RESUMEN
Objective To investigate the curative effects of different surgical techniques on intradural extramedullary tumors in the foramen magnum.Methods Thirty five patients with intradural extramedullary tumors in the foramen magnum (21 males and 14 females),admitted to and underwent surgeries in our hospital from January 2007 to June 2012,were chosen in our study.Tumors were removed with microsurgeries (27 via suboccipital midline approach and 8 via suboccipital far lateral approach).Their clinical data and curative effects were summarized.Results Total excision was achieved in 32 patients,sub-total excision in 3 patients,and no patient in this study died.Pathological diagnosis showed 15 having schwannoma,3 having neurofibroma,14 having meningioma and 3 having hemangioblastoma.After operation,symptoms of pain in the neck and limb muscle weakness were relieved.All the patients were followed up for 3-48 months showing no cervical spine instability.Conclusion The correct choice of surgical approach and microsurgical skills are keys to remove the intradural extramedullary tumors in the foramen magnum effectively and safely.