Treatment options and time course for intramedullary spinal cord metastasis. Report of three cases and review of the literature.

Surgical treatment of intrameduallary spinal cord metastases (ISCM) has become increasingly effective in recent years. The advent of new imaging techniques combined with an enhanced understanding of the natural history of these tumors has improved the effectiveness of the available treatment options. The authors present three new cases of ISCM successfully treated with surgery. A review of 129 cases found in the literature is also discussed. Characteristic symptomology and presentation are reviewed with an eye toward improving diagnostic methodology. The natural history of ISCM is divided into three phases. Surgical intervention should be used early in phase 2.