The relation of three apparently separate entities is considered in the unusual case reported here. The sequence of events is believed to be as follows: A diffuse spinal meningiomatosis plus occasional meningioma formation and repeated laminectomies caused a widespread fibrosis of the arachnoid, and the latter process resulted in formation of cavities in the spinal cord.
Report of a Case
Paraplegia and removal of meningioma; later recurrence of meningiomas. "Arachnoiditis" found at fourth and fifth laminectomies. Postmortem findings of many meningiomatous foci, arachnoidal fibrosis, and intramedullary spinal cavities.In 1939, at 28 years of age, this woman first complained of pain in the thoracic region, weakness of the legs, numbness below the nipple line, and loss of sphincter control. She was admitted to a hospital, where examination revealed a spastic paraplegia, hypoactive reflexes, a bilateral Babinski sign, and impairment of sensation up to the second thoracic dermatome. Laminectomy was performed