[Meningioma of foramen magnum--report of two dases and review of reference: its clinical manifestations (author's transl)].

Two cases of the spinocranial type of meningioma of the foramen magnum are presented with review of references, its clinical manifestations and surgical consideration. The clinical syndrome is stereotyped, but the patients with occipital or cervical pain, stiff neck, muscle weakness of the upper and lower limbs and disturbance of gait, which may be called "Foramen Magnum Syndrome", should always be suspected of having a mass lesion in the upper cervical or foramen magnum. Myelography is of prime importance in confirming the diagnosis and when preformed with care and understanding of the anatomy without fearing of losing the contrast material into the basilar cisterns, the myelographic examination is not difficult. We also stress the importance of preoperative vertebral angiographic study as well as myelographic study, because of the initimate relationship of the meningioma of the foramen magnum with the vertebral artery.