Surgical Outcomes of Microsurgical Resection for Intradural Spinal Cord Tumors: Review Article

Abstract

Intradural spinal cord tumors comprise a heterogeneous group of neoplasms classified as intradural extramedullary or intramedullary according to their anatomical relationship to the spinal cord. These lesions may cause progressive pain, motor weakness, sensory disturbance, and sphincter dysfunction because of spinal cord or nerve-root compression. Magnetic resonance imaging is the principal diagnostic modality and plays a major role in surgical planning. Microsurgical resection remains the cornerstone of treatment, with gross total resection offering the best chance of long-term tumor control in well-circumscribed lesions such as schwannomas, meningiomas, ependymomas, and hemangioblastomas. Advances in operative microscopy, microsurgical instruments, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, imaging, and safe myelotomy techniques have improved the extent of tumor removal while reducing neurological morbidity. Nevertheless, surgical outcomes depend on tumor histology, anatomical location, presence of a clear tumor–spinal cord interface, preoperative neurological status, and the ability to preserve functional neural tissue. This review highlights the role of microsurgical management in improving neurological and oncological outcomes in patients with intradural spinal cord tumors.