Quality of Life in Intradural Spinal Tumors: Patients' perceptions of microsurgical treatment

This work refers to the first analysis of the relevant literature on quality of life using the SF-36 questionnaire in adult patients who underwent neurological surgery with a microsurgical technique for the excision of primary intradural spinal neoplasms. Surgical treatment of these neoplasms is indicated to achieve complete resection, reduce morbidity, and increase disease-free survival in pursuit of a cure. The consequences of surgical treatment influencing quality of life were compared using psychometric methods with specific McCormick and Aminoff-Logue scales for spinal cord functionality. Internal consistency through construct and criterion validity confirmed the hypothesis of a relationship between SF-36 scores and the McCormick scale, as well as the Aminoff-Logue scales for gait, bladder, and bowel function. Reliability was demonstrated in all eight domains of the SF-36, and the consistent association was able to better characterize the perception of health of patients undergoing surgical treatment.