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Real-world experience with management of spinal ganglioneuroma: long-term follow-up observations of 31 cases

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Abstract

Introduction

Spinal ganglioneuroma (GN) is the most benign neoplasm of neuroblastic origin. There is little knowledge about spinal GN because of sporadic cases reported. The objective of this study is to describe the clinical manifestations and long-term follow-up outcomes of spinal GN after consecutive treatment.

Methods

The clinical and follow-up data of 31 patients with spinal GN receiving consecutive treatment in our institute are retrospectively analyzed.

Results

The mean age of the 31 patients was 40.39 ± 14.8 years. They were diagnosed with spinal GN and received surgical treatment in our institution between February 2012 and August 2019. Of them, 22 (71%) patients presented preoperative neurological symptoms. The mean duration from symptom onset to surgery was 19.76 ± 49.59 months. Eighteen patients received complete surgical resection and 13 patients received subtotal excision. In addition, radicotomy was performed simultaneously after sophisticated consideration in 19 patients. The follow-up period averaged 64.13 ± 22.67 months. The preoperative neurological dysfunction was improved significantly during the follow-up period in all cases. No local recurrence or malignant transformation has occurred so far.

Conclusion

Spinal GN is a rare but benign neoplasm, and the origin of spinal GN remains controversial. With our experience, we propose that the origin of spinal GN from dorsal root ganglion should be equally considered as its counterpart of sympathetic ganglion. Complete resection is the preferred surgical strategy to avoid malignant events and recurrence. And the close postoperative follow-up observations are warranted.

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Abbreviations

H&E:

Hematoxylin–Eosin

GN:

Ganglioneuroma

DRG:

Dorsal root ganglion

SG:

Sympathetic ganglion

CT:

Computed tomography

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

IHC:

Immunohistochemical

OS:

Overall survival

EFS:

Event-free survival

EMA:

Epithelial membrane antigen

NSE:

Neuron-specific enolase

NF:

Neurofilament

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Funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (81871470, 81902732, 81972505).

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Author notes

  1. Sun Haitao, Wang Yao and Jiang Xin have contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Spine Tumor Center, Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, No. 415 Fengyang Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China

    Sun Haitao, Wang Yao, Cai Xiaopan, Wang Ting, Lou Yan, Zhao Chenglong, Wu Zhipeng & Xiao Jianru

  2. Department of Anesthesiology, Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, China

    Jiang Xin

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  1. Sun Haitao
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Correspondence to Zhao Chenglong, Wu Zhipeng or Xiao Jianru.

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Haitao, S., Yao, W., Xin, J. et al. Real-world experience with management of spinal ganglioneuroma: long-term follow-up observations of 31 cases. Eur Spine J 30, 2896–2905 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-021-06896-z

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