Multiple spinal meningiomas--a case report

Multiple spinal meningiomas are relatively rare and account for only 2 to 3.5% of all spinal meningiomas. A case of multiple meningiomas of the thoracic (T) spine was reported. This 77-year-old woman was admitted with progressive motor weakness and sensation disturbance in both legs for 4 months. Neurological findings on admission revealed paraparesis, hyperesthesia, and hypalgesia below the dermatome of T10 level and hyporeflexia of both ankles. Urinary and stool incontinence were also noted. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) documented two intradural extramedullary lesions with different intensity at the T9 and T12 levels. Both tumors were totally resected. Histopathologic examination showed all psammomatous meningiomas with more or less psammoma bodies. There were no any manifestations of von Recklinghausen's disease in this patient. MRI is a choice of diagnostic tool to detect spinal tumors, especially multiple spinal meningiomas. Different intensities in MRI may infer different components of meningiomas. Follow-up study after operation three months later disclosed she could walk very well.