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*

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

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

OBJECTIVE: A spinal cord subependymoma is an uncommon, indolent, benign spinal cord tumor. It is radiologically similar to a spinal cord ependymoma, but surgical findings and outcomes differ. Gross total resection of the tumor is not always feasible. The present study was done to determine the clinical, radiological and pathological characteristics of spinal cord subependymomas.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of ten spinal cord subependymoma patients (M : F=4 : 6; median 38 years; range, 21–77) from four institutions.RESULTS: The most common symptoms were sensory changes and/or pain in eight patients, followed by motor weakness in six. The median duration of symptoms was 9.5 months. Preoperative radiological diagnosis was ependymoma in seven and astrocytoma in three. The tumors were located eccentrically in six and were not enhanced in six. Gross total resection of the tumor was achieved in five patients, whereas subtotal or partial resection was inevitable in the other five patients due to a poor dissection plane. Adjuvant radiotherapy was performed in two patients. Neurological deterioration occurred in two patients; transient weakness in one after subtotal resection and permanent weakness after gross total resection in the other. Recurrence or regrowth of the tumor was not observed during the median 31.5 months follow-up period (range, 8–89).CONCLUSION: Spinal cord subependymoma should be considered when the tumor is located eccentrically and is not dissected easily from the spinal cord. Considering the rather indolent nature of spinal cord subependymomas, subtotal removal without the risk of neurological deficit is another option.
Astrocytoma ; Diagnosis ; Ependymoma ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glioma, Subependymal ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Neoplasms ; Spinal Cord ; Spine

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVES: We report the case of a long, solitary, rosary-shaped neurofibroma that was misdiagnosed as another disease due to the patient's surgical history involving repetitive procedures and its abnormal appearance. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Neurofibroma is an intradural-extramedullary spinal tumor. It is generally not difficult to diagnose due to its frequent occurrence and specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. However, to date, neurofibromatosis stigmata and long, solitary, rosary-shaped neurofibromas have rarely been reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 60-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital due to persistent pain, despite previous surgery and repetitive procedures. On physical examination, vision loss, hearing loss, skin discoloration, or subcutaneous nodules were not observed. A neurologic examination revealed normal motor and sensory function and voiding sensation. No pathologic reflexes such as the Babinski sign were observed. Previous sequential MRIs revealed intradural lesions that progressed from the thoracic vertebra 11 to the lumbar vertebra 3. She had no signs of neurofibromatosis stigmata, and the neurologic examination was unremarkable. The initial diagnosis was based on serial MRIs, which revealed a parasite infestation, a spinal cord tumor (myxopapillary-type ependymoma with hemorrhage), arachnoiditis, and vascular malformations. Total mass excision was performed, and the final diagnosis was neurofibroma. RESULTS: There were no signs of a tumor remnants or local recurrence in a 1-year follow-up MRI study. CONCLUSIONS: Although intradural spinal tumors are very rare, their clinical features are nonspecific and resemble other degenerative spinal diseases, including spinal stenosis and disc herniation. These diseases may easily be overlooked by physicians.
Arachnoid ; Arachnoiditis ; Christianity ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Errors ; Ependymoma ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hearing Loss ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Neurofibroma* ; Neurofibromatoses ; Neurologic Examination ; Parasites ; Physical Examination ; Recurrence ; Reflex ; Reflex, Babinski ; Sensation ; Skin ; Spinal Cord Neoplasms ; Spinal Diseases ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spine ; Vascular Malformations

Aged ; Hemangioma, Capillary ; diagnosis ; Hemangioma, Cavernous ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Spinal Cord Neoplasms ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVE: Patients with hematological malignancies frequently encounter spine-related symptoms, which are caused by disease itself or process of treatment. However, there is still lack of knowledge on their epidemiology and clinical courses. The purpose of this article is to review clinical presentations and surgical results for spinal involvement of hematologic malignancies. METHODS: From January 2011 to September 2014, 195 patients (98 males and 97 females) suffering from hematological malignancies combined with spinal problems were retrospectively analyzed for clinical and radiological characteristics and their clinical results. RESULTS: The most common diagnosis of hematological malignancy was multiple myeloma (96 patients, 49.7%), followed by chronic myeloid leukemia (30, 15.2%), acute myeloid leukemia (22, 11.2%), and lymphoma (15, 7.56%). The major presenting symptoms were mechanical axial pain (132, 67.7%) resulting from pathologic fractures, and followed by radiating pain (49, 25.1%). Progressive neurologic deficits were noted in 15 patients (7.7%), which revealed as cord compression by epidural mass or compressive myelopathy combined with pathologic fractures. Reconstructive surgery for neurologic compromise was done in 16 patients. Even though surgical intervention was useful for early paralysis (Frankel grade D or E), neurologic recovery was not satisfactory for the progressed paralysis (Frankel grade A or B). CONCLUSION: Hematological malignancies may cause various spinal problems related to disease progression or consequences of treatments. Conservative and palliative treatments are mainstay for these lesions. However, timely surgical interventions should be considered for the cases of pathologic fractures with progressive neurologic compromise.
Diagnosis ; Disease Progression ; Epidemiology ; Fractures, Spontaneous ; Hematologic Neoplasms* ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Lymphoma ; Male ; Multiple Myeloma ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Palliative Care ; Paralysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Compression ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Spine

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVES: To report a case of cerebellar tumor mimicking cervical spinal disease with neck pain for one year. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Neck pain is one of the most common symptoms of cervical spinal disease. Neck pain in the cervical spine is usually accompanied by radiculopathic or myelopathic symptoms. Pain aggravated with neck motion is another point of differentiation. However, the differential diagnosis of neck pain is not always easy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 47-year-old woman presented with neck pain, without other symptoms of radiculopathy or myelopathy. The neck pain was not position-dependent and had exacerbated 1 week previously. Cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a brain tumor in the cerebellum. RESULTS: The patient underwent surgical craniotomy and tumor resection. The neck pain improved after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: If neck pain cannot be explained by cervical pathological conditions, the possibility of other causes, including brain pathology, should be considered.
Brain Diseases ; Brain Neoplasms* ; Brain* ; Cerebellar Neoplasms ; Cerebellum ; Craniotomy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Neck Pain ; Radiculopathy ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spinal Diseases* ; Spine

Brown tumors also called as osteoclastomas, are rare nonneoplastic lesions that arise in the setting of primary or secondary hyperparathyroidism. Parathyroid adenomas or hyperplasia constitute the major Brown tumor source in primary hyperparathyroidism while chronic renal failure is the leading cause in secondary hyperparathyroidism. Most of the patients with the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism present with kidney stones or isolated hypercalcemia. However, nearly one third of patients are asymptomatic and hypercalcemia is found incidentally. Skeletal involvement such as generalized osteopenia, bone resorption, bone cysts and Brown tumors are seen on the late phase of hyperparathyroidism. The symptoms include axial pain, radiculopathy, myelopathy and myeloradiculopathy according to their locations. Plasmocytoma, lymphoma, giant cell tumors and metastates should be ruled out in the differential diagnosis of Brown tumors. Treatment of Brown tumors involve both the management of hyperparathyroidism and neural decompression. The authors report a very rare spinal Brown tumor case, arisen as the initial manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism that leads to acute paraparesis.
Bone Cysts ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Bone Resorption ; Decompression ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Giant Cell Tumors ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Hyperparathyroidism ; Hyperparathyroidism, Primary* ; Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary ; Hyperplasia ; Kidney Calculi ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Lymphoma ; Paraparesis ; Parathyroid Neoplasms ; Plasmacytoma ; Radiculopathy ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spine*

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. PURPOSE: To clarify the features useful for the differential diagnosis of spinal canal tumoral lesions in patients undergoing hemodialysis. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Tumoral lesions in the spinal canal are rarely found in hemodialysis patients. Therefore, the differential diagnosis of tumoral lesions in the spinal canal in hemodialysis patients has been very difficult. METHODS: Spinal canal tumors in 17 patients undergoing hemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis were investigated. Histopathological analysis was conducted for all specimens obtained during surgery. The tumoral lesions were categorized into 3 groups on the basis of histopathology: spinal cord tumor, amyloidoma, and other. Patient medical history and diagnostic images of each group were reviewed. RESULTS: Eight of 17 cases were histopathologically diagnosed as spinal cord tumors and were neurinomas, 6 were amyloidomas, and 3 were classified as other. The rate of spinal cord tumors was 47.1% (8 of 17 cases), which revealed the most frequent lesion type. The rate of amyloidomas and other types was 35.3% (6 of 17 cases) and 17.6% (3 of 17cases), respectively. In the amyloidoma group, the mean duration of hemodialysis (24.3 years) was longer than that of spinal cord tumors and other types (9.2 years and 8.6 years, respectively). All spinal cord tumors were intradural extramedullary, whereas all amyloidomas and other types were extradural. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of each tumoral lesion, the duration of hemodialysis, and the tumoral localization are important features for the differential diagnosis of tumoral lesions in the spinal canal in hemodialysis patients.
Diagnosis, Differential* ; Humans ; Neurilemmoma ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory ; Renal Dialysis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Canal* ; Spinal Cord Neoplasms