title: [Extradural spinal meningioma: case report].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We report a case of purely extradural spinal meningioma and discuss the potential pitfalls in differential diagnosis.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Spinal meningiomas account for 20-30% of all spinal neoplasms. Epidural meningiomas are infrequent intraspinal tumors that can be easily confused with malignant neoplasms or spinal schwannomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 62-year-old man with a previous history of malignant disease presented with back pain and weakness of the lower limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-enhanced T4 intraspinal lesion. The intraoperative histological examination showed a meningioma (confirmed by postoperative examination). Opening the dura mater confirmed the purely epidural location of the lesion. The postoperative course was uneventful with no recurrence 12 months after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Purely extradural spinal meningiomas can mimic metastatic tumors or schwannomas. Intraoperative histology is mandatory for optimal surgical decision making.
authors.affiliation: Service de neurochirurgie, HIA Val-de-Grâce, 74, boulevard Port-Royal, 75005 Paris, France. dr.adagain@gmail.com
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dagain
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dulou
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lahutte
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dutertre
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pouit
authors.forename: J-M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Delmas
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Camparo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pernot
mesh_terms: D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008579:Meningioma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium