title: Intramedullary tumors in children: analysis of 24 operated cases.
abstract: Intramedullary tumors are rare. The authors reviewed 24 cases operated between 1996 and 2006. The study assessed the clinical characteristics and surgical results based upon the neurological function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of patients with intramedullary astrocytoma and ependymoma were reviewed. The minimal follow up time was 6 months and, at the end of this period, a comparative analysis of the neurological function was performed based using the McCormick scale score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most patients had astrocytoma (75%). Male gender was more prevalent (58.3%). The most common type of tumor was graded as I or II, and in three cases these were malignant. The total resection of the tumor was achieved in 20.8% of the cases. The statistical analysis did not show a statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative grades at McCormick scale.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors concluded that microsurgery to intramedullary tumors did not significantly alter the neurological function after six months.
authors.affiliation: Sarah Network of Rehabilitation Hospitals, Brasília, DF, Brazil. ricardogepp@zipmail.com.br
authors.forename: Ricardo de Amoreira
authors.initials: Rde A
authors.lastname: Gepp
authors.forename: Jose Mauro Cardoso
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Couto
authors.forename: Maria Dorvalina da
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Régis Tavares da
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Eidmar Augusto
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Neri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*