Surgical treatment of primary intramedullary spinal cord tumors in adult patients

BACKGROUND: Primary spinal cord intramedullary tumors are rare and present with insidious symptoms. Previous treatment protocols emphasized biopsy and radiation/chemotherapy but more aggressive protocols have emerged. OBJECTIVE: To report our experience. METHOD: Forty-eight patients were diagnosed with primary intramedullary tumors. The cervical cord was involved in 27% and thoracic in 42% of patients. Complete microsurgical removal was attempted whenever possible without added neurological morbidity. RESULTS: Complete resection was obtained in 33 (71%) patients. Neurological function remained stable or improved in 32 patients (66.7%). Ependymoma was the most frequent tumor (66.7%). CONCLUSION: Neurological outcome is superior in patients with subtle findings; aggressive microsurgical resection should be pursued with acceptable neurological outcomes.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Taricco,Mario Augusto, Guirado,Vinicius Monteiro de Paula, Fontes,Ricardo Bragança de Vasconcellos, Plese,José Pindaro Pereira
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Academia Brasileira de Neurologia - ABNEURO 2008
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0004-282X2008000100014
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