| Abstract: |
OBJECTIVE Patients harboring spine tumors may experience neurological decline due to vascular etiology, such as hypoperfusion or vascular steal. Spinal cord ischemia or stroke in the setting of spine tumors is a rarely reported but potentially catastrophic complication. Therefore, the authors sought to report a case series of patients with spine tumors who experienced neurological decline due to vascular reasons, with a proposed etiology and alternative management strategies. METHODS A dual-institution, retrospective case series was conducted of patients with spine tumors who experienced neurological decline due to vascular etiologies between 2004 and 2021. Inclusion criteria were as follows: diagnosis of a primary or metastatic spine tumor and a neurological decline due to anterior spinal cord ischemia or stroke. A description of each case is outlined, as well as the etiology of neurological decline, real-time interventions, and preventative alternative management strategies. RESULTS Five patients were identified who experienced a neurological decline due to vascular reasons at the following times: 2 occurred preoperatively, 2 intraoperatively, and 1 postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS Patients with spine tumors are at risk of spinal cord ischemia or stroke with a catastrophic neurological decline. Early recognition of vascular events in patients with spine tumors is critical to initiating timely interventions that can lead to spinal cord recovery. © AANS 2025, except where prohibited by US copyright law |
