46 Surgically Treated Tumors of the Cauda Equina

Exposure and Reconstruction

Abstract

Forty-six patients with tumors of the cauda equina were treated with minimum exposure and reconstruction of the posterior components. 29 men and 17 women (age, 10-74 years) were treated between April 1981 and May 1997. The tumors included schwannoma (32 patients), lipoma (5 patients), ependymoma (2 patients), and others (7 patients). Laminoplasty was perfomed in 32 patients. Ten of the 32 patients used a Threadwire saw. Semicircumferential decompression was perfomed in 5 patients. Laminectomy and partial laminectomy was performed in the remaining patient. The follow-up period ranged from one month to sixteen years. Three patients included multiple neurofibromas with Von Recklinghausen disease, malignant schwannoma and tethered cord syndrome relapsed. Three patients developed a significant postoperative deficit. One patient malignant schwannoma who had multiple surgery for developed anesthesia in the foot. Two patients with large tumors (dermoid cyst and ependymoma) developed bowel or bladder dysfunction. Good alignment with no instability of the lumbar spine was obtained for all patients.