Analysis of characteristics and surgical outcome of intradural extramedullary tumors – a retrospective cohort study of 52 patients

Abstract

Introduction: Although intradural extramedullary tumors (IET) are relatively well studied, research on the typical epidemiological, demographic, and clinical characteristics of these malignancies is scanty. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate retrospectively the epidemiology, demographics, clinical presentation, imaging data, type of surgery, and the outcome of treatment of IETs. Materials and methods: We performed retrospective chart review of medical history, clinical presentation, paraclinical and imaging data, and operative protocols of operated patients with IETs from January 2011 to August 2020. Special attention was paid to the onset of symptoms, clinical presentation at admission, imaging data, localization, type of surgery, histology, and outcome of the disease. The degree of neurological deficit and disability of the patients at admission, discharge, and follow-up was assessed by the Modified McCormick Scale and the Modified Rankin Scale, respectively. The follow-up period varied from 1 to 105 months (mean 43 months). Results: Fifty-two patients (mean age 58 years, range 14-78 years) with IETs were surgically treated for the study period. At admission to the clinic, 48 patients (92.3%) had vertebralgia, 34 (65.4%) had concurrent radicular pain, 42 (80.8%) had motor deficit, and 18 (34.6%) had sphincter disorders. Total tumor removal was achieved in 47 patients (90.4%). Favourable outcome was registered in 43 patients (82.7%). The degree of disability (mRS) at admission (p=0.0001), the McCormick grade at admission (p=0.0001), gender (p=0.042), and age (p=0.047) of patients were significantly correlated with the functional status assessed by McCormick scale at discharge. Conclusions: Most of the IETs can be successfully removed via a standard posterior or posterolateral surgical access. Favourable outcome of treatment depends on early diagnosis and total tumor resection.