The Neurology-Stability-Epidural compression assessment: A new score to establish the need for surgery in spinal metastases

Application of the NSE score (Neurology-Stability-Epidural compression assessment) to establish the need for surgery in spinal metastases of elderly patients: a multicenter investigation

PURPOSE

This retropective multicentric study aims to investigate the clinical applicability of the NSE score in the elderly, to verify the role of this tool as an easy help for decision making also for this class of patients.

METHODS

All elderly patients (> 65 years) suffering from spinal metastases undergoing surgical or non-surgical treatment at the authors' Institutions between 2015 and 2022 were recruited. An agreement group (AG) and non-agreement group (NAG) were identified accordingly to the agreement between the NSE score indication and the performed treatment. Neurological status and axial pain were evaluated for both groups at follow-up (3 and 6 months). The same analysis was conducted specifically grouping patients older than 75 years.

RESULTS

A strong association with improvement or preservation of clinical status (p < 0.001) at follow-up was obtained in AG. The association was not statistically significant in NAG at the 3-month follow-up (p 1.00 and 0.07 respectively) and at 6 months (p 0.293 and 0.09 respectively). The group of patients over 75 years old showed similar results in terms of statistical association between the agreement group and better outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Far from the need or the aim to build dogmatic algorithms, the goal of preserving a proper performance status plays a key role in a modern oncological management: functional outcomes of the multicentric study group showed that the NSE score represents a reliable tool to establish the need for surgery also for elderly patients.

Impact of metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) and pathological vertebral compression fracture (pVCF) in neurological and survival prognosis

BACKGROUND

Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) and pathological vertebral compression fractures (pVCF) are the most serious debilitating morbidities of spine metastases (SpMs) causing devastating neurological damages. The respective impact of these two metastasis-spreading entities on survival and on neurological damage is debated.

METHODS

A French prospective cohort study collected 279 consecutive patients presenting with SpMs between January 2017 and 2021. We compared 174 patients with MESCC and 105 patients with pVCF.

RESULTS

The median Overall Survival (OS) for the MESCC group was 13.4 months (SD 1.5) vs 19.2 months (SD 2.3) for pVCF patients (p = 0.085). Sixty-five patients (23.3 %) were operated on: 49/65 (75.4 %) in the MESCC group and 16/65 (15.2 %) in the pVCF group, p < 0.0001. At 6 months FU, in the MESCC group, 21/44 (45.4 %) of non-ambulatory patients at onset improved to ambulatory status (Frankel D-E) vs 10/13 (76.9 %) in the pVCF group (p = 0.007). In multivariable analysis with the Cox proportional hazard model, good ECOG-PS and SINS Score 7-12 [HR: 6.755, 95 % CI 2.40-19.00; p = 0.001] were good prognostic factors for preserved ambulatory neurological status. However, SpMs diagnosed synchronously with the primary tumor [HR: 0.397, 95 % CI 0.185-0.853; p = 0.018] and MESCC [HR: 0.058, 95 % CI 0.107-0.456; p = 0.007] were independent risk factors for impaired neurological function.

CONCLUSION

Contrary to pVCF, MESCC causes neurological damage. Nevertheless, neurological recovery remains possible. MESCC and pVCF have no impact on survival. The management of MESCC remains to be clarified and optimized to reduce neurological damage.

Enhancing the referral process for surgical management of spinal metastases: insights from a 12-year, bi-institutional study of 533 patients

Introduction

Delayed surgical management of spinal metastases (SMs) can have detrimental effects on patient survival and quality of life, leading to pain and potential neurological impairment. This study aimed to assess the impact of delayed referral for SMs on clinical outcomes by analyzing patients managed in emergency situations.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the data of all patients admitted on either emergency or elective basis who underwent surgery for the treatment of neoplastic spine lesions at our two institutions (tertiary referral neurosurgical units) between January 2008 and December 2019.

Results

We analyzed 210 elective (EGp) and 323 emergency patients (UGp); emergencies increased significantly over the 12-year period, with a Friday peak (39.3%) and frequent neurological impairment (61.6% vs. 20%). Among the UGp patients, 186 (7.5%) had a previously monitored primitive cancer, including 102 (31.6%) with known SMs. On admission, 71 of the 102 (69.9%) patients presented with neurological deficits. UGp patients were more likely to undergo a single decompression without fixation. Outcomes at the 3-month follow-up were significantly worse for UGp patients ([very] poor, 29.2 vs. 13.8%), and the median overall survival for UGp patients was statistically lower. Risk factors for patients with SM undergoing emergency management included short delay between onset of symptoms and first contact with a spine surgeon, and an initial motor deficit.

Conclusion

Many patients with previously identified metastases, including those with neurological deficits, are urgently referred. Optimization is needed in the oncology pathway, and all stakeholders must be made aware of the factors contributing to the improvement in the clinical and radiological identification of potential complications affecting patient survival and quality of life.

Quality of life in patients with malignant spinal cord compression: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC) is an oncological emergency that may result in a devastating combination of malignancy and disability. Existing quality of life (QoL) questionnaires commonly used in MSCC literature (EORTC QLQ-C30, BM-22, Brief Pain Inventory, and Spine Oncology Study Group Outcomes) may not capture all the commonly reported symptoms and lack specificity to MSCC. The primary objective of this systematic review is to determine unmet patient needs and underreported QoL issues and compile a comprehensive list of QoL issues. The secondary objective of this review is to compile all existing QoL tools and questionnaires and determine whether any QoL issues are not addressed in the existing tools currently used in the literature.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted on Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases between 1946 and February 6, 2023, to compile all QoL issues and existing questionnaires used to assess QoL in patients with MSCC. All study designs were included given that they discussed QoL issues specific to patients with MSCC.

RESULTS

The results of this systematic review identified the most frequently discussed QoL issues in the literature studying MSCC. This included direct symptoms of MSCC such as back pain, paralysis, limb weakness/numbness, and urinary/bowel incontinence. Indirect symptoms coming from radiotherapy treatment such as dysphagia, painful swallowing, mouth pain, dry mouth, diarrhea, fatigue, and nausea/vomiting were also noted. Other symptoms resulting from corticosteroid treatment included difficulty sleeping, blurring of vision, weight gain, and mood disturbance. Patients also experienced psychosocial issues such as anxiety, depression, emotional distress, low self-esteem, concerns about dependence on others, concerns about getting home, and fear about their prognosis and future.

CONCLUSION

This review highlights the QoL issues specific to patients with MSCC and QoL tools capturing these issues. Relevance of QoL issues identified in this systematic review must be prospectively validated by patients and healthcare professionals with experience in treating MSCC.

Spine Metastasis: Patients With Poor Performance Status (ECOG) Could benefit From Palliative Surgical Care! A Prospective Cohort Study

STUDY DESIGN

This study used a French prospective national multi-center database of patients with spine metastasis (SpM).

OBJECTIVE

The main challenge was to clarify if SpM patients presenting poor ECOG-PS could benefit from a surgical intervention.

BACKGROUND

Spine metastases (SpM) are debilitating lesions commonly found in the evolution of cancer. At present, patients with poor ECOG-PS do not benefit from surgical care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 2014 and 2017, 176 SpM patients with poor initial ECOG-PS (3 or 4) were identified.

RESULTS

The median overall survival of patients was 2.1 months (SD 0.2). Seventy-one patients (40.3%) underwent surgery: for 49 patients (27.8%) the intervention consisted of a simple decompression and for 22 patients (12.5%) the previous was associated with an osteosynthesis. Patients who underwent surgery demonstrated significantly longer median overall survival than those who did not: 3.5 months (SD 0.4) versus 1.6 (SD 0.2) ( P <0.0001). No significant differences between operated/nonoperated patients were noted concerning median age (66.4 vs. 64.2 y, P =0.897), the median number of SpM (4.1 vs. 4.2, P =0.374), ECOG-PS 4 ratio (41.6 vs. 39.3%, P =0.616), or for primary tumors ( P =0.103). Patients who underwent surgery statistically improved their neurological impairment according to the Frankel score: 5/11 (45.4%) from A to C, 5/17 (29.4%) from B to C or D, 6/11 (54.5%) from C to D and 2/4 (50%). Twelve patients (16.9%) presented a postoperative complication.

CONCLUSION

Patients with poor ECOG-PS could benefit from surgery. Even though survival gain is small, it permits the preservation of their neurological function. By making ambulation possible, pain is decreased during the last months of their lives.

Radiofrequency Ablation in Vertebral Body Metastasis with and without Percutaneous Cement Augmentation: A Systematic Review Addressing the Need for SPINE Stability Evaluation

Vertebral body metastases (VBM) are one of the most frequent sites of bone metastasis, and their adequate therapeutic management still represents an insidious challenge for both oncologists and surgeons. A possible alternative treatment for VBM is radiofrequency ablation (RFA), a percutaneous technique in which an alternating current is delivered to the tumor lesion producing local heating and consequent necrosis. However, RFA alone could alter the biomechanics and microanatomy of the vertebral body, thus increasing the risk of post-procedure vertebral fractures and spine instability, and indeed the aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of RFA on spine stability. A systematic review according to PRISMA-P guidelines was performed, and 17 papers were selected for the systematic review. The results show how RFA is an effective, safe, and feasible alternative to conventional radiotherapy for the treatment of VBM without indication for surgery, but spine stability is a major issue in this context. Although exerting undeniable benefits on pain control and local tumor recurrence, RFA alone increases the risk of spine instability and consequent vertebral body fractures and collapses. Concomitant safe and feasible therapeutic strategies such as percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty have shown synergic positive effects on back pain and improvement in spine stability.

3D-printed guides for cervical pedicle screw placement in primary spine tumor: Case report and technical description

Introduction

For spine surgeons, dealing with unstable cervical spine has been usually challenging, and this becomes more difficult when facing a primary craniovertebral junction tumor. Primary spine tumor surgery should always include column reconstruction in order to guarantee biomechanical stability of the spine, but surgeons should always be aware that instrumentations could create interferences with postoperative radiations. However, although carbon fiber instrumentations have started to be used in thoracolumbar oncology for few years, these options are still not available for cervical spine. In the reported case, the adopted strategy to obtain adequate column reconstruction was based on the idea of reducing the amount of titanium needed for posterior fixation and maximizing the distance between the radiation target and titanium rods.

Case report and aim

We present the case of a 53-year-old woman harboring a craniovertebral junction chordoma. A short occipito-C3 construct was selected. Specifically, titanium cervical pedicle screws were placed by using a new technology consisting in patient-tailored and customized 3D-printed guides. The aim of this case report is to determine the feasibility and safety of 3D-printed guides for cervical pedicle screw (CPS) positioning, even in the case of cervical spine tumor.

Conclusion

CPS could represent a good solution by providing strong biomechanical purchase and tailored 3D-printed guides could increase the safety and the accuracy of this challenging screw placement, even in oncological patients.

Prognostic Factors for Bone Survival and Functional Outcomes in Patients With Breast Cancer Spine Metastases

According to the Global Cancer Statistics 2020 report, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. Patients with mammary cancer live longer due to the continuous optimization of chemotherapy, targeted drugs, and hormone therapy, which will inevitably lead to an increase in the prevalence of metastatic bone tumors. Bone metastasis affects approximately 8% of patients with mammary cancer, with the spine being the most common site. Metastatic neoplasms can invade the centrum and its attachments, leading to local pain, spinal instability, vertebral pathological fractures, spinal cord compression, impaired neurological function, and paralysis, ultimately reducing the quality of life. Multidisciplinary and personalized management using analgesic drugs, endocrine therapy, corticosteroid therapy, chemotherapy, bisphosphonates, immunotherapy, targeted drugs, radiotherapy, and surgery has been advocated for the treatment of spinal metastases. Multiple paradigms and systems have been proposed to determine suitable treatments. In the early stages, the occurrence of metastasis indicates a terminal stage of the tumor process in patients with malignant tumors, implying that their lifespan is limited. As a result, the choice of treatment is heavily influenced by longevity. However, with the development of treatment methods, the lifespan of patients with tumors has considerably increased in recent years. This leads to the choice of patient's treatment, which depends not only on the patient's survival, but also on the radiotherapy or postoperative functional outcomes. Nevertheless, they fall short of determining the variables that affect survival and functional outcomes in histology-specific subgroups of breast cancer. To accurately predict the bone survival and functional outcomes of patients with breast cancer spine metastases a review of prognostic factors was performed.

Craniovertebral junction chordomas: Case series and strategies to overcome the surgical challenge

Introduction:

Chordomas are rare and malignant primary bone tumors. Different strategies have been proposed for chordomas involving the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) compared to other locations. The impossibility to achieve en bloc excision, the impact on stability and the need for proper reconstruction make their surgical management challenging.

Objective:

The objective is to discuss surgical strategies in CVJ chordomas operated in a single-center during a 7 years' experience (2013-2019).

Methods:

Adult patients with CVJ chordoma were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical, radiological, pathological, and surgical data were discussed.

Results:

A total number of 8 patients was included (among a total number of 32 patients suffering from skull base chordoma). Seven patients underwent endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA), and posterior instrumentation was needed in three cases. Three explicative cases were reported: EEA for midline tumor involving lower clivus and upper cervical spine (case 1), EEA and complemental posterior approach for occurred occipitocervical instability (case 2), C2 chordoma which required aggressive bone removal and consequent implant positioning, focusing on surgical planning (timing and type of surgical stages, materials and customization of fixation system) (case 3).

Conclusion:

EEA could represent a safe route to avoid injuries to neurovascular structure in clival locations, while a combined approach could be considered when tumor spreads laterally. Tumor involvement or surgical procedures could give raise to CVJ instability with the need of complementary posterior instrumentation. Thus, a tailored preoperative planning should play a key role, especially when aggressive bone removal and implant positioning are needed.

Spinal metastases 2021: a review of the current state of the art and future directions

Spinal metastases are an increasing societal health burden secondary to improvements in systemic therapy. Estimates indicate that 100,000 or more people have symptomatic spine metastases requiring management. While open surgery and external beam radiotherapy have been the pillars of treatment, there is growing interest in more minimally invasive technologies (eg separation surgery) and non-operative interventions (eg percutaneous cementoplasty, stereotactic radiosurgery). The great expansion of these alternatives to open surgery and the prevalence of adjuvant therapeutic options means that treatment decision making is now complex and reliant upon multidisciplinary collaboration. To help facilitate construction of care plans that meet patient goals and expectations, clinical decision aids and prognostic scores have been developed. These have been shown to have superior predictive value relative to more classic prediction models and may become an increasingly important aspect of the clinical practice of spinal oncology. Here we overview current therapeutic advances in the management of spine metastases and highlight emerging areas for research. Given the rapid advancements in surgical technologies and adjuvants, the field is likely to undergo further transformative changes in the coming decade.

Effect of the Timing of Surgery on Neurological Recovery for Patients with Incomplete Paraplegia Caused by Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effect of timing of surgery on neurological recovery for patients with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC).

Methods

According to the timing of surgery, 75 patients with incomplete paraplegia caused by MSCC were assigned to 3 groups: within 3 days (group A), between 4 days and 7 days (group B), and after 7 days (group C). T-test, one-way ANOVA, Mann–Whitney U-test, and Chi-square test were used to evaluate the difference in the improvement of American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) and ambulatory status, the incidence of perioperative complications, surgical site infection, and the length of hospital stay between 3 groups.

Results

Patients with incomplete paraplegia treated in our department had an average of 17.4±1.8 days delayed and most occurred before hospitalization (4.0±0.4 vs 13.2±1.8, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the AIS improvement between patients with different pre-op AIS. The timing of surgery was significantly correlated with AIS improvement (correlation coefficient=−0.257, P=0.019). Sub-analysis showed that patients who underwent surgery within 7 days (group A and group B) had significantly better AIS improvement compared with group C (improved at least 1 grade, P=0.043; improved more than 1 grade, P=0.039) and the surgery timing was more important for patients with AIS B and C. The timing of surgery was significantly correlated with the length of hospital stay (correlation coefficient=0.335, P=0.003). Patients of group C had the longest length of hospital stay (P=0.002). The incidence of perioperative complications and surgical site infection did not differ significantly between the 3 groups.

Conclusion

Delay surgery was common in incomplete paraplegia patients with MSCC. Patients with AIS B and C who underwent surgery within 7 days had better AIS improvement.

Comprehensive surgical treatment strategy for spinal metastases

The management of patients with spinal metastases (SM) requires a multidisciplinary team of specialists involved in oncological care. Surgical management has evolved significantly over the recent years, which warrants reevaluation of its role in the oncological treatment concept. Any patient with a SM was screened for study inclusion. We report baseline characteristics, surgical procedures, complication rates, functional status and outcome of a large consecutive cohort undergoing surgical treatment according to an algorithm. 667 patients underwent 989 surgeries with a mean age of 65 years (min/max 20–94) between 2007 and 2018. The primary cancers mostly originated from the prostate (21.7%), breast (15.9%) and lung (10.0%). Surgical treatment consisted of dorsoventral stabilization in 69.5%, decompression without instrumentation in 12.5% and kyphoplasty in 18.0%. Overall survival reached 18.4 months (95% CI 9.8–26.9) and the median KPS increased by 10 within hospital stay. Surgical management of SMs should generally represent the first step of a conclusive treatment algorithm. The need to preserve long-term symptom control and biomechanical stability requires a surgical strategy currently not supported by level I evidence.

Solitary late spinal metastasis from apocrine salivary duct carcinoma: Case report

Background

The salivary duct carcinomas (SDCs) are rare, high-grade neoplasms involving major salivary glands. Parotid is the most frequently involved gland (85%). Apocrine phenotype (histological presence of decapitation secretions) and androgen reception expression define SDC. The clinical course of these tumors is characterized by aggressive local behavior with extraglandular extension, high recurrence rates, early metastases, and poor prognoses. Despite aggressive surgical/radiation therapy management, the rates of locoregional and metastatic relapses are high, and the mortality rates over 48 months approach 65%. Notably, there is no treatment algorithm available for managing vertebral metastases from apocrine SDC.

Case Description

An elderly male presented with MR/CT findings of an isolated T11 vertebral metastasis attributed to a previously treated parotid SDC. On both CT/MR, it was an osteolytic lesion and demonstrated spinal canal infiltration. The patient underwent surgical biopsy/decompression/resection, following which the lesion histopathologically proved to be a SDC. The patient was subsequently treated with 30 Gy in 10 fractions within 2 weeks of discharge. One-month later, the MRI confirmed adequate epidural decompression without recurrence, and 9 months post-operatively, patient remained disease free.

Conclusion

Isolated metastasis attributed to parotid SDC followed by radiation therapy may result in tumor control.

Neurological outcomes after surgery for spinal metastases in symptomatic patients: Does the type of decompression play a role? A comparison between different strategies in a 10-year experience

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The achievement of a proper circumferential decompression of the sac instead of simple posterior bilateral laminectomy has been progressively highlighted.

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Since the majority of spinal cord compression involves firstly the ventral part of the sac, circumferential and anterior decompression are associated with better neurological outcomes at discharge and at follow-up, and should be achieved in case of circumferential or anterior/anterolateral compression.

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Post-operative improvement and/or maintenance of ambulation resulted to be a significative protective factor at last follow-up.

Introduction

The impact of neurological deficits plays a role of inestimable importance in patients with a neoplastic disease. The role of surgery for the management of symptomatic spinal cord compression (SSCC) cannot be overemphasized, as surgery represents often the first and paramount step in patients presenting with motor deficits. The traditional paradigm of simple bilateral laminectomy for the treatment of spinal cord compression has been reviewed. The need to achieve a proper circumferential decompression of the spinal sac has been progressively highlighted in combination with the development of the more comprehensive and multidisciplinary concept of separation surgery.

Objective

The aim of this paper is to analyze different strategies of decompression, while evaluating whether circumferential/anterior decompression is able to guarantee a better control and restoration of neurological functions in patients with motor impairment, if compared to traditional posterior decompression.

Materials and methods

This is a retrospective observational study investigating symptomatic patients that underwent surgical treatment for spinal metastases at author’s Institutions from January 2010 to June 2019. Data recorded concerned patient demographics, tumor histology, peri-operative and follow-up neurological status (ASIA), ambulation ability, stability (SINS), grade (ESCC) and source of epidural compression and type of decompression (anterior/anterior-lateral (AD); posterior/posterior-lateral (PD/PDL); circumferential (CD)).

Results

A total number of 84 patients was included. AD/CD patients showed higher chance of neurological improvement and reduced rates of worsening compared to PD/PLD group (94.1%/100% vs 60.4%; 11.8% vs 45.8% respectively). Univariate logistic regression identified immediate post-operative improvement to be a significative protective factor for worsening at last follow-up. Stratifying patients for site of compression and considering anterior and circumferential groups, immediate post-operative neurological improvement, was mostly associated with AD and CD (p 0.011 and 0.025 respectively). Walking at last follow up was influenced by post-operative maintenance of ambulation (p 0.001).

Conclusion

The necessity to remove the epidural metastatic compression from its source should be considered of paramount importance. Since the majority of spinal cord compression involves firstly the ventral part of the sac, CD/AD are associated with better neurological outcomes and should be achieved in case of circumferential or anterior/anterolateral compression.

Separation surgery for metastatic epidural spinal cord compression: A qualitative review

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Separation surgery is a new concept for metastatic spinal cord compression treatment.

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Stereotactic radiosurgery increased local control, overcoming radio-resistance’s idea.

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The surgery goal shifted towards creating targets for radiations avoiding cord damages.

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Minimal invasive strategies could allow quick return to systemic therapies.

Introduction

The new concept of separation surgery has changed the surgical paradigms for the treatment of metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC), shifting from aggressive cytoreductive surgery towards less invasive surgery with the aim to achieve circumferential separation of the spinal cord and create a safe target for high dose Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), which turned out to be the real game-changer for disease’s local control.

Discussion

In this review a qualitative analysis of the English literature has been performed according to the rating of evidence, with the aim to underline the increasingly role of the concept of separation surgery in MESCC treatment. A review of the main steps in the evolution of both radiotherapy and surgery fields have been described, highlighting the important results deriving from their integration.

Conclusion

Compared with more aggressive surgical approaches, the concept of separation surgery together with the advancements of radiotherapy and the use of SBRT for the treatment of MESCC showed promising results in order to achieve a valuable local control while reducing surgical related morbidities and complications.