Discussion of the indications for decompressive laminectomy in epidural spinal metastases.

The authors have recently reviewed the results of their consecutive cases of decompressive thoracic or lumbar laminectomy for spinal cord compression from epidural metastatic neoplasia at the City of Hope National Medical Center over the 15-year period, 1960-1974. This limited series tends to demonstrate the effect of case selection on results, as well as contrast the type of patient with paraparesis seen at a cancer treatment center with that seen at a community or county hospital.