[Intramedullary tumors--surgical factors determining the outcome]

The recent advances in the surgery of intramedullary tumors are due to the strategy of a total removal by microsurgical techniques and the early diagnosis by MRT. 84 patients with intramedullary tumors with a long-term follow-up up of more than 20 years were retrospectively analysed so that subgroups e.g. macroscopic versus microscopic, palliative procedures versus whether or not new technology like the ultrasonic aspirator and the CO2-Laser were used were included.