Faculty Collaboration Database

Distraction rod stabilization in the treatment of metastatic carcinoma. J Neurosurg 1983 Nov;59(5):861-6

Date

11/01/1983

Pubmed ID

6619939

DOI

10.3171/jns.1983.59.5.0861

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0021072867 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   18 Citations

Abstract

Stabilization of the spinal column with Harrington distraction rods and acrylic fusion was the primary form of treatment in a select group of patients with metastatic carcinoma of the spinal column. Clinical criteria included patients in poor general medical condition with intractable pain originating from metastatic tumor involvement in the ventral components of the thoracic or upper lumbar spinal column and minimal evidence or absence of spinal cord compression. After stabilization, pain relief was almost total and sustained, and neurological status generally remained unchanged from preoperative findings without any evidence of improvement of preexisting abnormalities or occasions of rapid neurological deterioration. This form of spinal stabilization may offer significant relief of debilitating pain, lessen the risk of pathological fracture-dislocation of the thoracic or upper lumbar vertebral column, and reduction in the local compressive effects on the spinal cord caused by ventrally situated metastatic tumor.

Author List

Cusick JF, Larson SJ, Walsh PR, Steiner RE

Author

Joseph F. Cusick MD Adjunct Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Aged
Carcinoma
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Pain
Radiography
Spinal Fusion
Spinal Neoplasms