Emergency radiation therapy in modern-day practice: Now or never, or never again ?

Radiation therapy plays a fundamental role in oncological emergencies such as superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) and metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC). These are two examples of critical complications of metastatic cancer in terms of pain and functional impact (respiratory and/or neurological). The aim of this review is to explore the current indications, treatment options and outcomes for emergency radiotherapy regarding to these complications.Regarding SVCS, studies are mostly retrospective and unanimously demonstrated a beneficial effect of radiotherapy on symptom relief. Spinal cord compression remains an indication for urgent radiotherapy, and should be combined with surgery when possible. The innovative stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) showed promising results, however this technique requires small volumes and more time preparation and therefore is often unsuitable for SVCS and MESCC emergencies.This review concluded that radiotherapy has a central role to play within a multimodal approach for SVCS and MESCC treatment. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of radiation and establish the criteria for selecting patients to benefit from this treatment option.

Analysis of the efficacy of separation surgery for severe neurological compression in multiple myeloma: a retrospective analysis of 35 cases.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of separation surgery for Epidural Spinal Cord Compression (ESCC) graded ≥ 2 in patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM), analyze factors influencing surgical outcomes, and develop a preliminary treatment decision framework for these patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 35 MM patients who underwent separation surgery for ESCC graded ≥ 2 between 2013 and 2018. Patient data, including baseline information, surgical details, complications, and pre-operative as well as one-month post-operative efficacy evaluation indicators were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed on pre-operative and post-operative efficacy indicators to determine if there were significant improvements (p < 0.05). Ordered logistic regression was utilized to assess factors associated with an unfavorable post-operative quality of life outcome. RESULTS: Compared to pre-operative values, at one-month post-surgery, patients showed significant improvements in Frankel Score Classification (4 vs 5, p < 0.05), Karnofsky Performance Score (30 vs 70, p < 0.05), and Visual Analogue Scale (8 vs 3, p < 0.05). Complications occurred in 7 cases (20%). The number of segments with ESCC (OR = 0.171, p < 0.05) and pre-operative chemotherapy (OR = 5.202, p = 0.05) were identified as independent factors influencing patient outcomes. Patients with more than two vertebral segments with ESCC exhibited significantly worse post-operative conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Separation surgery effectively alleviates pain, improves neurological function, and enhances the quality of life in patients with ESCC graded ≥ 2 due to MM.

The efficacy of laser interstitial thermal therapy in the management of spinal metastases: a systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: In the last years, laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) has started to be used also in neurosurgical setting. Its efficacy for intracranial pathologies, namely, tumors and epilepsy, has been widely demonstrated. However, the literature evidences about the use of LITT for spinal lesions are recent, and it is still a topic of discussion regarding its efficacy. Here, the authors sought to present a systematic review of the literature investigating the utility of LITT for spinal lesions. METHODS: Using PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library, the authors performed a systematic review of the literature focused on the use of spinal laser interstitial thermal therapy (sLITT). Included in the search were randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and clinical series. Two independent reviewers conducted the study appraisal, data abstraction, and quality assessments of the studies. RESULTS: Out of the initial 134 studies, 6 met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review, resulting in a total of 206 patients. All the patients have been treated with sLITT for compressive spinal metastases. Most of the lesions were thoracic (88.8%). All the studies reported an effective local control of the disease with a reduction of epidural compression at 30 days. Complication rate was 12.6%, but most of them were transient conditions, and only 3.4% patients needed a revision surgery. CONCLUSION: sLITT is safe and provides effective local control for epidural compression from metastases, particularly in the thoracic spine. The authors propose considering sLITT as an alternative to open surgery in selected patients with spinal metastases.

Reevaluating age restrictions of spinal metastasis surgery in elderly groups with over 2-year follow-up.

This study aimed to compare and assess clinical outcomes of spinal metastasis with epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) in patients aged 65-79 years and ≥ 80 years with an acute onset of neurological illness who underwent laminectomy. A second goal was to determine morbidity rates and potential risk factors for mortality. This retrospective review of electronic medical records at a single institution was conducted between September 2005 and December 2020. Data on patient demographics, surgical characteristics, complications, hospital clinical course, and 90-day mortality were also collected. Comorbidities were assessed using the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). A total of 99 patients with an overall mean age of 76.2 ± 3.4 years diagnosed with MESCC within a 16-year period, of which 65 patients aged 65-79 years and 34 patients aged 80 years and older were enrolled in the study. Patients aged 80 and over had higher age-adjusted CCI (9.2 ± 2.1) compared to those aged 65-79 (5.1 ± 1.6; p < 0.001). Prostate cancer was the primary cause of spinal metastasis. Significant neurological and functional decline was more pronounced in the older group, evidenced by Karnofsky Performance Index (KPI) scores (80+ years: 47.8% ± 19.5; 65-79 years: 69.0% ± 23.9; p < 0.001). Despite requiring shorter decompression duration (148.8 ± 62.5 min vs. 199.4 ± 78.9 min; p = 0.004), the older group had more spinal levels needing decompression. Median survival time was 14.1 ± 4.3 months. Mortality risk factors included deteriorating functional status and comorbidities, but not motor weakness, surgical duration, extension of surgery, hospital or ICU stay, or complications. Overcoming age barriers in elderly surgical treatment in MSCC patients can reduce procedural delays and has the potential to significantly improve patient functionality. It emphasizes that age should not be a deterrent for spine surgery when medically necessary, although older MESCC patients may have reduced survival.

A deep learning-based technique for the diagnosis of epidural spinal cord compression on thoracolumbar CT.

PURPOSE: To develop a deep learning (DL) model for epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) on CT, which will aid earlier ESCC diagnosis for less experienced clinicians. METHODS: We retrospectively collected CT and MRI data from adult patients with suspected ESCC at a tertiary referral institute from 2007 till 2020. A total of 183 patients were used for training/validation of the DL model. A separate test set of 40 patients was used for DL model evaluation and comprised 60 staging CT and matched MRI scans performed with an interval of up to 2 months. DL model performance was compared to eight readers: one musculoskeletal radiologist, two body radiologists, one spine surgeon, and four trainee spine surgeons. Diagnostic performance was evaluated using inter-rater agreement, sensitivity, specificity and AUC. RESULTS: Overall, 3115 axial CT slices were assessed. The DL model showed high kappa of 0.872 for normal, low and high-grade ESCC (trichotomous), which was superior compared to a body radiologist (R4, κ = 0.667) and all four trainee spine surgeons (κ range = 0.625-0.838)(all p < 0.001). In addition, for dichotomous normal versus any grade of ESCC detection, the DL model showed high kappa (κ = 0.879), sensitivity (91.82), specificity (92.01) and AUC (0.919), with the latter AUC superior to all readers (AUC range = 0.732-0.859, all p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A deep learning model for the objective assessment of ESCC on CT had comparable or superior performance to radiologists and spine surgeons. Earlier diagnosis of ESCC on CT could reduce treatment delays, which are associated with poor outcomes, increased costs, and reduced survival.

Patient outcomes following implementation of an enhanced recovery after surgery pathway for patients with metastatic spine tumors.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic spine tumor surgery consists of palliative operations performed on frail patients with multiple medical comorbidities. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs involve an evidence-based, multidisciplinary approach to improve perioperative outcomes. This study presents clinical outcomes of a metastatic spine tumor ERAS pathway implemented at a tertiary cancer center. METHODS: The metastatic spine tumor ERAS program launched in April 2019, and data from January 2018 to May 2020 were reviewed. Measured outcomes included the following: hospital length of stay (LOS), time to ambulation, urinary catheter duration, time to resumption of diet, intraoperative fluid intake, estimated blood loss (EBL), and intraoperative and postoperative day 0-5 cumulative opioid use (morphine milligram equivalent [MME]). RESULTS: A total of 390 patients were included in the final analysis: 177 consecutive patients undergoing metastatic spine tumor surgery enrolled in the ERAS program and 213 consecutive pre-ERAS patients. Although the mean case durations were similar in the ERAS and pre-ERAS cohorts (265 vs. 274 min; p = .22), the ERAS cohort had decreased EBL (157 vs. 215 ml; p = .003), decreased postoperative day 0-5 cumulative mean opioid use (178 vs. 396 MME; p < .0001), earlier ambulation (mean, 34 vs. 57 h; p = .0001), earlier discontinuation of urinary catheters (mean, 36 vs. 56 h; p < .001), and shorter LOS (5.4 vs. 7.5 days; p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a multidisciplinary ERAS program designed for metastatic spine tumor surgery led to improved clinical quality metrics, including shorter hospitalizations and significant reductions in opioid consumption.

Factors affecting the prognosis of recovery of motor power and ambulatory function after surgery for metastatic epidural spinal cord compression.

OBJECTIVE: Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) causes neurological deficits that may hinder ambulation. Understanding the prognostic factors associated with increased neurological recovery and regaining ambulatory functions is important for surgical planning in MESCC patients with neurological deficits. The present study was conducted to elucidate prognostic factors of neurological recovery in MESCC patients. METHODS: A total of 192 patients who had surgery for MESCC due to preoperative neurological deficits were reviewed. A motor recovery rate ≥ 50% and ambulatory function restoration were defined as the primary favorable endpoints. Factors associated with a motor recovery rate ≥ 50%, regaining ambulatory function, and patient survival were analyzed. RESULTS: About one-half (48.4%) of the patients had a motor recovery rate ≥ 50%, and 24.4% of patients who were not able to walk due to MESCC before the surgery were able to walk after the operation. The factors "involvement of the thoracic spine" (p = 0.015) and "delayed operation" (p = 0.041) were associated with poor neurological recovery. Low preoperative muscle function grade was associated with a low likelihood of regaining ambulatory functions (p = 0.002). Furthermore, performing the operation ≥ 72 hours after the onset of the neurological deficit significantly decreased the likelihood of regaining ambulatory functions (p = 0.020). Postoperative ambulatory function significantly improved patient survival (p = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed operation and the involvement of the thoracic spine were poor prognostic factors for neurological recovery after MESCC surgery. Furthermore, a more severe preoperative neurological deficit was associated with a lesser likelihood of regaining ambulatory functions postoperatively. Earlier detection of motor weaknesses and expeditious surgical interventions are necessary, not only to improve patient functional status and quality of life but also to enhance survival.

Evaluation of open and minimally invasive spinal surgery for the treatment of thoracolumbar metastatic epidural spinal cord compression: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) is a debilitating sequela of cancer that results in pain, disability, and neurologic deficits. Surgical techniques have included open surgical (OS) techniques with anterior and/or posterior decompression and fusion procedures. Further technical evolution has led to minimally invasive spinal (MIS) decompression and fusion. The objective of this study is to compare MIS to OS techniques in the treatment of thoracolumbar MESCC. METHODS: A review of the literature was performed using PubMed database. Inclusion criteria included patients 18 years or older, thoracolumbar MESCC, and surgeries with instrumented fusion. A total of 451 articles met the inclusion criteria and further analysis narrowed them down to 81 articles. Variables collected included blood loss, length of stay, operative time, pre- and postoperative Frankel grade, and complications. RESULTS: A total of 5726 papers were collected, with a total of 81 papers meeting final inclusion criteria: 26 papers with MIS technique and 55 with OS. A total of 2267 patients were evaluated. They were split into three surgical subtypes of MIS and OS: posterior decompression and fusion, partial corpectomy, and complete corpectomy. Overall, MIS had lower operative time, blood loss, and complications compared to OS. A timeline analysis showed reduction of complication rates in MIS surgery between papers published over a 28-year period. CONCLUSION: MESCC carries significant morbidity and mortality. Surgical approaches for palliative treatment should account for this fact. We conclude that MIS techniques offer a viable alternative to traditional OS approaches with lower overall morbidity and complications.

Short-segment cement-augmented fixation in open separation surgery of metastatic epidural spinal cord compression: initial experience.

OBJECTIVE: High-grade metastatic epidural spinal cord compression from radioresistant tumor histologies is often treated with separation surgery and adjuvant stereotactic body radiation therapy. Historically, long-segment fixation is performed during separation surgery with posterior transpedicular fixation of a minimum of 2 spinal levels superior and inferior to the decompression. Previous experience with minimal access surgery techniques and percutaneous stabilization have highlighted reduced morbidity as an advantage to the use of shorter fixation constructs. Cement augmentation of pedicle screws is an attractive option for enhanced stabilization while performing shorter fixation. Herein, the authors describe their initial experience of open separation surgery using short-segment cement-augmented pedicle screw fixation for spinal reconstruction. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective chart review of patients undergoing open (i.e., nonpercutaneous, minimal access surgery) separation surgery for high-grade epidural spinal cord compression using cement-augmented pedicle screws at single levels adjacent to the decompression level(s). Patient demographics, treatment data, operative complications, and short-term radiographic outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, 44 patients met inclusion criteria with radiographic follow-up at a mean of 8.5 months. Involved levels included 19 thoracic, 5 thoracolumbar, and 20 lumbar. Cement augmentation through fenestrated pedicle screws was performed in 30 patients, and a vertebroplasty-type approach was used in the remaining 14 patients to augment screw purchase. One (2%) patient required an operative revision for a hardware complication. Three (7%) nonoperative radiographic hardware complications occurred, including 1 pathologic fracture at the index level causing progressive kyphosis and 2 incidences of haloing around a single screw. There were 2 wound complications that were managed conservatively without operative intervention. No cement-related complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Open posterolateral decompression utilizing short-segment cement-augmented pedicle screws is a viable alternative to long-segment instrumentation for reconstruction following separation surgery for metastatic spine tumors. Studies with longer follow-up are needed to determine the rates of delayed complications and the durability of these outcomes.

Factors associated with adjacent-level tumor progression in patients receiving surgery followed by radiosurgery for metastatic epidural spinal cord compression.

OBJECTIVE: Separation surgery followed by spine stereotactic radiosurgery (SSRS) has been shown to achieve favorable rates of local tumor control and patient-reported outcomes in patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC). However, rates and factors associated with adjacent-level tumor progression (ALTP) in this population have not yet been characterized. The present study aimed to identify factors associated with ALTP and examine its association with overall survival (OS) in patients receiving surgery followed by radiosurgery for MESCC. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients who underwent separation surgery followed by SSRS for MESCC were identified using a prospectively collected database and were retrospectively reviewed. Radiological measurements were collected from preoperative, postoperative, and post-SSRS MRI. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier product-limit method and Cox proportional hazards test. Subgroup analysis was conducted for patients who experienced ALTP into the epidural space (ALTP-E). RESULTS: The authors' cohort included 39 patients with a median OS of 14.7 months (range 2.07-96.3 months). ALTP was observed in 16 patients (41.0%) at a mean of 6.1 ± 5.4 months postradiosurgery, of whom 4 patients (10.3%) experienced ALTP-E. Patients with ALTP had shorter OS (13.0 vs 17.1 months, p = 0.047) compared with those without ALTP. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of ALTP included the amount of bone marrow infiltrated by tumor at the index level, amount of residual epidural disease following separation surgery, and prior receipt of radiotherapy at the index level (p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that primary tumor type, amount of preoperative epidural disease, time elapsed between surgery and radiosurgery, and prior receipt of radiotherapy at the index level were significantly associated with ALTP-E (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: To the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to identify possible risk factors for ALTP, and they suggest that it may be associated with shorter OS in patients receiving surgery followed by radiosurgery for MESCC. Future studies with higher power should be conducted to further characterize factors associated with ALTP in this population.

Neurologic complications of lung cancer.

Lung cancer and its associated treatments can cause various neurologic complications, including brain and leptomeningeal metastases, epidural spinal cord compression, cerebrovascular events, and treatment-related neurotoxicities. Lung cancer care has significantly changed in the last 5 to 10 years, with novel therapies that have affected aspects of neurologic complication management. Herein, the authors review the potential neurologic complications of lung cancer, including important clinical and therapeutic aspects of care.

[Analysis of the effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with (125)I seed implantation in the treatment of spinal metastatic epidural spinal cord compression].

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) combined with iodine-125 ((125)I) seed brachytherapy in the treatment of spinal metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) and toassess the changes inthe grade of epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: A total of 37 MESCC patients treated with PVP combined with (125)I seed brachytherapy in the interventional and vascular surgery department of Zhongda Hospital affiliated to Southeast University from January 2014 to June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 23 cases of bilateral lower limbs paralysis. Total diseased vertebrae are 39 segments. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and paralysis of lower extremities were evaluated regularly before and after treatment, and VAS values at different follow-up time points were compared. At the same time, MRI was used to evaluate the changes of ESCC grade in the spinal canal and calculate the local lesion efficiency after operation. The postoperative local lesion efficiency at different follow-up times was compared. Results: PVP combined with (125)I seed implantation in all diseased vertebral bodies was successful. The average injection volume of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) was (3.2±1.3) ml/segment, the average number of (125)I seed implanted was (25.0±8.6) seeds/segment and the average radiation dose was (15.0±5.1) mCi/segment. The VAS before operation was 8.5, and postoperative VAS were respectively 3.6±1.3, 3.8±1.5, 3.4±1.4, 5.5±1.0, 5.9±1.4 at 5 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after operation. The differences between all follow-up time points and preoperative VAS values were statistically significant (all P<0.001). Compared with 5 days, 1 month and 3 months after operation, VAS increased significantly at 6 months and 1 year after operation, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.001); there was no significant difference between the VAS value at 6 months after operation and 1 year after operation (P=0.405). At a follow-up of 3 months, 22 of 23 patients with paralysis of bilateral lower limbs regained the functions of autonomous walking and voiding; the effective rates of MESCC local lesions evaluated by MRI at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and>1 year were 89.7%, 91.9%, 90.6%, and 94.7%, respectively, and there was no statistically significant differences among those follow-up time points (all P>0.05). Conclusions: PVP combined with (125)I seed brachytherapy in the treatment of MESCC has significant improvement in immediate pain relief and spinal cord function. After combined treatment, MRI showed that the tumors around the spinal cord regressed dramatically, which could considerably reduce the MESCC grade and remain stable for a long time.

Clinical results of carbon-ion radiotherapy with separation surgery for primary spine/paraspinal sarcomas.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcome of combination of carbon-ion radiotherapy with separation surgery (CIRT-SS) in patients with primary spinal/paraspinal sarcoma (PSPS) and epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC). METHODS: CIRT-SS was performed in 11 consecutive patients. Patients treated in the primary and salvage settings were categorized into Group A (n = 8) and Group B (n = 3), respectively. Clinical results and imaging findings were collected, with a particular focus on ESCC grade, treatment-associated adverse events (AEs), and the locoregional control (LRC) rate and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: The median follow-up period from the start of CIRT-SS was 25 months (7-57 months). ESCC was improved by SS in all cases. No patients exhibited radiation-induced myelopathy (RIM), but three developed Grade 3 vertebral compression fracture (VCF) during follow-up. Locoregional recurrences were observed in four patients [Group A: 1 (12.5%), Group B: 3 (100%)]. Over the entire follow-up period, three patients developed distant metastases and two patients died. The 2-year LRC rate and OS were 70% and 80%, respectively. CONCLUSION: CIRT-SS in the primary setting achieved acceptable LRC and OS without RIM in patients with PSPS and with ESCC. VCF was the most frequent AE associated with CIRT-SS.

Predictive factors of survival in a surgical series of metastatic epidural spinal cord compression and complete external validation of 8 multivariate models of survival in a prospective North American multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to identify preoperative predictors of survival in surgically treated patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC), to examine how these predictors are related to 8 prognostic models, and to perform the first full external validation of these models in accordance with the Transparent Reporting of a Multivariable Prediction Model for Individual Prognosis or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) statement. METHODS: One hundred forty-two surgically treated patients with MESCC were enrolled in a prospective, multicenter North American cohort study and were followed for 12 months or until death. Cox regression was used. Noncollinear predictors with < 10% missing data, with ≥ 10 events per stratum, and with P < .05 in a univariate analysis were tested through a backward stepwise selection. For the original and revised Tokuhashi prognostic scoring systems (PSSs), Tomita PSS, modified Bauer PSS, van der Linden PSS, Bartels model, Oswestry Spinal Risk Index, and Bollen PSS, this study examined calibration graphically, discrimination with Harrell c-statistics, and survival stratified by risk groups with the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. RESULTS: The following were significant in the univariate analysis: type of primary tumor, sex, organ metastasis, body mass index, preoperative radiotherapy to MESCC, physical component (PC) of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, version 2 (SF-36v2), and EuroQol 5-Dimension (EQ-5D) Questionnaire. Breast, prostate and thyroid primary tumor (HR: 2.9; P =.0005), presence of organ metastasis (hazard ratio (HR): 2.0; P = .005) and SF-36v2 PC (HR: 0.95; P < .0001) were associated with survival in multivariable analysis. Predicted prognoses poorly matched observed values on calibration plots; Bartels model calibration slope was 0.45. Bollen PSS (0.61; 95% CI: 0.58-0.64) and Bartels model (0.68; 95% CI: 0.65-0.71) had the lowest and highest c-statistics, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The primary tumor type (breast, prostate, or thyroid), an absence of organ metastasis, and a lower degree of physical disability are preoperative predictors of longer survival for surgical MESCC patients. These results are in keeping with current models. This full external validation of 8 prognostic PSSs or model of survival in surgical MESCC patients has revealed that calibration is poor, especially for long-term survivors, whereas discrimination is possibly helpful.

Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression: does timing of surgery influence the chance of neurological recovery? An observational case-control study.

PURPOSE: Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) is radiologically defined as an epidural metastatic lesion causing the displacement of the spinal cord from its normal position in the vertebral canal. The purpose of this paper is the evaluation of the influence of timing of surgery on the chance of neurological recovery. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational case-control study performed on patients with MESCC from solid tumors surgically treated at our institute from January 2010 to December 2016. Patients included were divided in two groups depending on surgery that was performed within or after 24 h the admission to the hospital. Neurological status was assessed with American Spine Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was observed in the variation of ASIA if surgery is performed within or after 24 h from the admission to the hospital. A statistically significant difference was observed after surgery in each group in the improvement of neurological status. A statistically significant difference was reported in the early post-operative complications in patients surgically treated within 24 h. CONCLUSION: MESCC management is challenge for spine surgeons and may represent an oncologic emergency and if not promptly diagnosed can lead to a permanent neurological damage. According to this study, there is no difference in the chance of neurological recovery if surgery is performed within or after 24 h the admission to hospital, but there is a greater rate of early post-operative complications when surgery is performed within 24 h from the admission to the hospital.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Strategies for Patients with Malignant Epidural Spinal Cord Compression.

OPINION STATEMENT: Malignant epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) is an oncologic emergency with the potential for devastating consequences for patients if not promptly diagnosed and treated. MESCC is diagnosed by imaging. MRI is by far the most sensitive test, preferably with gadolinium. Once the diagnosis of MESCC is suspected, patients with neurologic deficits should receive prompt administration of dexamethasone with a 10-mg IV loading dose followed by 4 mg every 6 h. Quick taper is recommended once the definitive treatment is established. Consultation with medical oncology, radiation oncology, and neurosurgery is imperative in order to facilitate a multidisciplinary approach. Although spine surgery is the most effective method for relief of cord compression and is necessary if there is spinal instability, surgery is only used in selected patients because most patients have a poor overall condition and short life expectancy. Radiation therapy, therefore, is the most commonly used therapy for patients with MESCC after surgical decompression or in patients who are not surgical candidates. Conventional fractionated radiation alone can achieve modest neurologic outcomes in selected radiosensitive tumors. Radiosurgery techniques which deliver intense focal irradiation to a delimited area with imaging guidance and contoured radiation delivery to the shape of the tumor have recently emerged as increasing effective treatments in MESCC, especially in radioresistant tumors. Stereotactic radiosurgery and different radiation technologies have been studied in recent clinical trials.

Reducing kyphotic deformity by posterior vertebral column resection with 360° osteosynthesis in metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC).

PURPOSE: Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) often requires anterior-posterior decompression and stabilization. To reduce approach-related complications, single-stage posterolateral vertebrectomy and 360° fusion is often performed. However, a sufficient reduction of kyphotic deformity through this approach has not been reported. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of kyphotic deformity reduction by this approach in MESCC. METHODS: A retrospective analysis and chart review was performed for 14 consecutive patients who underwent a vertebrectomy and decompression from a posterolateral approach. Anterior mesh stabilization of the ventral column is used as hypomochlion for the posterior compression manoeuvre, which leads to reduction of the kyphotic deformity. RESULTS: Pre-operative back pain was 7.2 on a visual analogue scale. Back pain was reduced to 4.4 at discharge and 2.0 at the latest follow-up with a mean follow-up of 12 months (p < 0.001). The Frankel score remains constant or improved from D to E. Radiological segmental kyphosis was corrected from a mean of 16° to 4° (p < 0.001) post-operatively with a loss of 3° at the final follow-up, but still with significant corrections compared with the pre-operative measurements (p < 0.003). CONCLUSION: Single-stage posterolateral vertebrectomy and reconstruction is a safe and less invasive approach that allows a sufficient reduction of hyperkyphosis and preservation of neurological function in patients with MESCC. This approach is an efficient alternative to anterior-posterior fusion with good pain reduction and improved sagittal profile.

Spinal stereotactic body radiotherapy following intralesional curettage with separation surgery for initial or salvage chordoma treatment.

OBJECTIVE Chordoma is a rare malignant tumor for which en bloc resection with wide margins is advocated as primary treatment. Unfortunately, due to anatomical constraints, en bloc resection to achieve wide or marginal margins is not feasible for many patients as the resulting morbidity would be prohibitive. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intralesional curettage and separation surgery followed by spinal stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in patients with chordomas in the mobile spine. METHODS The authors performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with chordoma in the mobile spine treated from 2004 to 2016. Patients were identified from a prospectively collected database. Initially 22 patients were identified with mobile spine chordomas. With inclusion criteria of cytoreductive separation surgery followed closely by SBRT and a minimum of 6 months of follow-up imaging, 12 patients were included. Clinical and pathological characteristics of each patient were collected and data were analyzed. Patients were divided into two cohorts-those undergoing intralesional resection followed by SBRT as initial chordoma treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) (Cohort 1) and those undergoing salvage treatment following recurrence (Cohort 2). Treatment toxicities were classified according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.03. Overall survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS The 12 patients had a median post-SBRT follow-up time of 26 months. Cohort 1 had 5 patients with median post-SBRT follow-up time of 65.9 months and local control rate of 80% at last follow-up. Only one patient had disease progression, at 48.2 months following surgery and SBRT. Cohort 2 had 7 patients who had been treated at other institutions prior to undergoing both surgery and SBRT (salvage therapy) at MSKCC. The local control rate was 57.1% and the median follow-up duration was 10.7 months. One patient required repeat irradiation. Major surgery- and radiation-related complications occurred in 18% and 27% of patients, respectively. Epidural spinal cord compression scores were collected for each patient pre- and postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS The combination of surgery and SBRT provides excellent local control following intralesional curettage and separation surgery for chordomas in the mobile spine. Patients who underwent intralesional curettage and spinal SBRT as initial treatment had better disease control than those undergoing salvage therapy. High-dose radiotherapy may offer several biological benefits for tumor control.

The 100 most cited articles in metastatic spine disease.

OBJECTIVE Despite the growing neurosurgical literature, a subset of pioneering studies have significantly impacted the field of metastatic spine disease. The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze the 100 most frequently cited articles in the field. METHODS A keyword search using the Thomson Reuters Web of Science was conducted to identify articles relevant to the field of metastatic spine disease. The results were filtered based on title and abstract analysis to identify the 100 most cited articles. Statistical analysis was used to characterize journal frequency, past and current citations, citation distribution over time, and author frequency. RESULTS The total number of citations for the final 100 articles ranged from 74 to 1169. Articles selected for the final list were published between 1940 and 2009. The years in which the greatest numbers of top-100 studies were published were 1990 and 2005, and the greatest number of citations occurred in 2012. The majority of articles were published in the journals Spine (15), Cancer (11), and the Journal of Neurosurgery (9). Forty-four individuals were listed as authors on 2 articles, 9 were listed as authors on 3 articles, and 2 were listed as authors on 4 articles in the top 100 list. The most cited article was the work by Batson (1169 citations) that was published in 1940 and described the role of the vertebral veins in the spread of metastases. The second most cited article was Patchell's 2005 study (594 citations) discussing decompressive resection of spinal cord metastases. The third most cited article was the 1978 study by Gilbert that evaluated treatment of epidural spinal cord compression due to metastatic tumor (560 citations). CONCLUSIONS The field of metastatic spine disease has witnessed numerous milestones and so it is increasingly important to recognize studies that have influenced the field. In this bibliographic study the authors identified and analyzed the most influential articles in the field of metastatic spine disease.

Percutaneous surgery for treatment of epidural spinal cord compression and spinal instability: technical note.

OBJECTIVE An emerging paradigm for treating patients with epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) caused by metastatic tumors is surgical decompression and stabilization, followed by stereotactic radiosurgery. In the setting of rapid progressive disease, interruption or delay in return to systemic treatment can lead to a negative impact in overall survival. To overcome this limitation, the authors introduce the use of spinal laser interstitial thermotherapy (sLITT) in association with percutaneous spinal stabilization to facilitate a rapid return to oncological treatment. METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of patients with ESCC and spinal instability who were considered to be poor surgical candidates and instead were treated with sLITT and percutaneous spinal stabilization. Demographic data, Spine Instability Neoplastic Scale score, degree of epidural compression before and after the procedure, length of hospital stay, and time to return to oncological treatment were analyzed. RESULTS Eight patients were treated with thermal ablation and percutaneous spinal stabilization. The primary tumors included melanoma (n = 3), lung (n = 3), thyroid (n = 1), and renal cell carcinoma (n = 1). The median Karnofsky Performance Scale score before and after the procedure was 60, and the median hospital stay was 5 days (range 3-18 days). The median Spine Instability Neoplastic Scale score was 13 (range 12-16). The mean modified postoperative ESCC score (2.75 ± 0.37) was significantly lower than the preoperative score (4.5 ± 0.27) (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.0044). The median time to return to oncological treatment was 5 days (range 3-10 days). CONCLUSIONS The authors present the first cohort of sLITT associated with a percutaneous spinal stabilization for the treatment of ESCC and spinal instability. This minimally invasive technique can allow a faster recovery without prejudice of adjuvant systemic treatment, with adequate local control and spinal stabilization.