Clinical Study on the Metastatic Spinal Cord Tumors.

Lee, Yong Jin; Han, Dae Hee; Sim, Bo Sung

Original Article

Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 1978;7(2): 401-410.

Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

ABSTRACT

This report presents an analysis of 49 patients with metastatic spinal cord tumors who were admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Hospital from November 1957 to August 1978. During this period, there were 220 cases of spinal cord tumors of which 22.3% was metastatic in origin. The results are as following: 1) The ratio of male to female was 31:18 and 36 cases(74%) were above the age of 40 year. 2) The most frequent site of primary malignancy was lung and the nexts were G-I tract, uterus, brain, kidney, thyroid and liver in order. 3) The most frequent site of spinal cord involvement was thoracic and the nexts were lumber and cervical in order. 4) Pain was the most frequent symptom and the nexts were moter dysfunction, sensory change, sphincter disturbance in order. 5) The duration from the onset of spinal cord compression symptoms to the date of admission was within two months in 21 cases and generally short. 6) The location of metastatic spinal cord tumors was nearly extradural. 7) Total protein level in CSF of the metastatic spinal cord tumors were raised beyond the normal level(Mean value:271 mg per 100 ml). 8) The result of treatment was better in the cases with laminectomy and radiation therapy than the case with laminectomy only or radiation therapy only.