Subarachnoid spread of ependymoma: diagnosis and evaluation of therapy by computerized tomography.

The potential of ependymomas to spread throughout the intracranial subarachnoid space is well documented, though the incidence is disputed. This relates in part to the time required for such metastases to produce symptoms. The diagnosis of such spread, however, is important for therapeutic management. This report demonstrates the effectiveness of computerized tomography in diagnosing spread of ependymoma throughout the basal cisterns and cerebral fissures.