Management Challenges of Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression in Pregnancy
Davor Dasic1, Narendra K Rath1, Mario Ganau2
1Department of Neurosurgery, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK.
Case Reports in Surgery
|November 18, 2020
Summary
This case study highlights successful emergency spinal surgery for a pregnant patient with metastatic breast cancer. A multidisciplinary approach enabled the delivery of a healthy baby and subsequent maternal oncological treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Neurosurgery
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Spinal tumors with cord compression during pregnancy pose significant clinical, ethical, and psychological challenges.
- Balancing maternal cancer treatment with fetal well-being is complex.
Observation:
- A 39-year-old woman with a 10-year history of breast cancer presented in her second trimester with severe thoracic spinal instability and cord compression due to metastatic disease.
- Neuroradiological imaging revealed multilevel spinal deposits and a pathological T10 fracture.
Findings:
- Emergency spinal decompression and instrumented fixation were performed to address the instability and cord compression.
- The patient successfully delivered a healthy baby, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Implications:
- This case demonstrates the feasibility of aggressive spinal intervention in pregnant patients with metastatic cancer.
- A multidisciplinary team approach is crucial for optimizing decision-making and outcomes in such complex cases.
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