Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42158061›Full record

ArticleJournal of spine surgery (Hong Kong)2026

Unilateral biportal endoscopy for thoracic intradural meningioma: a two-case technical report and narrative discussion.

Carlos Castillo Rangel, Rodolfo Guerrero Perez, Jorge Agustín González Almazán, José Manuel Galicia Cabello, Adrian Sanhez Gomez, Antonio Equihua Ortega, Carlos Peñafiel Salgado, Jesús Ricardo Hernández Mendoza

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of spine surgery (Hong Kong), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Carlos Castillo RangelDepartment of Neurosurgery, Hospital Regional "1° de Octubre", ISSSTE, Mexico City, Mexico.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2956-5112
Rodolfo Guerrero PerezHospital San José Celaya, Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico.
Jorge Agustín González AlmazánDepartment of Neurosurgery, Hospital Regional "1° de Octubre", ISSSTE, Mexico City, Mexico.
José Manuel Galicia CabelloDepartment of Neurosurgery, Hospital Regional "1° de Octubre", ISSSTE, Mexico City, Mexico.
Adrian Sanhez GomezDepartment of Neurosurgery, Hospital Regional "1° de Octubre", ISSSTE, Mexico City, Mexico.
Antonio Equihua OrtegaDepartment of Neurosurgery, Hospital Regional "1° de Octubre", ISSSTE, Mexico City, Mexico.
Carlos Peñafiel SalgadoDepartment of Neurosurgery, Hospital Regional "1° de Octubre", ISSSTE, Mexico City, Mexico.
Jesús Ricardo Hernández MendozaDepartment of Neurosurgery, Hospital Regional "1° de Octubre", ISSSTE, Mexico City, Mexico.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Thoracic intradural extramedullary tumors, particularly meningiomas, are traditionally treated through open microsurgical approaches, which may be associated with extensive muscle dissection, postoperative pain, and longer recovery times. Recent advances in spinal endoscopy have expanded minimally invasive options for intradural pathology. Although uniportal endoscopic techniques have been described, their application remains limited by restricted instrument maneuverability and ergonomic constraints. Unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) has emerged as a promising alternative, offering independent visualization and working portals with enhanced illumination, magnification, and surgical precision. However, evidence regarding its use for thoracic intradural extramedullary tumors remains limited. Case Description: We report two patients with thoracic intradural extramedullary meningiomas who underwent tumor resection using a unilateral biportal endoscopic approach. Both patients presented with progressive thoracic myelopathy. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated well-defined intradural extramedullary lesions causing spinal cord compression. Surgery was performed under general anesthesia with the patient in the prone position. A left-sided paramedian biportal approach was used, consisting of a working portal and an endoscopic viewing portal. Hemilaminotomy was performed with preservation of the spinous process and facet joint, followed by durotomy, complete tumor resection, and watertight dural closure under endoscopic visualization. Histopathological examination confirmed World Health Organization (WHO) grade I meningioma in both cases. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. Both patients experienced significant neurological improvement during follow-up, with radiological confirmation of complete tumor resection and adequate spinal canal decompression. Hospital stay was less than 10 days in both cases. Conclusions: UBE is a safe and effective minimally invasive alternative for the resection of thoracic intradural extramedullary meningiomas. This technique allows adequate decompression, precise tumor resection, and preservation of posterior spinal elements, with favorable clinical and radiological outcomes. UBE may represent a valuable addition to the surgical armamentarium for selected intradural spinal tumors.

Indexed as

case reportintradural extramedullary tumorminimally invasive spine surgery (MISS)Thoracic spinal meningiomaunilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE)

Identifiers

PMID42158061
PMCPMC13181461

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