Transient focal spinal cord hyperemia after resection of spinal meningioma: case report

Neurosurgery. 2009 Jun;64(6):E1198-9; discussion E1199. doi: 10.1227/01.NEU.0000345950.73998.7B.

Abstract

Objective: Transient postoperative focal hyperemia in the spinal cord is rare. We report 2 patients with transient focal hyperemia after the resection of a spinal meningioma that led to temporal neurological deterioration followed by complete recovery.

Clinical presentation: Two patients presented with cervical meningiomas at the C7 and C1-C2 levels. Preoperatively, both patients experienced gradual exacerbation of spastic tetraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed isointensity on T1-weighted images and high intensity on T2-weighted images with homogeneous enhancement.

Intervention: Both patients underwent complete tumor removal. A histopathological examination revealed a meningothelial meningioma in both patients. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging revealed transient focal hyperemia of the cervical cord.

Conclusion: Both patients manifested transient focal hyperemia of the spinal cord after acute decompression by resection of a spinal meningioma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cervical Vertebrae
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperemia / etiology*
  • Hyperemia / pathology*
  • Laminectomy / adverse effects*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Meningioma / surgery
  • Postoperative Complications*
  • Spinal Cord / pathology*