Spinal tumors: Experience at King Khalid University Hospital.

This paper summarizes data on 30 consecutive spinal tumors treated at King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH) between 1984-1991. The male:female ratio was 2.75:1. Thirty percent of cases were less than 20 years of age while 71% were more than 60 years of age. The brain to spinal cord tumor ratio in our unit was 12.3:1. The ratio of Schwannoma to meningioma was 1.6:1. Metastatic carcinoma accounted for a mere 13% of cases and only 35% of tumors were located in the thoracic spine. Intramedullary tumors accounted for 17% of cases. An overall 63% of cases improved postoperatively while 37% remained unchanged.