Giant dumbbell foramen magnum neurinomas presenting as posterior neck masses: single-stage removal by posterior midline approach.

Two patients with giant dumbbell foramen magnum neurinomas are reported. The intradural component was located anterior to the cervicomedullary junction while the extradural and extraspinal portion of the tumor had grown large enough to present as a neck swelling. In both patients total surgical removal was achieved by a single-stage posterior midline approach. Both patients had complete neurological recovery.