J Korean Neurosurg Soc.
1988 Feb;17(1):63-72.
Clinical Analysis of 27 Cases of Metastatic Spine Tumors
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Catholic University Medical College, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
- The authors analyzed 27 cases of metastatic spine tumors who had been treated at the Department of Neurosurgery of Catholic University Medical College during last 5 years. The results were summarized as follows: 1) The tumor was most common in 6th decade of age(40.7%), and the male to female ratio was equal. 2) The level of the involved spine was thoracic(51.9%), lumbosacral(25.9%), cervical(22.2%) in orders. 3) The most common histopathologic type of the primary focus was lung cancer(25.9%), and nexts were gastric cancer, cervix cancer, breast cancer in frequency. 33.3% of all cases were histologically undetermined. The level of the involved spine was not related to the primary cancer type. 4) The common clinical features were pain(70.4%), motor disturbance(33.3%), sensory disturbance(25.9%) and sphincter symptom(11.1%). In plain X-ray examination, pedicle destruction was most commonly found(40.7%), and all 4 cases of bone scanning showed multiple hot area. In myelography, extradural complete block of dye co lumn was found in 9 cases(60%), and a case showed finding of intradural-extramedullary block. Computerized tomography with water soluble contrast media, which can give a most accurate diagnostic information, showed destruction of the vertebral body(61.5%), pedicle(39.5%) and shadows of tumor compressing the spinal cord(38.5%). 5) 4 cases were receivd surgical treatment only and 8 cases were treated with radiation therapy. Surgery with radiation therapy was performed in 8 cases and 7 cases were treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The results of treatment in 19 survivals were analyzed according to the neurologic function between before and after treatment. 8 cases(42.1%) were improved and 7 cases(36.8%) showed no change, and 4 cases(21.1%) were more worsened comparing to pre-treatment state.
