Giant spinal ependymoma. A case report

A case of a very extensive spinal ependymoma, treated by operation and irradiation with good outcome, is reported and the other cases in the literature are reviewed. In patients with giant spinal ependymomas, operation is always necessary, whatever the extent of the tumour, although the removal is often incomplete. Nevertheless, even partial removal sometimes brings about a neurological improvement, because of the favourable effect of the laminectomy. Postoperative irradiation is useful in cases with the histological appearance of malignancy.