Intradural Spinal Metastases Research Articles

Intradural Spinal Metastases during Systemic Chemotherapy for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: A Case Report.

Intradural Spinal Metastases during Systemic Chemotherapy for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: A Case Report.

Intradural spinal metastases: a surgical series of 15 patients

Intradural spinal metastases are rare, and little is known regarding surgical indications and outcomes. A retrospective search identified adults with intradural spinal metastases operated on at the Mayo Clinic from 1994-2011. Data were collected regarding demographics, tumor type and location, and outcomes. Fifteen patients with intradural spinal metastases were investigated. The age range was 38-74 years (mean = 55 years; ±SD = 11.1). Predominant tumor location and type were lumbosacral and adenocarcinoma, respectively: 3 intramedullary and 12 extramedullary. Patients were operated on to relieve or prevent progressive/intractable neurological sequelae and/or pain. Of 13 who underwent resection, gross total removal was reported in 10; simple biopsy was performed in 2. There was one surgical complication, no medical complications, and no surgical mortality. At median follow-up of 1 month postoperatively, 10 of 15 patients were stable or improved. Of 13 patients who underwent resection, 10 were stable or improved. Of two patients who underwent biopsy, neither was stable or improved at follow-up. Using the Modified McCormick Scale, 11 of 15 patients were "functional" preoperatively and 4 went from "functional" preoperatively to "non-functional" postoperatively. Three of those four died within 60 days of surgery from systemic disease progression. Median hospital stay was 8 days. Ten of 15 patients died by the end of the study period, and the median survival of 15 patients was 5 months. With improved outcomes in metastatic cancer, more patients are encountered in practice. An aggressive surgical approach is warranted for extramedullary lesions, whereas caution is advised for intramedullary lesions. Postoperative functional decline is more likely due to systemic disease progression rather than surgery.

Radiation-induced meningeal osteosarcoma of tentorium cerebelli with intradural spinal metastases

Background:Primary meningeal osteosarcomas and radiation-induced extraosseous tumors are extremely rare. We encountered a patient with a radiation-induced meningeal osteosarcoma with metastatic spread. Case Description:A 54-year-old man presented with a 2-week history of nausea, vomiting, and ataxia. CT and MRI studies revealed an extra-axial, dural-based mass in the posterior fossa arising from the tentorium cerebelli. The patient underwent complete resection of the tumor with adjuvant chemotherapy. Histopathologic analysis revealed chondroblastic osteosarcoma. Tumor recurrence was observed 9 months after initial diagnosis, and adjuvant radiation therapy was administered. The intracranial disease stabilized; however, multiple cervico-thoracic spinal metastases were discovered 15 months after initial diagnosis. The patient expired 16 months after initial diagnosis.Conclusion:Meningeal osteosarcomas are rare lesions that can metastasize and should be considered in the differential diagnosis for dural-based lesions, especially in the case of previous radiation therapy.

Oligodendroglioma presenting with intradural spinal metastases: an unusual cause of cauda equina syndrome

We report a 37-year-old man with a primary intracranial oligodendroglioma presenting later with symptomatic multiple cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) intradural drop spinal metastases. This patient initially presented in 2006 with complex partial seizures. Initial histology demonstrated World Health Organization (WHO) grade 2 oligodendroglioma. The patient had further generalised seizures 7 months after initial tumour resection. MRI at that time confirmed tumour recurrence. The patient underwent a repeat craniotomy. Histology showed anaplastic transformation to a WHO grade 3 oligodendroglioma. About 30 months after his initial presentation, the patient developed a focal neurological deficit in the left leg with associated retention of urine. MRI of the neuraxis demonstrated widespread leptomeningeal metastatic drop deposits within the spinal canal. We discuss the mechanisms involved in tumour dissemination throughout the CSF. We also review the relevant literature regarding this phenomenon.

Intradural and extradural spinal metastases.

Intradural spinal metastases are uncommon. The outcome of surgical treatment of intra- and extramedullary intradural metastases is considered to be poor, with rapid clinical deterioration. The question of optimal treatment remains controversial. We present an overview of the clinical outcome and surgical treatment of 220 spinal metastases carried out in our centre from 1980 to 1999, with particular emphasis on 11 intradural metastases. Clinical history, signs, surgical approach, outcome, and radiological reports were obtained by review of patient charts. Secondary spinal tumours most often originated from carcinomas of the breast, lung, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, and prostate. In 12% of cases, no primary tumour could be found. Drop metastases of intracranial pathology appeared in 3%. Intradural metastases were seen in 11 patients and formed a very heterogeneous group with predominance of melanoma, lymphoma, and medulloblastoma. Functional recovery and survival time were worse in intradural metastases than in extradural metastases, and the patients were younger. Treatment of metastases is designed to relieve pain and preserve or restore neurological function palliatively. Intradural metastases are a devastating condition with usually fatal outcome. Selected patients who undergo aggressive surgical treatment may have substantially increased survival.

Pituitary and intradural spinal metastases: An unusual initial presentation of lung cancer: Struk DW, Knapp TR, Munk PL, Poon PY. Department of Diagnostic Imaging, British Columbia Cancer Agency, 600 W 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E6. Can Assoc Radiol J 1995;46:118–121

The authors report the clinical and imaging findings for a 47-year-old woman who presented with the classic symptoms of a sellar or suprasellar mass; the lesion was initially diagnosed as germinoma and was treated accordingly. The patient also had intradural, extramedullary spinal metastases. Radiotherapy failed, and the patient died. Autopsy revealed that the lesions were metastatic from previously unrecognized large-cell carcinoma of the lung. This distribution of metastases from a primary lesion not located within the central nervous system is unusual but should be considered in any patient presenting with masses at these sites, particularly if the response to therapy is less than expected.

Intradural Spinal Metastases in Pediatric Patients with Primary Intracranial Neoplasms

Recently, the application of intravenous gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) has been shown to improve the detection of intradural extramedullary spinal disease in adults. The ability of Gd-DTPA enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) to detect intradural extramedullary spinal metastases was studied in pediatric brain tumor patients. Spinal MR images before and after intravenous injection of Gd-DTPA were analyzed retrospectively in eight pediatric patients with known intracranial neoplasms and clinically suspected subarachnoid tumor seedings. Contrast enhanced spinal MR was compared with CT myelography in four of these patients. In our pediatric population Gd-DTPA enhanced images revealed tumor seeding not appreciable on noncontrast images. Although CT myelography has been the accepted standard investigation in the evaluation of suspected spinal metastases in children, we found that contrast enhanced MR is equal or superior in sensitivity to CT myelography. Spinal MR also provided information not obtainable via CT myelography. In the future, Gd-DTPA enhanced spinal MR should be considered in the initial evaluation of suspected subarachnoid spinal metastases in pediatric patients with known primary brain tumors.

Carcinoid tumor with intradural spinal metastases

A case of spinal intradural metastasis from a carcinoid tumor is reported. The case is of interest due to the rarity of central nervous system involvement by these tumors and the long latency period of the patient's presentation.

Intradural Spinal Metastases in Patients with Posterior Fossa Brain Metastases from Various Primary Cancers

Intradural spinal metastases (ISM) are rare and primarily found associated with certain types of brain tumors like medulloblastoma. Their association with metastases to the brain has been recently described and seems to occur more frequently in posterior fossa lesions. We reviewed patients treated at Massachusetts General Hospital for posterior fossa brain metastases from various primary cancers, and evaluated the risk of concomitant or subsequent ISM. Of 104 patients, 10 developed ISM, with a 1-year actuarial risk of 25%. The risk was not significantly related to age, sex, histology, site of primary tumor or previous therapy. The study suggests that in patients with posterior fossa metastasis, particular attention should be paid to seeding via cerebrospinal fluid and drop metastases to the spinal cord.