MENINGIOMA OBSTRUCTING THE FORAMEN MAGNUM

Abstract
Meningeal tumor obstructing the foramen magnum is relatively rare and until recently has seldom been diagnosed ante mortem. A survey of the literature up to 1937 reveals only 14 cases with adequate clinical records, in all of which the diagnosis was made at necropsy. In 1938 Cushing and Eisenhardt,1 in their monograph, stated: Whether a meningioma arising from the basilar groove which must be overlain and concealed by a posteriorly dislodged medulla and its emerging nerves could be safely exposed and surgically enucleated must be left for further experience to determine. They recorded 4 cases in which surgical treatment was attempted, in all of which the termination was fatal. Since 1937 about 35 cases have been reported in which various kinds of tumors obstructing the foramen magnum were successfully removed. In at least two thirds of these cases the tumor was an upper cervical meningioma projecting into the foramen

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