Total spondylectomy and spinal shortening for giant-cell tumour of spine

Clinical results of total en bloc spondylectomy using a single posterior approach in spinal metastasis patients: Experiences from Thailand

AIM

To demonstrate a single posterior approach, total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) could be performed safely without preoperative embolization in spinal metastasis patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirteen solitary spinal metastasis patients (five males) underwent single posterior approach TES at the thoracolumbar spine without preoperative embolization from January 2018 to January 2020. The primary sites were the breast (n = 4), hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 2), colon (n = 2), and others (n = 5). All patients underwent single posterior TES. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, Frankel neurological status, operative time and blood loss, and any complications were all recorded. The patients were regularly followed-up with radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging to detect any local recurrences.

RESULTS

The mean operative time was 354.6 min, and the mean operative blood loss was 2134.62 ml. None of the patients experienced any perioperative complications. Within the follow-up period (3-24 months), no local recurrences were detected. Two patients (15.38%) were found to have distant metastasis to adjacent and remote vertebrae. Three patients were lost to follow-up, and three patients died of disease. Six patients showed an improved ECOG functional status by at least one grade. Four of Frankel A patients improved their neurological status by at least one grade.

CONCLUSION

Even without embolization, single posterior TES at the thoracolumbar spine is safe and effective for short-term local control in solitary spinal metastasis. However, TES cannot prevent distant metastasis. Longer-term follow-up studies will be able to further identify the benefits of TES for the long-term local control of diseases.

Total en bloc spondylectomy is worth doing in complete paralysis spinal giant cell tumor, a minimum 1-year follow-up

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the neurological recovery of Frankel A spinal giant cell tumor (GCT) patients after they had received a Total En Bloc Spondylectomy (TES).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively recorded data of three patients (two females) with mobile spine GCT (T6, T10, and L2) Enneking stage III with complete paralysis before surgery, who had undergone TES in our institute from January 2018 to September 2020. The duration of neurologic recovery to Frankel E was the primary outcome. The intra-operative blood loss, operative time, operative-related complications, and the local recurrence were the secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

The duration of suffering from Frankel A to TES surgery was 2 months for the T6 patient, 3 weeks for the T10 patient, and 1 month for the L2 patient. Three patients had achieved full neurological recovery to Frankel E within 6 months after TES (T6 for 5 months, T10 for 3 months, and L2 for 3 months). The average blood loss was 2833.33 ml and the mean operative time was 400 min. Up until the last follow-up (13-25 months), no evidence of local recurrences had been found in any of the three patients.

CONCLUSION

Frankel A spinal GCT patients can achieve full neurological recovery after TES, if the procedure is performed within 3 months after complete paraplegia. TES can effectively control any local recurrences.

Management of thoracic spine dislocation by total vertebrectomy and spine shortening: case report

INTRODUCTION

The treatment of thoracic spine fracture-dislocations is now well established with the recent progress in spine surgery. Although most affected individuals have a degree of spinal cord injury (SCI), early surgical reduction, and stabilization of the unstable deformity allow an immediate program of rehabilitation. Vertebrectomy is considered as the last surgical technique reserved for the most persistent spinal deformities that cannot be brought to an acceptable correction with less invasive methods.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case of a 19-year-old male with a sub-acute thoracic spine fracture-dislocation at the level of T7-T8 who underwent a posterior T8 vertebrectomy with reduction and instrumentation from T4 down to T1. The individual had excellent results during follow-ups regarding alignment, fusion, and rehab program.

DISCUSSION

In this case, we present the good outcome of vertebrectomy and spine shortening in an individual with thoracic spine fracture-dislocation, and the advantages of posterior approach.

Total en bloc spondylectomy of T11 and spine shortening performed on a 17-month-old patient: art of the possible

STUDY DESIGN

Case report.

PURPOSE

The authors used spine shortening as an alternative strategy to intercalary graft fixation to restore permanent spine stability for a 17-month-old infant who received total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) of T11 to treat an embryonic rhabdomyosarcoma. TES involves complete removal of vertebra, compensated by spine reconstruction using intercalary allografts and permanent posterior instrumentation, which is not possible for skeletally immature patients with high growth potential and non-ossified vertebrae.

METHODS

Surgery was performed over two consecutive days. During the first day, the tumor was released from its dorsal attachments through the posterior approach. During the second day, the tumor was dissected and excised through the anterior approach, leaving a gap between T10 and T12. The two vertebrae were then drawn toward each other until the gap was bridged. The dural sac slipped into the canal under T10 and T12 with no observable kinking.

RESULTS

Fifteen weeks after surgery, thoraco-abdominal CT confirmed fusion of the T10 and T12 vertebral bodies. Three years later, the patient lives a normal life with no major neurological deficits or recurrence of sarcoma.

CONCLUSIONS

This case report is the first to demonstrate the feasibility of TES with spine shortening of an entire thoracic segment without spine kinking or damage in an infant. This unprecedented surgical technique allowed complete removal of an embryonic rhabdomyosarcoma, while granting rapid stability and growth potential.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Total vertebrectomy and spine shortening for the treatment of T12-L1 spine dislocation: Management with suboptimal resources

Total vertebrectomy with spine shortening has been reported for the treatment of difficult cases of traumatic spine dislocation, both in acute and chronic phase. We report an exceptional case of a five-week-old T12-L1 spine dislocation in a 25-year-old female with complete paraplegia as a result of trauma in Ciudad de León (Nicaragua). In view of the time since the dislocation, we performed a complete L1 vertebrectomy in order to reduce the dorsolumbar hinge. For osteosynthesis material we had only eight screws and two Steffee plates. We therefore introduced pedicle screws at levels T11, T12, L2 and L3 on the right side and T11, T12, L3 and L4 on the left, and performed manual reduction of the spine. Steffee plates were placed and we added sublaminar wires to reinforce the osteosynthesis. Fifteen months after surgery, there has been no neurological improvement.

Treatment of subacute thoracic spine fracture-dislocation by total vertebrectomy and spine shortening: technical note

Vertebral resection with spine shortening has been primarily reported for the treatment of demanding cases of nontraumatic disorders. Recently, this technique has been applied to the treatment of traumatic disorders. The current treatment of vertebral fracture-dislocation when there is partial or total telescoping of the involved vertebrae is a combined anterior-posterior approach with corpectomy, anterior support implant, and further posterior instrumentation. These procedures usually require 2 surgical teams, involve longer operating times and greater risk of surgical complications related to the anterior approach, and commonly entail longer postoperative care before discharge. The authors report on 2 patients with high thoracic fracture-dislocations with telescoping (T-2 and T-4) who were treated in the subacute phase with total spondylectomy (T-3 and T-5, respectively) and spine shortening by using only a posterior approach. Complete recovery of the sagittal balance was achieved with this technique and the postoperative periods were clinically uneventful. One patient presented with asymptomatic hemothorax that did not require drainage. In paraplegic patients with anterior thoracic dislocation fractures in which one vertebral body blocks the reduction of the other, total spondylectomy and spine shortening seem to be a reasonably safe and effective technique.

Giant cell tumor of the fifth lumbar vertebra with a three-year follow-up: case report and review of the literature

We report the case of a patient with giant cell tumor of the L5 vertebra. A 35-year-old female patient with giant cell tumor of the L5 vertebra was subjected to a combined treatment. Three years after treatment, there is no recurrence of the disease and no increase in the residual tumor's size. Giant cell tumor of the L5 vertebra requires careful planning of treatment and close follow-up of the patient.

Administration of sodium ibandronate in the treatment of complicated giant cell tumor of the spine

STUDY DESIGN

Case study.

OBJECTIVE

To present three complicated cases of giant cell tumor of the spine treated with sodium ibandronate.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Spinal giant cell tumors are a rare clinical entity with a high recurrence rate after operation. Furthermore, complete resection of such lesions remains a challenging surgical problem. Up to this point, no effective adjuvant therapy has been reported for primary or recurrent spinal giant cell tumors.

METHODS

One patient with a recurrent giant cell tumor of the seventh thoracic vertebra, one patient with a fifth lumbar vertebral giant cell tumor, and one patient with recurrent giant cell tumor of the sacrum were treated with sodium ibandronate either postoperatively or upon recurrence of the tumor.

RESULTS

The first patient with recurrent thoracic giant cell tumor recovered both clinically and radiologically after treatment with sodium ibandronate without reoperation at 6-years follow-up. The second patient also recovered with no recurrence of the tumor at 4-years follow-up. In the third case, although not fully recovered, the recurrent sacral tumor was under control after treatment with sodium ibandronate at 2-years follow-up.

CONCLUSION

These case studies demonstrate the potential promise of using sodium ibandronate in the treatment of primary and recurrent giant cell tumors of the spine. Furthermore, clinical evaluation should be performed in future studies.

Double-level posterior spinal shortening for paralytic osteoporotic vertebral collapse of two vertebral bodies with a normal vertebra in between: a case report

INTRODUCTION

Spinal shortening is indicated for osteoporotic vertebral collapse. However, this surgical procedure has not been indicated for more than two vertebral levels that are not adjacent. We experienced a rare case of paraparesis due to osteoporotic vertebral collapse of two vertebral bodies with a normal vertebra in between and treated successfully by the double-level posterior shortening procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 79-year-old woman suffered from delayed paraparesis 2 years after L1 and Th11 vertebral body compression fracture. Plain X-ray photographs showed Th11 and L1 vertebral body collapse, Th7 compression fracture and a kyphosis angle of 30 degrees from Th10 to L2. Plain magnetic resonance imaging showed spinal canal stenosis at Th11 and L1 vertebral body levels. She was treated by double-level posterior spinal shortening using pedicle screw and hook systems.

RESULTS

After the procedure, the patient's kyphosis angle decreased to 10 degrees and her back pain, leg pain, and sensory deficits improved. She was able to walk by herself. Although new vertebral compression fractures occurred at L4 and L5 in the follow-up period, there has been no deterioration of the neurological symptoms 5 years after the operation.

CONCLUSION

Delayed paraparesis after double-level thoracolumbar vertebral collapse due to osteoporosis was treated successfully by double-level posterior spinal shortening using a pedicle screw and hook system.

Giant cell tumor of the spine

Giant cell tumors are benign but locally aggressive neoplasms that typically affect the extremities. When involving the spine, the tumors occur predominantly in the sacrum. Gross total resection of the tumor with wide margins yields good results in terms of survival. However, it carries a significant potential for morbidity and disability. Subtotal resection with adjuvant radiation carries a risk for recurrence or, more concerning, sarcomatous malignant transformation. Endovascular tumor embolizations have also been attempted to control unresectable tumors, and have been performed with moderate degrees of success. Outcomes are analyzed outcomes following surgery, radiation therapy, and tumor embolization.

Giant cell tumor of fifth lumbar vertebrae: two case reports and review of the literature

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

complete or total en bloc spondylectomy has been recommended for giant cell tumors of the spine. Wide local resection of the fifth lumbar vertebra carries potential risks of major complications because of its anatomical features. Only nine cases of the giant cell tumors involving the fifth lumbar vertebra have been reported in the literature.

PURPOSE

to present two cases of giant cell tumor of the fifth lumbar vertebra treated by single-stage combined anterior and posterior tumor resection over 7 years of follow-up.

STUDY DESIGN

Case report and a review of literature.

METHODS

A 33-year-old female and a 20-year-old female, each diagnosed with giant cell tumor of fifth lumbar vertebra, underwent single-stage tumor resection through a combined posterior and retroperitoneal anterior approach.

RESULTS

The resection of the fifth lumbar vertebra was completed in the first case without major perioperative complications. In the second case, massive bleeding during the anterior procedure for resection of the vertebral body interrupted the total resection of the tumor, resulting in possible residual tumor which required adjuvant radiotherapy. The patients recovered both clinically and neurologically after the operation. Spinal reconstruction was maintained, and no recurrence of the tumor was evident at the 7-year and 8-year follow-up, respectively.

CONCLUSION

There was no recurrence of the tumor after the combined single-stage anterior and posterior tumor resection and adjuvant radiotherapy for the second case for over 7 years follow-up. However, complete resection of the vertebra and tumor at the fifth lumbar vertebra is still challenging to accomplish.

Total L-5 spondylectomy and reconstruction of the lumbosacral junction

✓The authors describe a technique for total L-5 spondylectomy and reconstruction of the lumbosacral junction. The technique, which involves separately staged posterior and anterior procedures, is reported in two patients harboring neoplasms that involved the L-5 level. The first stage consisted of a posterior approach with removal of all posterior bone elements of L-5 and radical L4–5 and L5–S1 discectomies. Lumbosacral and lumbopelvic instrumentation included pedicle screws as well as iliac screws or a transiliac rod. The second stage consisted of an anterior approach with mobilization of vascular structures, completion of L4–5 and L5–S1 discectomies, and removal of the L-5 vertebral body. Anterior lumbosacral reconstruction included placement of a distractable cage and tension band between L-4 and S-1. Allograft bone was used for fusion in both stages. No significant complications were encountered. At more than 1 year of follow-up, both patients were independently ambulatory, without evidence of recurrent or metastatic disease, and adequate lumbosacral alignment was maintained. The authors conclude that this technique can be safely performed in appropriately selected patients with neoplasms involving L-5.

Influence of acute shortening on the spinal cord: an experimental study

STUDY DESIGN

Morphometric changes of the spinal cord and influence on spinal cord-evoked potentials and spinal cord blood flow and postoperative function of hind limbs were studied in various degrees of acute spinal column shortening in dogs.

OBJECTIVES

To study the morphometric and physiologic effects of acute spinal column shortening on the spinal cord.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The technique of acute spinal column shortening is sometimes applied for correction of spinal deformity, total en bloc spondylectomy operation, or other diseases. However, safe limits and physiologic effects of acute spinal column shortening have not yet been described.

METHODS

Total spondylectomy of T13 was performed in dogs after spinal instrumentation placed 2 levels above and 2 levels below the spondylectomy level. Spinal column was gradually shortened until the lower endplate of T12 contacted the L1 upper endplate (maximum of 20 mm). When any morphologic change of the dural sac or the spinal cord was observed, the length of shortening was measured. Spinal cord-evoked potentials were recorded on the exposed dura mater following epidural stimulation at the C7 level in 8 dogs. Spinal cord blood flow was measured during shortening in 6 dogs. Hindlimb function was evaluated 2 weeks after operation in 10 dogs.

RESULTS

No morphometric changes occurred in the dural sac and the spinal cord until shortening of 7.2 +/- 1.7 mm (n = 6). From 7.2 +/- 1.7 to 12.5 +/- 1.1 mm shortening, the dural sac was deformed, whereas the spinal cord maintained its shape. Shortening more than 12.5 +/- 1.1 mm buckled the dural sac, and the spinal cord kinked itself and was compressed by the buckled dura in its concave side (n = 6). No changes could be detected in spinal cord-evoked potentials in 5 or 10 mm of shortening. Spinal cord-evoked potential changes were recorded in the 2 of 6 dogs with 15 mm of shortening. At 20 mm of shortening, spinal cord-evoked potential abnormality was observed in 4 of 6 dogs. At shortening of 5, 10, 15, and 20 mm, spinal cord blood flow was 146 +/- 10%, 160 +/- 21%, 102 +/- 17%, and 93 +/- 7% of the control (29.2 +/- 7.9 mL/100 g/min, n = 6), respectively. All 3 dogs with 10 mm ofshortening had normal hindlimb function 2 weeks after operation. One of the 3 dogs with 15 mm of shortening had paraparesis. Three of the 4 dogs with 20 mm of shortening had also paraparesis after operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute spinal column shortening can be characterized into 3 phases. Phase 1, safe range: occurred during shortening within one-third of the vertebral segment and is characterized by no deformity of the dural sac or the spinal cord. Phase 2, warning range: occurred during spinal shortening between one-third and two-thirds of the vertebral segment and is characterized by shrinking and buckling of the dural sac and no deformity of the spinal cord. Phase 3, dangerous range: occurred after shortening in excess of two-thirds of the vertebral segment and is characterized by spinal cord deformity and compression by the buckled dura. Spinal shortening within the safe range increases spinal cord blood flow.

T12-L1 telescoped chronic dislocation treated by en bloc one-piece spondylectomy and spine shortening

The author presents a case in which a severe chronic thoracolumbar kyphotic posttraumatic deformity was corrected by a one-block spondylectomy with spine shortening, using a posterior approach. A 19-year-old paraplegic woman was admitted with a chronic deformity of the thoracolumbar spine due to a telescoped posterior dislocation of L1 on T12, which had occurred 8 months earlier. Single reduction by axial traction was impossible. Surgical correction was achieved by means of a total, one-block, L1 spondylectomy and end-to-end apposition of the T12 inferior platform onto the L2 superior platform. This was performed through a posterior approach. The reduction was fixed by a pedicular instrumentation extended from T10 to L4. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case in which the spondylectomy was performed in a single block including the vertebral body and posterior arch in the same piece. Five years following surgery, the clinical result is excellent with complete correction of the deformity and solid interbody vertebral fusion. The complete transection of the spinal cord permitted this aggressive approach, which would have not been possible in other types of pathology.