En Bloc Resection of Solitary Functional Secreting Spinal Metastasis

A blinded study using laser induced endogenous fluorescence spectroscopy to differentiate ex vivo spine tumor, healthy muscle, and healthy bone

Ten patients undergoing surgical resection for spinal tumors were selected. Samples of tumor, muscle, and bone were resected, de-identified by the treating surgeon, and then scanned with the TumorID technology ex vivo. This study investigates whether TumorID technology is able to differentiate three different human clinical fresh tissue specimens: spine tumor, normal muscle, and normal bone. The TumorID technology utilizes a 405 nm excitation laser to target endogenous fluorophores, thereby allowing for the detection of tissue based on emission spectra. Metabolic profiles of tumor and healthy tissue vary, namely NADH (bound and free emission peak, respectively: 487 nm, 501 nm) and FAD (emission peak: 544) are endogenous fluorophores with distinct concentrations in tumor and healthy tissue. Emission spectra analyzed consisted of 74 scans of spine tumor, 150 scans of healthy normal bone, and 111 scans of healthy normal muscle. An excitation wavelength of 405 nm was used to obtain emission spectra from tissue as previously described. Emission spectra consisted of approximately 1400 wavelength intensity pairs between 450 and 750 nm. Kruskal-Wallis tests were conducted comparing AUC distributions for each treatment group, α = 0.05. Spectral signatures varied amongst the three different tissue types. All pairwise comparisons among tissues for Free NADH were statistically significant (Tumor vs. Muscle: p = 0.0006, Tumor vs. Bone: p < 0.0001, Bone vs. Muscle: p = 0.0357). The overall comparison of tissues for FAD (506.5-581.5 nm) was also statistically significant (p < 0.0001), with two pairwise comparisons being statistically significant (Tumor vs. Muscle: p < 0.0001, Tumor vs. Bone: p = 0.0045, Bone vs. Muscle: p = 0.249). These statistically significant differences were maintained when stratifying tumor into metastatic carcinoma (N = 57) and meningioma (N = 17). TumorID differentiates tumor tissue from normal bone and normal muscle providing further clinical evidence of its efficacy as a tissue identification tool. Future studies should evaluate TumorID's ability to serve as an adjunctive tool for intraoperative assessment of surgical margins and surgical decision-making.

[Translated article] Vertebral metastases. En bloc treatment

En bloc resection of vertebral metastases has been the subject of study in medical literature due to its impact on patients' quality of life and effectiveness in local disease control. This bibliographic analysis examines the findings and perspectives of published studies concerning en bloc resection of oligometastases in the spine. The technique, which involves the complete removal of the tumour along with a portion of the surrounding bone, has been shown to improve local tumour control, reduce recurrence, and potentially prolong patient survival compared to conventional decompression and stabilisation techniques. However, en bloc resection also presents risks and complications, such as surgical morbidity and extended recovery time. Appropriate patient selection, preoperative planning, and a multidisciplinary approach are essential to optimise outcomes. As new techniques and advances in adjuvant treatment develop, en bloc resection of oligometastases in the spine remains an area of interest in oncological research.

Vertebral metastases. En bloc treatment

En bloc resection of vertebral metastases has been the subject of study in medical literature due to its impact on patients' quality of life and effectiveness in local disease control. This bibliographic analysis examines the findings and perspectives of published studies concerning en bloc resection of oligometastases in the spine. The technique, which involves the complete removal of the tumour along with a portion of the surrounding bone, has been shown to improve local tumour control, reduce recurrence, and potentially prolong patient survival compared to conventional decompression and stabilization techniques. However, en bloc resection also presents risks and complications, such as surgical morbidity and extended recovery time. Appropriate patient selection, preoperative planning, and a multidisciplinary approach are essential to optimize outcomes. As new techniques and advances in adjuvant treatment develop, en bloc resection of oligometastases in the spine remains an area of interest in oncological research.

Clinical analysis of percutaneous kyphoplasty for spinal metastases in older adults with comorbidities

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for spinal metastases in older adult patients with comorbidities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-two older adults (age ≥ 60 years) with spinal metastases who underwent 148 PKP procedures were retrospectively analyzed. Tokuhashi scores, Tomita scores, age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (aCCI) scores, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores were evaluated before the procedure. The visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), vertebral body height (VBH), and quality of life (QoL) were used to assess the efficacy of the procedure. Clinical safety was evaluated based on periprocedural complications.

RESULTS

Tokuhashi scores and Tomita scores were 7.3 ± 4.0 and 5.8 ± 2.1, respectively. Excluding cancer-related factors, twelve patients (13.0%) had aCCI scores ≥4. Forty-three patients (46.7%) had ASA status ≥ III. Compared to preoperative status, average VAS scores, ODI scores, VBH variation, and QoL scores significantly improved at each follow-up examination point after PKP (p < 0.001). No major complications occurred, nor was there decompensation of comorbidities in the perioperative period. Seventeen segments (11.5%) of twelve patients (13.0%) suffered bone cement leakage. Among them, one patient suffered intercostal neuralgia cured by steroid injection, and the other patient suffered hyperesthesia, which disappeared after taking gabapentin (0.3 g, bid) for five weeks. Another minor complication of local hematoma occurred in one patient, which spontaneously resolved without surgical intervention.

DISCUSSION

PKP serves as a safe approach to provide significant pain relief, vertebral body height restoration, and QoL improvements for spinal metastases in older adults, independent of underlying disease.

Symptomatic spinal metastases from neuroendocrine neoplasms: surgical outcomes and prognostic analysis

OBJECTIVES

In this article, we investigated the efficiency of surgery in treating symptomatic spinal metastases from neuroendocrine neoplasms and performed univariate analysis for identification of possible prognostic factors.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed, enrolling a total of 19 patients who received surgeries in our center for symptomatic spinal metastases from neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN). The Kaplan-Meier method was adopted to estimate overall survival (OS) and recurrence free survival (RFS). Univariate analysis was performed for identification of possible prognostic factors.

RESULTS

All patients recruited displayed stable recovery after surgical intervention, with a median OS of 27.3 months (95% Confidence Interval: 16.4-38.1 months) and a median RFS of 23.0 months (95% Confidence Interval: 12.1-33.8 months). Postoperatively, 15 patients exhibited improved neurological function based on the Frankel classification, while 16 patients experienced significant pain relief, with mean visual analog scale (VAS) score decreasing from 7.47 ± 2.32-2.47 ± 1.25 (p < 0.05). Univariate analysis revealed that the presence of visceral metastases (p = 0.034) and extraspinal bone metastases (p = 0.016) are both related with poor prognosis. Additionally, well histologic differentiation (p = 0.010) and administration of postoperative octreotide (p = 0.041) or bisphosphonate (p = 0.023) are all indicators for better outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery is an efficient option for treating symptomatic spinal metastases from NEN due to its immediate and assured benefits in pain alleviation, restoration of function and stability reconstruction.

Vertebral Artery Sacrifice versus Skeletonization in the Setting of Cervical Spine Tumor Resection: Case Series

OBJECTIVE

Tumors of the cervical spine often encase 1 or both vertebral arteries (VA), presenting the treating surgeon with the dilemma of whether to sacrifice or skeletonize the artery. We propose an algorithm for VA management in surgeries for cervical neoplasms METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out of 67 patients undergoing resection of cervical spine tumors with VA involvement. Patients were categorized by tumor origin (primary vs. metastatic) and degree of circumferential VA involvement: 1) abutment only; 2) <180° circumferential involvement; 3) >180° circumferential involvement without complete encasement; or 4) complete encasement.

RESULTS

Twelve patients (18%) underwent VA sacrifice, whereas 55 (82%) underwent VA skeletonization. Compared with 11/30 patients with primary tumors (37%), only 1/37 patients (3%) with metastatic disease underwent VA sacrifice (P < 0.01). This patient had invasion of the V2 arterial wall, requiring VA sacrifice. Odds of VA sacrifice also increased with increasing circumferential involvement (P < 0.01). No patients with simple abutment or 0°-180° circumferential involvement underwent sacrifice, whereas 6 of 10 (60%) with 180°-359° involvement and 6 of 29 (21%) with complete encasement underwent VA sacrifice. Of the 27 patients with ≥180° involvement, the reasons for preserving the VA were metastatic disease at the time of treatment (n = 18), a compromised contralateral VA (n = 7), vertebrobasilar junction aplasia (n = 1), and presence of a radiculomedullary artery at the affected level (n = 1).

CONCLUSIONS

Primary tumor disease and >180° of circumferential VA involvement should be considered as indications for intraoperative sacrifice of the VA pending preoperative angiographic evaluation for contraindications.

Total en bloc resection of primary and metastatic spine tumors

Primary and metastatic tumors of the spine represent a significant cause of patient morbidity, and present a management challenge to treating providers. From a neurosurgical standpoint, resection surgery may be warranted in cases of spinal instability, progressive disease, neurological compromise, or intractable symptoms. Removal of a tumor "en bloc" offers a more aggressive modality over more conservative resection techniques. En bloc resection entails the removal of the entirety of a tumor without violation of its capsule, and may offer improved rates of local control and overall survival in appropriately selected patients. Conversely, this technique carries a higher complication rate, and requires a unique set of technical skills as compared to more traditional resection. Here, we describe the technical aspects of en bloc resection, as well as specific indications and considerations when employing this operative technique.

Advances in personalized treatment of metastatic spine disease

The spine is one of the most common sites of bony metastases, and its involvement leads to significant patient morbidity. Surgical management in these patients is aimed at improving quality of life and functional status throughout the course of the disease. Resection of metastases often leads to critical size bone defects, presenting a challenge to achieving adequate bone regeneration to fill the void. Current treatment options for repairing these defects are bone grafting and commercial bone cements; however, each has associated limitations. Additionally, tumor recurrence and tumor-induced bone loss make bone regeneration particularly difficult. Systemic therapeutic delivery, such as bisphosphonates, have become standard of care to combat bone loss despite unfavorable systemic side-effects and lack of local efficacy. Developments from tissue engineering have introduced novel materials with osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties which also act as structural support scaffolds for bone regeneration. These new materials can also act as a therapeutic reservoir to sustainably release drugs locally as an alternative to systemic therapy. In this review, we outline recent advancements in tissue engineering and the role of translational research in developing implants that can fully repair bone defects while also delivering local therapeutics to curb tumor recurrence and improve patient quality of life.

Surgical management of spinal metastases

INTRODUCTION

Metastatic spinal disease is a source of significant morbidity in patients with cancer. Recent advancements in adjuvant oncologic therapy has led to increased survival for many patients who harbor neoplastic disease. As a result of this, the chance of developing metastatic spinal disease over the course of a cancer patient's lifespan has increased. Symptomatic metastatic spinal disease can cause significant morbidity including severe pain, neurologic deficit, and loss of ambulation. Current treatment of these patients typically involves the use of multiple modalities, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Areas covered: An extensive literature review was performed to support the author's opinion on the matter of surgical management of spinal metastatic disease. Pubmed was utilized as a primary search engine. Expert commentary: Despite advances in chemotherapy and radiation therapy, surgery remains a mainstay in many of these patients, particularly with those with either significant metastatic spinal epidural compression or spinal instability. This review discusses the surgical management of metastatic spinal disease including a framework for decision making and technical considerations when deciding to operate on these patients.

Malignant pheochromocytoma with multiple vertebral metastases causing acute incomplete paralysis during pregnancy: Literature review with one case report

RATIONALE

We present a rare case of malignant pheochromocytoma with thoracic metastases during pregnancy that presented with symptoms of myelopathy and was treated with circumferential decompression, stabilization, and radiation. The management of this unique case is not well documented. The clinical manifestations, imaging results, pathological characteristics, treatment and prognosis of the case were analyzed.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 26-year-old pregnant woman with a history of paroxysmal hypertension during the second trimester presented with lower extremity weakness, numbness, urinary incontinence, and back pain. Imaging studies revealed a right adrenal pheochromocytoma, multiple metastases at T8, T11, T12, and the pelvis girdle causing significant multilevel cord compression and significant osteolytic lesions at T11 and T12.

DIAGNOSES

We believe this is the first reported case of metastatic pheochromocytoma of the thoracic spine presenting with symptoms of myelopathy during pregnancy.

INTERVENTIONS

A healthy neonate was delivered by emergency caesarean section at 34 weeks. Subsequently, the patient underwent a circumferential spinal cord decompression and a stabilization procedure.

OUTCOMES

The patient's neurological deficits improved significantly after the surgery, and the postoperative period was uneventful at the 6-month follow-up visit.

LESSONS

This article emphasizes that metastatic pheochromocytoma of the spine, although rare, should be part of the differential when a patient presents with elevated blood pressure, weakness, and urinary incontinence.