Abstract

Spinal tumors are classified as extradural or intradural. The latter are further divided into intradural/extramedullary and intradural/intramedullary. The location, coupled with radiological assessment, intraoperative findings, size of biopsy, histological features, and molecular analysis serve to aid accurate diagnosis. We compiled a neuropathologic database of all adult (over 18 years) brain and spinal cord tumors diagnosed at the National Neuroscience Centre in Beaumont Hospital from 2018 to 2023. In this retrospective audit we identified 3,987 tumors, of which 90% (3,596) were intracranial and 10% (391) were spinal. The majority of the spinal tumors were intradural (n = 198) with extradural (n = 122) and intramedullary (n = 71) being much less common. In this review we outline the commonest tumors encountered, by location and age group, unusual tumors that may come to light, and difficulties that may arise, specifically with sampling.

Author Details

Authors

• Ciara O’Donoghue²
• Beibhinn Wilkins²
• Alan Beausang¹
• Jane Cryan¹
• Michael Farrell¹
• Jennifer Garry¹
• Ciara Heeney¹
• Josephine Heffernan¹
• Rachel Howley¹
• Niamh Kernan¹
• Seamus Looby¹
• Arooj Fatima¹
• Alan Power²
• Ashling Spillane¹
• Andrea Walsh¹
• Francesca M. Brett^{1, 2}

Departments

• ¹ Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Beaumont Hospital, and
• ² Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland

Address

Francesca Brett
Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences
Beaumont Hospital
PO Box 1279
Dublin 9, Ireland
Email: [email protected]

Citation