Spinal epidural compression in head and neck cancer. Report of five cases.
Patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer (HNC) during a 13-year period were retrospectively studied for the development of spinal epidural compression (SEC). Of the 759 patients studied, 5 developed epidural compression (1%), 4 of whom were relatively young. SEC occurred simultaneously with HNC in 2 patients and long after the diagnosis of HNC in 3 individuals. There was no observed tendency to involve a particular segment of the spine. Local control of HNC following definitive treatment along with regained ability to walk after palliative radiotherapy in a patient was associated with long-term survival. Recommendations are made for aggressive treatment of SEC to achieve a satisfactory outcome.
Ampil
F L
FL
Department of Radiology, Louisiana State University Medical Center, Shreveport.
Nanda
A
A
Aarstad
R F
RF
Hoasjoe
D K
DK
Chin
H W
HW
Hardjasudarma
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy