[Gliomatous tumor of the spinal canal. Clinical aspects and long-term results].

Within a period of 27 years 62 patients were operated on because of glial tumours. In 30 cases these were ependymomas. In another 32 patients gliomas were identified histologically. In each case 31 men and 31 women were affected. At the time of the operation, almost two thirds of the patients were no longer able to walk without help. In 41 per cent of the patients the operation brought an improvement. A total of 33.9 per cent were able to walk on their own and 8.1 per cent could walk when given help. Fourteen patients (22.6%) became fit to work. Nine patients (14.5%) are in need of care. The total mortality within an after-observation period of three years amounted to 40.3 per cent (25 cases).