Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
Identifying, Diagnosing, and Grading Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors in Genetically Engineered Mouse Models
Published on: May 17, 2024
Progression of paralysis is the most useful factor for differentiating malignant from benign intramedullary tumors
T Ito1, K Sawakami, S Ishikawa
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Niigata City General Hospital, Niigata, Japan. itakui@me.com
Study Design:
Retrospective study.
Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical factors for differentiating malignant from benign intramedullary spinal cord tumors.
Setting:
Niigata, Japan.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective review of charts and images. Preoperative paralysis including walking ability, urinary function, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and pathological diagnosis were evaluated in 33 consecutive cases of intramedullary spinal cord tumor, and the clinical factors that were useful for differentiating malignant from benign tumors were identified.
Results:
Early progression of paralysis was the most valuable feature for differentiating malignant from benign tumors. Malignant tumors were suspected in only three of ten cases on the basis of MRI findings.
Conclusion:
Simple assessment of walking ability is easy to perform and is useful for predicting the pathological malignancy of intramedullary tumors of the spinal cord.
Related Concept Videos
02:07Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
01:15Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests
The edrophonium test is a diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis. It involves...