Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression

Anterior-to-Posterior Epidural Migration of a Lumbar Disc Herniation at L1-L2: A Case Report

Protruded disc fragments that penetrate the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) migrate rostral or caudal in the vertical plane, some laterally in the horizontal plane, or into the foramina involving the anterior aspect of the spinal canal. Often, there is migration to the ventral epidural space. However, posterior epidural migration of a lumbar disc herniation (PEMLDH) is a rare phenomenon that makes the differential diagnosis challenging. We describe a rare case of anterior-to-posterior epidural migration of a lumbar disc herniation at the L1-L2 level. It was treated microsurgically after total laminectomy, and total resection of the lesion was carried out. PEMLDH is a unique condition causing neurological deficits at different levels. Due to different localization of disc herniations, optimal diagnosis becomes critical for determining the timing and type of treatment surgically.

[18F]FDG-PET Evaluation of Spinal Pathology in Patients in Oncology: Pearls and Pitfalls for the Neuroradiologist

[¹⁸F]FDG-PET is a widely used technique for specific evaluation of disease and treatment response in oncology. However, the principles behind [¹⁸F]FDG-PET imaging allow a wide-ranging array of benign and malignant pathologies to be identified on both initial and routine surveillance imaging. This is important for clinicians and radiologists, alike, in that effective and accurate evaluation of malignancy and metastatic disease, specifically involving the spine and central nervous system, is crucial. In this article, we review the normal and posttherapy appearance of the spine on [¹⁸F]FDG-PET, the various types and patterns of metastatic disease that involve the spine and spinal cord, and, finally, important spinal pathologies that may mimic malignancy on [¹⁸F]FDG-PET.

Current Overview of Treatment for Metastatic Bone Disease

The number of patients with bone metastasis increases as medical management and surgery improve the overall survival of patients with cancer. Bone metastasis can cause skeletal complications, including bone pain, pathological fractures, spinal cord or nerve root compression, and hypercalcemia. Before initiation of treatment for bone metastasis, it is important to exclude primary bone malignancy, which would require a completely different therapeutic approach. It is essential to select surgical methods considering the patient’s prognosis, quality of life, postoperative function, and risk of postoperative complications. Therefore, bone metastasis treatment requires a multidisciplinary team approach, including radiologists, oncologists, and orthopedic surgeons. Recently, many novel palliative treatment options have emerged for bone metastases, such as stereotactic body radiation therapy, radiopharmaceuticals, vertebroplasty, minimally invasive spine stabilization with percutaneous pedicle screws, acetabuloplasty, embolization, thermal ablation techniques, electrochemotherapy, and high-intensity focused ultrasound. These techniques are beneficial for patients who may not benefit from surgery or radiotherapy.

Posterior epidural disc fragment masquerading as spinal tumor: Review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Posterior epidural lumbar disc fragment is infrequent because of anatomical barriers, and it is difficult to diagnose posterior epidural lumbar disc fragment because of its rare incidence and the ambiguity of radiologic evaluations. And it is difficult to differentiate it from other diseases such as spinal tumors.

OBJECTIVE

Differential diagnosis of posterior epidural lumbar disc fragment is clinically important because its diagnosis can affect treatment and prognosis. To investigate the incidence, anatomical concern, etiology, symptom, diagnostic tool, management and prognosis of posterior epidural lumbar disc fragment, we reviewed articles including case report.

METHODS

We performed a search of all clinical studies of posterior epidural lumbar disc fragment published to date. The following keywords were searched: Posterior epidural lumbar disc fragment, disc migration, posterior epidural disc, extradural migration, dorsal epidural migration, sequestrated disc, and disc fragment.

RESULTS

We identified 40 patients of posterior epidural lumbar disc fragment from 28 studies. The most common presentation of posterior epidural lumbar disc fragment was sudden onset radiculopathy (70.0%), followed by cauda equina syndrome (27.5%). The most frequently used diagnostic modality was magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), conducted in 36 cases (90.0%), and followed by computed tomography in 14 cases (35.0%). After the imaging studies, the preoperative diagnoses were 45.0% masses, 20.0% lesions, and 12.5% tumors. Characteristic MRI findings in posterior epidural lumbar disc fragment are helpful for diagnosis; it typically displays low signals on T1-weighted images and high signals on T2-weighted images with respect to the parent disc. In addition, most of the disc fragments show peripheral rim enhancement on MRI with gadolinium administration. Electrodiagnostic testing is useful for verifying nerve damage. Surgical treatment was performed in all cases, and neurologic complications were observed in 12.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

As posterior epidural lumbar disc fragment could be masqueraded as spinal tumor, if rim enhancement is observed in MRI scans with sudden symptoms of radiculopathy or cauda equina syndrome, it should be taken into consideration. Early diagnosis can lead to early surgery, which can reduce complications.

Posterior Epidural Migration of a Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Fragment Resembling a Spinal Tumor: A Case Report

Posterior epidural migration of a lumbar intervertebral disc fragment (PEMLIF) is uncommon because of anatomical barriers. It is difficult to diagnose PEMLIF definitively because of its relatively rare incidence and the ambiguity of radiological findings resembling spinal tumors. This case report describes a 76-year-old man with sudden-onset weakness and pain in both legs. Electromyography revealed bilateral lumbosacral polyradiculopathy with a mass-like lesion in L2-3 dorsal epidural space on lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The lesion showed peripheral rim enhancement on T1-weighted MRI with gadolinium administration. The patient underwent decompressive L2-3 central laminectomy, to remove the mass-like lesion. The excised lesion was confirmed as an intervertebral disc. The possibility of PEMLIF should be considered when rim enhancement is observed in the epidural space on MRI scans and electrodiagnostic features of polyradiculopathy with sudden symptoms of cauda equina syndrome.

Solitary spinal epidural metastasis from lung carcinoma

Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-18 FDG PET/CT) has revealed many unusual presentations and early detection of metastasis in many carcinomas. Epidural involvement in the spine is mostly sequelae of direct infiltration from bony involvement. Direct hematogenous spread to epidural space is very rare. Early diagnosis and treatment before the development of permanent neurologic and functional deficits is essential for a favorable prognosis in such cases. We report here a case of solitary spinal epidural metastasis from lung cancer which was the only systemic metastasis detected on F-18 FDG PET/CT and later confirmed by clinical and regional magnetic resonance imaging findings. This report is, to the best of our knowledge, the first description of such a presentation of systemic metastasis from lung cancer on F-18 FDG PET/CT.