Intramedullary spinal cord metastases: an institutional review of survival and outcomes

Management of Metastatic Spinal Disease - A Practical Approach

STUDY DESIGN

Narrative review.

OBJECTIVE

This review presents a comprehensive approach to the management of spinal metastases.

METHODS

N/A.

RESULTS

The wide spectrum of clinical presentation in spinal metastases necessitates a personalized approach to treatment planning. This includes a comprehensive diagnostic workup, oncological management, palliation of symptoms, and surgical intervention if appropriate. A systematic and multidisciplinary approach allows optimal shared decision making to reach an evidence-informed and value-congruent treatment plan for the patient. We highlight how advances in stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and separation surgery may be incorporated into clinical management from a spine surgeon's perspective.

CONCLUSION

This review summarizes the approach and management of spinal metastases, its outcomes and complications.

Characteristics and Outcome of Surgically Treated Patients with Intradural Extra- and Intramedullary Spinal Metastasis-A Single-Center Retrospective Case Series and Review

OBJECTIVE

Intradural spinal metastases are considered rare. At present, limited information is available on incidence, surgical management, and outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective patient chart review from 2002 to 2024, identifying all patients surgically treated for intradural spinal metastases. Clinical, surgical and survival data were collected and compared to literature data for patients surgically treated for extradural spinal metastases.

RESULTS

A total of 172 patients with spinal metastases were identified with 13 patients meeting inclusion criteria (7.6%). The mean age at diagnosis of intradural spinal metastases was 52 ± 22 years, with diverse primaries including lung (n = 3), breast (n = 2), sarcoma (n = 2), and six unique entities. Intradural spinal metastasis was diagnosed on average of 3.3 years after primary diagnosis. In total, we observed five (38%) intradural-extramedullary and eight (62%) intramedullary metastases, located in the cervical (38.5%), thoracic (46.1%) and lumbar spine (15.4%). The most common preoperative symptoms were pain, sensory changes, and gait ataxia (each 76.9%). Gross total resection was achieved in 54%, and local tumor control in 85%. Postoperatively, 92% exhibited clinical improvement or stability. Most frequent adjuvant treatment was radio- and/or chemotherapy in 85%. The average survival after operation for spinal intradural metastases was 5 months, ranging from 1 month to 120 months. The location of the intradural metastasis in the cervical spine was associated with a significantly more favorable survival outcome (compared to thoracic/lumbar location, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Intradural location of spinal metastases is rare (7.6%). Even so, surgical resection is safe and effective for neurological improvement, and survival appears lower compared to the reported survival of extradural spinal metastases.

Spinal intramedullary uterine carcinosarcoma metastasis

Intramedullary spinal cord metastases (ISCM) are a rare and challenging manifestation of metastatic cancer that have devastating impacts on the individual's neurological function, survival expectancy and overall quality of life. Given the rarity and poor prognosis, there is a lack of consensus in management. Uterine carcinosarcoma itself is a rare cancer, accounting for less than 3% of all uterine cancers. It carries a poor prognosis, with only one-third of patients surviving beyond 5 years. There are no previous reports of uterine carcinosarcoma metastases to the spinal cord. Here, we present the case of a woman in her late 70s with a uterine carcinosarcoma intramedullary metastasis that was refractory to radiotherapy treatment and responded favourably to surgical debulking.

Animal models of brain and spinal cord metastases of NSCLC established using a brain stereotactic instrument

Objective

Animal models of brain and spinal cord metastases of non-small cell lung cancer were established through the intracranial injection of PC-9 Luc cells with a brain stereotaxic device. This method provides a reliable modeling method for studying brain and spinal cord metastases of non-small cell lung cancer.

Methods

PC-9 Luc cells at logarithmic growth stage were injected into the skulls of 5-week-old BALB/c nude mice at different cell volumes (30 × 104, 80 × 104) and different locations (using anterior fontanel as a location point, 1 mm from the coronal suture, and 1.5 mm from the sagittal suture on the right upper and right lower side of the skull). After 1 week of cell inoculation, fluorescence signals of tumor cells in the brain and spinal were detected using the IVIS Xenogen Imaging system. After 4 weeks, brain and spinal tissues from the nude mice were harvested. Following paraffin-embedded sectioning, HE staining was performed on the tissues.

Results

The fluorescence signals revealed that both brain and spinal cord metastasis occurred in the mice where the cells were injected at the lower right side of the skull. There was only brain metastasis in the nude mice injected with 30 × 104 cells at the upper right side of the skull. Both brain and spinal cord metastasis occurred in the nude mice injected with 80 × 104 cells. The HE staining revealed that both brain and spinal cord metastasis occurred in the mice injected with different amounts of PC-9 Luc cells, consistent with the results detected using the IVIS Xenogen Imaging system, thereby demonstrating the reliability of detecting fluorescent signals in vivo to determine tumor growth.

Conclusion

It is a reliable method to establish the animal model of brain and spinal cord metastases of non-small cell lung cancer by injecting different quantities of cells from different positions with a brain stereotaxic device. The IVIS Xenogen Imaging system has high reliability in detecting the fluorescence signals of brain and spinal cord metastatic tumors.

Survival and neurological outcomes following management of intramedullary spinal metastasis patients: a case series with comprehensive review of the literature

Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM), though rare, represents a potentially debilitating manifestation of systemic cancer. With emerging advances in cancer care, ISCMs are increasingly being encountered in clinical practice. Herein, we describe one of the larger retrospective single institutional case series on ISCMs, analyze survival and treatment outcomes, and review the literature. All surgically evaluated ISCMs at our institution between 2005 and 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics, tumor features, treatment, and clinical outcome characteristics were collected. Neurological function was quantified via the Frankel grade and the McCormick score (MCS). The pre- and post-operative Karnofsky performance scores (KPS) were used to assess functional status. Descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, log-rank test, and the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were performed. A total of 9 patients were included (median age 67 years (range, 26-71); 6 were male). Thoracic and cervical spinal segments were most affected (4 patients each). Six patients (75%) underwent surgical management (1 biopsy and 5 resections), and 3 cases underwent chemoradiation only. Post-operatively, 2 patients had an improvement in their neurological exam with one patient becoming ambulatory after surgery; three patients maintained their neurological exam, and 1 had a decline. There was no statistically significant difference in the pre- and post-operative MCS and median KPS scores in surgically treated patients. Median OS after ISCM diagnosis was 7 months. Absence of brain metastasis, tumor histology (renal and melanoma), cervical/thoracic location, and post-op KPS ≥ 70 showed a trend toward improved overall survival. The incidence of ISCM is increasing, and earlier diagnosis and treatment are considered key for the preservation of neurological function. When patient characteristics are favorable, surgical resection of ISCM can be considered in patients with rapidly progressive neurological deficits. Surgical treatment was not associated with an improvement in overall survival in patients with ISCMs.

Prognostic scoring system for surgical treatment of intramedullary spinal cord metastases

Although rare, intramedullary spinal cord metastases (ISCMs) are on the rise, most likely due to prolonged survival and improved outcomes as a result of the advances in cancer treatment for cancer patients. While the management of these lesions remains controversial, surgery for ISCM has recently been advocated for selected patients. We performed a retrospective analysis on 30 patients who were surgically treated for intramedullary spinal cord metastases in order to determine a preoperative prognostic scoring system to guide patient selection for surgical interventions. The scoring system was designed to decide between surgery or other therapeutic procedures. The five parameters selected and employed in the assessment system were: 1) patient's general condition, 2) age, 3) primary site of the cancer, 4) number of other extramedullary metastases and 5) severity of neurologic symptoms. Prognosis could not be predicted from a single parameter. These five factors were added together to give a prognostic score between 1 and 10. The average survival period of patients with a prognostic score between 1 and 3 points was 3 months; 11 patients with a score of 4 and 5 points had a mean survival of 7.63 months, while patients with a prognostic score between 6 and 10 was 14.8 months. According to our prognostic scoring system for surgical treatment of ISCM, surgery should be performed in those patients who score above 6 points, while radiotherapy/chemotherapy or palliative care is recommended for those who score between 1 and 3 points. A prognostic score of 4 and 5 represents a grey area where surgeons must use their judgment on whether to intervene either medically or surgically. This scoring system could facilitate decision-making in the management of patients with intramedullary spinal cord metastases.

Impact of surgical treatment for intramedullary spinal cord metastasis on neurological function and survival: A multicenter retrospective study by the Neurospinal Society of Japan

BACKGROUND

This retrospective multicenter study aimed to analyze the characteristics and surgical outcomes of intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) and to discuss the controversy regarding its surgical indications.

METHODS

This study included 29 ISCM patients who underwent surgery between 2009 and 2020. Biopsy cases were excluded from analysis. For functional and neurological functional assessments, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS, %) and modified McCormick Scale (MMS, 5-grade scale) scores were determined before and after surgery. Patients were divided into two groups: a mild-to-moderate disability group with preoperative MMS grades 1 to 3, and a severe disability group with preoperative MMS grades 4 to 5.

RESULTS

The mean preoperative KPS was 45.9, and the mean duration from symptom onset to surgical intervention was 1 month. The ISCM was located in the cervical spine in 10 cases and the thoracic spine in 19 cases. The access route (myelotomy) for ISCM removal was via the posterior median sulcus in 9 cases and via the posterior lateral sulcus in 11 cases, while others were not recorded. The degree of removal was gross total resection in 20 patients (69%), subtotal resection in 0 patients, and partial removal in 9 patients (31%). No significant complications related to the surgical procedures were recorded. Postoperative adjuvant therapy included radiotherapy in 17 patients (58.6%) and chemotherapy or molecular targeted therapy in 13 patients (44.8%). Pathological findings of ISCM showed that colorectal cancer was the most common in 9 cases, followed by lung cancer in 7, renal cell carcinoma in 5, and breast cancer in 2. Twenty-one of the 29 patients (72.4%) were confirmed to have survived 6 months after surgery: 8 of the 10 patients (80%) in the mild-to-moderate disability group and 13 of the 19 patients (68.4%) in the severe disability group. At 6 months after surgery, 3 of the 8 patients (38%) in the mild-to-moderate group were able to maintain or improve their function. Eleven of the 13 patients (85%) in the severe disability group maintained their function despite being severely disabled.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that surgical treatment can maintain or improve neurological function in a limited number of patients with ISCM, although it had minimal impact on improving the survival rate after surgery.

Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) of malignant tumors rarely happens. To the best of our knowledge, only five cases of ISCM from esophageal cancer have been reported in literature. We here report the sixth descripted case of ISCM from esophageal cancer.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 68-year-old male presented with weakness of right limbs and localized neck pain two years after diagnosed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The gadolinium enhanced Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cervical spine showed a mixed-intense intramedullary tumor with typical more intense thin rim of peripheral enhancement in C4-C5. The patient died fifteen days after diagnosis of irreversible respiratory and circulatory failures. An autopsy was refused by his family.

CONCLUSIONS

This case highlights the importance of gadolinium enhanced MRI for diagnosis in ISCM. We believe that early diagnosis and surgery for selected patients shows helpfulness to save their neurologic function and improve quality of life.

Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis of clear cell renal carcinoma in a Von Hippel–Lindau patient

Background:

Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis is uncommon and represents only 0.6% of all spinal tumors. Renal cell carcinoma is even less frequent in this group than in lung and breast cancer. Patients with Von Hippel– Lindau disease (VHLd) present spinal hemangioblastoma more frequently.

Case Description:

A 59-year-old female patient presented with medullary syndrome. There was a previous history of VHLd, with a cerebellar hemangioblastoma resection years ago. The radiological investigation showed a cervical intramedullary solid-cystic lesion. The patient has submitted a tumor resection, and a pathological and immunohistochemistry study confirmed clear cell renal carcinoma metastasis.

Conclusion:

In patients with VHLd, the presence of an intramedullary solid-cystic lesion may not represent always a hemangioblastoma. Other diagnostic possibilities must be evaluated, despite being epidemiologically less frequent. Inside the group of patients with VHLd, only a previous case of intramedullary spinal cord renal cell carcinoma was reported in the literature.

Bilateral Posterolateral Sulcus Approach for the Removal of Spinal Intramedullary Metastatic Adenocarcinoma: A Technical Case Report

Spinal intramedullary metastasis is an extremely rare event that occurs in advanced cancer. The surgical indications for spinal intramedullary metastasis are highly limited because of surgical difficulty and poor prognosis. In this technical case report, we present a rare case of spinal intramedullary metastasis from the lung that recurred late after local radiation to the spinal cord. The patient progressively experienced relapsed buttock pain and developed gait and urination disorders late after treatment for lung cancer. Imaging examinations suggested the recurrence of spinal intramedullary metastasis in the conus medullaris. Systemic examinations revealed no apparent recurrence in other organs, including the primary lung lesions. Gross total resection of the tumor within the conus medullaris was safely performed using the unilateral posterolateral (PLS) approach and by addition of the contralateral PLS approach. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case in which a spinal intramedullary metastatic tumor was successfully removed using a bilateral PLS approach.

Clinical Features, Treatments, and Prognosis of Intramedullary Spinal Cord Metastases From Lung Cancer: A Case Series and Systematic Review

Objective

Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis from lung cancer (ISCM-LC) are increasing in prevalence. We aim to investigate its clinical features, treatments and prognosis.

Methods

We reported 6 ISCM-LC cases and conducted a systematic review. Descriptive summarization, survival analysis, and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed to comprehensively study the disease.

Results

All 6 patients had surgery. One used chemotherapy and the other had targeted drugs. Two patients died of ISCM-LC, 1 died of pulmonary embolism, 1 was alive, and 2 were lost to follow-up. We identified 197 ISCM-LC cases in literature with a mean age of 58 years and male preponderance. Small cell lung cancer accounted for 39.1%. The median interval from lung cancer to ISCM-LC was 7 months. Limb weakness was the most common symptom, and 45% cases progressed rapidly. Concomitant brain, leptomeningeal, and vertebral metastasis occurred to 55.8%, 20%, and 19.5%, respectively. Peritumoral edema appeared in 83.3%. Through survival analysis, we found sex, extraspinal metastasis, pathology, and improved symptoms affected the overall survival. Additionally, gross total resection (GTR) shared similar effectiveness with non-GTR, and other treatments following surgery hardly added extra effect. Surgery, improved symptoms, and sex were 3 independent prognostic factors after adjusting for confounding. The estimated median survival time was 5 months.

Conclusion

The overall survival of ISCM-LC remains poor. Surgery is an independent protective factor for survival. Surgery should be considered once tolerated, and GTR might not be necessary. In addition, female patients with improved symptoms after intervention might have better overall survival.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for intramedullary metastases: a retrospective series at the Oscar Lambret center and a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Intramedullary metastasis (IMM) is a rare disease with poor prognosis. The incidence of IMMs has increased, which has been linked to improved systemic treatment in many cancers. Surgery and/or radiotherapy are the most commonly used treatments; only small-sample retrospective studies and case reports on stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) have reported acceptable results in terms of local control and clinical improvement, with no reported toxicity. Thus, we performed this monocentric retrospective study on five cases treated with SBRT for IMMs, which we supplemented with a systematic review of the literature.

METHODS

We included all patients treated for IMM with SBRT. The target tumor volume, progression-free survival, prescription patterns in SBRT, survival without neurological deficit, neurological functional improvement after treatment, and overall survival were determined.

RESULTS

Five patients treated with a median dose of 30 Gy in a median number of fractions of 5 (prescribed at a median isodose of 86%) included. The median follow-up duration was 23 months. Two patients showed clinical improvement. Three patients remained stable. Radiologically, 25% of patients had complete response and 50% had stable disease. No significant treatment-related toxicity was observed.

CONCLUSION

SBRT appears to be a safe, effective, and rapid treatment option for palliative patients.

Experimental Study of Almonertinib Crossing the Blood-Brain Barrier in EGFR-Mutant NSCLC Brain Metastasis and Spinal Cord Metastasis Models

Roughly one third of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI)-sensitive mutated (EGFRm) tumors experience disease progression through central nervous system (CNS) metastases during treatment. Although EGFR-TKIs have been reported to be favored in some patients with EGFRm NSCLC CNS metastases, novel EGFR-TKIs with proven efficacy in CNS pathologies are clinically needed.To investigate whether almonertinib, a novel third-generation EGFR-TKI for NSCLC, can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and deliver treatment for EGFR-mutant NSCLC brain metastases and spinal cord metastases, we constructed NSCLC brain metastasis and spinal cord metastasis models in vivo to observe the anti-tumor effects of almonertinib. Using ABCB1-MDCK and BCRP-MDCK monolayer cells as the in vitro study model, the effects of transport time and drug concentration on the apparent permeability coefficient of almonertinib and its active metabolite, HAS-719, were investigated. The results of this study show that almonertinib can significantly inhibit PC9 brain and spinal cord metastases. Pharmacokinetic studies in mice revealed that almonertinib has good BBB penetration ability, whereas the metabolite HAS-719 does not easily penetrate the BBB. Early clinical evidence of almonertinib activity in patients with EGFRm-advanced NSCLC and brain metastases has also been reported. In conclusion, almonertinib easily penetrates the BBB and inhibits advanced NSCLC brain and spinal cord metastases.

Intramedullary Spinal Cord Metastasis Mimicking Astrocytoma: A Rare Case Report

Intramedullary spinal cord metastases (ISCMs) are infrequent lesions. Their incidence is estimated to range from 0.9 to 2.1%, found in autopsies of cancer patients. However, as the life expectancy of malignant tumour patients constantly increases, the reported incidences of ISCMs are consequently rising. This report presents a case of the misdiagnosis of an anaplastic astrocytoma type of tumour due to its similarities to small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. Therefore, we would like to underline the importance of further investigation that could assist and support the surgeon in the making of the differential diagnosis. We present the clinical case of a 73-year-old woman with a solitary intramedullary spinal cord metastasis as the initial manifestation of a carcinoid type of tumour. The patient was admitted to our department while presenting a rapid onset of paraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed, which showed an intramedullary mass at the C2–C6 vertebral level with a heterogeneous contrast enhancement. In light of these findings, the patient underwent surgery for a partial tumour resection. The lesion resulted in being a small-cell neuroendocrine type of carcinoma. This peculiar type of tumour presents similar radiological characteristics to the anaplastic astrocytoma type, which is why our diagnostical mismatch occurred. This is the report of a rare case of solitary intramedullary spinal cord metastasis, which is the result of an initial presentation of a lung small-cell neuroendocrine type of carcinoma. We conclude that ISCMs should be regularly considered as a part of the differential diagnosis of intramedullary lesions, especially in the case of a rapid onset and deterioration of neurological symptoms.

Correlation of Intraoperative Neurophysiological Parameters and Outcomes in Patients with Intramedullary Tumors

Introduction

Intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCT) account for about 2%-4% of all central nervous system tumors. Surgical resection is the main treatment step, but might cause damage to functional tissues. Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) is an adopted measure to decrease surgical complications. Below, we describe the results of IMSCT submitted to surgery under IONM at a tertiary institution.

Methods

The sample consisted of consecutive patients with IMSCT admitted to the Neurological Institute of Curitiba from January 2007 to November 2016. A total of 47 patients were surgically treated. Twenty-three were male (48.9%) and 24 were female (51.1%). The mean age was 42.77 years. The mean follow-up time was 42.7 months.

Results

Neurological status improved in 29 patients (62%), stable in 6 (13%), and worse in 12 (25%). Patients who presented with motor symptoms at initial diagnosis had a worse outcome compared to patients with sensory impairment and pain (P = 0.026). Patients with a change in electromyography had worse neurological outcomes compared to patients who did not show changes in monitoring (P = 0.017).

Discussion and Conclusion

No prospective randomized high evidence study has been performed to date to compare clinical evolution after surgery with or without monitoring. In our sample, surgical resection was well succeeded mainly in oligosymptomatic patients with low preoperative McCormick classification and no worsening of IONM during surgery. We believe that microsurgical resection of IMSCT with simultaneous IONM is the gold standard treatment and achieved with good results.

Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis from an adenoid cystic carcinoma of the external auditory canal: case report

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE

Intramedullary spinal cord metastases (ISCMs) are rare and no cases of ISCM from an adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the external auditory canal (EAC) have been reported.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

We report a 54-year old man complaining backpain and worsening myelopathy. He had an ACC of the EAC resected years prior. A spinal MRI demonstrated a contrast-enhancing intramedullary lesion within the conus medullaris. The histopathological diagnosis of the patient was consistent with the patient's primary cancer. At 3 months follow-up, the neurological condition of the patient was unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first reported case of ISCM from a primary ACC of the EAC.

Surgical treatment of intramedullary spinal cord metastases: functional outcome and complications-a multicenter study

Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) is a rare event in the course of advanced malignancy. Management of these lesions remains controversial. Recently, surgery for ISCM has been advocated for selected patients. We performed a retrospective analysis of the clinical course, complications, and outcome of 30 patients surgically treated for ISCM. Patients' age, histopathological diagnoses of primary cancer, tumor size, spinal location, and extramedullary tumor dissemination were collected. Preoperative functional status, pre- and postoperative neurological status, and extent of the tumor resection were also analyzed. Predominant tumor location was thoracic, followed by cervical and conus medullaris. Lung cancer constituted the majority of primary malignancies. In 9 cases, one of the indications for spinal surgery was to obtain a histopathological diagnosis. On admission, all patients presented with neurological symptoms suggestive of myelopathy. After surgery, 18 patients exhibited improvement of symptoms in terms of pain relief and partial recovery of motor and/or sensory deficits; 6 patients were unchanged, while 6 patients exhibited postoperative deterioration. Median survival time after surgery was 9.9 months. Age > 70 years old, presence of systemic metastases, preoperative neurological non functional status, and lung cancer as primary tumor were all factors associated with a worse survival prognosis. This study did not show a clear survival difference between gross total and subtotal ISCM tumor resection. Patients who underwent gross total resection had a worse functional outcome with respect to patients with only partial resection. Gross total resection with low morbidity must be the surgical target, but when not possible, subtotal resection and adjuvant therapy are a valid therapeutic option.

Image-Guided Robotic Radiosurgery for the Management of Intramedullary Spinal Cord Metastases-A Multicenter Experience

Simple Summary

Due to recent medical advancements, patients suffering from metastatic cancer have a prolonged life expectancy compared to several decades ago. Thus, the number of patients who experience metastasis to the spinal cord is increasing. Intramedullary metastases bear a dismal prognosis and cause considerable morbidity. Limited data are available on the treatment of such lesions. As surgery may be the mainstay of treatment for resectable and localized metastatic spread, previous case reports and series suggest radiosurgery to be a treatment alternative. This first multicenter study analyzes the efficacy of robotic radiosurgery (RRS) for the management of intramedullary metastases. Outcomes provide evidence that RRS is a safe, time-saving and effective treatment modality, especially for patients with unresectable lesions. Most patients die from systemic disease progression, while the majority of treated lesions remain controlled until death. Most symptoms improve or stay stable after treatment. These findings may guide further palliative care of affected patients.

Abstract

Background: Intramedullary metastases are rare and bear a dismal prognosis. Limited data are available on the treatment of such lesions. As surgery may be the mainstay of treatment for patients with resectable and localized metastatic spread, previous case reports and case series suggest radiosurgery to be another viable treatment modality. This multicenter study analyzes the efficacy and safety of robotic radiosurgery (RRS) for intramedullary metastases. Methods: Patients who received RRS for the treatment of at least one intramedullary metastasis were included. Results: Thirty-three patients with 46 intramedullary metastases were treated with a median dose of 16 Gy prescribed to a median isodose of 70%. The local control was 79% after a median follow-up of 8.5 months. The median overall survival (OS) was 11.7 months, with a 12- and 24-month OS of 47 and 31%. The 12-month progression-free survival was 42% and at 24 months 25%. In addition, 57% of patients showed either an improved or stable neurological function after treatment delivery. Systemic disease progression was the main cause of death. No significant treatment-related toxicities were observed. Conclusions: RRS appears to be a safe, time-saving and effective treatment modality for intramedullary metastases, especially for patients with unresectable lesions and high burden of disease.

Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis of malignant melanoma:Two cases with rim signs in contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: A case report

Spinal cord metastasis of malignant melanoma is mostly caused by the invasion of the spinal cord by malignant melanoma. However, direct metastasis in the spinal cord is rare and difficult to diagnose accurately. A few diagnostically valuable findings of intramedullary spinal cord metastases (ISCMs) have been published. However, a highly specific finding of ISCMs of all carcinomas is the ‘rim sign’, which signifies the enhancement of the edge-dominant effect of the lesion in contrast-enhanced MRI. The objective of this case series was to examine the ratio of ISCMs of malignant melanoma with an indication of rim signs in contrast-enhanced MRI. The present report describes two cases of ISCMs of malignant melanoma in which the rim sign in contrast-enhanced MRI was useful for diagnosis.

Intramedullary Spinal Cord Metastasis from Primary Lung Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: A Case Report and Operative Video

BACKGROUND

Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) account for a minority of all spinal cord tumors. Rarely, symptoms from ISCM may be the initial presentation of an unknown primary carcinoma. Intramedullary metastasis from a second malignancy or from an unknown neuroendocrine malignancy is extremely rare and has never been reported in the literature. Because of the rarity of these tumors and the low volume of cases, well-defined treatment guidelines do not exist for the management of ISCM. Here we present a rare and one of the first reports of an intramedullary metastatic neuroendocrine tumor.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 66-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer presented with worsening bilateral lower extremity numbness for 2 months. Imaging revealed an intramedullary spinal cord tumor at the T4 level. The patient underwent microsurgical resection of the intramedullary spinal cord tumor. At operation, the tumor had an exophytic component. Subtotal resection was achieved. Pathology revealed a neuroendocrine metastasis, likely pulmonary in origin. She achieved partial resolution of neurologic symptoms at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Neuroendocrine ISCM are rare and lack well-defined treatment guidelines. Care should be individualized in these cases. Whenever feasible, surgical resection should be considered. Despite multidisciplinary care, the prognosis is dismal with limited life expectancy. Larger, multiinstitutional, or national database studies are needed that compare treatment modalities in the management of ISCM to identify the therapy with the best outcomes.

Stereotactic Radiation for Treating Primary and Metastatic Neoplasms of the Spinal Cord

Stereotactic radiation treatment can be used to treat spinal cord neoplasms in patients with either unresectable lesions or residual disease after surgical resection. While treatment guidelines have been suggested for epidural lesions, the utility of stereotactic radiation for intradural and intramedullary malignancies is still debated. Prior reports have suggested that stereotactic radiation approaches can be used for effective tumor control and symptom management. Treatment-related toxicity has been documented in rare subsets of patients, though the incidences of injury are not directly correlated with higher radiation doses. Further studies are needed to assess the factors that influence the risk of radiation-induced myelopathy when treating spinal cord neoplasms with stereotactic radiation, which can include, but may not be limited to, maximum dose, dose-fractionation, irradiated volume, tumor location, histology and treatment history. This review will discuss evidence for current treatment approaches.

Intramedullary-Extramedullary Breast Metastasis to the Caudal Neuraxis Two Decades after Primary Diagnosis: Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Intramedullary metastases to the caudal neuraxis with exophytic extension to the extramedullary space are rare. We describe the unique case of a patient with locally recurrent breast cancer who developed an intramedullary-extramedullary metastasis to the conus medullaris and cauda equina 22 years after primary diagnosis, the longest interval between primary breast cancer and intramedullary spread to date. We also reviewed the published literature on focal breast metastases to the conus medullaris or cauda equina.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 66-year-old woman with a history of node-positive estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor-positive, infiltrating ductal carcinoma diagnosed in 1997 and locally recurrent in 2007. Initial treatment included lumpectomy and targeted chemoradiation with mastectomy and hormonal therapy at recurrence. Twelve years later, she developed 6 weeks of bilateral buttock and leg pain without motor or sphincter compromise. Magnetic resonance imaging of the total spine revealed a 2 x 1.7 cm bilobed intradural, intramedullary-extramedullary, homogenously enhancing, T1-and T2-isointense lesion involving the conus medullaris and cauda equina. She underwent subtotal resection of a hormone receptor-positive breast metastasis. Her pain improved postoperatively and she was stable at 5 months.

CONCLUSIONS

We provide evidence that patients who present with symptoms of spinal neurologic disease and a history of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer require high suspicion for metastatic pathology, despite significant time lapse from primary diagnosis. The tumor may involve both the intramedullary and extramedullary space, complicating resection. Symptom relief and quality of life should guide resection of metastatic lesions to the caudal neuraxis.

Surgical Treatment of Intra- and Juxtamedullary Spinal Cord Tumors: A Population Based Observational Cohort Study

Objective: Intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCT) are rare entities and high-level evidence regarding optimal treatment is lacking. We aim to describe the demographics, histopathological distribution, onset symptoms, treatment strategies, and functional outcome for patients surgically treated for IMSCT.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of a consecutive population-based cohort of 95 patients who underwent surgery for intra- or juxtamedullary tumors at a single institution during the period 2004–2017.

Results: When gross total resection (GTR) was achieved, we found no case of local tumor recurrence even in the absence of adjuvant radio- or chemotherapy. Meanwhile, we found a 50% progression rate on long-term MRI follow-up in patients where only a partial resection was possible. At long-term follow-up, there was no significant alteration in functional status, while a significant reduction in share of patients reporting pain, compared to preoperative status, was identified. Poor preoperative functional status and postoperative tumor remnant were identified as individual risk factors for further functional decline.

Conclusion: Gross total resection, with minimal post-operative neurological deterioration, is possible in the majority of the cases, especially in the presence of an identifiable resection plane between tumor and healthy spinal cord. Since long-term progression-free survival could be achieved by GTR without additional adjuvant treatment, we emphasize that low-grade tumors should not be subject to radiotherapy. Treatment of high-grade or diffusely infiltrating tumors, tumor remnants, or metastases should be individualized.