Large Cervical Ependymoma: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Spinal ependymomas compose approximately 60% of spinal gliomas, the predominance occurring within adults. These tumors are generally benign, and maximal surgical resection with neurological preservation is the surgical goal. This patient had a large upper cervical ependymoma, which was approached through a cervical laminotomy. The surgical resection of this lesion demonstrates the principles of pial venous plexus preservation during posterior midline raphe identification and dissection. Gross total surgical resection was achieved with the preservation of the patient's baseline neurological function. The patient gave informed consent for surgery and video recording. Institutional review board approval was deemed unnecessary. Used with permission from Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona.