Paraplegia due to missed thoracic meningioma after laminotomy for lumbar spinal stenosis: Report of two cases

Abstract

To describe two cases of thoracic paraplegia due to a thoracic spinal cord tumor (meningioma) that was not detected during lumbar spinal decompressive surgery for lumbar canal stenosis and a complaint of claudication. The follow-up period ranged from 1 year and 6 months to 1 year and 8 months. The neurological deficit due to thoracic meningioma after surgery for lumbar canal stensois was decreased after mass excision. So, careful physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging can reveal another thoracic spine compressive lesion such as meningioma. Additional thoracic decompressive surgery can provide partial amelioration of each patient's neurological condition. Surgeons should know that a silent meningioma can aggrevate neurological symptoms after lower lumbar spine surgery and should inform their patient before surgery.