Surgical considerations of spinal ependymomas in the pediatric population

Abstract

The objective of this manuscript is to discuss current management strategies regarding pediatric patients with intramedullary spinal cord ependymomas. Spinal ependymoma is the second most common spinal cord tumor in children. The clinical evaluation of these patients, operative techniques, postoperative management considerations, and long-term outcomes are discussed. The gold standard for the treatment of spinal ependymoma continues to be gross total resection. Patients with residual tumor postoperatively may benefit from adjuvant radiation therapy. Intraoperative monitoring is critical to minimize permanent postoperative neurologic deficit. Patients requiring multilevel laminectomy may benefit from concomitant laminoplasty or instrumented fusion to avoid progressive spinal column deformity.