Microsurgical removal of intraspinal meningioma: Skill required and surgical effect / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the effect of treatment of spinal meningioma with microsurgical procedures.Methods:From January 2003 to March 2022, there were 120 patients who had spinal meningioma and treated in the Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Their clinical data were retrospectively analysed. Of the 120 patients, there were 90 females and 30 males, aged from 14 to 85 (average, 54) years old. According to McCormick Classification, 29 cases were in grade I, 59 cases were in grade II, 25 cases were in grade III, and 7 cases were in grade IV. They were all underwent microsurgery. Patients were followed up by outpatient service within 3 months after surgery, then reviewed by outpatient visits and telephone interviews. McCormick's classification method and MRI examination were used to analyse the neurological and imaging changes of the patients before and after the surgery.Results:A total of 113 patients had complete resection and 7 had the resection of most part of the spinal meningioma. No infection, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, other complications and death occurred. Three months after surgery, 95 patients achieved the improvement or even completely disappearance of symptoms (such as numbness, pain, limited movement, etc.). There were 23 patients who had the symptoms unchanged as what before the surgery. Two patients had the symptoms worsened after the surgery. At 3 months after surgery, 95 cases (79.2%) improved, 23 cases (19.2%) were stable, and 2 cases (1.6%) aggravated. According to McCormick classification method, 92 cases were in grade Ⅰ, 15 cases were in gradeⅡ, 10 cases were in grade Ⅲ, and 3 cases were in grade Ⅳ. MRI scans showed that the dural sac were well refluxed, and no recurrence was found.Conclusion:Microsurgery is safe and effective for removal of spinal meningioma, with significant improvement in symptoms with fewer complications.