Retrospective neuropathologic analysis of adult spinal tumors in a single neuroscience center 2018 – 2023

Spinal tumors are classified as extradural or intradural. The latter are further divided into intradural/extramedullary and intradural/intramedullary. The location, coupled with radiological assessment, intraoperative findings, size of biopsy, histological features, and molecular analysis serve to aid accurate diagnosis. We compiled a neuropathologic database of all adult (over 18 years) brain and spinal cord tumors diagnosed at the National Neuroscience Centre in Beaumont Hospital from 2018 to 2023. In this retrospective audit we identified 3,987 tumors, of which 90% (3,596) were intracranial and 10% (391) were spinal. The majority of the spinal tumors were intradural (n = 198) with extradural (n = 122) and intramedullary (n = 71) being much less common. In this review we outline the commonest tumors encountered, by location and age group, unusual tumors that may come to light, and difficulties that may arise, specifically with sampling.