The Surgical Management of Metastatic Spinal Tumours based on an Epidural Spinal Cord Compression (ESCC) Scale (original) (raw)

There have been no previous studies looking at the outcome of surgical decompression (+/-stabilisation) for various grades of epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) due to spinal metastases. To determine the outcome of surgical treatment in patients with ESCC using the Bilsky 6-point scale. Retrospective cohort review of prospectively collected data PATIENT SAMPLE: A consecutive series of 101 patients managed over the period of 3 years for ESCC due to spinal metastases in a tertiary spine surgery referral unit were included. Data on age, gender, revised Tokuhashi score, pre-operative Frankel grade, tumour histology, MRI scan based Bilsky cord compression grade, post-operative Frankel grade at last follow up, complications and survivorship data were collected. Frankel grading system for function was used to evaluate the patient's pre- and post-operative neurological status. Patient survival and post-operative complications were also collected. Average patient age was 64.7 years ...