Extradural spinal meningiomas. Report of two cases.

Extradural spinal meningiomas are infrequent. The relevant clinical literature and the present case histories demonstrate that purely extradural meningiomas do not essentially differ from the common intradural types. They show the same histology, the same frequent location in the thoracic spine and the well-known sex preponderance of female patients. During operation, an extradural meningioma may easily be mistaken for a spinal metastasis. Intraoperative histology is, therefore, decisive for adequate surgical treatment. The resection of the tumour should include a generous excision of the adjacent dura.