BACKGROUND

Spinal meningiomas are benign and slow-growing intradural tumors. Surgery is the choice of treatment. In this retrospective study, results of minimally invasive Simpson grade 2 resection and its impact on recurrence in 44 spinal meningiomas are reviewed.

METHODS

Clinical data of 44 cases who underwent surgery for spinal meningiomas between 2010 and 2020 have been reviewed retrospectively. Demographics, preoperative and postoperative clinical states, pathologic type, location of the meningioma relative to the spinal cord, resection amount of the tumor according to Simpson's grading scale, postoperative complications, recurrence rate, and correlation between preoperative and intraoperative data and recurrence were analyzed.

RESULTS

The tumor was located in the thoracic spine in 31 cases, in the cervical spine in 12 cases, and in the lumbar spine in one case. Dural attachment of tumor was ventral to the spinal cord in 15 cases, lateral to the spinal cord in 15 cases, and posterior to the spinal cord in 14 cases. All cases underwent microsurgical Simpson grade 2 resection. Two cases were recurrent and reoperated. Recurrences were observed in cases younger than 18 years old, in cervical spines and in cases with long dural tails.

CONCLUSIONS

Simpson grade 2 resection is safe and effective in spinal meningiomas. Patients younger than 18 year old, and those with cervical location and long dural tail may be under risk of recurrence after Simpson grade 2 resection.