[Relationship of motor deficits and imaging features in metastatic epidural spinal cord compression].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationship of motor deficits of the lower extremities with the imaging features of malignant spinal cord compression (MESCCs).


METHODS
From July 2006 through December 2008, 56 successive MESCC patients were treated at our department. All were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography and were scored according to motor deficits Frankel grading on admission. Imaging assessment factors of main involved vertebrae were level of vertebral metastatic location, epidural space involvement, vertebral body involvement, lamina involvement, posterior protrusion of posterior wall, pedicle involvement, continuity of main involved vertebrae, fracture of anterior column, fracture of posterior wall, location in upper thoracic spine and/or cervicothoracic junction.


RESULTS
Occurrence was the same between paralytic state of MESCCs and epidural space involvement of imaging features. Multiple regression equation showed that paralytic state had a linear regression relationship with imaging factors of lamina involvement (X1), posterior protrusion of posterior wall (X2), location in upper thoracic spine and/or cervicothoracic junction (X7) of main involved vertebrae. The optimal regression equation of paralytic state (Y) and imaging feature (X) was Y = -0.009 +0.639X, + 0.149X, +0.282X. Lamina involvement of main involved vertebrae has a greatest influence upon paralytic state of MESCC patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Imaging factors of lamina involvement, posterior protrusion of posterior wall, location in upper thoracic spine and/or cervicothoracic junction of main involved vertebrae can predict the paralytic state of MESCC patients. MESCC with lamina involvement is more easily encroached on epidural space.
Liu
Shu-Bin
SB
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, PLA 307th Hospital, Beijing 100071, China.
Liu
Yao-Sheng
YS
Li
Ding-Feng
DF
Fan
Hai-Tao
HT
Huai
Jian-Ye
JY
Guo
Jun
J
Wang
Lei
L
Liu
Cheng
C
Zhang
Ping
P
Cui
Qiu
Q
Jiang
Wei-Hao
WH
Cao
Yun-Cen
YC
Jiang
Ning
N
Sui
Jia-Hong
JH
Zhang
Bin
B
Zhou
Jiu
J
D015174:Epidural Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000556:secondary; D006801:Humans; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*