Surgical outcomes in spinal cord subependymomas: an institutional experience

Abstract

Spinal cord subependymomas are very rare. Most studies on spinal cord subependymomas have been case reports with literature reviews. This study presented a surgical series of 13 patients with histologically proven spinal cord subependymomas. Their clinical data, radiological findings, operative records, and follow-up outcomes were reviewed. There were 5 male and 8 female patients with a mean age of 39.5 years. The mean follow-up period was 67.8 months. Four tumors were located in the cervical spine, 5 in the cervicothoracic spine, and 4 in the thoracic spine. Gross total resection (GTR) of the tumor with a well-demarcated dissection plane was achieved in 9 cases, and subtotal resection was achieved in 4 cases. The symptoms present before the surgery were improved in 11 cases at last follow-up and the current status of 2 patients had no change compared to the preoperative presentation at last follow-up. The postoperative follow-up magnetic resonance imaging showed no recurrence in the 9 GTR cases during the mean follow-up period of 70.3 months. No recurrence/regrowth of the residual tumors was observed in the 4 STR cases during the mean follow-up period of 62.0 months. Spinal cord subependymomas are amenable to surgical resection. It is possible to achieve GTR of intramedullary subependymomas that have a well-demarcated dissection plane. When GTR cannot be achieved, STR of the lesion for decompression is advised, and follow-up imaging is needed. A good clinical outcome after GTR or STR can be expected.