21 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
To learn about the safety of a procedure called cord dose escalated spine stereotactic radiosurgery (CDE-SSRS) in patients with MESCC.
The primary aim of this randomized multi-center trial is to investigate the efficacy of the radiotherapy regimens 5 x 4 Gy and 10 x 3 Gy with respect to the effect on motor function in patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression.
The goal of this clinical study is to learn the feasibility of using a single session of radiation, known as spine stereotactic radiosurgery (SSRS), to treat metastatic epidural spinal cord compression.
The goal of this clinical study is to learn the feasibility of using a single session of radiation, known as spine stereotactic radiosurgery (SSRS), to treat metastatic epidural spinal cord compression.
One of the complications of having cancer in the spinal vertebrae is that it can spread and lead to compression of the spinal cord. Spinal cord compression is a serious event that needs to be treated quickly in order to prevent permanent damage to the spinal cord and nerves. * Researchers currently do not have the ability to accurately predict whether cancer of the vertebrae will cause spinal cord compression. It is possible that accurate predictions could allow doctors to treat patients even before they develop symptoms of spinal cord compression, thereby preventing some of the long-term consequences. Objectives: * To compare patients with cancer of the spinal vertebrae with and without symptoms of spinal cord compression by looking at markers in the blood and changes on novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques that might allow researchers to predict who will experience spinal cord compression before they actually begin to have symptoms. Eligibility: * One group of healthy volunteers 18 years of age and older. * One group of patients 18 years of age and older who have cancer that has spread to the vertebrae without symptoms of spinal cord compression. * One group of patients 18 years of age and older who have cancer that has spread to the vertebrae with symptoms of spinal cord compression. Design: * Healthy volunteers: * Blood will be drawn from each volunteer for initial tests and for more specific biomarker tests. * Comprehensive MRI of the spine, followed by a special type of MRI called diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). It is believed that DTI may be even more sensitive in revealing spinal cord abnormalities than regular MRI sequences. * Patients with cancer of the vertebrae: * Researchers will obtain information such as pathology reports, laboratory results, diagnosis and treatment history, physical exam (PE) information, results of scans such as x-rays, MRI, computerized tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET), and planned treatment details. * Additional blood samples will be taken for specific biomarker tests. * Questionnaire about pain, unusual sensations or numbness, bladder or bowel problems, and mobility. * Comprehensive MRI of the spine, followed by a DTI. * Patients who appear to have symptoms of spinal cord compression will be offered standard radiation treatment.
The aim of this trial is to evaluate the differences in pain relief, neurological function, quality of life and survival in patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) who are managed with a combination of surgery and radiotherapy versus radiotherapy alone. Further we shall evaluate cost-effectiveness of the two treatment approaches.
The investigators are studying the use of enzyme replacement therapy into the spinal fluid for treatment of spinal cord compression in the Hurler-Scheie and Scheie forms of mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I). Funding source -- FDA OOPD
The main purpose of this study is to see if treating cancer with the magnetic resonance imaging guided adaptive radiotherapy (MRIdian) can control patient's tumor and eliminate the need for surgery used to treat nerves in the spine flattened by pressure (compressed).
This is a one-year extension study of the use of laronidase into the spinal fluid to treat spinal cord compression in mucopolysaccharidosis I. Mucopolysaccharidosis I is a rare genetic condition due to deficiency of the enzyme alpha-l-iduronidase. Spinal cord compression occurs in this condition due to accumulation of material called glycosaminoglycans (GAG). Laronidase is the manufactured form of the enzyme alpha-l-iduronidase that is deficient in mucopolysaccharidosis I patients. The aim of this study is to determine whether laronidase is safe and effective when given into the spinal fluid as a potential non-surgical treatment for spinal cord compression due to mucopolysaccharidosis I disease. Funding Source -- FDA OOPD
White matter fiber tracking may provide a novel tool to assess the integrity of injured motor tracts in the cervical spine. It provides information about fiber directions which is not given by conventional MRI. White matter fiber tracking in the brain is used at several institutions, including our own medical college, for presurgical planning of tumor excision. We believe that the technical and clinical experience gained for the brain can be applied to fiber tracking in the cervical spine as well.
Spinal cord injury following posterior decompression in patients suffering from chronic, cervicothoracic spinal cord compression is a known complication with multiple etiologies. Currently, intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) remains the gold standard for predicting and preventing post-operative deficits from these procedures. However, there is a paucity in the field of spine surgery for further, non-invasive biomarkers that can help detect and prognosticate the degree of spinal cord injury intraoperatively. Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a radiation free imaging modality that utilizes nanobubble technology to allow for visualization of the macro- and microvascular architecture of soft tissue structures. Despite being currently approved for the use in hepatology and cardiology, it has remained absent from the field of spinal cord injury. The study team aims to evaluate and quantify micro- and macrovascular changes that lead to areas of hyper-perfusion as well as areas of ischemia intraoperatively in patients that undergo elective cervicothoracic posterior decompression for chronic compression. In addition, the study team aims to assess the efficacy of CEUS in detecting microvascular changes that correlate with IONM changes and predicting degree and recovery of post-operative neurologic deficits from intraoperative spinal cord injury. The study team hypothesizes that following decompression, subjects will have detectable levels of microvascular changes causing areas of hypoperfusion and reperfusion injury. Second, the study team hypothesizes that these perfusion changes will correlate with intraoperative neuromonitoring changes and can predict and prognosticate the degree of post-operative neurologic injury.
The purpose of this research is to combine two complementary modes of treatment, spinal interstitial laser ablation and stereotactic spine radiosurgery (SSRS) for the treatment for spinal tumors near the spinal cord with an objective to improve tumor control, improve pain control, preserve function, and improve quality of life. We will also assess how effective these combined modes of treatment are in patients with spinal metastasis with an epidural component.
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of nerve transfer surgery for restoring hand function as a therapy for patients with cervical spinal cord injury.
The SciExVR study will evaluate the potential benefit of autologous bone marrow derived stem cells (BMSC) in the treatment of spinal cord injury with evidence of impaired motor or sensory function. The treatment consists of bilateral paraspinal injections of the BMSC at the level of the injury as well as superior and inferior to that spinal segment followed by an intravenous injection and intranasal placement. Patients undergoing BMSC treatment may also be assigned to use of exoskeletal movement (or equivalent) or virtual reality visualization (or equivalent) to augment upper motor neuron firing and/or receptivity of the sensory neurons. http://mdstemcells.com/sciexvr/
This phase II clinical trial studies how well thermal ablation and spine stereotactic radiosurgery work in treating patients with cancer that has spread to the spine (spine metastases) and is at risk for compressing the spinal cord. Thermal ablation uses a laser to heat tumor tissue and helps to shrink the tumor by destroying tumor cells. Stereotactic radiosurgery delivers a large dose of radiation in a short time precisely to the tumor, sparing healthy surrounding tissue. Combining thermal ablation with stereotactic radiosurgery may be a better way to control cancer that has spread to the spine and is at risk for compressing the spinal cord.
This pilot clinical trial studies adaptive staged stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in treating patients with spinal metastases that cannot be removed by surgery. SBRT is a specialized radiation therapy that delivers a single, high dose of radiation directly to the tumor and may kill more tumor cells and cause less damage to normal tissue. Adaptive SBRT uses information gathered during treatment to inform, guide, and alter future radiation treatments. Staged SBRT uses multiple treatments separated by 2-3 weeks. Giving adaptive staged SBRT may work better in treating spinal metastases that cannot be removed by surgery.
This pilot clinical trial studies beta-tricalcium phosphate bone graft in treating patients undergoing surgery for metastatic spine cancer. A bone graft may help healing and bone growth in patients undergoing surgery for spine cancer
Patients who have been diagnosed with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy will be asked to undergo an MRI using diffusion basis spectrum imaging (DBSI) technology. The patients will have this MRI preoperatively and at 24 months postop. The investigators believe that with this imaging, biomarkers will be able to be seen to assist in prediction of long term outcomes in patients with spinal cord compression. These patients will be compared to healthy cohorts who will also undergo an MRI using the DBSI technology.
The purpose of this study is to determine if denosumab is non-inferior to zoledronic acid in the treatment of bone disease from multiple myeloma.
Metastatic malignant tumors comprise the vast majority of spinal tumors in adults. The most devastating complication of spinal metastatic disease (SMD) is invasion of the spinal canal and compression of the spinal cord or the nerve roots of the cauda equina, resulting in a clinical entity known as cord compression that manifests with progressive loss of motor function and sensation in the legs, as well as bladder and bowel incontinence. The treatment of spinal metastases is mostly palliative with the goals of improving or maintaining neurologic function, achieving local tumor control, and spinal stability. Most patients with spinal metastatic disease are currently treated effectively with radiation therapy and/or surgery with good results. There are however certain limitations in the current treatment of SMD. Radiation therapy has two important limitations: 1) if the targeted SMD is in close proximity the spinal cord, delivery of high radiation doses is contraindicated as it may cause radiation-induced damage to the spinal cord (myelopathy, and 2) there is limit on the cumulative amount of radiation dose, which means that recurrent tumors may not be amenable to repeat radiation therapy. As far spinal surgery is concerned, the main limitation is that some patients are not fit for surgery because of medical co-morbidities. This phase I clinical research trial will test the hypothesis that a new minimally invasive treatment called spinal intra-arterial chemotherapy (SIAC) can be safely applied in patients with SMD.
The investigators want to know if using the study drug dexmedetomidine will improve nerve wave readings during neurosurgery. These readings are done many times during surgery while the patient is asleep. The readings look at how nerves are working and let the operating team know if nerves are hurt during surgery. If the readings tell that nerves are not working correctly, the surgeons can help while changing the way of operating. The study drug will be used in addition to the general anesthesia that a patient is given. The nerve readings that the investigators get while using the study drug will be compared with nerve readings that the investigators get while not using the study drug. The study hypothesis is that dexmedetomidine does not change nerve readings.