Surgery of Spinal Cord Tumors Based on Anatomy. An Approach Based on Anatomic Compartmentalization

1. Epidemiology of spinal cord tumors
2. Pathology of spinal cord tumors
3. Anatomy of spinal meninges and meningeal spaces: relevant to surgery of spinal cord tumors
4. Anatomical compartment of spinal cord tumors with anatomical classification
5. How to approach anatomical compartment; Extradural Nerve Plexus Tumor
6. How to approach anatomical compartment; Extradural Paraspinal Tumor
7. How to approach anatomical compartment; Extradural Foraminal Tumor
8. How to approach anatomical compartment; Extradural Intracanal Tumor
9. How to approach anatomical compartment; Dural Tumor
10. How to approach anatomical compartment; Intradural Extra-arachnoidal Tumor
11. How to approach anatomical compartment; Intradural Subarachnoidal Tumor
12. How to approach anatomical compartment; Intradural Pial-extrapial Tumor
13. How to approach anatomical compartment; Intrapial Intra-axial Tumor
14. How to approach anatomical compartment; Intrapial Intra-ependymal Tumor
15. Dorsal column mapping
16. Diffusion tensor imaging
17. Electrophysiological study including EP, EMG, NCS
18. My surgical experience of spinal cord tumor surgery
19. Anatomical compartment's representative tumor surgery and video
20. Surgery video and results of representative tumor surgery of each anatomical compartment
21. The future direction to improve the outcome of surgery for spinal cord tumors

This book describes and illustrates an approach to surgery for spinal cord tumors that is based on a refined concept of anatomic compartmentalization. The aim of this approach is to enable maximum preservation of spinal cord function through confinement of the surgical work to the involved compartment or compartments. Importantly, this involvement differs according to tumor type, and the classification favored by the author takes this fully into account. After introductory chapters on epidemiology and pathology, the anatomy of the spinal cord relevant to surgery for spinal cord tumors is discussed in detail and the proposed classification is clearly explained. The surgical approach to each of the identified anatomic compartments is then described, with attention to the roles of intraoperative mapping techniques, diffusion tensor imaging, and electrophysiologic studies in ensuring that spinal cord functions are spared. Examples of the author's experience when applying the proposed approach are presented. The book is meant for neurosurgeons at all levels of experience.

Chun Kee Chung, M.D., is working in the Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Hospital.