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Intramedullary tumours (spinal)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Intramedullary tumours of the spine occur infrequently in comparison to extramedullary types. They are most common in the thoracic and cervical regions.

Principal types:

  • ependymomas - arise from ependymal lining of the central canal; over 50% are around the cauda equina
  • gliomas - most commonly, astrocytomas (grades I, II)

Less commonly:

  • metastases from bronchial primary tumour
  • seeding from intracranial tumours - glioblastomas, medulloblastomas

Degeneration of the tumour produces intramedullary cysts.

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