Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression

Abstract

Up-to-date management for metastatic epidural spinal cord compression is based on appropriate scoring systems. In this case, separation surgery and stereotactic radiosurgery achieved an optimized outcome. A 75-year-old man had thoracic band-like pain, left lower limb weakness and difficulty ambulating for 6 weeks. Spinal images showed a T4 metastatic epidural spinal cord compression with a pathological fracture of T4 and T10 and L3 lytic lesions. There was no other neoplastic lesion. The metastasized T4 was decompressed by a posterolateral right costotransversectomy, vertebrectomy and insertion of an expandable titanium cage. The spinal sagittal alignment was restored with T1–T7 pedicle screw fixation. Post-operatively the pain and motor power improved significantly so that the patient was discharged home. Separation surgery and adjuvant stereotactic radiosurgery of the spine successfully improved tumor burden, pain control and overall prognosis.