The evolution of intramedullary spinal cord tumor surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Resections of intramedullary spinal cord tumors were attempted as early as 1890. More than a century after these primitive efforts, profound advancements in imaging, instrumentation, and operative techniques have greatly improved the modern surgeon's ability to treat such lesions successfully, often with curative results.


METHODS
We review the history of intramedullary spinal cord tumor surgery, as well as the evolution and advancement of technologies and surgical techniques that have defined the procedure over the past 100 years.


RESULTS
Surgery to remove intramedullary spinal cord tumors has evolved to include sophisticated imaging equipment to pinpoint tumor location, laser scalpel systems to provide precise incisions with minimal damage to surrounding tissue, and physiological monitoring to detect and prevent intraoperative motor deficits.


CONCLUSIONS
Modern surgical devices and techniques have developed dramatically with the availability of new technologies. As a result, continual advancements have been achieved in intramedullary spinal cord tumor surgery, thus increasing the safety and effectiveness of tumor resection, and progressively improving the overall outcomes in patients undergoing such procedures.
Sciubba
Daniel M
DM
Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. dsciubb1@jhmi.edu
Liang
Daniel
D
Kothbauer
Karl F
KF
Noggle
Joseph C
JC
Jallo
George I
GI
D002425:Cautery / Q000266:history / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000266:history / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000266:history* / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000266:history* / Q000601:surgery*; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends