Surgical Outcomes of Spinal Cord Intramedullary Cavernous Malformation: A Retrospective Study of 83 Patients in a Single Center over a 12-Year Period

OBJECTIVE: Spinal cord intramedullary cavernous malformation (SICM) is kind of rare vascular disease, and the therapeutic strategy is still under debate. The purpose of this article is to analyze outcome of SICM surgical resection and to find the possible factors indicating a better outcome. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 83 patients with SICM in a single center from 2005 to 2017 was performed. Neurologic status was assessed using the McCormick Scale. Clinical information was collected and analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Eighty patients with SICM were included, 48% of whom were male (n = 40). The mean age was 39.0 years; 7% of patients (n = 6) had a family history and 4% of patients (n = 3) had multiple lesions; and 41% (n = 34) were found with definite hemorrhage. Before surgery, neurologic status of the patients was 43.4%, 31.3%, 13.3%, and 12.0% in grades I (n = 36), II (n = 26), III (n = 11), and IV (n = 10), respectively. Sixty-three patients received long-term follow-up, of whom 19 improved, 39 remained in stable condition, and 5 deteriorated. Patients with duration of symptoms less than 3 months showed a higher improved outcome rate than those with duration longer than 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: The finding suggests that if total resection of SICM is achievable, surgical therapy could be considered to avoid risks of severe complications followed by lesion bleeding. Early microsurgical resection (usually within 3 months) for patients with SICM can lead to better clinical outcomes.