Intradural extramedullary tumors. Retrospective cohort study assessing prognostic factors for functional outcome in adult patients

Objective

The purpose of this study is to analyze a series of patients with intradural extramedullary tumors (IDEM) and assess factors that may modify or determine the final long term outcome and management.

Materials and methods

Single Center, retrospective study of a series of surgical patients with IDEM lesions from our Institution operated between 2010 and 2021. Patients with less than 6 months of follow up were excluded. Several preoperative demographics, clinical, imaging and surgical features, as well as histopathology, recurrence and adjuvancy were assessed. Patients’ final clinical outcome was categorized using the McCormick scale.

Results

A total of 203 patients with a mean follow-up of 30.50 months (range 6–130) were included. 57.64% of the analyzed population was female and the mean age was 50.51 years.

The most frequent location of the tumors was dorsal (34.98%) followed by the lumbar region (32.02%). Total resection was achieved in 84.24% of cases, and the most frequent histopathology was Schwannoma (36.45%), followed by Meningioma (30.05%). Pain was the most usual initial symptom (63.05%).

In our analysis, functional outcome after surgery was associated with statistical significance with preoperative McCormick grade, tumor type, EOR and postoperative complications such as hematoma and sphincter involvement.

Conclusion

The management of these lesions depends on many factors. It is worthy of mention that clinical presentation, EOR, histopathology and postoperative complications have shown significant prognostic value for the final outcome. Early treatment with the intention of achieving GTR when possible, using carefully tailored approaches, should be considered before the onset of significant symptoms.