Removal of a huge tumor of the spinal cord with sprouting into the brain
Friday, 10 Февраль 2023
Since September 2022, a patient from Pavlodar began to be disturbed by pain and heaviness in the cervical region with irradiation to the left scapular region, to the left upper limb, and a feeling of numbness in the left hand. The woman received treatment at the place of residence, but her health did not improve.
Soon the patient underwent an MRI examination of the cervical spine, on which the doctors revealed a huge tumor (3.5 cm * 3.0 * 3.5 cm) at the level of the cervical-occipital junction. The tumor was located inside the spinal cord, passing into the brain at the base of the skull. The tumor compresses the brainstem and spinal cord.
The location of the tumor was in an extremely inaccessible place and required the fine work of neurosurgeons, modern equipment and technology. Carrying out such a complex operation in Kazakhstan was possible only at the National Center for Neurosurgery.
“The region of the cervical-occipital junction and the base of the skull is a very dangerous localization for tumors. The main difficulties during the operation were associated with the fact that such important anatomical structures as the brainstem, cerebellum, nerves of the cerebellopontine angle, caudal and upper spinal nerves, vertebral and basilar arteries with their branches, bone structures and articular structures are involved in the pathological process. In case of damage to these vital centers, the patient can be paralyzed, and even turn into a fatal outcome. In this case, a minimally invasive approach was chosen, which allows, safely for the patient, to completely remove the tumor, while saving the function of the vital structures of the body. We encounter such complex operations quite often,” explained the head of the Department of Spinal Neurosurgery and Pathology of the Peripheral Nervous System of JSC NCN, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Talgat Kerimbaev.
The operation was successful, the anatomical approach carefully planned by the doctors made it possible to completely separate the neoplasm from the spinal cord. The operation was performed on the patient within the framework of the state sociial insurance. Surgical intervention was carried out under the control of the apparatus for intraoperative neuromonitoring and blood reinfusion.
At the time of hospitalization, the patient had choking when eating, difficulty swallowing, pain in the projection of the scapular region on the left, and the strength of the muscles in the left arm was also reduced.
After the operation, the patient's condition improved in the form of a regression of weakness in the hands, the absence of pain in the head and neck, and an improvement in the general condition. On the 2nd day the patient was activated, she began to get up and move independently. At the moment, the woman is preparing for discharge.
“After the operation, I feel much better, the pain is gone, I can hold objects in my left hand. For example, before the operation, I could not even hold a glass of water in my left hand, everything fell. I feel great relief. I am grateful to the doctors of this Center, from the bottom of my heart I express my gratitude to all those who took part in my recovery, ” the patient shared.
