J Korean Neurosurg Soc.
1989 Jan;18(1):120-128.
A Clinical Analysis of Metastatic Spine Tumors
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Kosin Medical College, Busan, Korea.
Abstract
- The authors analyed 27 cases of metastatic spine tumor in regard to diagnostic procedures, effects of radiation and their average survival time. Technetium-99m radiolabeled polyphosphate bone scans were superior to any other diagnostic procedures as a screening test for the early detection of spine metastases. Spinal CT scans with myelogram were useful to define the anatomic extent of destruction and cord comprssion. To prevent myelopathy, early radiation therapy was certainly helpful. The decompressive laminectomy alone have contributed little to the patients in regard to the prolongation of life and the correction of neurological deteriorations. The authors concluded that the one-stage laminectomy and adequate posterior stabilization with the use of internal fixation devices were the choice of treatment for control of pain and prevention of the complications from spinal instability in the following patients: 1) with early progressive myelopathy: 2) who were unable to move due to the pain evoked by motion; and 3) who showed the evidence of spinal instability radiologically and/or clinically.
