Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis: a clinical and imaging study of seven patients

Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) is a rare complication of cancer. This complication has been studied by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) more frequently in the clinical context to improve the survival time of cancer patients. However, the number of the reports of its clinical management or radiographic findings is small. To investigate the clinical and imaging characteristics of ISCM, seven cases of ISCM of a nonneurogenic origin were examined retrospectively.

Data regarding the site of the primary neoplasm, location of other metastases, initial symptoms, interval from the original diagnosis of cancer to the onset of neurologic symptoms, time course from initial symptoms to urinary retention, MRI data, and outcome after radiologic or surgical intervention were investigated.

Five patients had lung cancer metastases, and one each had breast or uterine cancer metastases. The progression of neurologic deficit was rapid, and the average period between the occurrence of initial symptoms and urinary retention was 25 days. The averaged survival period from the diagnosis of ISCM was 5 months in three patients. (One patient is alive, and the data could not be obtained in another three patients.) MRI characteristics were useful for diagnosis, including large high signal intensity areas on T2-weighted images and strong ring or inhomogeneous enhancement on gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced T1-weighted images. Surgery was performed on two patients, but total removal could not be achieved. Radiotherapy was effective in treating neurologic deficit in five patients.

Surgical treatment is seldom indicated for ISCM, and radiotherapy is recommended as soon as possible after a diagnosis is made from MRI.