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Original Research | Neurology | Volume 15 Issue 7, July 2026 | Pages: 2043 - 2047 | India
Clinicopathological Profile, Surgical Management, and Neurological Outcomes of Spinal Cord Tumors: A Five-Year Tertiary Care Experience
Abstract: Background: Spinal cord tumors constitute a heterogeneous group of lesions arising from extradural, intradural extramedullary, and intramedullary compartments. Although uncommon, they are an important cause of progressive neurological disability. Early diagnosis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) followed by timely surgical intervention remains the cornerstone of management. Histopathological examination is essential for definitive diagnosis and guides postoperative treatment and prognosis. Understanding the clinicopathological spectrum and surgical outcomes in different populations is important for improving patient care. Objectives: To evaluate the demographic profile, anatomical distribution, histopathological spectrum, surgical management, and postoperative neurological outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for spinal cord tumors at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery, Kurnool Medical College and Government General Hospital. Thirty-five consecutive patients who underwent surgery for spinal cord lesions with histopathological confirmation between June 2021 and June 2026 were included. Demographic details, clinical presentation, MRI findings, anatomical location, compartmental distribution, operative procedures, histopathological diagnosis, and postoperative neurological outcomes were reviewed from hospital records and analyzed descriptively. Results: Thirty-five patients with an age range of 4?77 years underwent surgical treatment. Females slightly outnumbered males. Thoracic lesions were the most common anatomical location. Extradural lesions constituted the largest compartment, followed by intradural extramedullary lesions. Schwannoma was the most frequent benign tumor, whereas metastatic tumors represented the predominant malignant pathology. Gross total excision was the commonest surgical procedure. Most patients demonstrated postoperative neurological improvement, while only a small proportion experienced neurological deterioration. Conclusion: Spinal cord tumors demonstrate considerable clinicopathological diversity. Careful clinicoradiological evaluation, accurate localization, histopathological confirmation, and individualized surgical planning are associated with favorable neurological outcomes. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention remain the key determinants of successful management.
Keywords: Spinal cord tumor, Schwannoma, Meningioma, Intradural extramedullary, Intramedullary, Extradural, Neurosurgery, Surgical outcome
How to Cite?: Dr. K. Giridhar Nayak, Dr. Ram Balaji Naik, "Clinicopathological Profile, Surgical Management, and Neurological Outcomes of Spinal Cord Tumors: A Five-Year Tertiary Care Experience", Volume 15 Issue 7, July 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 2043-2047, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26723170421, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26723170421