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Updated: Oct 14, 2025
Laminectomy for the Removal of Thoracic Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum TOLF Using Ultrasonic and Conventional Osteotomes
Published on: April 21, 2023
Thoracic meningioma with ossification: Case report
Daniel Buchanan1, Nikolay L Martirosyan1, Wei Yang2
1Department of Neurosurgery, Allen Hospital, Unitypoint Clinic, Waterloo, Iowa, United States.
Background:
The incidence of spinal meningiomas is 0.33/100000 population, and ossified spinal meningiomas are even less commonly encountered.
Case Description:
A 64-year-old male presented with a progressive T4-level thoracic myelopathy. MR imaging revealed an intradural extramedullary mass that significantly compressed the spinal cord. The accompanying CT demonstrated hyperdensities within the lesion consistent with punctate calcification vs. ossification (i.e. consistent with histological bone formations within tumor). The patient underwent complete resection of the tumor resulting in a full recovery of neurological function within 6 postoperative weeks. The pathological specimen showed findings consistent with an ossified spinal meningioma.
Conclusion:
Here, we identified a rare case of an ossified thoracic T4 meningioma occurring in a 64-year-old male.
Insights
This report details a rare ossified spinal meningioma in a 64-year-old male with thoracic myelopathy. Surgical removal led to complete neurological recovery, highlighting successful treatment for this uncommon spinal tumor.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Spinal meningiomas occur infrequently, with an incidence of 0.33 per 100,000 individuals.
- Ossified spinal meningiomas represent an even rarer subtype, posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
Observation:
- A 64-year-old male presented with progressive thoracic myelopathy at the T4 level.
- MR imaging identified an intradural extramedullary mass compressing the spinal cord.
- CT scans revealed hyperdense foci within the mass, suggestive of ossification.
Findings:
- Surgical resection of the T4 thoracic mass was performed.
- Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of an ossified spinal meningioma.
- The patient experienced a complete neurological recovery within six weeks post-surgery.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering ossified meningiomas in the differential diagnosis of spinal tumors.
- Complete surgical excision offers a favorable prognosis for patients with ossified spinal meningiomas.
- Further research into the pathogenesis and optimal management of these rare tumors is warranted.
