and usually denotes disseminated disease with poor survival rates. Early diagnosis is crucial. The initial symptom is almost always back pain, which is local, radicular, or both. Following neurologic examination and radiography, MRI scanning or myelography/CT is immediately indicated if radiculopathy or myelopathy is present or if the radiographs of the spine are abnormal. In cancer patients with local back pain and normal findings on neurologic examination and radiography of the spine, there is still a probability of 0.1 of significant ESCC. Therefore, urgent CT/MRI scanning is justified. At present, the best treatment for ESCC remains unknown. In the majority of patients, radiotherapy is the most readily available and appropriate option because it is equal in effect to posterior decompressive laminectomy in both radiosensitive and radioresistant tumors. In patients with posterior epidural disease without tissue diagnosis, laminectomy with or without stabilization should be performed. Posterior decompressive laminectomy alone is contraindicated in patients with vertebral collapse. In selected instances of anterior epidural compression without tissue diagnosis or after failure of radiotherapy, an anterior surgical approach or synchronous vertebral decompression with posterior stabilization may be indicated. In the future, after appropriate clinical trials, vertebral body resection may be the optimal approach in de novo selected patients with ESCC with radioresistant tumors and limited systemic spread of the disease.

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMed1993

A nursing intervention for early detection of spinal cord compressions in patients with cancer.

This article reviews the current literature regarding spinal cord compression including its prevalence and presenting signs and symptoms; increases an awareness of the potentially severe effects of spinal cord compression; and describes a model for patient educational intervention focusing on early warning signs of spinal cord compression. With increased understanding of the nature and effects of spinal cord compression, nurses may effectively intervene to minimize the severity of the neurological deficits.

Humans↗
PubMed1996

[Pulmonary hydatidosis as a cause of spinal cord compression].

Pulmonary hydatidosis is a rare cause of spinal cord compression. We describe the case of a 49-years-old woman with cervical and dorsal pain, neurologic symptoms affecting upper extremities and a chest film showing a well defined mass in the upper right lobe. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a pulmonary cyst destroying vertebral bodies and invading the spinal channel to cause spinal cord compression. Surgery and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary hydatidosis.

Echinococcosis, Pulmonary↗
PubMed1993

Serotonergic manipulations in experimental neoplastic spinal cord compression.

The effects of differing strategies of serotonergic manipulation on vascular permeability, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis, and the clinical course are evaluated in an experimental model of neoplastic spinal cord compression in rats. Serotonergic manipulations include in vivo inhibition of serotonin (5-HT) synthesis by p-chlorophenylalanine (p-CPA) and in vivo blockage of serotonin type 2 (5-HT2) receptors either by the selective antagonist ketanserin or by cyproheptadine. In paralyzed rats, the ratio of 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) to 5-HT is significantly elevated in the compressed segments, suggesting that 5-HT utilization is increased. Treatment with p-CPA attenuates spinal 5-HT levels by 62.8% +/- 5.1% (mean +/- standard deviation) and reduces the elevated 5-HIAA:5-HT ratio to the normal value. The increased synthesis of PGE2 observed in the compressed cord is unaffected by p-CPA or ketanserin treatment but is markedly attenuated by cyproheptadine. Ketanserin reduces the 10-fold increase in spinal cord permeability observed in paralyzed rats in a clearly dose-related manner. If given at the first sign of neurological dysfunction, ketanserin delays the onset of paraplegia with the 1-mg/kg dose being clearly superior. Cyproheptadine and p-CPA also reduce the increased permeability and protract the course to paraplegia. A comparison of the effect of dexamethasone, indomethacin, cyproheptadine, p-CPA, and ketanserin reveals that they protract the disease course by 48%, 57%, 60%, 64%, and 78%, respectively. These data suggest that 5-HT2 receptors mediate some of the deleterious vascular consequences observed in the compressed spinal cord by a mechanism not coupled with PGE2 synthesis. A potential benefit of serotonergic manipulations for the acute treatment of neoplastic spinal cord compression is suggested.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Dumbbell nephroblastoma: an uncommon cause of spinal cord compression].

UNLABELLED: Rarely children with Wilms' tumor develop spinal cord dysfunction by metastatic spread into the epidural space or the cord parenchyma. In the case reported here, the mechanism of spinal compression was different. CASE REPORT: The authors report the clinical course of a 2-month-old boy with retroperitoneal extrarenal Wilms' tumor below the left kidney, characterized with a spinal cord compression developed through the intervertebral foramina. CONCLUSION: Abdominal tumor, usually corresponding to neuroblastoma, may be a nephroblastoma.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Metastatic spinal cord compression: diagnostic delay, treatment, and outcome.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) is a disabling complication of malignant disease. The aim of this study was to estimate diagnostic delay, treatment outcome, and prognostic factors in patients with MSCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 86 patients treated for MSCC at our institution, the median age was 65 years and there was a preponderance of males (73%). The median observation period was 39 months. Carcinoma of the prostate, lung, breast, and kidney constituted 66% of the primary malignancies. Prior to treatment, 34% had grade 1, 53% grade 2, and 13% grade 3 paresis. 33% underwent surgical laminectomy with postoperative radiotherapy (combined therapy), while 67% were irradiated only. RESULTS: Median time from the start of symptoms to the first doctor contact was 1 day, and to hospital admission or treatment start 6 days and 8 days. The pre-treatment grade of paresis, preservation of gait function, and primary tumour histology were strong predictors for treatment response. Pain relief, reported by 82% of assessable patients, correlated to treatment response grade. Median survival from treatment start was 4.1 months. Survival corresponded positively to preserved gait function at admission, to treatment response grade, and to the employment of combined therapy. Primary tumour histology was an important predictor as breast cancer and prostate cancer had 3 to 6-fold longer survival compared to lung cancer patients. CONCLUSION: Prolonged survival in a minority of the patients signified the importance of optimal treatment. To settle whether radiotherapy alone is the optimal treatment in all MSCC patients, a randomised trial is warranted.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Acute urinary retention as a presenting sign of spinal cord compression.

The cases of three patients with spinal cord compression who presented with acute urinary retention are discussed. Two patients had previously diagnosed carcinoma; in one, acute urinary retention was the first sign of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Two patients had a history compatible with prostatic hypertrophy. All had either paresthesias or sensory or motor deficits on initial presentation. All three patients were left with permanent hypotonic bladders. Two patients had permanent lower extremity paresis as well.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1980

The value of decompression for acute experimental spinal cord compression injury.

A clip compression method was used to produce acute spinal cord compression injury in rats. The force and duration of the spinal cord compression were independently varied, and functional recovery of the cord was assessed using the inclined plane technique. Mathematical modeling produced a curve defining the relationship between force, duration, and functional recovery for each week after injury. The study clearly showed the beneficial effect of decompression and that increasing either the force or duration of compression, or both, caused a reduction in recovery.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Posterior spinal cord compression: outcome and results.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, comparative study of neurologic outcome in patients with posterior extradural cord compression. OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of surgical decompression in patients presenting with neurologic deficit due to posterior element tuberculosis with those due to other causes. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Posterior cord compression is a relatively uncommon entity with not much literature published on it. METHODS: Over a period of 5 years, 14 patients with extradural posterior cord compression with neurologic deficit were divided into two etiologic groups: 9 patients had Koch's and 5 had other pathologies. All these cases were surgically decompressed posteriorly and the results compared. RESULTS: While results of surgery in patients with Koch's were good, with 7 of the 9 patients showing full recovery, outcome in patients with compression due to other causes (tumor/pyogenic infection) was not very satisfactory even after adequate mechanical decompression, with 3 of the 5 cases remaining paraplegic even after surgery. CONCLUSION: Posterior cord compression due to nontuberculous causes frequently mimics the picture of Koch's both clinically and radiologically. Prognosis of surgical decompression is good in tuberculous compression but not in other cases.

Abscess↗
PubMed1987

Experimental neoplastic spinal cord compression: evoked potentials, edema, prostaglandins, and light and electron microscopy.

Spinal cord compression was induced in Fischer rats by percutaneous inoculation of 10(6) cells of malignant fibrous histiocytoma anterior to the T13 vertebral body. Paraplegia and incontinence occurred in all animals after 14-27 days (median, 23 +/- 3.0 days). Autonomic dysfunction and a measurable increase in tumor volume were documented with the use of computer tomography. The tumor penetrated the vertebral bone, invaded the epidural space, and gradually compressed the lumbar spinal segments. Electron-microscopic examination revealed dilated intermyelin spaces containing exuded homogenous material and extravasated leukocytes and erythrocytes. Myelin breakdown was accompanied by the presence of lipid-laden macrophages. Sequential recording of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) revealed a progressive increase in the latency of the cervical responses, which preceded the onset of clinical signs. In the presence of paraplegia, spinal cord conductivity was abolished. The levels of the prostaglandins TXB2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, and PGE2 were measured in the compressed and remote spinal cord segments during the presymptomatic and symptomatic periods. Only PGE2 was significantly elevated (P less than 0.001) in the paraplegic rats, all along the spinal cord segments. A significant increase in water content was measured in the compressed lumbar segments in the presymptomatic period, and when paralysis set in it was increased in the adjacent low thoracic area as well. Tissue specific gravity was significantly increased only in paraplegic rats in the compressed (P less than 0.01) and the adjacent low thoracic areas (P less than 0.05) but no significant change occurred during the presymptomatic period. Multiple mechanisms play a role in the pathogenesis of neurologic symptoms in neoplastic spinal cord compression.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Giant cell arteritis and spinal cord compression: an overlap syndrome?

We describe 2 patients with spinal cord compression that occurred in the course of biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis (GCA). One case was due to an epidural tumorlike inflammatory lesion, the other to a concentric inflammatory thickening of the meninges. Both patients were highly corticodependent; they had low-titer anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies but no antimyeloperoxidase or antiproteinase 3 autoantibodies. The diagnosis was established by surgical biopsy. The histological pattern was reminiscent of Wegener granulomatosis. Both patients experienced relapse, despite high doses of corticosteroids, and experienced remission after the introduction of cyclophosphamide. Intravenous immunoglobulin perfusions were added for 1 patient. To our knowledge, spinal cord compression by a spinal pseudotumor or inflammatory meningitis has not been reported in the course of GCA. An overlap syndrome between GCA and Wegener granulomatosis is discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Etiological aspects of non-tubercular spinal cord compression in Senegal (report of 253 cases)].

Although always dominated by Pott's Affliction, other medullar compression etiologies nevertheless constitute an important chapter in medullar pathology. Retrospective study of 253 files on non-Pottic medullar compressions compiled over 16 years (January 1972 to December 1987) led the authors to the following conclusions: non-Pottic L.M.C.s. are predominant in men aged between 40 and 50, their clinical symptoms show no peculiarities; ordinary X-rays or myelography will often reveal the mechanism of the compression; etiologically, extradural compressions represent 65% of the causes, with secondary cancer of the spine (97 cases) and epiduritis playing an important role, followed by extramedullary intradural causes (70 cases), although meningioma are relatively rare (8 cases). Finally, intramedullary tumours in this series exclusively made up of glioma seem rare.

Aortic Aneurysm↗
PubMed2002

A comparison of two different radiation schedules for metastatic spinal cord compression considering a new prognostic factor.

BACKGROUND: Patients with metastatic spinal cord compression are often presented for emergency radiotherapy. The optimum radiotherapeutic regimen is still debated, studies comparing different radiation schedules on therapeutic outcome are scarce. This analysis compares the effect of two schedules on motor function considering three relevant prognostic factors (type of primary tumor, pre-treatment ambulatory status, time of developing motor deficits before radiotherapy). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, two radiation schedules, 30 Gy/10 fractions (n=78) and 37.5 Gy/15 fractions (n = 75), applied due to motor deficits caused by metastatic spinal cord compression, were compared for post-treatment functional outcome and ambulatory status. Response and ambulatory status were evaluated directly, 3, 6 and 12 months after radiotherapy. For functional outcome a multivariate analysis including radiation schedule and the relevant prognostic factors was performed. RESULTS: Between the two radiation schedules no significant difference was observed for post-treatment ambulatory rates (p values: 0.450-0.888) and for functional outcome (p values: 0.940-0.999). According to the multivariate analysis, the strongest predictors for functional outcome were the time of developing motor deficits before radiotherapy (p < 0.001) and the pre-treatment ambulatory status (p < 0.001), followed by the type of primary tumor (p = 0.058). For the radiation schedule a significant impact on functional outcome was not observed (p = 0.822). CONCLUSIONS: The two radiation schedules were comparable for functional outcome. The less time consuming schedule (30 Gy/10 fractions) can be recommended in metastatic spinal cord compression, as life expectancy is markedly reduced in the majority of these patients.

Activities of Daily Living↗