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.


METHODS
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%).


CONCLUSIONS
Neurological outcome is superior in patients with subtle findings; aggressive microsurgical resection should be pursued with acceptable neurological outcomes.
Taricco
Mario Augusto
MA
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Guirado
Vinicius Monteiro de Paula
VM
Fontes
Ricardo Bragança de Vasconcellos
RB
Plese
José Pindaro Pereira
JP
D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D016896:Treatment Outcome