[Surgical treatment of intramedullary tumors. Experience with 316 cases]

We report our experience on the surgical treatment of 316 intraspinal cord tumors at the time we presented our lecture to the Academy. Our series is based on 124 ependymomas, 76 astrocytomas, 30 hemangioblastomas and 21 cavernomas to focus on the most frequent tumors. Ependymomas were totally removed in 90%, astrocytomas in 40% and hemangioblastomas so as cavernomas in 100% of the cases. We describe our surgical technique so as our results. We confirm that the surgical risks are directly related to the preoperative neurological situation. Handicapped patients are subject to high surgical risks. Complete removal is the aim since surgery is the gold standard treatment. Good quality of life may be expected in most of the patients (approximately 90%) operated with moderate neurological deficit before surgery.