Paraplegia due to Missed Thoracic Meningioma after Laminotomy for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Report of Two Cases.

Author: Sang Bong KO ¹ ; Sang Wook LEE ; Jung Hyun SHIM
Author Information

1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea. bong@cu.ac.kr
Publication Type:Case Report
Keywords: Thoracic paraplegia; Meningioma; Lumbar surgery
MeSH: Constriction, Pathologic; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Laminectomy; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Meningioma; Paraplegia; Physical Examination; Spinal Cord Neoplasms; Spine
From:Asian Spine Journal 2011;5(4):253-257
CountryRepublic of Korea
Language:English
Abstract: To describe two cases of thoracic paraplegia due to a thoracic spinal cord tumor (meningioma) that was not detected during lumbar spinal decompressive surgery for lumbar canal stenosis and a complaint of claudication. The follow-up period ranged from 1 year and 6 months to 1 year and 8 months. The neurological deficit due to thoracic meningioma after surgery for lumbar canal stensois was decreased after mass excision. So, careful physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging can reveal another thoracic spine compressive lesion such as meningioma. Additional thoracic decompressive surgery can provide partial amelioration of each patient's neurological condition. Surgeons should know that a silent meningioma can aggrevate neurological symptoms after lower lumbar spine surgery and should inform their patient before surgery.