Journal of Spine & NeurosurgeryISSN: 2325-9701

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Case Report, J Spine Neurosurg Vol: 4 Issue: 2

Features and Outcomes of Intra-Spinal Tumours: An Australian Neurosurgeons Experience

Darweesh Al-Khawaja1,2*, Tamadur Mahasneh3, Mohamed Elmolla4 and Arun Kumar5
1Wollongong Clinical School, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
2Department of Neurosurgery, Nepean Hospital, New South Wales, Australia
3Department of Anatomical Pathology, Liverpool Hospital, New South Wales
4Neurosurgery Registrar, Monash Medical Centre, Victoria, Australia
5Department of Neurosurgery, Wollongong Hospital, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
Corresponding author : Darweesh Al-Khawaja
Wollongong Clinical School, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
Tel: 02-4704-8667; Fax: 02-4704-8662
E-mail: braindoc@tpg.com.au
Received: August 13, 2014 Accepted: November 07, 2014 Published: November 21, 2014
Citation: Khawaja DA, Mahasneh T, Kumar A, Holmes SE (2014) Features and Outcomes of Intra-Spinal Tumours: An Australian Neurosurgeon’s Experience. J Spine Neurosurg 4:1 doi:10.4172/2325-9701.1000177

Abstract

Features and Outcomes of IntraSpinal Tumours: An Australian Neurosurgeon’s Experience

Intra spinal tumors are uncommon entity in Neurosurgical practice. Their diagnosis and treatment are often challenging and associated with significant morbidity and functional disability. We report a case series of intra spinal tumors encountered by a single neurosurgeon practicing at an Australian metropolitan Centre (population 400 000). Eighteen consecutive cases of metastatic tumors of the soft tissue epidural or intra dural component and benign spinal tumors treated surgically from 2008 to 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. Presenting symptoms, pain scores, initial and post-operative neurological and functional status, tumor histology, the use of adjuvant treatment and surgical approach were analyzed. A higher annual incidence of intra spinal tumors than previously reported for a single Centre (0.7 per 100,000) was evident from our study. Ependymoma, schwannoma and meningioma occurred in comparable ratio to the literature, in addition to two rare cases, one of Rosai-Dorfman disease and one of osteo chondroma. The incidence of non-osteolytic metastatic spinal tumors was slightly lower than that for primary tumors. Laminectomy and surgical decompression was sufficient to achieve total resection for the tumors in their primary origin. Two patients with metastatic spinal tumors required more radical intervention. The prevailing patterns of care and neurosurgical challenges in the treatment of spinal tumors are best determined by local epidemiological data in conjunction with wider population based analyses. This study illustrates the need for a national Australian registry for intra spinal tumors that will not only promote an awareness of this condition but also facilitate a more rapid diagnosis and aid in multidisciplinary management.

Keywords: Primary spinal neoplasm; Spinal metastases; Spinal surgery; Benzel-Larson grading

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