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Research ArticleTumor

Predicting Survival in Patients Presenting With Spinal Epidural Metastases: The Limburg Spinal Metastasis Score

Vincent J. Bulthuis, Valérie N.E. Schuermans, Paul C. Willems, Inez Curfs, Arlette A. Ramos Gonzaléz, Sander M.J. van Kuijk and Henk van Santbrink
International Journal of Spine Surgery April 2023, 8473; DOI: https://doi.org/10.14444/8473
Vincent J. Bulthuis
1 Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
2 Department of Neurosurgery, Zuyderland Medical Center, Heerlen, Netherlands
3 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
MD
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  • For correspondence: v.bulthuis@mumc.nl
Valérie N.E. Schuermans
2 Department of Neurosurgery, Zuyderland Medical Center, Heerlen, Netherlands
4 CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
MD
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Paul C. Willems
3 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
4 CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
MD, PHD
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Inez Curfs
5 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zuyderland Medical Center, Heerlen, Netherlands
MD, PHD
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Arlette A. Ramos Gonzaléz
3 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
MD
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Sander M.J. van Kuijk
6 Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology (KEMTA), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
MD, PHD
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Henk van Santbrink
1 Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
2 Department of Neurosurgery, Zuyderland Medical Center, Heerlen, Netherlands
4 CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
MD, PHD
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  • Article
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Article Figures & Data

Figures

  • Tables
  • Supplementary Materials
  • Figure 1
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    Figure 1

    The Kaplan-Meier curve for the whole cohort, with 95% confidence band and median.

  • Figure 2
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    Figure 2

    The Kaplan-Meier curve stratified by groups based on risk terciles of the newly developed model.

  • Figure 3
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    Figure 3

    The Kaplan-Meier curve stratified by the number of points on the simplified risk score.

Tables

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    • View popup
    Table 1

    Demographic and clinical characteristics (N = 144).

    Demographics and Baseline Characteristics n (%)
    Age, y, mean (range)62.7 (28–83)
    Men84 (58%)
    ASA score
     ASA 18 (5.6)
     ASA 269 (47.9)
     ASA 364 (44.4)
     ASA 43 (2.1)
    BMI
     <18.5 (Underweight)3 (2.1)
     18.5–24.9 (Normal weight)37 (25.7)
     25–29.9 (Overweight)41 (28.5)
     30–34.9 (Obese)7 (4.9)
     >35 (Extremely obese)3 (2.1)
     Missing53 (36.8)
    Frankel grade (preoperative)
     A/B/C49 (34.0)
     D53 (36.8)
     E42 (29.2)
    Ambulatory status (preoperative)
     Intact83 (57.6)
     Impaired61 (42.4)
    Karnofsky performance score (preoperative)
     Poor to moderate (0–70)62 (56.9)
     Good (70–100)82 (43.1)
    Spinal instability neoplastic score
     Stable (1–6)10 (6.9)
     Potentially unstable (7–12)86 (59.7)
     Unstable (13–18)48 (33.3)
    Oncological characteristicsNumber (%)
    Primary tumor site
     Breast28 (19.4)
     Lung (nonsmall cell)26 (18.1)
     Multiple myeloma19 (13.2)
     Prostate18 (12.5)
     Renal17 (11.8)
     Unknown primary7 (4.9)
     Colon3 (2.1)
     Rectum3 (2.1)
     B-cell lymphoma (non-Hodgkin)3 (2.1)
     Lung (small cell)3 (2.1)
     Gastrointestinal2 (1.4)
     Oropharynx2 (1.4)
     Testis1 (0.7)
     Neuroendocrine (lung)1 (0.7)
     Melanoma1 (0.7)
     Bladder1 (0.7)
     Esophageal1 (0.7)
     Cholangiocarcinoma1 (0.7)
     Missing7 (4.9)
    Spinal metastasis region
     Cervical17 (11.8)
     Cervicothoracic junction2 (1.4)
     Thoracic102 (70.8)
     Thoracolumbar junction9 (6.3)
     Lumbar11 (7.6)
     Diffuse3 (2.1)
    Solitary spinal metastases present70 (48.6)
    Extraspinal bone metastases present66 (45.8)
    Visceral metastases present49 (34.0)
    Cerebral metastases present14 (9.7)
    Previous radiotherapy on surgical lesion14 (9.7)
    • Note: Data presented as n (%) unless otherwise noted.

    • Abbreviations: ASA, American Society of Anesthesiologists; BMI, body mass index.

    • View popup
    Table 2

    Multivariable Cox regression analysis on the association between predictor variables and decreased survival.

    VariableHazard Ratio95% CI P ValueRegression CoefficientRisk Scorea
    Karnofsky performance status (<70)1.531.03–2.280.0350.431
    Presence of multiple spinal metastasis2.021.35–3.03<0.0010.701
    Presence of visceral metastasis1.771.16–2.700.0080.571
    Primary tumor growth (Tomita Scale)<0.001
     SlowReference0
     Moderate2.311.30–4.090.0040.841
     Fast4.162.57–6.73<0.0011.432
    • ↵a Risk scores are based on rounding the regression coefficient up to the nearest integer.

    • View popup
    Table 3

    Cumulative risk score predicting the survival probability.

    Risk ScoreSurvival Probability (95% CI)
    3 mo6 mo9 mo12 mo
    01111
    10.87 (0.68–0.95)0.80 (0.61–0.95)0.80 (0.61–0.91)0.80 (0.61–0.91)
    20.90 (0.71–0.97)0.86 (0.67–0.95)0.83 (0.64–0.93)0.80 (0.60–0.90)
    30.74 (0.55–0.85)0.56 (0.38–0.71)0.38 (0.22–0.54)0.32 (0.22–0.54)
    40.58 (0.33–0.76)0.37 (0.17–0.58)0.32 (0.13–0.52)0.26 (0.10–0.47)
    50.38 (0.14–0.63)0.15 (0.02–0.39)0.08 (0.01–0.30)0.08 (0.01–0.30)

Supplementary Materials

  • Figures
  • Tables
  • TABLE S1.

    [8473supp001.docx]

  • TABLE S2.

    [8473supp002.docx]

  • TABLE S3.

    [8473supp003.docx]

  • TABLE S4.

    [8473supp007.docx]

  • TABLE S5.

    [8473supp004.docx]

  • TABLE S6.

    [8473supp005.docx]

  • FIGURE S1.

    [8473supp006.tiff]

  • FIGURE S2.

    [8473supp008.tiff]

  • FIGURE S3.

    [8473supp009.tiff]

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International Journal of Spine Surgery: 19 (S2)
International Journal of Spine Surgery
Vol. 19, Issue S2
1 Apr 2025
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Predicting Survival in Patients Presenting With Spinal Epidural Metastases: The Limburg Spinal Metastasis Score
Vincent J. Bulthuis, Valérie N.E. Schuermans, Paul C. Willems, Inez Curfs, Arlette A. Ramos Gonzaléz, Sander M.J. van Kuijk, Henk van Santbrink
International Journal of Spine Surgery Apr 2023, 8473; DOI: 10.14444/8473

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Predicting Survival in Patients Presenting With Spinal Epidural Metastases: The Limburg Spinal Metastasis Score
Vincent J. Bulthuis, Valérie N.E. Schuermans, Paul C. Willems, Inez Curfs, Arlette A. Ramos Gonzaléz, Sander M.J. van Kuijk, Henk van Santbrink
International Journal of Spine Surgery Apr 2023, 8473; DOI: 10.14444/8473
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