[Extensive bifocal location of ependymoma of the spinal cord]

Spinal cord ependymomas belong to rare tumours of the central nervous system. Their malignancy is usually low although anaplastic forms are known also to occur. Surgical treatment is the method of choice supplemented often with radiotherapy. An exceptionally rare form of ependymoma with two foci of origin in the spinal cord is reported. The large extent of the tumour caused that laminectomy at 15 levels was necessary. The mechanism of ependymoma development at two levels is discussed.