Diagnostic Delay of Thoracic Meningiomas Due to Anchoring Bias Toward Lumbar Degenerative Disorders

Abstract

In recent years, the frequency of surgery due to lumbar degenerative disorders has increased. Thoracic spinal tumors are susceptible to delayed diagnosis because their symptoms often overlap with those of lumbar degenerative disorders. Studies have shown that the time from symptom onset to diagnosis in intraspinal meningiomas averages 6-23 months, with delays of up to 14 years reported. Similarly, we observed delayed diagnosis in four female patients with thoracic intraspinal masses in the past year. Two patients were 75 years old, and the others were 71 and 57 years old. Their symptoms had been present for 1, 2, 3, and 6 years, respectively. Since spinal meningiomas occur more frequently in women, typically between the ages of 49-54, and predominantly in the thoracic region, careful history taking, physical examination, and appropriate radiological evaluation in elderly female patients with back pain and lower extremity symptoms may help avoid overtreatment.