Advancing Surgical Strategies and Prognostic Understanding in Spinal Meningioma Management

Spinal meningiomas are a rare yet clinically significant subset of primary intradural extramedullary tumors, predominantly affecting women and often localized in the thoracic spine. Historically recognized for their favorable prognosis and considered one of the most rewarding lesions to surgically address, these tumors have provided consistent surgical results owing to the unique anatomy and sensitivity of the spinal cord. Despite their generally benign nature and the common use of standard procedures such as laminectomy, substantial gaps persist in our understanding, particularly concerning long-term outcomes, recurrence risks, and management in complex cases involving multiple lesions or meningiomatosis. The limited availability of large, single-center series and a scarcity of comprehensive long-term follow-up data present ongoing challenges for clinical research and evidence-based practice in this field.

Recent studies, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses, affirm the Simpson grading system as a robust prognostic tool for predicting recurrence in spinal meningiomas, demonstrating a clear association between higher Simpson grades and increased recurrence rates. Nevertheless, achieving optimal (Simpson grade I) resections can be technically demanding due to the narrow and delicate spinal anatomy, often necessitating a balance between thoroughness and safety. Furthermore, there is a growing interest in expanding the understanding of unique scenarios such as patients presenting with multiple meningiomas or concurrent intracranial and spinal lesions—contexts for which data remain exceptionally scarce.

This Research Topic aims to consolidate global expertise, novel insights, and updated experiences in the management of spinal meningiomas. The primary goal is to advance the field by exploring innovative surgical techniques, refining prognostic indicators, and enhancing our approach to therapeutic decision-making. We seek to clarify unresolved clinical questions regarding recurrence prediction, surgical strategies, and management of atypical presentations, encouraging contributors to share both their practical experiences and perspectives on the future of spinal meningioma care.

Given the rarity and complexities associated with spinal meningiomas, we welcome a broad range of article types, including original research, case series, systematic reviews, and expert perspectives. Areas of focus are confined to studies addressing the management, prognosis, and distinctive features of spinal meningiomas, with special interest in case complexities and long-term outcomes. To gather further insights in these areas, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

-Prognostic factors and recurrence predictors in spinal meningiomas

-Advances and challenges in surgical techniques and resection strategies

-Management of multiple meningiomas and meningiomatosis

-Innovations in imaging, diagnosis, and intraoperative monitoring

-Long-term functional, neurological, and quality-of-life outcomes

-Case studies highlighting rare presentations and surgical dilemmas

-Updates to and critiques of current clinical guidelines

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: spinal meningeomas, lamectomy, laminotomy, intraoperative monitoring

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.