[Metastases to the spinal cord and cauda equina]

The authors present 3 rare cases of metastases to the spinal cord and cauda equina. In 2 cases the tumours were of epithelial, and in the third neuroepithelial origin. In one case the tumour was localized in the thoracic segment of spinal cord, and in the second case in the conus and cauda equina, whereas in the third at the cauda equina. The diagnosis was established by CT and myelography. Total removal of the tumour in the cauda equina was carried out. The most significant neurologic symptoms in the two cases were pain and paresis in one case. In our series the rate of metastases to intramedullary and cauda equina constitute 11.1% of all metastases to vertebral column and vertebral canal, and 8% of all epithelial metastases to central nervous system. Death were reported in all the patients within the 1st-5th month of diagnosis of tumour in the spinal cord.