Abstract
It is difficult to treat foramen magnum tumors surgically due to a paucity of clinical experiences, the presence of such important structures as the medulla oblongata and the vertebral artery, and the skeletal mobility at the craniovertebral junction. In addition, a well-developed epidural venous plexus may interfere with surgery. Total removal of epidural tumors is difficult because they usually infiltrate into surrounding tissues and occipitocervical fusion is required after extensive bone removal. Ventral foramen magnum meningiomas should be treated carefully because they are hidden by the medulla oblongata, the vertebral artery, and the lower cranial nerves. Foramen magnum schwannomas usually arise from the second cervical nerve and have a extradural component. Clinical characteristics of intramedullary tumors at the foramen magnum resemble those of spinal intramedullary tumors and they can be treated surgically if they have a clear demarcation.
