Minimally Invasive Resection of Intramedullary Ependymoma

OBJECTIVE: This report illustrates the adequacy of minimally invasive exposure for the resection of an intramedullary ependymoma. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: The patient presented with a history of upper back pain, but a lesion was found during a workup for increased back pain after a motor vehicle accident. INTERVENTION: The intramedullary ependymoma was approached using a muscle-splitting retractor and extended hemilaminar exposure. The tumor was removed using conventional techniques. CONCLUSION: This minimally invasive exposure is adequate for selected intramedullary lesions and may be especially useful in patients with a high risk of postlaminectomy deformity.