Intra-dural Spinal Tumours with Acute Symptoms

A comprehensive description of the acute and non-acute presenting clinical features that may be caused by intra-dural tumours.

Intra-dural spinal tumours are a rare, yet diverse group of neoplasms, which may occur anywhere along the spinal neuroaxis. Their clinical presentations are typically slow and progressive in nature. Signs and symptoms are dictated by tumour location and size, and occur due to the sequalae of mass effect, oedema, ischaemia and subsequent metabolic dysfunction of neural tissue occurring secondary to compression of neural elements and neural vasculature. Back/neck pain and stiffness are the most common presenting complaint for patients presenting with intra-dural spinal tumours. Further symptoms are dependent on the location of the tumour. Lesions that compress or develop within the spinal cord are associated with upper motor neuron (myelopathic) signs and symptoms, whilst lesions compressing spinal nerves alone are associated with lower motor neuron (radicular) signs and symptoms. In some circumstances, a mixed picture of both upper and lower motor neuron symptoms may also be observed.