Thirteen patients presented primary extradural neoplasms compressing the spinal cord and/or roots in a four year period. Laminectomy and tumour excision or biopsy were carried out in twelve patients and transthoracic resection in the one remaining. Six tumours were benign; two were neurofibromata associated with von Recklinghausen's disease; two were osteochondromata; and there were single cases of cavernous haemangioma and aneurysmal bone cyst. All patients are alive and well; follow‐up ranges between 1.3 an 8.5 years post‐operation. Among the malignant neoplasms there were three malignant lymphomata, two Ewing's sarcoma and single instances of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma and chondrosarcoma of the classical type. Four patients are alive, having been followed up between 3.5 to 5 years.