Predictors of Functional Outcome after Spinal Ependymoma Resection

Neurologic outcomes for adult spinal cord ependymomas stratified by tumor location: a retrospective cohort study and 2-year outlook

Determine whether craniocaudal spinal cord tumor location affects long-term neurologic outcomes in adults diagnosed with spinal ependymomas (SE). A retrospective cohort analysis of patients aged ≥ 18 years who underwent surgical resection for SE over a ten-year period was conducted. Tumor location was classified as cervical, thoracic, or lumbar/conus. Primary endpoints were post-operative McCormick Neurologic Scale (MNS) scores at < 3 days, 6 weeks, 1 year, and 2 years. One-way ANOVA was performed to detect significant differences in MNS scores between tumor locations. Twenty-eight patients were identified. The average age was 44.2 ± 15.4 years. Sixteen were male, and 13 were female. There were 10 cervical-predominant SEs, 13 thoracic-predominant SEs, and 5 lumbar/conus-predominant SEs. No significant differences were observed in pre-operative MNS scores between tumor locations (p = 0.73). One-way ANOVA testing demonstrated statistically significant differences in post-operative MNS scores between tumor locations at < 3 days (p = 0.03), 6 weeks (p = 0.009), and 1 year (p = 0.003); however, no significant difference was observed between post-operative MNS scores at 2 years (p = 0.13). The mean MNS score for patients with thoracic SEs were higher at all follow-up time points. Tumors arising in the thoracic SE are associated with worse post-operative neurologic outcomes in comparison to SEs arising in other spinal regions. This is likely multifactorial in etiology, owing to both anatomical differences including spinal cord volume as well as variations in tumor characteristics. No significant differences in 2-year MNS scores were observed, suggesting that patients ultimately recover from neurological insult sustained at the time of surgery.

Long-term Neurologic Outcome After Spinal Ependymoma Resection With Multimodal Intraoperative Electrophysiological Recording: Cohort Study and Review of the Literature

Objective

To evaluate how multimodal intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) changes during spinal ependymoma (SE) resection correlate with long-term neuro-functional outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of patients aged 18 years or older who underwent surgical resection for SE over a 10-year period was conducted. IONM changes were defined as sustained transcranial motor evoked potential (TcMEP) and/or somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) signal decrease of 50% or greater from baseline. Primary endpoints were postoperative modified McCormick Neurologic Scale (MNS) scores at postoperative day (POD) < 2, 6 weeks, 1 year, and 2 years. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

Results

Twenty-nine patients were identified. Average age was 44.2±15.4 years. Sixteen (55.2%) were male and 13 (44.8%) were female. Tumor location was 10 cervical-predominant (34.5%), 13 thoracic-predominant (44.8%), and 6 lumbar/conus-predominant (20.7%). A majority (69.0%) were World Health Organization grade 2 tumors. Twentyfour patients (82.8%) achieved gross total resection. Thirteen patients (44.8%) had a sustained documented IONM signal change and 10 (34.5%) had a TcMEP change with or without derangement in SSEP. At POD < 2, 6 weeks, 1 year, and 2 years, MNS was significantly higher for those when analyzing subgroups with either any sustained IONM or TcMEP±SSEP signal attenuation > 50% below baseline (all p<0.05).

Conclusion

Sustained IONM derangements > 50% below baseline, particularly for TcMEP, are significantly associated with higher MNS postoperatively out to 2 years. Intraoperative and postoperative management of these patients warrant special consideration to limit neurologic morbidity.

Neuromuscular rehabilitation interventions and COVID-19 management in a case of incomplete paraplegia with neurogenic bladder, post T3-T5 ependymoma

Spinal ependymomas are a group of mostly slow-growing tumors that can cause non-traumatic spinal cord injury with insidious clinical symptomatology ranging from neck or back pain to as-sociated sensory-motor impairment. Due to their neurological and systemic frailty, patients with spinal cord injury might be especially vulnerable to the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the resulting respiratory impairment. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 66 year old women admitted in our Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Clinic Division for severe in-complete paraplegia and neurogenic bladder. She was previously diagnosed in the Neurosurgi-cal Ward with a thoracic grade II (classic) ependymoma and underwent a gross tumor resection. During the neurorehabilitation program the patient was diagnosed with COVID-19. The multi-drug related treatments were associated with supportive oxygen therapy and neuromuscular and respiratory rehabilitation techniques. RESULTS: Despite of the patient’s favorable rehabili-tation, consisting of walking abilities with support in a walking frame on short distances, her prognosis may be worsened by resting neurogenic bladder symptoms. COVID-19 has led to im-portant acute respiratory morbidity in our patient, regardless of the mild course of the disease, and might further cause a post-infectious respiratory impairment. ONCLUSION: Spinal cord in-jury remains a life-long condition and emphasizes the necessity of supporting the affected pati-ents on the long run. Keywords: students, balance, postural stability, physical exercise, progress, motor skills

Magnetic resonance imaging indicators for neurological outcome after surgery in patients with intramedullary spinal ependymomas

This is a retrospective study. The aim of this study was to determine the indicators of neurological outcome after surgery in patients with intramedullary spinal ependymomas by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).A total of 106 consecutive patients (mean age: 42.4 ± 1.3 years; 52.8% male) diagnosed with intramedullary spinal ependymomas were retrospectively recruited. All patients underwent spine MRI and subsequent surgical resection for the spinal tumors. Data regarding clinical symptoms and pathological grades of tumors were collected from clinical records. The McCormick score was used for grading patients' neurological status before and after surgery at 12 months. Good outcome was defined as stable McCormick score (McC) score (no change of McC score between preoperation and post-operation at 12 months) or improvement in McC score (post-operative McC score at 12 months < preoperative McC score). Poor outcome was determined when there was an increase in McC score at 12 months after surgery. The MRI characteristics of spinal ependymomas between patients with good and poor neurological outcomes were compared. Logistic regression was performed to assess the association between MRI characteristics of tumors and post-operative neurological outcomes.Patients with poor neurological outcomes had larger longitudinal length (4.7 ± 0.5 vs 3.3 ± 0.2, P = .004) and higher enhancement signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) (102.4 ± 12.3 vs 72.8 ± 4.6, P = .022) than those with good neurological outcomes. After adjusting for confounding factors, longitudinal length (OR, 0.768; 95% CI, 0.604-0.976; P = .031) and enhancement SNR (OR, 0.988; 95% CI, 0.978-0.999; P = .026) of spinal ependymomas were significantly associated with poor neurological prognosis.The longitudinal length of tumor and enhancement SNR on T1-weighted images are independently associated with neurological outcome after surgery.

Multisegmental versus monosegmental intramedullary spinal cord ependymomas: perioperative neurological functions and surgical outcomes

Multiple factors, such as tumor size, lateralization, tumor location, accompanying syringomyelia, and regional spinal cord atrophy, may affect the resectability and clinical prognosis of intramedullary spinal cord ependymomas. However, whether long-segmental involvement of the spinal cord may impair functional outcomes remains unclear. This study was aimed to compare perioperative neurological functions and long-term surgical outcomes between multisegmental ependymomas and their monosegmental counterparts. A total of 62 patients with intramedullary spinal cord ependymoma (WHO grade II) were enrolled, and all of them underwent surgical resection. The patients were classified into the multisegmental group (n = 43) and the monosegmental group (n = 19). Perioperative and long-term (average follow-up period, 47.3 ± 21.4 months) neurological functions were evaluated using the modified McCormick (mMC) scale and the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scoring system. Preoperative neurological functions in the multisegmental group were significantly worse than those in the monosegmental group (P < 0.05). However, postoperative short-term neurological functions, as well as long-term functional outcomes, were similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative mMC and mJOA scores were significantly correlated with neurological improvement during the follow-up period (P < 0.05). Multisegmental involvement of the spinal cord is associated with worse neurological functions in patients with intramedullary spinal cord ependymoma, while the long-term prognosis is not affected. The preoperative neurological status of the patient is the only predictor of long-term functional improvement.

A Pain in the Neck - A Case of Intramedullary Spinal Ependymoma

Spinal cord tumors are sporadic and account for around 2%-4% of central nervous system neoplasms. Ependymoma is one of the most common spinal cord neoplasms and can present with different neurological signs and symptoms. They commonly present with neck or back pain and associated neurological involvement, with sensory symptoms usually antedating the motor symptoms. We now present a rare case of spinal ependymoma in a 26-year-old female who presented with isolated neck pain and the absence of other neurological symptoms. Attention to peculiar characteristics like isolated neck pain might be an essential key to early diagnosis and better prognosis.

Comparison of epidemiology, treatments, and outcomes in pediatric versus adult ependymoma

Background

Mounting evidence supports the presence of heterogeneity in the presentation of ependymoma patients with respect to location, histopathology, and behavior between pediatric and adult patients. However, the influence of age on treatment outcomes in ependymoma remains obscure.

Methods

The SEER database years 1975–2016 were queried. Patients with a diagnosis of ependymoma were identified using the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, Third Edition, coding system. Patients were classified into one of 4 age groups: children (age 0–12 years), adolescents (age 13–21 years), young adults (age 22–45 years), and older adults (age >45 years). The weighed multivariate analysis assessed the impact of age on survival outcomes following surgical treatment.

Results

There were a total of 6076 patients identified with ependymoma, of which 1111 (18%) were children, 529 (9%) were adolescents, 2039 (34%) were young adults, and 2397 (40%) were older adults. There were statistically significant differences between cohorts with respect to race (P < .001), anatomical location (P < .001), extent of resection (P < .001), radiation use (P < .001), tumor grade (P < .001), histological classification (P < .001), and all-cause mortality (P < .001). There was no significant difference between cohorts with respect to gender (P = .103). On multivariate logistic regression, factors associated with all-cause mortality rates included males (vs females), supratentorial location (vs spinal cord tumors), and radiation treatment (vs no radiation).

Conclusions

Our study using the SEER database demonstrates the various demographic and treatment risk factors that are associated with increased rates of all-cause mortality between the pediatric and adult populations following a diagnosis of ependymoma.

Radiotherapy in addition to surgical resection may not improve overall survival in WHO grade II spinal ependymomas

OBJECTIVES

Spinal ependymomas are rare intramedullary neoplasms. The paucity of cases limits the ability to conduct large prospective studies. Current guidelines recommend maximal safe resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) in cases of grade II spinal ependymomas with subtotal resections (STR) and all grade III spinal ependymomas. Herein we assess the impact of RT on survival in grades II and III spinal ependymomas.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The National Cancer Database was queried for adult patients with WHO grades II or III spinal ependymomas diagnosed between 2004 and 2014 who underwent resection or biopsy. Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression models were used to determine the impact of radiotherapy on survival.

RESULTS

A total of 1058 patients met inclusion criteria. Most patients (85.9 %) received a biopsy/STR versus gross total resection (GTR, 14.1 %). Radiotherapy was preferentially performed in those with residual tumor (p = 0.001). We found a 10-fold increased hazard of death in grade III versus grade II tumors (HR: 10.33; 95 % CI: 5.01-21.3; p < 0.001). Age positively correlated with worsened survival (HR: 1.04; 95 % CI: 1.02-1.10; p < 0.001). Adjuvant RT did not reduce the hazard of death for the cohort overall (HR: 1.08; 95 % CI: 0.55-2.10; p = 0.810) or among those with grade II tumors (HR: 0.90; 95 % CI: 0.38-2.10; p = 0.810). We found no additional survival benefit of GTR compared to biopsy/STR (HR: 0.52; 95 % CI: 0.19-1.50; p = 0.217).

CONCLUSION

While RT may improve progression-free survival, it may not impact overall survival in surgically resected grade II and III spinal ependymomas. Future studies should evaluate the impact of RT on local recurrence and symptomatic improvement.

Spinal Cord Ependymoma - Surgical Management and Outcome

Background

Ependymoma is a common primary neoplasm of the spinal cord and filum terminale. Patients with spinal ependymoma usually experience gradual symptoms due to slow progression of the tumor; thus, early diagnosis can be challenging to make.

Objective

The objective of this study was to report 5 years' experience in treating spinal intramedullary ependymomas and to illustrate the advantage of aggressive complete resection whenever possible.

Patients and Methods

Retrospective medical notes of all patients with spinal ependymoma treated surgically over a 5-year period between January 2003 and January 2008 were recorded. Clinical presentation, spinal level, extent of resection, and complications were recorded. A prolonged follow-up was documented.

Results

There were 20 patients - 11 males, and nine females -included in this study. Their median age was 48 years (range 3-75 years). In 18 patients, total gross resection was achieved. Subtotal resection was only possible in one patient due to surgical difficulty. One patient underwent biopsy and referred for further surgery and subsequently had total resection.

Conclusions

Radical total resection is achievable in spinal ependymomas, with minimal resultant morbidity.

Diagnosis and rehabilitation of a pregnant woman with spinal cord disorder due to spinal cord tumor

Introduction

Spinal cord tumors are a rare cause of spinal cord disorder (SCD). Early diagnosis can be challenging, especially in patient populations with other potential etiologies for back pain, such as pregnant women.

Case presentation

A 28-year-old female presented at 8 weeks gestation with thoracic back pain initially diagnosed as gestational low back pain. Her symptoms progressed to lower extremity weakness. After diagnosis and resection of a spinal cord ependymoma, we collaborated with the inpatient interdisciplinary team to devise a rehabilitation program focused on minimizing pregnancy-related complications and optimizing care of a newborn in the setting of a new paraplegia.

Discussion

Providers should not assume all pregnant women with low back pain have gestational back pain, as it can be due to more insidious causes. The rehabilitation course for women who develop an SCD during gestation should be carefully tailored toward their pre- and post-natal care and with the education of how the disorder can affect pregnancy and parenting.