Intradural Extramedullary Spinal Tumors

Abstract

Intradural extramedullary (IDEM) spinal tumors are common pathologies, and despite their name, they can extend beyond dural confinements. IDEMs can have both sporadic and syndromic patterns, and various genetic abnormalities are believed to be responsible for these mainly benign pathologies. Meningiomas, nerve sheath tumors (NST), and ependymomas are the three most common subtypes, and due to their pathologically benign nature, surgical total resection plays the most important role in their management. These tumors have always been challenging entities to neurosurgeons, and many surgical techniques have been described in order to achieve gross total resection, and these techniques have continued to evolve over time. Adjuvant therapies such as radiotherapy or radiosurgery are usually considered when total resection is not possible or sometimes in syndromic patients in order to avoid multiple surgical procedures in a short period of time.