Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Spinal Cord Disease pp 501–543Cite as

Spinal Tumours

  • Chapter

  • 167 Accesses

Abstract

In 1753, Lecat made the first surgical attempt to remove an intraspinal tumour (Lecat 1765). Over a century later, in 1887, Sir Victor Horsley performed the first successful operation to remove a spinal intradural tumour which had caused cord compression (Horsley and Gowers 1888). In the following century significant advances were seen in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal tumours. Positive contrast myelography, computed axial tomography and magnetic resonance imaging techniques have enabled the radiological demonstration of spinal neoplasms. Safer, modern neuroanaesthesia combined with advanced microneurosurgical techniques and spinal stabilization methods have reduced the surgical morbidity and considerably improved the prognosis. This section will describe the basic pathology and special clinical features and treatment of individual spinal tumours excluding vascular malformations and tumours associated with spinal dysraphism. The methods of radiological diagnosis are mentioned only briefly as they are dealt with in Chapter 9. Treatment is outlined under the individual tumour types and special aspects emphasized in the section on management

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Barcena A, Lobato RD, Ruivas J J et al. (1984) Spinal metastatic disease: analysis of factors determining functional prognosis and the choice of treatment. Neurosurgery 15:820–827

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barker D, Wright K, Nguyen L (1987) Gene for von Recklinghausen’s neurofibromatosis is in the pericentric region of chromosome 17. Science 236:1100–1102

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bertoni F, Unni MK, Dahlin D (1990) Calcifying pseudoneoplasms of the neural axis. J Neurosurg 72:42–48.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Black P (1979) Spinal metastases: current status and recommended guidelines for management. Neurosurgery 5:726–746

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Braughler JM, Hall ED (1983) Lactate and pyruvate metabolism in injured cat’s spinal cord before and after a single large intravenous dose of methylprednisolone. J Neurosurg 59:256–261

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bryce J, McKissock W (1965) Surgical treatment of malignant extradural spinal tumours. Br Med J i:1341—1344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chandler CL, Uttley D, Wilkins PR et al. (1994) Primary spinal malignant schwannoma Br J Neurosurg 8:341–345

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Choremis C, Oelonomos D, Papadatos P, Gargoulas A (1956) Intraspinal epidermoid tumours (cholesteatomas) in patients treated for tuberculous meningitis. Lancet ii:437–439

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cloward RB, Bucy PC (1937) Spinal cyst and kyphosis dorsalis juvenalis. AJR 28:681–706

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen ARM, Wisoff JH, Allen JC, Epstein F (1989) Malignant astrocytoma of the spinal cord. J Neurosurg 70:50–54

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Concolino G, Liccardo G, Conti C et al. (1984) Hormones and tumours in central nervous system. (CNS) Steroid Receptors in primary spinal cord tumours. Neurol-Res 6/3:121–126

    Google Scholar 

  • Connolly ES (1982) Spinal cord tumours in adults. In: Youman JR (ed) Neurological surgery vol 5. WB Saunders, Philadephia, pp 3196–3214

    Google Scholar 

  • Cristante L, Herrmann HD (1994) Surgical management of intramedullary spinal cord tumours: functional outcome and sources of morbidity. Neurosurgery 35:69–76.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davis C (1990) Meningiomas and sex hormones. Eur J Cancer 26:859–860

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davis C (1995) Symptomatic meningiomas. Br J Neurosurg 9:295–302

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Durie BJM, Salmon SE (1975) A clinical staging system for multiple myeloma. Correlation of measured cell mass with presenting clinical features response to treatment and survival. Cancer 36:842–854.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ehni G, Love JG (1945) Intraspinal lipomas. Report of cases: review of the literature and clinical and pathologic study. Arch Neurol Psychiatry 53:1–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Epstein F, Epstein N (1982) Surgical treatment of spinal cord astrocytomas of childhood. A series of 19 patients. J. Neurosurg 75:685–689

    Google Scholar 

  • Epstein FJ, Farmer J, Freed D (1993) Adult intramedullary spinal cord ependymomas: the result of surgery in 38 patients. J Neurosurg 79:204–209

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Findlay G (1984) Adverse effects of the management of malignant spinal cord compression. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 47:767–788

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedberg SR, Fellows T, Thomas CB et al. (1994) Experience with symptomatic spinal epidural cysts. Neurosurgery 34:989–993

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedlaender GE, Southwick WO (1982) Tumours of the spine. In: Rothman RH, Simeone FA (eds) The spine. Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 1022–1040

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert RW, Kim JH, Posner JB (1978) Epidural spinal cord compression from metastatic tumours. Diagnosis and treatment. Ann Neurol 3:40–51

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gortvai P (1963) Extradural cysts of the spinal cord. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 26:223–230

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grant JW, Kaech D, Jones DG (1986) Spinal cord as the first presentation of lymphoma: a review of 15 cases. Histopathology 11:1191–1202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gudmundsson KR (1970) A survey of tumours of the central nervous system in Iceland during the 10 year period 1954–1963. Acta Neurol Scand 46:538–552.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gurusinghe NT, Perera S (1994) Spinal intradural tumours: Preston experience. JN Neurol Neurosurg, Psychiatry (abstract) Vol 57, No 9, p 1156

    Google Scholar 

  • Haddad P Thaell JF, Kelly JM et al. (1976) Lymphoma of the spinal extradural space. Cancer 38:1862–1864

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Halliday AL, Sobel RA, Martuza RL (1991) Benign spinal nerve sheath tumours: their occurrence sporadically and in neurofibromatosis types 1 and 2. J Neurosurg 74:248–253

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harmon DC (1990) Chemotherapy.Sundaresan N, Schmidek HH, Schiller AL, Rosenthal DI (eds) Tumours of the spine. Diagnosis and clinical management. WB Saunders Philadephia, pp 92–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Helseth A, Mork S J (1989) Primary intraspinal neoplasms in Norway 1955 to 1986 - a population based survey of 467 patients. J Neurosurg 71:842–845

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Herman JM, Sonntag VKH (1994) Cervical corpectomy and plate fixation for post-laminectomy kyphosis. J Neurosurg 80:963–970

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hochberg FH, Millar DC (1988) Primary CNS lymphoma. J Neurosurg 68:835–853

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holmes JC, Hall JE (1978) Fusion for instability and potential instability of the cervical spine in children and adolescents. Orthop Clin North Am 9:923

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Horsley V, Gowers WR (1888) A case of tumour of the spinal cord. Trans R Med Chirug Soc Glasgow 79:377

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson DV, Randall ME, Richards F (1988) Spinal cord compression due to extramedullar haematopoiesis in thalassaemia: long term follow up after radiotherapy. Surg Neurol 29:389–392

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klein SL (1991) Paediatric spinal epidural metastases. J Neurosurg 74:70–75

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kothbauer K, Schmid UD, Seiler RW et al. (1994) Intraoperative motor and sensory monitoring of the cauda equina. Neurosurgery 34:702–707.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lecat CNL (1765) Traite de l’existence, de la nature et des propriétés du fluide des nerfs et principalement de son action dans le mouvement musculaire. Ouvrage coutonne en 1753, par l’Academic de Berlin: suivi des dissertations sur la sensibilité des meninges, des tendons, etc., l’insensibilite du cervaux, la structure des nerfs, l’irritabilité hallerienne. Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee M, Rezai AR, Abbott R et al. (1995) Intramedullary spinal cord Lipomas. J Neurosurg 82:394–400

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Levy WJ, Bay J, Dolm D (1982) Spinal cord meningiomas. J Neurosurg 57:804–812

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Levy WJ, Latchew J, Halm JF et al. (1986) Spinal neurofibromas. A report of 66 cases and a comparison with meningiomas. Neurosurgery 18:331–334

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lunardi P, Missori P, Gagliardi FM, Fortuna A (1989) Long term results of the surgical treatment of spinal dermoids and epidermoid tymours. Neurosurgery 25:860–864

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Macdonald DR (1990) Clinical manifestations. In: Sunderesan N, Schmidek H, Schiller A, Rosenthal A (eds) Tumours of the spine. Diagnosis and clinical management. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 6–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Marchuk DA, Saulino AM, Tavakkol R et al. (1991) cDNA cloning of the type I neurofibramatosis gene: complete sequence of the NFI gene product. Genomics 11:931–940

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matson D (1969) Neurosurgery of infancy and childhood, 2nd edn. Thomas. Springfield, II

    Google Scholar 

  • Maurice-Williams RS, Richardson PW (1988) Spinal cord compression: delay in the diagnosis and referral of a common neurosurgical emergency, Br J Neurosurg 2:55–60

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McCormick PC, Torres R, Post KD, Stein B (1990) Intramedullary ependymomas of the spinal cord. J Neurosurg 72:523–532

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Minehan KJ, Shaw EG, Scheithauer BW et al. (1995) Spinal cord astrocytoma: pathological and treatment considerations. J Neurosurg 83:590–595 Moore A, Uttley D (1989) Anterior decompression and stabilisation of the spine in malignant disease. Neurosurgery 24:713–717

    Google Scholar 

  • Murota K, Symon L (1989) Surgical management of haemangioblastoma of the spinal cord. A report of 18 cases. Neurosurgery 25:699–708

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Myles ST, Macrae ME (1988) Benign osteoblastoma of spine in childhood. J Neurosurg 68:884–888

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nabors MW, Pait TG, Byrd EB et al. (1988) Updated assessment and current classification of spinal meningeal cysts. J Neurosurg 68:366–377

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Neumann HPH, Eggert HR, Weigel K et al. (1989) Haemangioblastomas of the central nervous system. J Neurosurg 70:24–30

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nittner K (1968) Discussion zy den Vortragen von Jellinger U.von Piscol. Bericht über die Jahresfagung der Dtcsch. Ges fur Neurochirugie (13–16 Sept 1967 Bad Harzburg). Loew F (ed). Acta Neurochir (Wien) 19–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Nittner K (1976) Spinal meningiomas, neurinomas and neurofibromas and hour-glass tumours. In: Vinken PJ, Bruyen BW (eds) Handbook of clinical neurology, vol 20. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 177–322

    Google Scholar 

  • Norstrom CW, Kernohan JW, Love JG (1961) One hundred primary caudal tumours. JAMA 178:1071–1077

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • O’Connor GA, Roberts TS (1984) Spinal cord compression by osteochondroma. J Neurosurg 60:420–423

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O’Sullivan MG, Keohane C, Buckley TF (1990) Paraganglioma of the cauda equina: a case report and review of the literature, Br J Neurosurg 4:63–68

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O’Sullivan C, Jenkin RD, Doherty MA et al. (1994) Spinal cord tumours in children: long term results of combined surgical and radiation treatment. J Neurosurg 81:507–512

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Perling LH, Laurent JP, Cheek WR (1988) Epidural hibernoma as a complication of corticosteroid treatment. J Neurosurg 69:613–616

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Poisson M, Pertuiset BF, Hauw JJ et al. (1983) Steroid hormone receptors in human meningiomas, gliomas and brain metastases. J Neurooncol 1:179–189

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rand RW, Rand CW (1960) Intraspinal tumours of childhood. Thomas, Springfield, II

    Google Scholar 

  • Reimer R, Onofrio M (1985) Astrocytomas of the spinal cord in children and adolescenets. J Neurosurg 63:669–675

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ridsdale L, Moseley I (1978) Thoracolumbar intraspinal tumours presenting features of raised intracranial pressure. J Neurol Neurosurgery Psychiatry 41:737–745

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rotish E, Zeidman SM, Burger PC et al. (1990) Clinical and pathological analysis of spinal cord astrocytomas. Neurosurgery 27:193–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Russell DS, Rubinstein LJ (1989) Pathology of tumours of the nervous system, 5th edn Williams and Wilkins Baltimore

    Google Scholar 

  • Seppala MT, Haltia MJJ, Sankila RJ et al. (1995) Long term outcome after removal of spinal neurofibroma. J Neurosurg 82:572–577

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Siegal T, Topya P, Siegal T (1985) Vertebral body resection for epidural compression by malignant tumours. Results of 47 consecutive operative procedures. J Bone Joint Surg 67A:375–382

    Google Scholar 

  • Schrell UMH, Nomikos P, Fahlbusch R (1992) Presence of dopamine D1 receptors and absence of dopamine D2 receptors in human cerebral meningioma tissue. J Neurosurg 77:288–294

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sloof JL, Kernohan JW, McCarty CS (1964) Primary intramedullary tumours of the spinal cord and filum terminale. Saunders, Philadephia, pp 124–129

    Google Scholar 

  • Suit HD, Austin-Seymour M. (1990) The role of radiation therapy. In: Sundaresan N, Schmidek HH, Schiller AL, Rosenthal DI (eds) Tumours of the spine. Diagnosis and clinical management. Publisher WB Saunders Philadelphia, p 86–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Sundaresan N, Galicich JH, Chu FCH, Huvos AG (1979) Spinal chordomas. J Neurosurg 50:312–319

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sundaresan N, Digiacinto GV, Hughes JEO et al. (1991) Treatment of neoplastic spinal cord compression: results of a prospective study. Neurosurgery 29:645–650

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tarlov IM (1938) Perineural cysts of the spinal nerve roots. Arch Neurol Psychiatry (Chicago) 40:1067–1074

    Google Scholar 

  • Till K (1975) Paediatric neurosurgery for paediatricians and neurosurgeons. Blackwell Scientific, Oxford, pp 193–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Von Recklinghausen F (1882) Uber die multiplen Fibrome der Hant und ihre Beziehung zu den multiplen Neuromen. Fetschrift zur Feier des funfundzwanzigjahrigen Bestehens des pathologischen Instituts ze Berlin, (Herrn Rudolf Virchow dargebracht). Hirschwald, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson LMK, Draper GJ (1974) Neuroblastoma - its natural history and prognosis: a study of 487 cases. Br Med J 3:301–307

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wiltshaw E (1976) The natural history of extramedullary plasmacytoma and its relation to solitary myeloma of bone and myelomatosis. Medicine 55:217–238

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu Qi-Wu, Bao Wei-Min, Mao Ren-Ling et al. (1994) Magnetic resonance imaging and microsurgical treatment of intramedullary haemangioblastoma of the spinal cord. Neurosurgery 35:671–676

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yamada K, Bremer AM, West CR (1979) Effects of dexamethasone on tumour induced brain oedema and its distribution in the brain of monkeys. J Neurosurg 50:361–367

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zulch KJ (1979) Histological Typing of Tumours of the Central Nervous System. International Histological Classification of Tumours No. 21, p 19. World Health Organisation, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. N. T. Gurusinghe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Royal Preston Hospital, Sharoe Green Lane, Preston, PR2 4HT, UK

    Edmund Critchley DM, FRCP

  2. Vancouver General Hospital, 855 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada

    Andrew Eisen MD, FRCP(C)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1997 Springer-Verlag London Limited

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Gurusinghe, N.T. (1997). Spinal Tumours. In: Critchley, E., Eisen, A. (eds) Spinal Cord Disease. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-0911-2_30

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-0911-2_30

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-1233-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-0911-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation