Intradural extramedullary (IDEM) spinal tumors account about 40% of all intraspinal tumors and mainly represented by nerve sheath tumors and meningiomas. These two tumors represent about 55% of IDEM tumors and other rare tumors are dermoid, epidermoid, lipomas, metastatic tumors, paragangliomas etc.Technical advances in imaging techniques, MRI and surgical procedures have brought about excellent clinical results of IDEM tumors after surgery in last two decades. However, a small percentage of patients still present poor postoperative neurological outcome due to delayed in diagnosis and surgical intervention, severity of preoperative neurological defi cits and adverse pathology.The aim of this study is to analyze and discuss about the surgical outcome of 65 IDEM tumors operated in twelve years’ period.This is a retrospective study of 65 patients who were operated for IDEM tumors, between 1999 and 2012 in Department of Neurosurgery. One patient who had IDEM arteriovenous malformation was excluded from the study.Neurological outcome was scaled by McCormick’s grading. Follow up period ranged for 5 years to 17 years.After the clinical evaluation, all the patients suspected of having spinal tumors were subjected for MRI with Gadolinium enhancement of presumed level of spine based on neurological findings. Total excision of all IDEM tumors was performed using operating microscope. No intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring was used.There were 40 male and 25 female and age ranged from 10 to 80 years. Most common IDEM tumors were nerve sheath tumors (44), meningiomas (13), hydatid cyst (2), dermoid/epidermoid (2), arachnoid cyst (2) and n were thoracic, cervical and lumbar spines.Total tumor excision was performed in all cases. Post operative Complications rate was 12.3% (7) and common complications included were CSF Leak (5), wound infection (2), meningitis (1).There was no surgery related mortality. Postoperatively 60 patients had improved neurological status, 5 patients had stable neurology. There was no postoperative neurological deterioration.On followed up period 2 patients showed features of recurrence of tumor in 5 years’ period and underwent resurgical treatment. Those two patients with recurrent tumors were nerve sheath tumors.Majority of IDEM tumors are benign and total cure is possible in almost all cases if tumor is excised totally. Excellent neurological recovery has been observed in more than 95% of cases.Nepal Journal of Neuroscience. Vol. 13, No. 2, 2016, Page: 73-80

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About 55% of spinal tumors are extradural arising from vertebral bodies, epidural and surrounding neural and soft tissues. More than 90% of extradural spinal tumors are metastatic lesions. Extradural spinal tumors are common cause of back pain, sensory motor deficit and sphincters dysfunction. The wide range of lesions and varied clinical profile, make management of spinal extradural tumors a challenging task for any neurosurgeon.Aim of this study is to analyze and discuss the results of extradural spinal tumors after surgical treatment and relevant literature will be reviewed.This is a retrospective study of 36 patients who were operated for spinal extradural tumors between May 1999 and December 2012 in our institute.Follow up period ranged from 3 years to 12 years. Functional neurological outcome was assessed by McCormick's grading. There were 20 male and 16 female and age ranged from 10 to 80 years. 30 patients presented with back pain and 15 had radicular pain. On presentation 18 patients had motor sensory deficit and 15 had sphincters dysfunction. Most common involved level of spines were thoracic followed by cervical and lumbar.Gross total excision of masses were carried out in all cases. Common pathologies were neurofibromas (16), Ewing's sarcoma (7), granulomas (3), metastatic lesions (2), angiolipoma (2), chondroma (2), aneurysmal bone cyst (1), plasmacytoma (1), rabdomyosarcoma (1) and neuroblastoma (1).Out of 14 patients who harbored malignant pathology 12 patients received radio and chemotherapy. Post operative wound infection occurred in 5 patients. Regarding post operative neurological status, 18 patients showed improvement, 6 patients remained same and 12 patients had deteriorated neurology. Tumor recurrence occurred in 15 patients; 12 patients with malignant and 3 patients with benign lesions on follow up period. There was no surgery related mortality, however, 11 patients died during 3 years follow up period due to adverse pathology they were having.Nepal Journal of Neuroscience 13:3-10, 2016

Burst fracture of C5 with traumatic anterior spondyloptosis of C6 and posterior spondylolisthesis of C4 vertebra is an exceedingly rare high energy injury. Treatment includes decompression, reduction, stabilization, and fusion via anterior or posterior or combined anterior-posterior approach with or without prior traction. We report this rare subaxial cervical spine injury associated with quadriplegia managed with combined anterior and posterior instrumented fusion. A multidisciplinary approach with preoperative assessment and planning is crucial in managing cervical spine injury. Immediate postoperative critical care support, rehabilitation, and dedicated nursing care are required for a favorable outcome in traumatic quadriplegia.