[Microsurgical treatment of intramedullary tumor in the superior cervical spinal cord].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the curative effect of microsurgery for intramedullary tumor in the superior cervical spinal cord.

METHODS

The clinical manifestations, microsurgical methods and results were reviewed retrospectively in 12 patients with intramedullary tumors in the superior cervical spinal cord.

RESULTS

No death occurred in these cases after the operations. The intramedullary tumors were totally resected in 10 patients including 8 with ependymomas and 2 with astrocytomas, and subtotally in 2 patients with astrocytomas. The spinal functions of patients, graded by McCormick scale system 3 months after the operations, were improved in 8 cases and remained unchanged in 4 cases. Nine patients were followed up for 1-3 years after the operations, and no tumor recurrence was found in 8 cases with total tumor resection.

CONCLUSION

Radical microneurosurgery is currently the best choice for the treatment of intradullary tumor in the superior cervical spinal cord.