Neurological recovery after early versus delayed surgical decompression for acute traumatic spinal cord injury.

The aim of this study was to determine whether early surgical treatment results in better neurological recovery 12 months after injury than late surgical treatment in patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI). Patients with tSCI requiring surgical spinal decompression presenting to 17 centres in Europe were recruited. Depending on the timing of decompression, patients were divided into early (≤ 12 hours after injury) and late (> 12 hours and < 14 days after injury) groups. The American Spinal Injury Association neurological (ASIA) examination was performed at baseline (after injury but before decompression) and at 12 months. The primary endpoint was the change in Lower Extremity Motor Score (LEMS) from baseline to 12 months. The final analyses comprised 159 patients in the early and 135 in the late group. Patients in the early group had significantly more severe neurological impairment before surgical treatment. For unadjusted complete-case analysis, mean change in LEMS was 15.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) 12.1 to 19.0) in the early and 11.3 (95% CI 8.3 to 14.3) in the late group, with a mean between-group difference of 4.3 (95% CI -0.3 to 8.8). Using multiply imputed data adjusting for baseline LEMS, baseline ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS), and propensity score, the mean between-group difference in the change in LEMS decreased to 2.2 (95% CI -1.5 to 5.9). Compared to late surgical decompression, early surgical decompression following acute tSCI did not result in statistically significant or clinically meaningful neurological improvements 12 months after injury. These results, however, do not impact the well-established need for acute, non-surgical tSCI management. This is the first study to highlight that a combination of baseline imbalances, ceiling effects, and loss to follow-up rates may yield an overestimate of the effect of early surgical decompression in unadjusted analyses, which underpins the importance of adjusted statistical analyses in acute tSCI research.

Outcomes of Surgical Treatment for Extradural Benign Primary Spinal Tumors in Patients Younger than 25 Years: An Ambispective International Multicenter Study.

Extradural primary spinal tumors were retrospectively analyzed from a prospective database of 1495 cases. All subjects with benign primary tumors under the age of 25 years, who were enrolled between 1990 and 2012 (Median FU was 2.4 years), were identified. Patient- and case-related characteristics were collected and statistically analyzed. Results: 161 patients (66f;95m; age 17.0 ± 4.7 years at time of diagnosis) were identified. The most common tumors were osteoblastomas n = 53 (32.9%), osteoid osteomas n = 45 (28.0%), and aneurysmal bone cysts n = 32 (19.9%). The tumor grade, according to the Enneking Classification S1/S2/S3, was 14/73/74 (8.7/45.3/46.0%), respectively. Tumor-related pain was present in 156 (96.9%) patients. Diagnosis was achieved by biopsies in 2/3 of the cases. Spinal fixation was used in >50% of the cases. Resection was Enneking appropriate in n = 100 (62.1%) of cases. Local recurrence occurred in 21 (13.1%) patients. Two patients died within a 10-year follow-up period. Conclusion: This is one of the largest international multicenter cohorts of young patients surgically treated for benign spinal tumors. The heterogenic young patient cohort presented at a mid-term follow-up without a correlation between the grade of aggressiveness in resection and local recurrence rates. Further prospective data are required to identify prognostic factors that determine oncological and functional outcomes for young patients suffering from these rare tumors.

Extradural Primary Malignant Spinal Tumors in a Population Younger than 25 Years: An Ambispective International Multicenter Study on Onco-Surgical Outcomes.

Extradural malignant primary spinal tumors are rare and outcome data, especially for younger patients, is limited. In a worldwide (11 centers) study (Predictors of Mortality and Morbidity in the Surgical Management of Primary Tumors of the Spine study; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01643174) by the AO Spine Knowledge Forum Tumor, patients surgically treated for primary tumors of the spine between 1992 and 2012, were retrospectively analyzed from a prospective database of their medical history. Medical history, tumor characteristics, diagnostics, treatments, cross-sectional survival, and local recurrences were analyzed. Sixty-eight cases (32 f; 36 m), at an average age of 18.6 ± 4.7 years at the time of diagnosis, were identified (median follow-up 2.9 years). The most common entities were Ewing's sarcoma (42.6%). Of the patients, 28% had undergone previous spine tumor surgery in another center (84% with intralesional margins). Resection was considered "Enneking appropriate" (EA) in 47.8% of the cases. Of the patients, 77.9% underwent chemotherapy and 50% radiotherapy. A local recurrence occurred in 36.4%. Over a third of patients died within a 10-year follow-up period. Kaplan-Meier-analysis demonstrated statistically significant overall survival (p = 0.007) and local recurrence rates (p = 0.042) for tumors treated with EA surgery versus Enneking inappropriate surgery. Aggressive resection of extradural primary malignant spinal tumors combined with adjuvant therapy reveals low local recurrence rates and better outcomes overall in younger patients.

Calculating Utilities From the Spine Oncology Study Group Outcomes Questionnaire: A Necessity for Economic and Decision Analysis.

STUDY DESIGN: General population utility valuation study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop a technique for calculating utilities from the Spine Oncology Study Group Outcomes Questionnaire v2.0 (SOSGOQ2.0). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The ability to calculate quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) for metastatic spine disease would enhance treatment decision-making and facilitate economic analysis. QALYs are calculated using utilities. METHODS: Using a hybrid concept-retention and factorial analysis shortening approach, we first shortened the SOSGOQ2.0 to eight items (SOSGOQ-8D). This was done to lessen the cognitive burden of the utility valuation exercise. A general population sample of 2730 adults was then asked to evaluate 12 choice sets based on SOSGOQ-8D health states in a Discrete Choice Experiment. A utility scoring rubric was then developed using a mixed multinomial-logit regression model. RESULTS: We were able to reduce the SOSGOQ2.0 to an SOSGOQ-8D with a mean error of 0.003 and mean absolute error of 3.078 compared to the full questionnaire. The regression model demonstrated good predictive performance and was used to develop a utility scoring rubric. Regression results revealed that participants did not regard all SOSGOQ-8D items as equally important. CONCLUSION: We provide a simple technique for converting the SOSGOQ2.0 to utilities. The ability to evaluate QALYs in metastatic spine disease will facilitate economic analysis and patient counseling. We also quantify the importance of individual SOSGOQ-8D items. Clinicians should heed these findings and offer treatments that maximize function in the most important items.Level of Evidence: 3.

Feasibility of achieving planned surgical margins in primary spine tumor: a PTRON study.

OBJECTIVE: Oncological resection of primary spine tumors is associated with lower recurrence rates. However, even in the most experienced hands, the execution of a meticulously drafted plan sometimes fails. The objectives of this study were to determine how successful surgical teams are at achieving planned surgical margins and how successful surgeons are in intraoperatively assessing tumor margins. The secondary objective was to identify factors associated with successful execution of planned resection. METHODS: The Primary Tumor Research and Outcomes Network (PTRON) is a multicenter international prospective registry for the management of primary tumors of the spine. Using this registry, the authors compared 1) the planned surgical margin and 2) the intraoperative assessment of the margin by the surgeon with the postoperative assessment of the margin by the pathologist. Univariate analysis was used to assess whether factors such as histology, size, location, previous radiotherapy, and revision surgery were associated with successful execution of the planned margins. RESULTS: Three hundred patients were included. The surgical plan was successfully achieved in 224 (74.7%) patients. The surgeon correctly assessed the intraoperative margins, as reported in the final assessment by the pathologist, in 239 (79.7%) patients. On univariate analysis, no factor had a statistically significant influence on successful achievement of planned margins. CONCLUSIONS: In high-volume cancer centers around the world, planned surgical margins can be achieved in approximately 75% of cases. The morbidity of the proposed intervention must be balanced with the expected success rate in order to optimize patient management and surgical decision-making.

Sacral insufficiency fractures are a risk of massive bleeding during sacrectomy: patient series.

BACKGROUND: Sacrectomy carries significant risk of bleeding; however, specific risk factors, apart from medical comorbidities and tumor type, for this life-threatening complication remain unclear. This study describes two cases of massive bleeding, including one death during sacrectomy attributable to adherence of the internal iliac vein (IIV) and its neuroforaminal tributaries from sacral insufficiency fractures. OBSERVATIONS: The authors presented two cases involving patients who received sacrectomy for a chordoma and experienced massive bleeding from the IIV due to adherence of the IIV and its neuroforaminal tributaries around sacral insufficiency fractures. They assessed their institution's previous two decades' experience of sacrectomies to determine risk factors for massive bleeding and performed anatomical dissection of 20 hemipelvises, which revealed the close proximity of the IIV to the sacral foraminae and the consistency of neuroforaminal tributaries arising from the foraminae. LESSONS: Sacral insufficiency fractures may cause scarring that adheres to the IIV and its neuroforaminal tributaries, which risks massive bleeding during sacrectomy.

Current treatment strategy for newly diagnosed chordoma of the mobile spine and sacrum: results of an international survey.

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to investigate the spectrum of current treatment protocols for managing newly diagnosed chordoma of the mobile spine and sacrum.METHODSA survey on the treatment of spinal chordoma was distributed electronically to members of the AOSpine Knowledge Forum Tumor, including neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and radiation oncologists from North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Survey participants were pre-identified clinicians from centers with expertise in the treatment of spinal tumors. The suvey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.RESULTSThirty-nine of 43 (91%) participants completed the survey. Most (80%) indicated that they favor en bloc resection without preoperative neoadjuvant radiation therapy (RT) when en bloc resection is feasible with acceptable morbidity. The main area of disagreement was with the role of postoperative RT, where 41% preferred giving RT only if positive margins were achieved and 38% preferred giving RT irrespective of margin status. When en bloc resection would result in significant morbidity, 33% preferred planned intralesional resection followed by RT, and 33% preferred giving neoadjuvant RT prior to surgery. In total, 8 treatment protocols were identified: 3 in which en bloc resection is feasible with acceptable morbidity and 5 in which en bloc resection would result in significant morbidity.CONCLUSIONSThe results confirm that there is treatment variability across centers worldwide for managing newly diagnosed chordoma of the mobile spine and sacrum. This information will be used to design an international prospective cohort study to determine the most appropriate treatment strategy for patients with spinal chordoma.

Neoadjuvant denosumab for the treatment of a sacral osteoblastoma.

PURPOSE: To present a case of aggressive sacral osteoblastoma (OB) treated with neoadjuvant denosumab therapy and en bloc resection. METHODS: Case report of a 14-year-old male with an aggressive OB affecting the superior articular process of the left first sacral segment. The lesion was lytic and metabolically active and involved the left-sided posterior elements of S1-S3 with extension into the spinal canal, affecting the left S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 nerve roots. He was treated for 1 month with neoadjuvant denosumab followed by en bloc resection. RESULTS: Denosumab therapy caused regression of the tumour and converted the diffuse infiltrative mass into a well-defined solid (osteoma-like) structure, aiding surgical resection and preserving the S1, S4 and S5 nerve roots. Histologically, the treated lesion showed abundant sclerotic woven bone and osteoblasts with absence of osteoclasts. CONCLUSIONS: A short course of denosumab caused tumour regression, ossification and conversion of an aggressive OB into a sclerotic, well-defined lesion thus aiding surgical resection and preservation of neural structures. Neoadjuvant therapy reduced osteoclast numbers but PET showed that the lesion remained FDG avid post-therapy.

Surgical management of spinal osteoblastomas.

OBJECTIVE Osteoblastoma is a rare primary benign bone tumor with a predilection for the spinal column. Although of benign origin, osteoblastomas tend to behave more aggressively clinically than other benign tumors. Because of the low incidence of osteoblastomas, evidence-based treatment guidelines and high-quality research are lacking, which has resulted in inconsistent treatment. The goal of this study was to determine whether application of the Enneking classification in the management of spinal osteoblastomas influences local recurrence and survival time. METHODS A multicenter database of patients who underwent surgical intervention for spinal osteoblastoma was developed by the AOSpine Knowledge Forum Tumor. Patient data pertaining to demographics, diagnosis, treatment, cross-sectional survival, and local recurrence were collected. Patients in 2 cohorts, based on the Enneking classification of the tumor (Enneking appropriate [EA] and Enneking inappropriate [EI]), were analyzed. If the final pathology margin matched the Enneking-recommended surgical margin, the tumor was classified as EA; if not, it was classified as EI. RESULTS A total of 102 patients diagnosed with a spinal osteoblastoma were identified between November 1991 and June 2012. Twenty-nine patients were omitted from the analysis because of short follow-up time, incomplete survival data, or invalid staging, which left 73 patients for the final analysis. Thirteen (18%) patients suffered a local recurrence, and 6 (8%) patients died during the study period. Local recurrence was strongly associated with mortality (relative risk 9.2; p = 0.008). When adjusted for Enneking appropriateness, this result was not altered significantly. No significant differences were found between the EA and EI groups in regard to local recurrence and mortality. CONCLUSIONS In this evaluation of the largest multicenter cohort of spinal osteoblastomas, local recurrence was found to be strongly associated with mortality. Application of the Enneking classification as a treatment guide for preventing local recurrence was not validated.

En Bloc Resection Versus Intralesional Surgery in the Treatment of Giant Cell Tumor of the Spine.

STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter, ambispective observational study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to quantify local recurrence (LR) and mortality rates after surgical treatment of spinal giant cell tumor and to determine whether en bloc resection with wide/marginal margins is associated with improved prognosis compared to an intralesional procedure. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Giant cell tumor (GCT) of the spine is a rare primary bone tumor known for its local aggressiveness. Optimal surgical treatment remains to be determined. METHODS: The AOSpine Knowledge Forum Tumor developed a comprehensive multicenter database including demographics, presentation, diagnosis, treatment, mortality, and recurrence rate data for GCT of the spine. Patients were analyzed based on surgical margins, including Enneking appropriateness. RESULTS: Between 1991 and 2011, 82 patients underwent surgery for spinal GCT. According to the Enneking classification, 59 (74%) tumors were classified as S3-aggressive and 21 (26%) as S2-active. The surgical margins were wide/marginal in 27 (36%) patients and intralesional in 48 (64%) patients. Thirty-nine of 77 (51%) underwent Enneking appropriate (EA) treatment and 38 (49%) underwent Enneking inappropriate (EI) treatment. Eighteen (22%) patients experienced LR. LR occurred in 11 (29%) EI-treated patients and six (15%) EA-treated patients (P = 0.151). There was a significant difference between wide/marginal margins and intralesional margins for LR (P = 0.029). Seven (9%) patients died. LR is strongly associated with death (Relative Risk 8.9, P < 0.001). Six (16%) EI-treated patients and one (3%) EA-treated patients died (P = 0.056). With regards to surgical margins, all patients who died underwent intralesional resection (P = 0.096). CONCLUSION: En bloc resection with wide/marginal margins should be performed when technically feasible because it is associated with decreased LR. Intralesional resection is associated with increased LR, and mortality correlates with LR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

A multicenter cohort study of spinal osteoid osteomas: results of surgical treatment and analysis of local recurrence.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Spinal osteoid osteomas are benign primary tumors arising predominantly from the posterior column of the spine. These "osteoblastic" lesions have traditionally been treated with intralesional excision. PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to review the treatment and local recurrence rates for symptomatic spinal osteoid osteomas. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Multicenter ambispective cross-sectional observational cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE: During the study period, a total of 84 patients (65 males, 19 females) were diagnosed with a spinal osteoid osteoma and received surgical treatment. The mean age at surgery was 21.8 ± 9.0 years (range: 6.7-52.4 years) and the mean follow-up was 2.7 years (13 days-14.5 years). OUTCOME MEASURES: Local recurrence, perioperative morbidity, and cross-sectional survival. METHODS: Using the AOSpine Knowledge Forum Tumor multicenter ambispective database, surgically treated osteoid osteoma cases were identified. Patient demographic, clinical and diagnostic, treatment, local recurrence, perioperative morbidity, and cross-sectional survival data were collected and retrieved. Descriptive statistics were summarized using mean/standard deviation or frequency/percentage. RESULTS: In our study, most of the tumors were localized in the mobile spine (81 of 84 [96%]); all patients reported pain as a symptom. According to the postoperative assessment, 10 (12%) patients received an en bloc resection with marginal or wide margins, whereas two (2%) patients received en bloc resections with intralesional margins, 69 (82%) patients were treated by piecemeal "intralesional" resection, and three (4%) patients were not assessed. A total of six patients (7%) experienced a local recurrence, all of which occurred in patients who had received an intralesional resection. CONCLUSIONS: Benign bone-forming tumors of the spine are uncommon. Most patients in our series underwent a piecemeal resection with intralesional margins. This remains safe with a low local recurrence rate. En bloc excision may provide more chance of complete excision of the nidus but is not mandatory. The importance of complete excision of the nidus cannot be overemphasized.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors of the spine: results of surgical management from a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are rare soft-tissue sarcomas. Resection is the mainstay of treatment and the most important prognostic factor. However, complete resection of spinal MPNSTs with tumor-free margins is challenging due to the likelihood of residual tumor cells. The objective of this study was to describe whether the type of Enneking resection in the management of spinal MPNSTs had an effect on local recurrence and survival. METHODS The AOSpine Knowledge Forum Tumor developed a multicenter database that includes demographic, diagnostic, therapeutic, local recurrence, and survival data on patients with primary spinal column tumors. Patients who had undergone surgery for a primary spinal MPNST were included and were analyzed in 2 groups: 1) those undergoing Enneking appropriate (EA) resections and 2) those undergoing Enneking inappropriate (EI) resections. EA surgery was performed if there was histopathological evidence of an intact tumor pseudocapsule and at least a marginal resection on a vital structure. EI surgery was performed if there was an intentional or inadvertent transgression of the margin. RESULTS Between 1993 and 2012, 29 primary spine MPNSTs were identified in 12 (41%) females and 17 (59%) males with a mean age at diagnosis of 40 ± 17 years (range 5-74 years). The median patient follow-up was 1.3 years (range 42 days to 11.2 years). In total, 14 (48%) patients died and 14 (48%) patients suffered a local recurrence, 10 (71%) of whom died. Within 2 years after surgery, the median survival and local recurrence were not achieved. Data about Enneking appropriateness of surgery were available for 27 patients; 9 (33%) underwent an EA procedure and 18 (67%) underwent an EI procedure. Enneking appropriateness did not have a significant influence on local recurrence or survival. Twenty-two patients underwent adjuvant treatment with combined chemo- and radiotherapy (n = 7), chemotherapy alone (n = 3), or radiotherapy alone (n = 12). Adjuvant therapy had no significant influence on recurrence or survival. CONCLUSIONS The rates of recurrence and survival were similar for spinal MPNSTs regardless of whether patients had an EA or EI resection or received adjuvant therapy. Other factors such as variability of pathologist interpretation, PET CT correlation, or neurofibromatosis Type 1 status may play a role in patient outcome. Nonetheless, MPNSTs should still be treated as sarcomas until further evidence is known. The authors recommend an individualized approach with careful multidisciplinary decision making, and the patient should be informed about the morbidity of en bloc surgery when considering MPNST resection.

Spinal column chordoma: prognostic significance of clinical variables and T (brachyury) gene SNP rs2305089 for local recurrence and overall survival.

Background: Chordomas are rare, locally aggressive bony tumors associated with poor outcomes. Recently, the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2305089 in the T (brachyury) gene was strongly associated with sporadic chordoma development, but its clinical utility is undetermined. Methods: In 333 patients with spinal chordomas, we identified prognostic factors for local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and overall survival and assessed the prognostic significance of the rs2305089 SNP. Results: The median LRFS was 5.2 years from the time of surgery (95% CI: 3.8-6.0); greater tumor volume (≥100cm3) (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.26-3.15, P = .003) and Enneking inappropriate resections (HR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.37-4.03, P = .002) were independent predictors of LRFS. The median overall survival was 7.0 years (95% CI: 5.8-8.4), and was associated with older age at surgery (HR = 1.11 per 5-year increase, 95% CI: 1.02-1.21, P = .012) and previous surgical resection (HR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.03-2.89, P = .038). One hundred two of 109 patients (93.6%) with available pathologic specimens harbored the A variant at rs2305089; these patients had significantly improved survival compared with those lacking the variant (P = .001), but there was no association between SNP status and LRFS (P = .876). Conclusions: The ability to achieve a wide en bloc resection at the time of the primary surgery is a critical preoperative consideration, as subtotal resections likely complicate later management. This is the first time the rs2305089 SNP has been implicated in the prognosis of individuals with chordoma, suggesting that screening all patients may be instructive for risk stratification.

A Systematic Review With Consensus Expert Opinion of Best Reconstructive Techniques After Osseous En Bloc Spinal Column Tumor Resection.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic literature review and consensus expert opinion. OBJECTIVE: To provide recommendations on reconstructive constructs for large tumor resections of the spinal column. Four questions were studied: (1) What are the best reconstructive options for single versus multilevel resections? (2) Should short segment fixation be considered in primary tumor reconstruction? (3) How should reconstructive techniques differ at various regions of the spine? (4) Does planned postoperative radiation change the fusion strategy? SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Primary spinal tumors requiring en bloc resection are rare. Most studies focus on disease-free survival and local recurrence rates. Few studies focus on reconstructive options and outcomes with respect to fusion rates and need for revision. METHODS: A literature search was performed from January 1990 to December 2013. Data were combined and construct survivorship summarized. A survey was administered to international spine tumor surgeons, evaluating reconstructive preferences. RESULTS: The search yielded 381 articles, 12 included in the final analysis. Revision rates for anterior reconstruction were similar for autogenous strut grafts (10%), cages (7.7%), and allograft strut grafts (8.3%). There were two reports of revision from short to long segment constructs and three reports of broken pedicle screws, one requiring revision. Expert survey results revealed that most surgeons preferred cages packed with morcelized allograft and autograft (75%) for anterior reconstruction of single-level vertebrectomies, and strut bone grafting at the cervicothoracic junction (65%) and when more than one vertebrae was resected in the mid-thoracic spine (75%). Surgeons may alter their fusion technique if postoperative radiation is planned. CONCLUSION: Posterior reconstruction with at least two vertebral levels above and below is recommended. Cages should be used for single-level defects and structural bone graft alone, or in combination with a cage, should be used when spanning a defect greater than two vertebral bodies. Planned postoperative radiation may affect fusion strategy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

Clinical Decision Making: Integrating Advances in the Molecular Understanding of Spine Tumors.

STUDY DESIGN: Literature review. OBJECTIVE: To describe advancements in molecular techniques, biomarkers, technology, and targeted therapeutics and the potential these modalities hold to predict treatment paradigms, clinical outcomes, and/or survival in patients diagnosed with primary spinal column tumors. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Advances in molecular technologies and techniques have influenced the prevention, diagnosis, and overall management of patients diagnosed with cancer. Assessment of genomic, proteomic alterations, epigenetic, and posttranslational modifications as well as developments in diagnostic modalities and targeted therapeutics, although the best studied in nonspinal metastatic disease, have led to increased understanding of spine oncology that is expected to improve patient outcomes. In this manuscript, the technological advancements that are expected to change the landscape of spinal oncology are discussed with a focus on how these technologies will aid in clinical decision-making for patients diagnosed with primary spinal tumors. METHODS: A review of the literature was performed focusing on studies that integrated next-generation sequencing, circulating tumor cells/circulating tumor DNA, advances in imaging modalities and/or radiotherapy in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. RESULTS: We discuss genetic and epigenetic drivers, aberrations in receptor tyrosine kinase signaling, and emerging therapeutic strategies that include receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, immunotherapy strategies, and vaccine-based cancer prevention strategies. CONCLUSION: The wide range of approaches currently in use and the emerging technologies yet to be fully realized will allow for better development of rationale therapeutics to improve patient outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

Soft Tissue and Bone Defect Management in Total Sacrectomy for Primary Sacral Tumors: A Systematic Review With Expert Recommendations.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and expert consensus. OBJECTIVE: To address the following two questions: (A) Is there a difference in outcomes after spino-pelvic reconstruction of total sacrectomy defects compared with no reconstruction? (B) What constitutes best surgical technique for soft tissue and bony reconstruction after total sacrectomy? SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The management of the soft tissue and bony defect after total sacrectomy for primary sacral tumors remains a challenge due to the complex anatomical relationships and biomechanical requirements. The scarcity of evidence-based literature in this specialized field makes it difficult for the treating surgeon to make an informed choice. METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed (1950-2015), followed by a meeting of an international expert panel. Medline, Embase, and CINAHL databases and Cochrane Libraries were searched. Using the GRADE guidelines, the panel of experts formulated recommendations based on the available evidence. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-three studies were identified. Of these, 17 studies were included and were case series. Seven were evaluated as high quality of evidence and nine were of low quality. There were a total of 116 participants. Three studies included patients (n = 24) with no spino-pelvic reconstruction. One study included patients (n = 3) with vascularized bone reconstruction. Twelve studies included patients (n = 80) with no soft tissue reconstruction, three studies described patients with a local flap (n = 20), and four studies with patients having regional flap reconstruction (n = 16). Patients with or without spino-pelvic reconstruction had similar outcomes with regards to walking; however, most patients in the nonreconstructed group had some ilio-lumbar ligamentous stability preserved. The wound dehiscence and return to theater rates were higher in patients with no soft tissue reconstruction. CONCLUSION: We recommend spino-pelvic reconstruction be undertaken with soft tissue reconstruction after total sacrectomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

Osteosarcoma of the spine: prognostic variables for local recurrence and overall survival, a multicenter ambispective study.

OBJECTIVE Primary spinal osteosarcomas are rare and aggressive neoplasms. Poor outcomes can occur, as obtaining marginal margins is technically demanding; further Enneking-appropriate en bloc resection can have significant morbidity. The goal of this study is to identify prognostic variables for local recurrence and mortality in surgically treated patients diagnosed with a primary osteosarcoma of the spine. METHODS A multicenter ambispective database of surgically treated patients with primary spine osteosarcomas was developed by AOSpine Knowledge Forum Tumor. Patient demographic, diagnosis, treatment, perioperative morbidity, local recurrence, and cross-sectional survival data were collected. Tumors were classified in 2 cohorts: Enneking appropriate (EA) and Enneking inappropriate (EI), as defined by pathology margin matching Enneking-recommended surgical margins. Prognostic variables were analyzed in reference to local recurrence and survival. RESULTS Between 1987 and 2012, 58 patients (32 female patients) underwent surgical treatment for primary spinal osteosarcoma. Patients were followed for a mean period of 3.5 ± 3.5 years (range 0.5 days to 14.3 years). The median survival for the entire cohort was 6.7 years postoperative. Twenty-four (41%) patients died, and 17 (30%) patients suffered a local recurrence, 10 (59%) of whom died. Twenty-nine (53%) patients underwent EA resection while 26 (47%) patients underwent EI resection with a postoperative median survival of 6.8 and 3.7 years, respectively (p = 0.048). EI patients had a higher rate of local recurrence than EA patients (p = 0.001). Patient age, previous surgery, biopsy type, tumor size, spine level, and chemotherapy timing did not significantly influence recurrence and survival. CONCLUSIONS Osteosarcoma of the spine presents a significant challenge, and most patients die in spite of aggressive surgery. There is a significant decrease in recurrence and an increase in survival with en bloc resection (EA) when compared with intralesional resection (EI). The effect of adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapeutics, as well as method of biopsy, requires further exploration.

Surgical Management of Spinal Chondrosarcomas.

STUDY DESIGN: An ambispective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether the application of the Enneking classification in the management of spinal chondrosarcomas influences local recurrence and survival. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Primary spinal chondrosarcomas are rare. Best available evidence is based on small case series, thus making it difficult to determine optimal management and risk factors for local recurrence and survival. METHODS: The AOSpine Knowledge Forum Tumor developed a multicenter ambispective database of surgically treated patients with spinal chondrosarcoma. Patient data pertaining to demographics, diagnosis, treatment, cross-sectional survival, and local recurrence were collected. Tumors were classified according to the Enneking classification. Patients were divided into two cohorts: Enneking appropriate (EA) and Enneking inappropriate (EI). They were categorized as EA when the final pathological assessment of the margin matched the Enneking recommendation, and otherwise, they were categorized as EI. RESULTS: Between 1987 and 2011, 111 patients (37 female; 74 male) received surgical treatment for a primary spinal chondrosarcoma at a mean age of 47.4 ±â€Š15.8 years. Patients were followed for a median period of 3.1 years (range = 203 d-18.7 yrs). Median survival for the entire cohort was 8.4 years postoperative. After 10 years postoperative, 36 (32%) patients died and 37 (35%) patients suffered a local recurrence. Twenty-three of these 37 patients who suffered a local recurrence died. Sixty (58%) patients received an EA procedure while 44 (42%) received an EI procedure. EI patients had a higher hazard ratio for local recurrence than those who received an EA procedure (P = 0.052). Local recurrence was strongly associated with chondrosarcoma-related death (risk ratio = 3.6, P < 0.010). CONCLUSION: This is the largest multicenter cohort of spinal chondrosarcomas. EA surgical management appeared to correlate with a decreased risk of local recurrence, yet no relationship with survival was found. Where possible, surgeons should strive to achieve EA margins to minimize the risk of local recurrence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.