Histopathological study of primary spinal Cord tumors

Abstract

Primary spinal cord tumors account for 10-15% of all primary Central Nervous System tumors. Spinal cord tumors can be classified according to their anatomical locations. Lesions outside the dura are termed extradural and lesions within dura are called intradural. Intradural are further classified into two categories, whether they involve substance of the spinal cord (intramedullary) or are outside the spinal cord but within the dura (extramedullary). Ependymomas are the most common glial tumor in adults, whereas astrocytomas are the most common intramedullary tumor in children. This study was undertaken from June, 2017 to June, 2019 and the total cases encountered were 91 with males constituting 40 cases (44%) and females constituting 51 cases (56%). Most common symptom was motor weakness followed by pain, sensory loss and bladder dysfunction. The tumors includes Meningiomas 29 Cases (32%), Ependymoma 24 cases(26%), Neurofibromas 17 cases(19%), Schwannomas 09 cases(10%), Astrocytoma 06 cases(7%) and others. All differential diagnosis of spinal tumors are kept in mind as correct diagnosis helps in the treatment and prognosis.