Recovery Potential of Spinal Meningioma Patients With Preoperative Loss of Walking Ability Following Surgery – A Retrospective Single-Center Study

OBJECTIVE: Spinal meningiomas are neurosurgical rarities that manifest with progressive paraor tetraparesis. The effect of timing of surgery on the recovery after the loss of walking ability is poorly known. We studied the effect of timing of surgery on restoring walking ability in surgically-treated spinal meningioma patients. METHODS: Using electronic health records, we retrospectively identified ≥ 18-year-old patients operated on during 2010–2020. The patients were followed until 30th September 2020, death or emigration. RESULTS: We identified 108 patients (81% women) with operated spinal meningiomas. The mean age of the patients was 64 years (range, 18–94 years). A gross total resection was achieved in 101 (94%), and 21 patients (19%) suffered from perioperative complications. Of the 108 patients operated on, 49 (45%) could not walk without assistance prior to surgery. At the time of first postoperative visit (mean, 3.1 months; range, 1.3–13.1 months), 14 out of 24 patients (58%) operated on within 29 days and 8 out of 20 patients (40%) operated on later than 29 days since the loss of walking ability without assistance, were able to walk without assistance. Also, 3 out of 5 paraplegic patients who underwent surgery later than 29 days after they lost the walking ability, were able to at least walk with assistance at first postoperative visit. CONCLUSION: Early surgical treatment following the loss of walking ability restores walking ability in a substantial number of patients. However, even late surgery may restore walking ability.