[3D-printed vertebral body in anterior spinal reconstruction after total spondylectomy for patients with cervical chordoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether 3D-printed artificial vertebral body can reduce prosthesis subsidence rate for patients with cervical chordomas, through comparing the rates of prosthesis subsidence between 3D printing artificial vertebral body and titanium mesh for anterior spinal reconstruction after total spondylectomy. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent surgical treatment for cervical chordoma at our hospital from March 2005 to September 2019. There were nine patients in the group of 3D artificial vertebral body (3D group), and 15 patients in the group of titanium mesh cage (Mesh group). The patients' characteristics and treatment data were extracted from the medical records, including age, gender, CT hounsfield unit of cervical vertebra and surgical information, such as the surgical segments, time and blood loss of surgery, frequency and degree of prosthesis subsidence after surgery. Radiographic observations of prosthesis subsidence during the follow-up, including X-rays, CT, and magnetic resonance imaging were also collected. SPSS 22.0 was used to analysis the data. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in gender, age, CT hounsfield unit, surgical segments, time of surgery, blood loss of posterior surgery and total blood loss. Blood loss of anterior surgery was 700 (300, 825) mL in 3D group and 1 500 (750, 2 800) mL in Mesh group (P < 0.05). The prosthesis subsidence during the follow-up, 3 months after surgery, there was significant difference between the two groups in mild prosthesis subsidence (P < 0.05). The vertebral height of the 3D group decreased less than 1 mm in eight cases (no prosthesis subsidence) and more than 1 mm in one case (mild prosthesis subsidence). The vertebral height of the Mesh group decreased less than 1 mm in five cases (no prosthesis subsidence), and more than 1 mm in eight cases (mild prosthesis subsidence). Two patients did not have X-rays in 3 months after surgery. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the prosthesis subsidence rate at the end of 12 months (P < 0.01). The vertebral height of eight cases in the 3D group decreased less than 1 mm (no prosthesis subsidence) and one case more than 3 mm (severe prosthesis subsidence). Four of the 15 cases in the Mesh group decreased less than 1 mm (no prosthesis subsidence), two cases more than 1 mm (mild prosthesis subsidence), and nine cases more than 3 mm (severe prosthesis subsidence). There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the prosthesis subsidence rate at the end of 24 months (P < 0.01). The vertebral height of seven cases in the 3D group decreased less than 1 mm (no prosthesis subsidence), one case more than 3 mm (severe prosthesis subsidence), and one case died with tumor. One case in the Mesh group decreased less than 1 mm (no prosthesis subsidence), one case more than 1 mm (mild prosthesis subsidence), 11 case more than 3 mm (severe prosthesis subsidence), one case died with tumor and one lost the follow-up. Moreover, at the end of 12 months and 24 months, there was significant difference between the two groups in severe prosthesis subsidence rate (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: 3D-printed artificial vertebral body for anterior spinal reconstruction after total spondylectomy for patients with cervical chordoma can provide reliable spinal stability, and reduce the incidence of prosthesis subsidence after 2-year follow-up.

[Total resection of aggressive hemangioma of thoracic spine: case report and literature review]. / Total'noe udalenie agressivnoi gemangiomy grudnogo otdela pozvonochnika (klinicheskoe nablyudenie i obzor literatury).

The authors report total resection of aggressive hemangioma of Th7 vertebra in a patient with severe conduction disorders in the lower extremities. Total Th7 spondylectomy (Tomita procedure) was performed. This method provided simultaneous en bloc resection of the vertebra and tumor via the same approach, eliminate spinal cord compression and perform stable circular fusion. Postoperative follow-up period was 6 months. Neurological disorders were evaluated using the Frankel scale, pain syndrome - visual analogue scale, muscle strength - MRC scale. Pain syndrome and motor disorders in the lower extremities regressed in 6 months after surgery. CT confirmed spinal fusion without signs of continued tumor growth. Literature data on surgical treatment of aggressive hemangiomas are reviewed.

Giant cell tumor of the thoracic spine completely removed by total spondylectomy after neoadjuvant denosumab therapy.

PURPOSE: Denosumab, a novel monoclonal antibody that targets the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK) ligand (RANKL), has recently been used to treat patients with giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB). However, few reports have described the clinical results of denosumab therapy for spinal GCTB and evaluated treatment efficacy with respect to the entirety of the resected vertebra after denosumab therapy. METHODS: We present the case of a 51-year-old man with T12 GCTB that was completely removed by a total spondylectomy following 10 courses of neoadjuvant denosumab therapy. Post-therapy radiological findings indicated epidural tumor reduction in the spinal canal and sclerotic rim formation. However, the affected vertebra collapsed despite denosumab therapy and a massive bridging callus formation was present between the spinal GCTB and adjacent vertebra. RESULTS: These morphological changes made the tumor margins unclear and increased the difficulty of dissection of the segmental arteries from the vertebral body and en bloc corpectomy by a posterior-approach. Pathological findings indicated increased woven bone at the peripheral lesion of the resected vertebra and RANKL-positive stromal cells remained around the woven bone. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support that GCTB stromal cells survived around the newly formed woven bone after long-term denosumab treatment and total surgical resection of such primary spinal lesions as the gold-standard treatment, even following administration of denosumab. Surgeons should note that prolonged adjuvant denosumab therapy may increase the difficulty of performing a posterior-approach total en bloc spondylectomy.

Implant failure and revision strategies after total spondylectomy for spinal tumors.

Background: Although there have been several risk factors reported for implant failure (IF), little consensus exists. Potential applicable measures to protect patients from IF are relatively few. This study aimed to discover new risk factors for IF and explore potential protective measures from IF after total spondylectomy for spinal tumors. Methods: A total of 145 patients undergoing total spondylectomy for thoracic and lumbar spinal tumors between 2010 and 2021 were included from three tertiary university hospitals. Patient demographic and surgical characteristics and follow-up outcomes were collected. Results: During a mean follow-up of 53.77 months (range, 12 to 149 months), 22 of 145 patients (15.17%) developed IF. Patients undergoing thoracolumbar junctional region (T12/L1) resection were more likely to develop IF compared to those undergoing surgery at other vertebral levels (HR = 21.622, 95% CI = 3.567-131.084, P = 0.001). Patients undergoing titanium mesh cage reconstruction were more likely to develop IF compared to patients undergoing expandable titanium cage reconstruction (HR = 8.315, 95% CI = 1.482-46.645, P = 0.016). Patients with bone cement augmentation around the cage were less likely to develop IF compared to those not receiving bone cement augmentation (HR = 0.015, 95% CI = 0.002-0.107, P < 0.001). Of the 22 patients with IF, 14 (63.63%) accepted personalized revision surgery. Conclusion: The use of an expandable cage and the use of bone cement augmentation around the anterior column support cage are protective measures against IF after total spondylectomy.

Factors Affecting Prognosis of Patients With Osteoblastoma of the Mobile Spine: A Long-Term Follow-up Study of 70 Patients in a Single Center.

BACKGROUND: Osteoblastoma (OBL) in the mobile spine is a benign tumor with aggressive potential. There is not much published information on OBL of the mobile spine as a result of rarity of the disease. There are controversies over the aggressive subtype and prognostic factors of the condition. OBJECTIVE: To explore the aggressive subtype and investigate prognostic factors of OBLs in the mobile spine. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of spinal OBL was performed by survival analysis. Patients in 2 cohorts were analyzed based on the Enneking grade and pathological evaluation. Local recurrence-free survival (RFS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method to identify potential prognostic factors. Factors with P ≤ .05 were subjected to multivariate analysis by Cox regression analysis. P ≤ .05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Included in this study were 70 patients with spinal OBL who were followed up by a mean of 67.1 mo (range 24-188). Local recurrence was detected in 9 cases after initial surgery, and death occurred in 2 cases. The result of statistical analysis suggested that Epithelioid OBL (EO) with Enneking stage 3 (St.3) and total spondylectomy were independent prognostic factors for RFS. CONCLUSION: St.3 or EO lesions seem to be more aggressive than St.2 or conventional osteoblastomas, but St.3 and EO should be considered simultaneously in predicting the aggressiveness of the lesion and the risk of recurrence. Total spondylectomy performed either by en bloc or piecemeal could significantly reduce recurrence of OBLs in the mobile spine.

Upper cervical spine reconstruction using customized 3D-printed vertebral body in 9 patients with primary tumors involving C2.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction following resection of the primary tumors of the upper cervical spine is challenging, and conventional internal implants develop complications in this region. 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, can produce patient-specific porous implants in a particular shape for bone defect reconstruction. This study aimed to describe the clinical outcomes of upper cervical spine reconstruction using customized 3D-printed vertebral body in 9 patients with primary tumors involving C2. METHODS: Patients with primary tumors involving C2 who were treated in our institution between July 2014 and November 2018 were enrolled. A two-stage intralesional spondylectomy was performed using the posterior-anterior approach. Anterior reconstruction was accomplished using a customized 3D-printed vertebral body, which was fabricated by successive layering of melted titanium alloy powder using electron beam melting. No bone graft was used. RESULTS: Nine patients (2 males and 7 females) were included in the study with a mean age of 31.4 years (12 to 59 years). Seven patients demonstrated tumors located in C2 and 2 showed involvement of C2 and C3. During a mean follow-up of 28.6 months (range, 12-42 months), 1 patient died of systemic metastasis and 1 had local tumor recurrence, the other 7 patients were alive and functional in their daily living until the last follow-up without evidence of disease. The 3D-printed vertebral bodies were all stable with no sign of displacement or subsidence, evidence of implant osseointegration was observed on the imaging studies. For the posterior instrumentation systems, no screw loosening or rod breakage was found. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal reconstruction in the upper cervical region using customized 3D-printed vertebral body is reliable. The tailored shape matching with the contact surfaces and the porous structure conductive to osseointegration provide both short- and long-term stability to the implant.

[Applications of one-stage total spondylectomy by anterior and posterior approaches for solitary plasmacytoma of cervical spine].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of one-stage total spondylectomy by anterior and posterior approaches for treating solitary plasmacytoma (SP) of cervical spine. Methods: Between June 2000 and March 2015, the clinical data, diagnosis, and treatment of 12 patients with SP of cervical spine were retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 males and 4 females, with a mean age of 46 years (range, 28-74 years). The mean disease duration was 8.4 months (range, 3-15 months). There were 2 cases in C 2 segment, 4 cases in C 3, 2 cases in C 4, 1 recurrent case in C 5, C 6, and 3 cases in C 7. According to WBB (Weinstein-Boriani-Biagini) surgical staging system, the tumor mainly occupied the vertebral body areas and expanded outside to 4 or 9 radiating zone in 8 cases, expanded both outsides to 4 or 9 radiating zones in 4 cases; 7 cases of them affected A to D layers, other 5 cases affected B to D layers. Preoperative Frankel system showed grade B in 1 case, grade C in 6 cases, and grade D in 5 cases. One vertebra segment was involved in 11 cases, and 2 vertebra segments were involved in 1 case. The unilateral vertebral artery was involved in 4 cases and bilateral vertebral artery in 1 case. One-stage total spondylectomy by anterior and posterior approaches for SP of cervical spine was applied in all patients, which all received adjuvant radiotherapy postoperatively. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, complications, Frankel system, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were recorded and analyzed. Results: The operation time was 6.8-9.3 hours (mean, 7.2 hours), and the intraoperative blood loss was 1 100-2 600 mL (mean, 1 600 mL). Esophageal leakage occurred in 1 patient with C 5, C 6 recurrent SP at 1 week after operation and 1 case presented with fat liquefaction of wound, who were cured by symptomatic treatment. Other patients showed no neurological deficit, major vascular injury (especially vertebral artery), phrenic nerve injury, superior laryngeal nerve injury, laryngeal nerve injury, respiratory failure, or other complications. All the 12 patients were followed up 27-98 months (mean, 58 months). The symptoms of spinal cord compression disappeared or improved after operation. At last follow-up, the nerve function was recovered to Frankel grade E in all patients; the VAS score decrease to 1.1±0.7, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative value (6.7±2.7) ( t=2.485, P=0.014). Two patients had local recurrence at 29 months and 37 months after operation respectively, which were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. One of them finally progressed to multiple myeloma and died of multiple organ failure after 43 months, the other one survived with residual tumor. One case presented with internal fixator loosening and breaking at 4 years after operation, who was performed revision surgery. The other patients had no tumor recurrence or malignant change during the follow-up, no complication such as internal fixator loosening or breaking occurred. Conclusion: For patients with SP of cervical spine, surgical intervention is an acceptable treatment option. One-stage total spondylectomy by anterior and posterior approaches can decline the local recurrence and relieve the symptoms of spinal cord compression, so as to improve patients' life quality. However, patients with progression to multiple myeloma should be treated with individualized therapeutic regimen, and the prognosis may be poor.

[Clinical application of anterior thoracoscopically assisted surgery with posterior one-stage total en block spondylectomy for thoracic spinal tumor].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clincial effects and feasibility of anterior thoracoscopically assisted surgery (TAS) with posterior one-stage total en block spondylectomy(TES) for thoracic spinal tumour. METHODS: From October 2014 to January 2016, 4 patients with thoracic spinal tumour were treated by anterior thoracoscopically assisted surgery with posterior one-stage total en block spondylectomy. There were 2 males and 2 females, aged 16, 35, 46, 60 years. Courses of disease were 1, 4, 6, 9 months. The tumor occurred at T4, T6, T130 segment in 1 case respectively, at double T7/T8 segments in 1 case. Preoperative visual analogue scores(VAS) were 4, 5, 6, 8 points. Frankel grade of neurologic function was grade B in 2, D in 1, and E in 1. SF-36 quality of life scores were 38, 65, 35, 29 points, including 2 cases of primary spinal tumors, 2 cases of metastatic spinal tumors. According to the classification of Tomita, 1 case was type III, 2 cases were type IV, 1 case was type VI. And according to the WBB staging, 4-9/ABCD was in 2 cases, 5-8/ABC compliated with 1-3 was in 1 case, 6-7/ABC was in 1 case. Surgical procedure: With lateral position, the thoracoscope channel was inserted. The involved intervertebral vessels and corresponding intercostal vessels were ligated, while the prevertebral large vessels were completely separated and protected. The front halves of superior and inferior involved vertebral discs were removed. Then the patients were changed to prone position, posterior one-stage total en block spondylectomy, titanium cage bone graft (allograft bone), pedicle screw fixation were performed. RESULTS: All of the operations were successful and the patients were followed up for 34, 10, 11, 12 months. Pleural effusion occurred in 1 case after operation, and pleural closed drainage was done. All incisions got primary healing; and all patients showed significant pain relief (P<0.005), with the VAS score decreasing to 2(2 cases) and 3(2 cases) scores, 2 months after surgery. No nerve functional injury aggravated. SF-36 quality of life score obviously improved with postoperative scores for 88, 92, 71, 80 at 3 months after operation. No recurrent vertebral tumor, internal fixation lossening or breakage was found at follow-up points of 3, 6, 12 months. One patient with lung cancer died of multiple organ failure at 11 months after operation. CONCLUSIONS: With anterior TAS, vertebral anterior vessels, intervertebral blood vessels, intercostal vessels were successfully separated or ligated, intraoperative bleeding was effectively controlled, lung and esophagus were effectively protected, and the tumor received wide excision. Anterior TAS and one-stage posterior TES could significantly reduce the surgical trauma and the risk of surgery.

Primary leiomyosarcoma of the spine treated with total en bloc spondylectomy: the first case in Thailand-a case report and literature review.

Leiomyosarcoma is a rare type of malignant soft tissue tumor and also one of the most aggressive soft tissue sarcomas. It commonly occurs in uterus, abdominal viscera, retroperitoneal space and soft tissue of the extremities. Primary osseous leiomyosarcoma is a rare condition. Furthermore, primary leiomyosarcoma of the spine is extremely rare. Only few cases have been reported. However, the treatment and outcomes remains controversial. Therefore, the objective of this case report is to illustrate the management of this extremely rare disease by using total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) procedure, which is one of a suitable option for surgical resection of the spinal tumors. In this study, we presented an unusual case of a 61-year-old female, who was diagnosed as primary leiomyosarcoma of the twelfth thoracic spine with liver metastasis, treated with total en bloc spondylectomy of the twelfth thoracic vertebra followed by chemotherapy. On last follow-up, 6 months after the surgery, the clinical outcome remained in good condition and no signs of local recurrence. In conclusion, primary leiomyosarcoma of the spine is an extremely rare and difficult to diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry studies are very important for confirmation of the diagnosis. Standard treatment remains controversial. However, surgical resection is still treatment of choice. One of the most effective surgical options is TES, which give the better outcome and minimize local recurrence, if indicate.

Therapy for thoracic lumbar and sacral vertebrae tumors using total spondylectomy and spine reconstruction through posterior or combined anterior-posterior approaches.

The present study aimed to analyze the indications, feasibility, safety and clinical effects of total spondylectomy and spine reconstruction through posterior or combined anterior-posterior approaches for thoracic lumbar and sacral vertebrae tumors. Between December 2009 and May 2012, 10 patients with thoracic lumbar and sacral vertebrae tumors were retrospectively analyzed. Different surgical indications and approaches were used according to the affected segments, the extent of lesion involvement and the specific pathology results. One-stage posterior or combined anterior-posterior total spondylectomy and reconstruction was used for the treatment of complicated thoracic lumbar and sacral vertebral malignant tumors and invasive benign tumors. The duration of surgery, levels of intraoperative blood loss and transfusions, and the clinical effects were observed. The average surgical duration was 6.8 h (range, 4.8-12 h), with an average blood loss level of 3,200 ml (range, 1,500-10,000 ml) and an average transfusion level of 2,500 ml. During the average 15 months (range, 3-29 months) follow up, two patients succumbed and one patient experienced tumor recurrence. Neither tumor reoccurrence nor metastasis was observed in all other patients. Personalized surgical indications and approaches according to the affected segments, the extent of lesion involvement and the specific pathology results would aid in the reduction of pain, the improvement of nerve function and the reduction of tumor recurrence.

Desmoplastic fibroma of the spine: a series of 12 cases and outcomes.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Desmoplastic fibroma (DF) is a benign, yet locally aggressive, tumor of the connective tissue. Desmoplastic fibroma in the spine is extremely rare, and only a few cases have been reported. Although surgical resection of DF arising in the spine is commonly regarded as a recommended treatment, it is difficult to achieve satisfactory results. PURPOSE: This study reviews the clinical patterns and follow-up data of patients with DF in the spine who underwent surgical treatment. We attempted to correlate surgical treatment and outcomes over time. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective clinical study of the surgical managements, including subtotal resection, total spondylectomy, and en bloc resection, for DF in the spine. Desmoplastic fibroma of the spine treatment occurred from 2004 to 2009 at the Department of Bone Tumor Surgery, AA Hospital. PATIENT SAMPLE: Twelve consecutive cases of DF of the spine underwent surgical treatment at our center between 2004 and 2009. OUTCOME MEASURES: Neurologic outcomes were evaluated using Frankel score system and recurrence and metastasis were evaluated by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the surgical segments involved. Imaging was performed 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, every 6 months for the next 2 years, and then annually for life. METHODS: Overall, two different surgery protocols were applied. One protocol involved subtotal resection followed by radiotherapy (n=4), whereas the other involved total tumor resection (n=8). Postoperative radiotherapy was administered in six cases. Clinical data and surgery efficacy were analyzed via chart review. RESULTS: Eleven patients were disease-free during their follow-up period, whereas one patient experienced recurrence without metastasis. Radicular pain nearly disappeared, and patients suffering from spinal cord compression recovered well. Local recurrence was detected in one-fourth (25%) of the cases that underwent subtotal resection and was not detected in any of the cases involving total spondylectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Local recurrence of DF is not uncommon after insufficient removal. Therefore, total excision, while also preserving neural function, is recommended. In our study, patients who underwent a total spondylectomy had significantly lower local recurrence rates for DF in the spine. Radiotherapy may be an acceptable alternative therapy, whereas en bloc resection has the potential to result in significant functional impairment.

Total spondylectomy following carbon ion radiotherapy to treat chordoma of the mobile spine.

The main form of treatment of a chordoma of the mobile spine is total en bloc spondylectomy (TES), but the clinical results are not satisfactory. Stand-alone carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for bone and soft-tissue sarcomas has recently been reported to have a high rate of local control with a low rate of local recurrence. We report two patients who underwent TES after CIRT for treating a chordoma in the lumbar spine with good medium-term outcomes. At operation, there remained histological evidence of viable tumour cells in both cases. After the combination use of TES following CIRT, neither patient showed signs of recurrence at the follow-up examination. These two cases suggest that CIRT should be combined with total spondylectomy in the treatment of chordoma of the mobile spine.