Management of Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression in Ireland: Are Surgeons Overlooked?

BACKGROUND: The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) provide a framework of evidence-based guidelines for the management of metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC). We aimed to compare our center's provision of service to these best practice guidelines and discuss key shortcomings with their implications for the spinal surgeon. METHODS: Patients with radiologic evidence of MSCC over a 30-month period were identified using the hospital electronic radiological database. A chart review was performed analyzing MSCC management. RESULTS: Forty-one patients were identified. Pain was the most common presenting complaint, occurring in 76% of patients. Radiotherapy alone was the most common therapy employed (93% of patients). A surgical opinion was sought for 51% of patients. Histological diagnosis of the causative lesion occurred in 5 patients from surgical specimens. CONCLUSIONS: Incongruities between NICE guidelines and our practice exist. Early involvement of the spinal surgical services needs to be encouraged. Establishing a histological diagnosis of the spinal lesion should be seen as of therapeutic importance.