Presentation
Gradual increasing leg weakness and difficulty walking.
Patient Data
A dural-based mass is located posterior to the thoracic cord, markedly compressing it. It is iso-intense to cord tissue on both T1 and T2 weighted images, and demonstrates vivid contrast enhancement. Dural tails are seen extending above and below the lesion.
Histology
MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION: Spinal tumor: A soft cream ovoid fragment 12x10x10mm.
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION: The sections show a moderately cellular meningioma. The tumor forms many whorls with psammoma bodies. The tumor cells have ovoid nuclei with no nuclear pleomorphism. Mitoses are inconspicuous. There is no necrosis. No spinal cord parenchyma is seen. There is no atypical or malignant change.
FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Spinal tumor: Meningioma (WHO Grade I).
Case Discussion
Typical appearances of a spinal meningioma, with elegant demonstration of a dural tail.