• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제29권7호
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• pp.891-898
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• 2000

Objective : It is difficult to differentiate intramedullary spinal cord tumors preoperatively from non-neoplastic pathologies in patients presenting as non-compressive myelopathies in magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). In this report, the authors reviewed nonneoplastic intramedullary spinal cord lesions preoperatively diagnosed as tumors and discussed their clinical and radiological characteristics and usefulness of surgical intervention. Methods : From January, 1985 to January, 1999, authors experienced eight non-neoplastic pathologies mimicking intramedullary spinal cord tumors and analysed their medical records, radiological findings and histopathological specimens retrospectively. Results : There were five males and three females and the duration of symptoms were from two to 20 months(mean, 9.8 months). The location of lesions were four cervical, one cervicothoracic and three thoracic. All patients manifested sensory abnormality, seven motor weakness, and six bladder symptom. All cases had swollen spinal cords and increased signal intensities in spin-echo sequences. Six cases showed contrast enhancement : four cases were focal and two diffuse. Under the impression of intramedullary tumors, the patients were operated upon. Final diagnoses on the base of clinical and pathologic finding were : three subacute necrotizing myelopathies, two multiple scleroses, two myelopathy of unknown etiology. One case showed no gross abnormality in surgical field in spite of adequate exposure of the lesion, so biopsy was not performed. In that case, postoperative MRI revealed spontaneous resolution of the lesion. Conclusion : MRI is invaluable diagnostic tool in screening myelopathies. However, its high sensitivity and lack of specificity make difficulty in preoperative differential diagnosis of non-compressive myelopathies. Although no surgical morbidity occurred in our series, we sometimes failed to confirm definite diagnosis even with biopsy. In such a circumstance, long-term follow up is needed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제45권6호
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• pp.381-385
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• 2009

The first case of intracranial metastases of a cervical intramedullary low-grade astrocytoma without malignant transformation in adult is presented in this report. Seven years ago, a 45 year-old male patient underwent biopsy to confirm pathologic characteristics and received craniocervical radiation and chemotherapy for a grade II astrocytoma in the cervical spinal cord. Two years later, posterior fusion was necessary for progressive kyphosis in the cervical spine. He was well for approximately 7 years after the primary surgery. Two months ago, he presented with partial weakness and incoordination with gait difficulty. MRI Scan demonstrated multiple small lesions in the cerebellar vermis and left hemisphere. After suboccipital craniectomy and posterior cervical exposure, the small masses in the cerebellar vermis and hemispheres were excised to a large extent by guidance of an intraoperative navigation system. The tumor at the cervical and brain lesions was classified as an astrocytoma (WHO grade II). When a patient with low-grade astrocytoma in the spinal cord has new cranial symptoms after surgery, radiaton, and chemotherapy, the possibility of its metastasis should be suspected because it can spread to the intracranial cavity even without malignant transformation as shown in this case.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.68-70
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• 2010

We report a case of intracranial dissemination developing approximately 4 months after partial removal of a spinal cord anplastic astrocytoma in a 22-year-old male. He presented with paraplegia on initial admission at a local hospital. Spinal magnetic resonance (MR) images disclosed multiple intramedullary lesions at the T3-11. The tumor was partially removed. The final histologic diagnosis was anaplastic astrocytoma. Four months after the operation, he was admitted with the symptoms of headache and deterioration of consciousness. MR images showed enhanced lesions in the anterior horn of the left lateral ventricle, and septum pellucidum. He underwent computed tomography-guided stereotactic biopsy and histological appearance was consistent with anaplastic astrocytoma. The clinical course indicates that the tumor originated in the spinal cord and extended into the subarachnoid space, first the spinal canal and later intracranial.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제50권3호
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• pp.195-200
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• 2011

Objective : To present the profiles of spinal cord tumors that can be removed through a unilateral hemilaminectomy and to demonstrate its usefulness for benign spinal cord tumors that significantly occupy the spinal canal. Methods : From June 2004 to October 2010, 25 spinal cord tumors were approached with unilateral hemilaminectomy. We calculated the cross-sectional occupying ratio (CSOR) of tumor to spinal canal before and after the operations. Results : The locations of the tumors were intradural extramedullary in 20 cases, extradural in 2, and intramedullary in 3. The levels of the tumors were lumbar in 12, thoracic 9, and cervical 4. In all cases, the tumor was removed grossly and totally without damaging spinal cord or roots. The mean height and width of the lesions we195re 17.64 mm (3-47.5) and 12.62 mm (4-32.7), respectively. The mean CSOR was 69.40% (range, 27.8-96.9%). Postoperative neurological status showed improvement in all patients except one whose neurologic deficit remained unchanged. Postoperative spinal stability was preserved during the follow-up period (mean, 21.5 months) in all cases. Tumor recurrence did not develop during the follow-up period. Conclusion : Unilateral hemilaminectomy combined with microsurgical technique provides sufficient space for the removal of diverse spinal cord tumors. The basic profiles of the spinal cord tumors which can be removed through the unilateral hemilaminectomy demonstrate its role for the surgery of the benign spinal cord tumors in various sizes.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.61-67
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• 1996

목적 : 접형동에 발생하는 일차성 암은 매우 드물어 전체 부비동 악성종양의 $0.3\%$를 차지한다. 접형동암이 드물게 발생되므로 많은 환자들을 분석하여 얻은 치료결과나 생존기간의 통계가 지금까지도 보고되지 않았다. 이에 본원에서 치료를 시행했던 접형동암 환자 1예의 치료경과를 보고하고자 한다. 증례 보고 : 일부 증례보고들과 소수의 환자들을 대상으로 했던 연구들을 재검토한 한 보고에 따르면 2년 생존율이 $7\%$였다. 본 증례는 접형동암으로 진단된 후 지금까지 29개월동안 생존하고 있다. 또한 척수내 전이는 암환자에서 드문 합병증인데 본 증례에서는 접형동암으로 진단된 후 25개월 만에 갑자기 하지 마비증세와 배뇨곤란을 호소하여 흉추부위를 MRI촬영한 결과 척수내 전이성종양을 3번 4번 흉추부위에서 관찰할 수 있었고 척수공동증을 그 이하부위에 동반하고 있었다. 저자들은 접형동암환자에서 척수공동증을 동반한 척수내 전이소견을 보인 1예를 경험하였기에 문헌고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.144-150
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• 2014

목적: 척수 원추부에 국한된 척수내 병변은 현재까지 보고된 바가 드물다. 이 논문에서는 척수 원추부에 국한된 척추내 병변인 상의세포종, 혈관모세포종, 유피낭종, 종말 뇌실, 척추 동정맥류 등 6 증례의 자기공명영상의 다양한 소견을 보고하고 감별점을 논의해 보고자 한다. 대상과 방법: 2004년부터 2010년까지 본원의 자료를 바탕으로 하여 총 6명의 환자 (남:여 = 4:2, 평균연령 = 44.3세)가 대상이 되었으며 이들의 방사선학적소견과 임상증상 등을 각각 검토하였다. 모든 환자들은 수술 전 후 가돌리늄 조영증강 자기공명영상을 시행하였다. 그리고 종양 크기, 위치, 자기공명 신호강도, 혈관성 유동공백의 유무, 관 혹은 낭의 존재 유무, 부종의 존재 유무, 조영증강 양상에 따라 영상을 비교하였다. 결과: 조영 증강은 모든 척수내 병변에 나타났다. 2 증례의 혈관모세포종에서 편심적 조영증강 결절이 보였으며 종말 뇌실 증례에서 흔치 않은 테두리 조영증강과 격막이 보였다. 척추 동정맥류에서는 반점형 조영증강이 관찰되었다. 3개의 증례에서 척수내 병변에 근접하여 광범위한 척수 부종과 수관이 보였다. 2 증례의 혈관모세포종과 1 증례의 척추 동정맥류에서 혈관성 유동공백이 관찰되었다. 결론: 척수 원추부에 있는 척수내 질환을 평가하는데 있어 이러한 드문 자기공명영상의 특징과 다양한 병리를 신중하게 고려해야 할 필요가 있다.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.128-132
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• 2020

Tanycytic ependymoma is a rare variant of ependymoma that commonly affects the cervical and thoracic spinal cord. It usually arises as intramedullary lesions, and extramedullary cases are extremely rare. We report a case of a 44-year-old woman who was diagnosed with tanycytic ependymoma in her lumbar spine at level 2-3. The tumor mass developed in an intradural extramedullary location. Histopathologically, tanycytic ependymoma can be misdiagnosed as schwannoma or pilocytic astrocytoma. Immunohistochemical findings such as strong positivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein, perinuclear dot-like positive patterns for epithelial membrane antigen, and focal positivity for S100 protein are helpful in diagnosing tanycytic ependymoma. It is important to be aware of this rare tumor to ensure appropriate patient management and accurate prognosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제52권3호
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• pp.221-227
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• 2012

Objective : Spinal cord hemangioblastomas are rare tumors. Despite their benign, slow-growing nature, they can cause severe neurological consequences. The purpose of this study was to evaluate variable factors, including clinical features, tumor findings, the extent of resection, and its recurrence or progression, which determine postoperative functional outcomes. Methods : This study included sixteen patients at our institute who underwent microsurgical resection for sporadic spinal intramedullary hemangioblastomas and spinal intramedullary hemangioblastomas associated with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, between June 2003 and March 2012. Results : A total of 30 operations were performed. Total resection (TR) of the tumor was achieved in 10 patients, and subtotal resection (STR) was achieved in 6. Postoperatively, the initial presenting symptoms were improved in 18.7% of the patients and were unchanged in 56.3%, but 25% were worse. Stable postoperative neurological functions were found in 83% of patients with preoperative McCormick grade I, and TR was achieved in 75% of these patients. In the STR group, poorer neurological status was observed in one patient, despite multiple operations. There were no poorer outcomes in the four cases of VHL disease. Various factors were analyzed, but only a correlation between the pre- and postoperative neurological status was verified in the TR-group patients. Conclusion : Preoperative focal neurological impairment and meticulous microsurgical manipulation may be predictors of favorable outcomes for solitary hemangioblastomas. In addition, the preservation of function is more important than the extent of resection in VHL disease.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제48권5호
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• pp.448-451
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• 2010

Primary central nervous system (CNS) sarcomas are exceedingly rare, and, to the best of our knowledge, there has not yet been a report of intramedullary sarcoma. Here, we report a primary intradural intramedullary sarcoma of the spinal cord in a four-year-old boy who presented with low back pain and a radiculopathy involving both lower extremities. The tumor showed significant enhancement on magnetic resonance (MR) images due to its extreme vascularity. Gross total tumor removal was performed with microelectrical pulse recording, and the patient also received adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. After the operation, the patient's sensory deficits were improved. Because CNS dissemination is common, entire neuraxis evaluation is essential, although there was no evidence of dissemination in this case. The prognosis of primary CNS sarcoma is poor due to infiltrative nature and early CNS dissemination is common, and the treatment of choice is radical surgical resection. Adjuvant therapy is also beneficial with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.164-168
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• 2006

Objective : The goal of treatment for spinal cord ependymoma is complete removal without postoperative neurological deficit. The authors analyzed the surgical results and factors influencing the postoperative prognosis. Methods : Fifty-one cases of primary spinal cord ependymoma, surgically treated between 1979 and 2003, were retrospectively analyzed. The mean follow-up period was 44 months. Results : Gross total removal was achieved in 42 patients and incomplete removal in nine. The proportion of complete surgical removals was influenced by tumor location and histology. Disease progression was observed in five cases [9.8%], the mean progression free interval after surgical removal was 48 months and the 5-year progression free rate was 68%. Disease progression was found in none of the 42 cases who underwent complete removal, and in 5 of 9 cases who hadincomplete removal group [P<0.001]. Statistically significant disease-progression factors by multivariate analysis were the surgical extent of removal [P=0.012]. preoperative functional status [P=0.032] the presence of intratumoral cysts [P=0.007] and postoperative radiation therapy [P=0042]. Of those patients who underwent incomplete removal, radiation therapy was found to significantly improve the clinical result [P=0042]. Conclusion : In the surgical treatment of spinal cord ependymoma, preoperative functional status, the presence of intratumoral cysts, the extent of removal, and postoperative radiation therapy were found to be significant prognostic factors of postoperative outcome.