Objective  To evaluate the diagnosis, surgical treatment, and neurological function recovery after surgery of patients with intraspinal tumors.

  Methods  The clinical data of 69 patients who suffered from intraspinal tumors and underwent surgery from January 2008 to December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Neuroimaging and ASIA scoring were performed to examine the pathological characteristics of tumors and the neurological function of these patients before and after treatment. The major factors affecting prognosis were also probed, and the average follow-up period was 12.2 months.

  Results  Of the total cases, 62.3% showed intradural extramedullary intraspinal tumors located in the thoracic vertebra. Neurilemoma (Schwannoma) and meningioma were the most common pathological types (53.5%). Posterior approaches with hemi-and complete-laminectomy were conducted to expose the intraspinal tumors, and the separation and removal of the tumors located at the cervical and thoracic levels were aided with surgical microscopy. The main clinical symptoms, including back pain, radicular neuralgia, sensory disturbance, and motor dysfunction, were significantly improved after surgery, and this observation was supported by the follow-up ASIA scores before and after treatment. Of the involved cases, 91% were successfully treated, and their tumors were totally resected.

  Conclusion  Total or subtotal intraspinal tumor resection enhanced with surgical microscopy could achieve satisfactory clinical results through posterior hemi-or complete-laminectomy.