neurologic disorders
Spinal Tumors
Key Points
Spinal tumors may be intramedullary (within the cord parenchyma) or extramedullary (outside the parenchyma). Extramedullary tumors may be intradural or extradural. Most intradural tumors are benign meningiomas, schwannomas, and neurofibromas, which are the most common primary spinal tumors; most extradural tumors are metastatic. Give corticosteroids to patients with neurologic deficits due to spinal cord compression. Surgically excise spinal tumors and/or use radiation therapy. 