The cases of primary intrarachidian tumours observed in the 1977-1986 period in the neurological, neurosurgical, oncological and radiological Departments in Sardinia, were collected. Only histologically diagnosed tumours of spinal cord, root-nerve and their envelops in patients resident in the island for at least one year were included in the investigation. The annual crude incidence rate was 0.5 per 100,000 population (0.63 in the females and 0.37 in the males). M/F ratio was 1.7. Mean age was 45 years (35.5 in males; 50.7 in females). Age and sex distribution showed higher frequence of intrarachidian tumours in females over 40 years of age and in males younger than 40 years. Meningiomas were more frequent in females aged between 47 and 74 years. The dorsal localization of the tumours was more frequent. Subjective sensory complaints (85.3%) and motor impairment (76%) were the main symptoms at onset; at the time of diagnosis motor impairment (92%) and objective sensory disturbances (82.7%) prevailed. A twelve months interval elapsed between onset of first symptoms and diagnosis in 64% of patients; within 24 months 81.3% of tumours were diagnosed. Surgery induced improvement in 74.6% of patients, no improvement in 17.3%; a worsening was noticed in 8%. Seven patients died after surgery (3 owing to the tumour). These data are partly consonant and partly in contrast with those present in literature.