Eight cases of spinal dumb/bell tumors treated surgically were reviewed.
There were 4 males and 4 females, and the average age at surgery was 43.5 years. Pathological diagnosis was 7 neurilemomas and one angiolipoma. Surgical procedures involved seven laminectomies and one enlargement. Facetectomy was required for 3 cases and posterior fusion for 3 cases with satisfactory clinical results. In the post operative radiographic evaluation, instability was seen in one case and angulation in two cases. Two of six cases with intraoperative root resection had neurological deficits after surgery.
Recurrence of the tumor was seen in one case. The dumb/bell tumor of the spine treated via the posterior approach achieved a successful result, although posterior fusion may be needed in some cases.
