Early Clinical Presentation of Intradural Tumors in Animal Models, and How This Applies to Humans

Introduction: Our paper aims to identify early signs and symptoms of spinal tumors in animal analogs as a lens to retrospectively apply on humans. Given the often-late onset diagnosis of various spinal tumors, we found it appropriate to center our study around early signs and symptoms in animal models. Similar retrospective analysis in the fields of ophthalmology and cardiology have been integral in the development of medical technologies such as artificial lenses and pacemakers. Therefore, we believe understanding spinal tumors across the tree of life is a crucial foundation in improving human treatment of the same tumors.

Methods: A search of Medline, Embase, and Web of Science in July of 2024 yielded 1856 potential matches and was uploaded to Covidence for review. Our inclusion criteria specified for spontaneous tumors arising in the spine, in non-human subjects, while also including initial clinical findings. Our preliminary data set consisted of 100 papers, with a total of 145 unique cases.

Results: Our review found 14 different spinal cord tumors with Astrocytoma, Oligodendroglioma, and Ependymoma having 37(25.5%), 31(21.4%) and 24(16.6%) cases documented respectively. Of all the 145 recorded cases the most common initial neurological symptoms recorded include isolated “Hind limb ataxia”, and isolated “Hind limb paralysis” found in 38(26.2%), and 31(21.38%) cases respectively. Less common symptoms include isolated “Forelimb ataxia” and isolated “Forelimb paralysis” accounting for a combined total of 4 (2.76%) cases.

Conclusion : In our review, 52% of our cases presented with initial motor dysfunction; similar to what is seen in human models, where approximately 55% of human patients with intradural tumors initially present with motor dysfunction. Our preliminary data would also suggest that spinal tumors in animal models are 23 times more likely to initially present with hind limb motor dysfunction rather than forelimb dysfunction, thus shining a light on the predilection of spinal tumors for hind limb dysfunctions. Indicating a need for future research to test the efficacy of using lower limb ataxia as a means of screening for intradural tumors in humans.