Spine, Spinal Vascular Malformations Of The New Classification And Its Clinical Application

Objective: To propose a new modified classification of spinal vascular malformations and to evaluate its significance on clinical application. To access the efficacy and safety of the improved therapeutic techniques on spinal cord vascular malformations.Material and Methods: Since 1986 to March 2003, we had treated 549 cases of spinal vascular malformations. All the cases were divided into its category of the new classification. Thorough overview was made on sex, age, location, history, development, treatment, clinical and anatomical results. Quantified functional scales were applied on the therapeutic results in detail. The therapeutic methods had been improved in the period of 2000-March, 2003, according to the modified classification. The results in this period were statistically compared with the previous ones.Results: The new classification includes all spinal vascular lesions in our group. With the treatment, 82.2% of spinal vascular malformations cases were improved. 62.6% cases have got 95%~100% anatomical elimination results. With the help of the new modified classification and improved therapeutic techniques, the 95%~100% anatomical elimination results were achieved as 87.2%, without declination of the average functional results in early stage after treatment. The therapeutic period was shortened.