Anterolateral decompression for metastatic epidural spinal cord tumors. Results of a modified costotransversectomy approach.

Abstract

Since 1981, 12 patients with epidural spinal cord compression from metastatic carcinoma have been treated surgically by a modified costotransversectomy approach for anterolateral decompression. Before surgery, all patients had received dexamethasone, and had deteriorated neurologically despite radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or steroid therapy. Postoperatively, nine patients (75%) improved neurologically and were ambulatory, two (17%) had no change in neurological status, and one patient was unchanged initially but deteriorated and died 8 weeks later. Anterolateral decompression by a modified costotransversectomy approach should be considered for management of ventrally located tumors or when posterior stabilization is considered a possible requirement following a proposed anterior decompression.

• Authors: M C Overby, A S Rothman
• Journal: Journal of neurosurgery (J Neurosurg) Vol. 62 Issue 3 Pg. 344-8 (Mar 1985) ISSN: 0022-3085 [Print] United States
• PMID: 3973702 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (complications, secondary, surgery)
• Adult
• Aged
• Breast Neoplasms (pathology)
• Carcinoma (complications, secondary, surgery)
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (pathology, secondary)
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Leiomyosarcoma (complications, pathology, secondary)
• Male
• Mediastinal Neoplasms (pathology)
• Middle Aged
• Nose Neoplasms (pathology)
• Prostatic Neoplasms (pathology)
• Spinal Cord Compression (etiology, surgery)
• Spinal Cord Neoplasms (complications, secondary, surgery)
• Stomach Neoplasms (pathology)