Histomorphologic evaluation of spinal tumors: a 14 year teaching hospital experience

Abstract

Background: Spinal Tumors are rare. Globally there is little population-based data on spinal tumors and local hospital studies are limited. We add to current Nigerian literature by describing the incidence, histologic patterns, extent and anatomic distribution of spinal tumors in our patients.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients with histologically confirmed spinal tumors. Data obtained include patients demographics, clinical details, histologic diagnoses, anatomic tissue plane, as well as spinal level/region of lesions. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20 (SPSS Inc, IL, USA).

Results: Out of 445 spine lesions, 30 (6.74%) spinal tumors were diagnosed. Incidence was 0.05/100,000 persons per year. Mean age was 44.50 ± 21.20 years. Peak incidence in sixth decade. 56.7% were benign, and 43.33% Malignant. Metastases made up 23.3%; followed by Nerve sheath tumors -20% and Meningioma -16.7%. Extradural tumors made up 43.3%; extramedullarytumors 30%; intramedullary tumors -6.7%; and extradural-intradural tumors-20%. Majority of lesions (58%) were thoracic. Primary malignant lesions occurred in patients a decade younger than patients with metastases.

Conclusion: Observed incidence of Spinal tumors is low compared to larger studies. But findings are largely comparable to other studies. Differences may be due to population attributes or small sample size. In the absence of population-based data, this hospital study provides insights into the epidemiology of spinal tumors in our environment.