title: Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors: Part I-Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Diagnosis.
abstract: Study Design Broad narrative review. Objectives Intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCT) are rare neoplasms that can potentially lead to severe neurologic deterioration, decreased function, poor quality of life, or death. As such, a better understanding of these lesions is needed. The following article, part one of a two-part series, addresses IMSCT with regards to their epidemiology, histology, pathophysiology, imaging characteristics, and clinical manifestations. Methods The authors performed an extensive review of the peer-reviewed literature addressing the aforementioned objectives. Results Numerous IMSCT exist with varying epidemiology. Each IMSCT has its own hallmark characteristics and may vary with regards to how aggressively they invade the spinal cord. These lesions are often difficult to detect and are often misdiagnosed. Furthermore, radiographically and clinically, these lesions may be difficult to distinguish from one another. Conclusions Awareness and understanding of IMSCT is imperative to facilitate an early diagnosis and plan management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR, China ; The Laboratory and Clinical Research Institute for Pain, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
authors.forename: Dino
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Samartzis
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States.
authors.forename: Christopher C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Gillis
authors.affiliation: The Neurological Brain and Spine Center, Houston, Texas, United States.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States.
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: O'Toole
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States.
authors.forename: Richard G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Fessler
keywords: astrocytoma; cord; ependymoma; epidemiology; intradural; intramedullary; spinal; tumors