DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2017.v05i09.016

Pages: 674-681

Primary spinal cord tumors constitute 10% to 15% of all primary central nervous system tumors. Lesion outside the dura are termed extradural and lesions within dura are called intradural. Intradural lesions are divided into two categories, depending on whether they involve the substance of the spinal cord [intramedullary] or are outside the spinal cord but within the dura [extramedullary]. Tumors within the cord are referred to as intramedullary and account for 10-15% of spinal tumors. Intramedullary tumors consist mainly of astrocytomas and ependymomas making up to 70% of intramedullary tumors. Ependymomas are the most common glial tumor in adults, whereas astrocytomas are the most common intramedullary tumor in children. In our study, total no of spinal tumors encountered were 45 with males constituting 22 cases (49%) and females constituting 23 cases (51%) with almost equal preponderance. Most common symptom was Motor weakness followed by Pain, Sensory disturbance and Bladder dysfunction. Tumors presented in our study includes Schwannomas 15 cases (33%), Neurofibromas 10 cases (23%), Ependymoma 5 cases (11%), Meningiomas 5 cases (11%), Astrocytoma 4 cases (9%), Teratomas 2 cases (4%), and others. As any tumour can occur in spinal cord broad differentials are kept in mind before giving final diagnosis, as correct diagnosis helps in the treatment and prognosis.