[Primary intradural extramedullary tumors treated at the National Institute of Rehabilitation (Mexico)].

BACKGROUND

Spine tumors are uncommon injuries affecting a low percentage of the population; however, these tumors can cause significant morbidity and may be related to mortality. They represent 15% of craniospinal tumors. The objective of this study is to determine the frequency of intradural extramedullary spine tumors treated in our Service and to report the definitive histopathological diagnosis.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study in a series of patients treated surgically with a diagnosis of intradural extramedullary tumor in the Spine Service of the National Rehabilitation Institute (Mexico) from 1996 to 2006. The following variables were evaluated: gender, age, tumor localization, symptomatology and type of tumor.

RESULTS

Files of 27 patients were reviewed. There were 11 men and 16 women with an average age of 47.33 years. The main symptoms were pain and motor weakness. The most frequent localization was thoracic followed by lumbar. Histopathological diagnosis reported 12 cases of meningioma, 12 cases of schwannoma and 3 cases of neurofibroma.

CONCLUSIONS

Symptomatology, localization and gender predominance are similar to that reported in the literature. Different from other series, schwannomas and meningiomas were the most frequent tumors in our study. Appropriate diagnosis and opportune treatment consisting of total resection with laminoplasty are crucial in order to avoid permanent neurological consequences.