Recurrent spinal meningioma: a case report with review of the literature

Spinal meningioma generally responds favourably to surgical excision and has a low rate of recurrence. However, follow-up data on patients under 50 years of age are limited. We report a recurrence of intraspinal meningioma 18 years after the initial surgery in a 45-year-old woman. She presented with weakness in both lower limbs that had gradually progressed over the previous 8 months, and difficulty in walking for the last 2 months. She had no history of sensory loss or visceral involvement, but had undergone a major surgical intervention of the upper spine for a similar episode of weakness in both lower limbs 18 years earlier. She underwent a second surgery at the same site, and a greyish-white tumour was excised, which was histopathologically confirmed as recurrent psammomatous meningioma. The patient demonstrated complete neurological recovery in 8 months.