title: Cauda equina tumor surgery: how I do it.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tumors of the cauda equina usually require surgery due to their impingement on neighboring nerve roots, often resulting in pain and neurological deficits.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Authors first give a brief introduction on cauda equina tumors, followed by a description of the surgical anatomy, and then develop the microsurgical technique. In particular, tricks to avoid complications are presented, underlining the importance of intraoperative neuromonitoring.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both microsurgical technique and neuromonitoring are important in cauda equina tumor surgery, the goal of which is to achieve complete resection while at the same time preserving neurological function.
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery Division, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva University Medical Center, Geneva, Switzerland. tessenri@libero.it
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tessitore
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cabrilo
authors.forename: Colette
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boex
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schaller
mesh_terms: D002420:Cauda Equina / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*