Pitfalls of the Preoperative Diagnosis and Surgical Strategy for Spinal Cord Tumors

Abstract

  The surgical treatment of spinal cord tumors remains one of the important challenges for neurosurgeons, due to their relatively infrequent occurrence and complex surgical management. Based on our experience, an accurate preoperative diagnosis, and an optimal pre-surgical strategy are retrospectively reviewed. Then they are proved to be indispensable for achieving a successful surgical outcome. With the advent of diagnostic investigations and newer imaging techniques in recent years, the preoperative diagnosis in intracranial operative procedures has gradually become easier. However, the preoperative diagnosis of spinal cord tumors remains difficult and the surgical approach to the lesion is still challenging, especially in cases with spinal intramedullary tumors and ventral thoracic lesions. The spinal cord is a clinically eloquent structure. Therefore, we have paid attention to the existence of the spinal cord tumors, to be aware of the pitfalls of the preoperative diagnostic process. This will enable us to devise an optimal surgical strategy for managing spinal cord tumors, in order to prevent postoperative neurological impairment.