Microneurosurgery Combined wi1th Modified Canal-expansive Laminoplasty for Multisegmental Intramedullary Ependymomas of Spinal Cord in Cervicothoracic Junctions

Objectives To explore the feasibility of canal-expansive laminoplasty with titanium miniplate-screw fixation, and the curative effect of the microneurosurgery combined with modified canal-expansive laminoplasty on the multisegmental intramedullary ependymomas of spinal cord in the cervicothoracic junctions. Methods The clinical data of 14 patients with multisegmental intrame-dullary ependymoma of spinal cord in the cervicothoracic junctions, who underwent microneurosurgery combined with modified canal- expansive laminoplasty from 2000 to 2008 in our hospital, were analyzed retrospectively. Results Of patients with multisegmental intramedullary ependymoma of spinal cord in the cervicothoracic junction, 13 received total resection of the tumors and 1 subtotal. The vertebral laminae were reduced and fixed with titanium miniplate-screws, and the normal structures of spinal columns were restored in all the patients. After the operation, the neurological function was improved in 10 patients, unchanged in 3, and aggravated in 1 with McCormick grade Ⅳ before the operation. Conclusions The microsurgery combined with modified canal-expansive laminoplasty with titanium miniplate-screw fixation is a simple, safe and effective method to treat the intramedullary ependymoma of spinal cord in the cervicothoracic junction. While the stability of the elevated laminae is achieved, the integrity of spinal canal may be recovered.