title: [Clinical classification and surgical management of cervicothoracic intraspinal lipomas].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the clinical classification and surgical management of cervicothoracic intraspinal lipomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 22 patients with cervicothoracic intraspinal lipomas were analyzed retrospectively with regards to clinical manifestations, radiographic features, intraoperative findings, surgical techniques and follow-ups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total (n = 4), subtotal (n = 7) and partial (n = 11) resection was performed. Long-term neurological outcomes were evaluated by modified McCormick classification scheme. Their symptoms improved (n = 15), unchanged (n = 3) and deteriorated (n = 4). And cervicothoracic intraspinal lipomas could be classified into extradural, transitional, chaotic and secondary intramedullary groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Different groups of cervicothoracic intraspinal lipomas vary in the degree of resection and surgical efficacy. Total resection may be performed on most extradural lipomas. The surgical objective of transitional lipomas is decompression. Chaotic and secondary intramedullary lipomas should target effective resection to avoid neurological function injury. Intraoperative use of laser facilitates tumor resection. Intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring protects spinal cord.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.
authors.forename: Dongkang
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.
authors.forename: Desheng
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.
authors.forename: Yulun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China. Email: wghwynsby@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Guihuai
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008067:Lipoma / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult