INTRAMEDULLARY TUMORS OF SPINAL CORD AND GLIOMAS OF INTRADURAL PORTION OF FILUM TERMINALE

Abstract

ONE OF the observations that impressed us while we were engaged in a study of pathologically verified intramedullary tumors of the spinal cord1was the long duration, 4.8 years, of the preoperative symptoms of these tumors, as compared with the corresponding periods, 2.5 and 2.9 years, respectively, for the extradural and the intradural but extramedullary tumors. In view of the small size of the spinal cord and the compactness of its functioning constituents, this temporal difference was unexpected. Eighteen years had passed since this study was reported; and if we were not to lose altogether the opportunity to glean whatever additional knowledge this group of patients may offer, it behooved us to learn what became of them. It was obvious that a larger number of patients would offer certain advantages, and since the main purposes of this study would still be served, the series was augmented to include all