A Giant Intramedullary Spinal Tumor

Intramedullary tumors of the spinal cord account for 2%e4% of all central nervous system tumors. Surgical resection with intraoperative neuromonitoring, although challenging, remains the mainstay of treatment with the goal to prevent neurologic decline. We present a case of an unusual anaplastic glioma of the thoracic spinal cord in a 42-year-old male that spanned 7 vertebral levels and could not be definitively characterized using the 2021 World Health Organization Classification of Central Nervous System Tumors.

Automated summary

Intramedullary spinal cord tumors, accounting for 2-4% of all central nervous system tumors, are mainly treated by surgical resection with intraoperative neuromonitoring to prevent neurological decline. Some tumors may be difficult to definitively characterize, leading to challenges in treatment selection.