Intradurale Spinal Tumors: Management and Treatment

Intradural spinal tumors are uncommon neoplastic lesions involving the spinal cord and its surrounding structures. These tumors may be classified as intradural extramedullary or intramedullary depending on their origin and anatomical location. Although relatively rare, they represent an important clinical condition due to their potential to cause progressive neurological impairment, including pain, motor weakness, sensory deficits, and sphincter dysfunction.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) represents the diagnostic gold standard for identifying and characterizing intradural spinal tumors. Surgical resection is generally considered the primary therapeutic option when feasible, with the aim of removing the lesion, decompressing the spinal cord, improving neurological symptoms, and obtaining a histological diagnosis. Advances in surgical techniques and intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring have contributed to improved surgical outcomes and postoperative recovery.

This study is a retrospective, single-center observational study conducted at the Neurosurgery Unit of the Azienda Ospedaliera SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo di Alessandria, Italy. The study includes patients who underwent surgical treatment for intradural spinal tumors between 2022 and 2024.

Clinical data will be retrospectively collected from electronic medical records, surgical reports, imaging studies, and histopathological reports. The collected variables include demographic data, tumor characteristics (location and histology), clinical presentation, and postoperative outcomes.

The neurological functional status of patients will be evaluated using the McCormick functional scale, comparing preoperative and postoperative neurological conditions. Additional analyses will focus on postoperative complications and tumor recurrence.

The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive description of the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with intradural spinal tumors treated surgically at our institution and to contribute to a better understanding of the management and outcomes of this condition in clinical practice.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients hospitalized at Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo di Alessandria (Neurosurgery Unit).
• Patients who underwent surgical resection of an intradural spinal tumor.
• Diagnosis consistent with intradural spinal tumors according to ICD-9 codes.
• Availability of clinical, radiological, and surgical data in medical records.
• Signed informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Incomplete medical records or missing clinical data required for the study.
• Tumors with uncertain extradural extension identified during surgery.
• Tumors arising from peripheral nerves.