Pediatric tumors of the spine

Spinal cord neoplasms are rare lesions in children. Most of the spinal cord neoplasms are astrocytomas. Frequently the clinical symptoms are non-specific. Back pain is often the leading symptom. Diagnosis is often delayed. Magnetic resonance imaging is the imaging modality of choice. Preoperative brain and spine imaging covering the entire spine is mandatory to exclude cerebrospinal fluid seeding.