Microsurgical Resection of Spinal Intramedullary Cord Lesions

Objective To explore the surgical skill for treatment of intramedullary spinal cord lesions, in order to improve the curative effect and to decrease the operative complication. Method The data of 15 patients with intramedullary spinal cord lesions, who underwent surgery in recent 3 year in our hospital, were analysed retrospectively. Results Of the 15 patients with intramedullary spinal cord lesions, 5 had ependymomas, 4 astrocytomas, 3 schwannomas, 1 cavernous angioma, 1 angioblastoma and 1 tuberculoma. Of all the patients, 9 received total resection of the lesions, 5 subtotally and 1 partly. The following-up for 3～36 months showed that the postoperative symptoms were significantly improved in 10 patients, unchanged in 2 and deteriorated in 3. Conclusions Microsurgical removal is the best method for the treatment of the intramedullary spinal cord lesion with clear border. The intramedullary lesion with unclar border can be in great part removed and definitely diagnosed by microsurgery.