Microsurgery of intramedullary cervical cord tumor.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether intramedullary tumor of the cervical spinal cord is amenable to aggressive surgery and to clarify surgical timing and important points for tumor removal.


METHODS
Fifty-eight patients with intramedullary tumor of the cervical spinal cord were examined by magnetic resonance imaging and treated by microsurgery in Huashan Hospital between May 1988 and December 1994. The results were analysed by F or Chi square tests.


RESULTS
Tumors were totally resected in 50 cases (86.2%), subtotally resected in 7 and partially resected in 1. Forty-five (77.6%) patients had their neurological status improved postoperatively. Most patients with moderate neurological deficit can recover remarkably after total tumor removal. Laser surgery is especially helpful for treating lipoma.


CONCLUSIONS
Intramedullary tumor of the cervical spinal cord is amenable to total tumor removal. Operation is suitable when a patient presents moderate neurological deficit. Proficient surgical technique and standards for total tumor resection are essential for good results. Preoperative radiotherapy contributes to difficult surgery and poor prognosis, and is not recommended.
Xu
Q
Q
Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neurology, Shanghai Medical University.
Bao
W
W
Mao
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000601:surgery; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000601:surgery; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000517:prevention & control; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors