Management of Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression in Ireland: Are Surgeons Overlooked?

Overview

Journal Int J Spine Surg

Date 2018 Oct 3

PMID 30276102

Citations 1

Authors

Paula M McQuail

Ben S McCartney

Joseph F Baker

Mutaz Jaadan

John P McCabe

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) provide a framework of evidence-based guidelines for the management of metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC). We aimed to compare our center's provision of service to these best practice guidelines and discuss key shortcomings with their implications for the spinal surgeon.

Methods: Patients with radiologic evidence of MSCC over a 30-month period were identified using the hospital electronic radiological database. A chart review was performed analyzing MSCC management.

Results: Forty-one patients were identified. Pain was the most common presenting complaint, occurring in 76% of patients. Radiotherapy alone was the most common therapy employed (93% of patients). A surgical opinion was sought for 51% of patients. Histological diagnosis of the causative lesion occurred in 5 patients from surgical specimens.

Conclusions: Incongruities between NICE guidelines and our practice exist. Early involvement of the spinal surgical services needs to be encouraged. Establishing a histological diagnosis of the spinal lesion should be seen as of therapeutic importance.

Citing Articles

The Management of Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression in Routine Clinical Practice.

Perez-Romasanta L, Arana E, Kovacs F, Royuela A Cancers (Basel). 2023; 15(10).

PMID: 37345158 PMC: 10216687. DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102821.

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