Humans ; Ependymoma/secondary* ; Brain Neoplasms/pathology* ; Skin Neoplasms ; Melanoma ; Spinal Cord Neoplasms/pathology*

The spine is the most common site of bone metastases from malignant tumors, with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression occurring in about 10% of patients with spinal metastases. Palliative radiotherapy and simple laminectomy and decompression have been the main treatments for metastatic spinal cord compression. The former is ineffective and delayed for radiation-insensitive tumors, and the latter often impairs spinal stability. With the continuous improvement of surgical techniques and instrumentation in recent years, the treatment model of spinal metastases has changed a lot. Decompression surgery underwent open decompression, separation surgery, minimally invasive surgery and laser interintermal thermal ablation decompression. However, no matter what kind of surgical plan is adopted, it should be assessed precisely according to the specific situation of the patient to minimize the risk of surgery as far as possible to ensure the smooth follow-up radiotherapy. This paper reviews the research progress of decompression for spinal metastases.
Humans ; Spinal Cord Compression/surgery* ; Spinal Neoplasms/secondary* ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Spine/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Humans ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous/complications* ; Neuroglia ; Pruritus/pathology* ; Skin Neoplasms/complications* ; Spinal Cord/pathology* ; Sympathetic Nervous System

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility and key technology of microscopic resection of lumbar intraspinal tumor through microchannel keyhole approach. METHODS: The clinical features, imaging characteristics and surgical methods of 54 cases of lumbar intraspinal tumor which were microscopically operated by microchannel from February 2017 to September 2019 were reviewed and analyzed. There were 8 cases of extradural tumor, 3 cases of extra-and intradural tumor and 43 cases of subdural extramedullary tumor (including 3 cases of ventral spinal tumor). The tumors were 0.5-3.0 cm in diameter. The clinical symptoms included 49 cases of pain in the corresponding innervation area, 5 cases of sensory disturbance (numbness) at or below the tumor segment, 7 cases of limb weakness and 2 cases of urination and defecation dysfunction. RESULTS: In the study, 37 tumors were resected through hemilaminectomy, 14 tumors were resected through interlaminar fenestration, 3 tumors were resected through hemilaminectomy or interlaminar fenestration combined with facetectomy of medial 1/4 facet. All of the 54 tumors were totally resected. The operation time was 75-135 min, with an average of 93.3 min. The postoperative hospital stay was 4-7 days, with an average of 5.7 days. Postoperative pathology included 34 cases of schwannoma, 4 cases of meningioma, 9 cases of ependymoma, 1 case of enterogenous cyst, 5 cases of teratoma/epidermoid/dermoid cyst, and 1 case of paraganglioma. No infection or cerebrospinal fluid leakage was found after operation. No neurological dysfunction occurred except 1 case of urination dysfunction and 4 cases of limb numbness. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 33 months with an average of 14.4 months. Five patients with new onset symptoms returned to normal. The pain symptoms of 49 patients were completely relieved; 4 of 5 patients with hypoesthesia recovered completely, the other 1 patient had residual mild hypoesthesia; 7 patients with limb weakness, and 2 patients with urination and defecation dysfunction recovered to normal. No spinal instability or deformity was found, and no recurrence or residual tumors were found. According to McCormick classification, they were of all grade Ⅰ. CONCLUSION The lumbar intraspinal extramedullary tumors within two segments (including the ventral spinal tumors) can be totally resected at stage Ⅰ through microchannel keyhole approach with appropriate selection of the cases. Microchannel technique is beneficial to preserve the normal structure and muscle attachment of lumbar spine, and to maintain the integrity and stability of lumbar spine.
Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Meningeal Neoplasms ; Pain ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Neoplasms/surgery* ; Spinal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

The morbidity and mortality of prostate cancer ascend yearly, which seriously threatens the health of the male population. Bone is the main metastasis site of prostate cancer, with bone metastases and skeletal-related events (SREs) occuring in more than 70% of patients with advanced prostate cancer. Bone metastases and the resulting SREs, such as spinal cord compression and pathological fracture, seriously affect the life quality of the patients. Although the active treatments of the primary disease is important, the application of bone-modifying agents to prevent SREs cannot be overlooked. However, there is no standard treatment procedure for the bone metastasis of prostate cancer at present. According to the clinical status, the Genitourinary Oncology Committee of Chinese Anti-cancer Association formulated this consensus, which integrated clinical evidence and real world clinical practices in China and abroad, to help clinicians make more accurate diagnosis and treatment for the bone metastases of prostate cancer with multidisciplinary strategies.
Bone Neoplasms ; Bone and Bones ; Consensus ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Spinal Cord Compression/etiology*

Myeloid sarcoma, characterized by the presence of immature myeloid cells occurring at an extramedullary site, is a rare manifestation of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Spinal cord compression as an initial presentation of AML is very rare with only a few reported cases. We discuss a case of a 22-year-old male who presented with bicytopenia and paraplegia. Workups were consistent with AML with monocytic differentiation. Chromosomal analysis revealed loss of Y and t (8;21). Spinal cord MRI showed intradural extramedullary-enhancing soft tissue lesions at levels T2 to T7 and L5 to S1, suspected to be myeloid sarcoma. Patient, however, succumbed to severe nosocomial infection prior to initiation of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Human ; Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute ; Sarcoma, Myeloid ; Spinal Cord Neoplasms

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of CT spectral curve in differentiating spinal tumor metastasis (STM) from spinal infections (SI). METHODS: In the study, 29 STM and 18 SI patients proved pathologically and clinically were examined by dual energy spectral CT (DESCT). The monochromatic images and CT spectral curves were generated automatically by GSI Viewer software. The attenuation values at different energy levels (40-140 keV, every 10 keV), the attenuation values of the lesions on the conventional polychromatic CT images and the gradients of the curve were calculated and compared between STM and SI. RESULTS: The median age of STM and SI (58 years vs. 64 years) were not significantly different (U=171, P=0.4). The attenuation values of STM at 40-100 keV were 281.79 (143.67, 446.19) HU, 199.68 (100.04, 321.49) HU, 151.54 (81.47, 243.49) HU, (122.64±27.72) HU, (99.90±23.88) HU, (85.82±21.61) HU, and (75.94±20.27) HU, respectively, which were significantly higher than SI: 185.29 (164.19, 277.03) HU, 138.44 (124.98, 238.56) HU, 105.46 (92.94, 169.53) HU, (93.77±15.55) HU, (79.15±12.84) HU, (68.99±11.75) HU, and (62.22±11.71) HU (all P < 0.05). The attenuation values at 110-140 keV and the attenuation value on the conventional CT images were not significantly different between STM and SI. The gradient of CT spectral curve of STM was 2.43±0.58, which was higher than the value of 1.50±0.40 for SI (P < 0.001). Using 1.72 and 248.80 HU as the threshold value for CT spectral curve slope and the attenuation value at 40 keV, could obtain the area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.905 and 0.892, sensitivity of 88.0% and 80.0%, and specificity of 76.9% and 92.3%. CONCLUSION CT spectral curve provides valuable semi-quantitative information for the differential diagnosis of STM and SI, which can be used as a supplement to traditional CT imaging.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Spinal Cord Neoplasms ; Spinal Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

With the onset of a metabolic syndrome epidemic and the increasing life expectancy, erectile dysfunction (ED) has become a more common condition. As incidence and prevalence increase, the medical field is focused on providing more appropriate therapies. It is common knowledge that ED is a chronic condition that is also associated with a myriad of other disorders. Conditions such as aging, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, prostatic hypertrophy, and prostate cancer, among others, have a direct implication on the onset and progression of ED. Characterization and recognition of risk factors may help clinicians recognize and properly treat patients suffering from ED. One of the most reliable treatments for ED is penile prosthetic surgery. Since the introduction of the penile prosthesis (PP) in the early seventies, this surgical procedure has improved the lives of thousands of men, with reliable and satisfactory results. The aim of this review article is to characterize the epidemiology of men undergoing penile prosthetic surgery, with a discussion about the most common conditions involved in the development of ED, and that ultimately drive patients into electing to undergo PP placement.
Diabetes Complications/surgery* ; Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology* ; Erectile Dysfunction/surgery* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Impotence, Vasculogenic/surgery* ; Male ; Pelvic Bones/injuries* ; Penile Implantation/statistics & numerical data* ; Penile Induration/surgery* ; Penile Prosthesis ; Penis/injuries* ; Prostatectomy/adverse effects* ; Prostatic Neoplasms/surgery* ; Radiation Injuries/surgery* ; Radiotherapy/adverse effects* ; Reoperation ; Spinal Cord Injuries/epidemiology* ; Vascular Diseases/epidemiology* ; Wounds and Injuries/epidemiology*

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. PURPOSE: We report our experience with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)–assisted resection of spinal cord ependymomas in adults. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Ependymoma is the most frequent primary spinal cord tumor in adults. Surgery is the treatment of choice in most cases. However, while complete resection is achieved in approximately 80% of cases, clinical improvement is achieved in 15% only. Five-ALA fluorescence–guided surgery seems to be useful for this tumor type. METHODS: We studied 14 patients undergoing 5-ALA fluorescence-guided surgery for spinal cord ependymomas in our service. The modified McCormick classification was used to determine clinical status and the degree of resection was assessed with magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Of the 14 patients, the tumor showed an intense emission of fluorescence in 12 and the fluorescence was weak and nonuniform in two. Complete resection was achieved in 11 cases. According to the McCormick classification, 10 patients improved, two remained the same, and two deteriorated. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that 5-ALA fluorescence-guided resection is useful in spinal cord ependymoma resection. Although the rate of complete resections is similar to that in published series without 5-ALA, clinical results are better when using 5-ALA with a lower percentage of clinical deterioration.
Adult ; Aminolevulinic Acid ; Classification ; Ependymoma ; Fluorescence ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Neoplasms ; Spinal Cord

Choroid plexus tumors are uncommon brain tumors that primarily occur in children. Most of these tumors originate from the intraventricular area, and the most common clinicalpresentation is increased intracranial pressure. Dissemination through the cerebrospinal fluid space is the inevitable natural course of the disease. Here, we present 2 rare cases of adult choroid plexus carcinoma (CPC), each with distinct clinical presentation and progression. The first case was a 40-year-old male who presented with multiple intraventricular masses. After surgical biopsy, radiation and intrathecal chemotherapy failed to elicit any response. The patient progressed with spinal cord dissemination and expired 1 year later. The second case presented with visual disturbance, and brain MRI revealed a large ovoid juxtaventricular mass with peritumoral edema. This 49-year-old female patient underwent craniotomy for what was thought to be a high-grade glioma; however, the mass was connected to the choroid plexus at the operative field. Her pathology specimen was diagnosed as CPC, and adjuvant systemic chemotherapy was administered. She has now been free of recurrence for 10 months. The description of the presentation and progression of these rare adult-onset CPC provides insight for the diagnosis and treatment of other rare instances of choroid plexus tumors.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Brain ; Brain Neoplasms ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Child ; Choroid Plexus Neoplasms ; Choroid Plexus ; Choroid ; Craniotomy ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Edema ; Female ; Fourth Ventricle ; Glioma ; Humans ; Intracranial Pressure ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pathology ; Recurrence ; Spinal Cord