[Foramen magnum tumor--the diagnosis and surgical approach]

The seven cases of the foramen magnum tumors were presented with the clinical manifestations and surgical consideration. Early clinical symptoms of the cases with extramedullary lesions were suboccipital neck pain followed by dysesthesia, clumsiness of hand and weakness. On the other hand, early symptoms of the cases with intramedullary lesions were dysesthesia, often followed by swallowing difficulty or hoarsness, which may have some difference from the clinical course of the extramedullary tumor cases. CT scan was remarkably useful in the diagnosis of the foramen magnum tumor. Surgical treatment was done to 6 cases: Five of these cases were operated by suboccipital craniectomy, and one case with an anteriorly located meningioma in the foramen magnum region was operated by transoral approach. Total removal could be performed in the case without damage to the medulla or spinal cord. The surgical treatment was reviewed, and the approach appropriate to tumor location around the foramen magnum should be selected.