• Cho JCS
• Miller A
• Kettner NW

• Back Pain / etiology
• Cervical Vertebrae / pathology
• Ependymoma / complications
• Ependymoma / diagnosis
• Ependymoma / diagnostic imaging
• Ependymoma / therapy
• Male
• Neck Pain / etiology
• Spinal Cord Neoplasms / diagnosis

Clinical Features: A 16-year-old male adolescent presented with severe neck and back pain and diffuse paresthesia extending into the dorsum of the forearm and wrist bilaterally. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intramedullary mass extending from C1 to C7. Biopsy of this lesion indicated a grade III intramedullary ependymoma.

Intervention and Outcome: The patient underwent a successful resection of the tumor with minimal neurological deficit. At 4 months after resection, the follow-up examination yielded minimal discomfort in the neck and upper back, however there was severe cervical kyphosis. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging revealed no evidence of intramedullary lesion.

Conclusion: Although it is a rare and slow growing neoplasm, early detection is critical for optimal postoperative functional outcome that is directly related to the preoperative functional status.

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