Application of unilateral biportal endoscopy technique to resect a thoracic spinal intradural extramedullary meningioma: technical report and review of the literature

Abstract

BackgroundMeningiomas are common intradural extramedullary spinal tumors, which arise from arachnoid cap cells in the leptomeninges surrounding the brain or spinal cord. Sensory and motor dysfunction as well as pain were the most common presenting symptoms. Surgical resection remains the primary treatment for spinal intradural extramedullary meningiomas. Traditionally, spinal meningiomas excision requires longer skin incision, bilateral subperiosteal muscle stripping, and total laminectomy. We report a new technique for the treatment of thoracic spinal intradural extramedullary meningioma, which involves the use of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) technique to resect the tumor, and reviewed and analyzed relevant literature.Case presentationA 69-year-old female patient presented with back pain accompanied by slowly progressive lower limb paresis, and severe pain in the right lower limb. Magnetic resonance imaging suggests a thoracic spinal intradural extramedullary meningioma. She underwent meningioma resection using UBE technique with complete recovery at the follow-up examination 3 months after surgery.ConclusionThis case confirmed the UBE technique can be a good choice for resection of spinal intradural extramedullary meningioma.