title: [Metastatic epiduritis in neurosurgery: Hospital data from the Abidjan teaching hospital, 2007-2012].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Metastatic epiduritis is the most frequent extrinsic epidural cause of spinal cord compression. Although neurosurgery is essential to its management, the exact role of this discipline in the treatment of spinal cancer in sub-Saharan Africa has not yet been assessed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze recent hospital data of patients with metastatic epiduritis managed in the Abidjan neurosurgery department.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective analysis of files of 56 patients admitted from January 2007 through December 2012. Our data are discussed in the light of the literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The primary cancers in men were mostly lung (16%) and prostate (34%) cancers, and in women, breast cancer (23%). The two age brackets mainly involved were those aged 31-45 years (21%) and 46-60 years (39%). The reason for admission in all cases was functional disability of the lower limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed for 57%. The thoracic topography was dominant (60%), and vertebral damage was often associated with epiduritis (78%). This metastatic epiduritis was the initial sign leading to cancer diagnosis for 39%. Decompressive laminectomy with biopsy or lesionectomy was performed for 62%. Postoperative neurologic improvement was noted for 36%, and remained satisfactory at one year for 14 patients. Prostate-specific hormone therapy was performed for 30%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study underlines the crucial importance of neurosurgery in management of metastatic epiduritis in our center. Our findings emphasize the need to improve access to neuroradiologic diagnostic resources and optimize surgical treatment in the sub-Saharan region.
authors.affiliation: Service neurochirurgie centre hospitalo-universitaire Yopougon, Abidjan, Abidjan 21, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jibia
authors.affiliation: Service neurochirurgie centre hospitalo-universitaire Yopougon, Abidjan, Abidjan 21, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: O D
authors.initials: OD
authors.lastname: N'Dri
authors.affiliation: Service neurochirurgie centre hospitalo-universitaire Yopougon, Abidjan, Abidjan 21, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sissoko
authors.affiliation: Service neurochirurgie centre hospitalo-universitaire Yopougon, Abidjan, Abidjan 21, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Derou
authors.affiliation: Service neurochirurgie centre hospitalo-universitaire Yopougon, Abidjan, Abidjan 21, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Broalet
authors.affiliation: Service neurochirurgie centre hospitalo-universitaire Yopougon, Abidjan, Abidjan 21, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Varlet
authors.affiliation: Service neurochirurgie centre hospitalo-universitaire Yopougon, Abidjan, Abidjan 21, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ba Zeze
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire; D015174:Epidural Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Ivory Coast; epiduritis; metastases; neurosurgery