Intramedullary tumors in children: analysis of 24 operated cases.
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.
Gepp
Ricardo de Amoreira
Rde A
Sarah Network of Rehabilitation Hospitals, Brasília, DF, Brazil. ricardogepp@zipmail.com.br
Couto
Jose Mauro Cardoso
JM
Silva
Maria Dorvalina da
MD
Silva
Régis Tavares da
RT
Neri
Eidmar Augusto
EA
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*