RESUMEN
[Objective]To investigate the diagnosis,surgical procedure and clinical effect for the subdural extramedullary tumor. [Methods]Forty-five patients (28 males and 17 females,age ranged from 24-71 years with an average of 45 years ) were treated with tumour extirpation. MRI showed subdural extramedullary tumor before surgery. The spine was exposed through a standard posterior approach,and the dura matter was opened after lamninectomy. The tumor was separated and removed from the dura matter. Pedicle screw fixation was performed to restore the stability of spine. [Results]The patients were followed up from 6 to 42 months with an average of 26.2 months. The postoperative recovery of neurological function was measured with Otani scores. The clinical result was excellent in 11 patients,good in 18 and fair in 12,resulting in 64.44% of good to excellent rate. The good to excellent rate had an advantage in patients (84.62%) operated on within one month after first visit over that of patients (64.29%) who had a misdiagnosis for 1~6 months and the patients (50.00%) for more than 6 months.[Conclusion]Removal is the method of choice for patients with subdural extramedullary tumor. Early diagnosis and removal are key factors to get a good clinical effect.