Surgical Treatment of Vascular Intramedullary Spinal Cord Lesions

Background Vascular lesions represent a rare subset of intramedullary spinal cord pathology and consist of cavernous malformations (CM), hemangioblastomas, and arteriovenous malformations (AVM). These lesions are each unique and the literature pertaining to their surgical management is largely limited to retrospective case series and case reports. Objectives To evaluate the surgical management of each of these lesions with special attention to postoperative functional status. Methods A single-institution case series of intramedullary vascular lesions treated with surgery was retrospectively evaluated. The primary variables of interest included preoperative and postoperative McCormick grades. Other variables of interest included frequency and indication for conventional spinal angiography, rates of preoperative embolization, postprocedural complications, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and length of hospital stay. Results Thirty-six patients were identified over the 17-year study period, including 20 with hemangioblastomas, 13 with CMs, and three with AVMs. The median preoperative McCormick grades were 2, 2, and 3 for hemangioblastomas, CMs, and AVMs, respectively. The median postoperative McCormick grades were 2, 2, and 2 for hemangioblastomas, CMs, and AVMs, respectively at the most recent follow-up. Preoperative angiography was performed in all AVM cases and 29% of hemangioblastomas. Preoperative embolization was performed in 40% of hemangioblastoma cases undergoing preoperative angiography. Operative times were similar between the three lesion groups. In three cases of hemangioblastoma resection and one case of CM resection, McCormick grade improved by one point following surgery. At a mean follow-up of 30.9 months for hemangioblastomas, 7.95 months for CMs, and 24 months for AVMs, all patients were at least at their discharge baseline, with no new neurologic complaints. Conclusion Intramedullary vascular lesions are rare and represent a complex surgical patient population. Surgical resection with or without preoperative angiography and embolization appears to be safe and to halt neurologic decline.