[Clinical studies of patients with spinal cord metastases]

Eighty-one patients with spinal-cord tumors are hospitalized in the Clinic of Emergency Neurology and Neurosurgery over the period 1988 through 1997. Of the total number, 74 patients of which 25 presenting metastases from neoplasms with primary location out of the central nervous system, are subjected to operation. There are 4 tumors involving the cervical segment, 1--cervicothoracic, 17--thoracic, 1--thoracolumbar, and 2--lumbar segment. Histological verification is done in all patients operated on. The indications for undertaking surgery in this particular contingent of patients are discussed.