Surgically Treated Primary Spinal Cord Neoplasms in Southeastern Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Primary spinal cord tumors are not as frequently encountered as their cranial counterparts. They could present in such an indolent manner that requires a reasonable index of suspicion for their diagnosis to be considered. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to analyze the incidence and pattern of primary spinal cord and appendage neoplasms in patients surgically treated in our institution over a decade of practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of clinical, radiological, and histopathology profiles of patients surgically treated for primary spinal cord tumor from 2006 to 2016 was carried out. Retrieved data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. RESULTS: Out of 472 spine procedures were performed within the study period 17 (3.6%) cases of histologically proven primary spinal cord tumors were identified. The age of patients ranged between 17 and 77 years with a mean age was 45 years. The male: female ratio was 1:1.1. Motor deficit and pain were the most common presenting symptoms seen in 35.3% and 29.4% of patients, respectively. Meningiomas are the most common histological diagnosis (70.6%), distantly followed by Schwannoma (17.6%). The most common location of the tumors was intradural extramedullary (70.6%). All patients had gross total resection of tumor with no perioperative mortality. CONCLUSION: Meningioma is the most common surgically treated primary spinal cord tumor in our setting. Surgery is associated with good outcome.