Massive Intramedullary Ependymoma: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Intramedullary ependymoma (IE) is adults' most common intramedullary spinal tumor. Tumors usually extend one to eight segments in the cervical region. In this case report, we reported a patient with massive IE spanning from the fourth ventricle to the T4 segment of the spinal cord, which surgically treated with laminectomy from occiput to T4 Case Presentation: A 42-year-old man who is a known case of IE with progressive upper extremities paraesthesia and gait disturbance. Four years ago he refused surgery and presented with dysphagia. The patient's MRI demonstrated an intramedullary spinal cord tumor extending from the fourth ventricle to T4. Conclusions: massive spinal ependymoma is a rare, benign, slow-growing tumor, and patients present symptoms years before diagnosis. Upon confirmation of the diagnosis, the tumor must be surgically removed.