Spinal cavernous malformations: a report of 5 cases.

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Spinal Surgery
• Oncology

Background:

• This study reports on 5 patients surgically treated for symptomatic spinal cord meningiomas (SCMs).
• SCMs are rare tumors requiring careful surgical consideration.

Observation:

• Five patients (4 male, 1 female, ages 22-57) with SCMs underwent complete surgical removal between 1998 and 2003.
• Lesions varied in size (1-6 cm) and location (cervical, upper/lower dorsal), with some being intramedullary.
• Postoperative MRI confirmed total removal in all cases.

Findings:

• All patients experienced clinical improvement, despite 3 showing early postoperative neurological decline.
• Long-term follow-up (mean 27 months) revealed sustained improvement relative to preoperative status.
• Complete surgical removal of SCMs is achievable and associated with positive outcomes.

Implications:

• Surgical intervention for symptomatic SCMs offers a safe and promising treatment option.
• Awareness of potential early postoperative neurological worsening is crucial for managing patient expectations.
• Complete resection is key to achieving favorable long-term results in SCM management.