Spinal Cord Subependymoma: A Subanalysis of the Neurospinal Society of Japan’s Multicenter Study of Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, and surgical outcomes of subependymoma patients from the 2022 Neurospinal Society of Japan multicenter intramedullary spinal cord tumor study.Methods: Twenty-six patients with spinal cord subependymoma who were included in the index study of 1,033 patients were retrospectively analyzed.Results: Mean patient age was 49.4 years. Seventeen patients were men and 9 were women. Sensory disturbance was reported in 22 patients and motor weakness in 18. Median duration of symptoms was 24 months. The tumor was eccentrically located in 19 patients (73.1%) and unilateral in 17 (65.4%). Gross total resection was achieved in 6 patients (23.1%). The same rate for ependymoma patients in the index study was significantly higher (74.8%). Median follow-up was 40.5 months (interquartile range, 18–68 months). In 2 patients who underwent only partial resection, reoperation was required owing to progression 68 and 90 months after surgery, respectively. No recurrence occurred in patients who underwent gross total resection. Five patients experienced neurological worsening after surgery.Conclusion: Although spinal cord subependymoma can be difficult to distinguish from other intramedullary spinal cord lesions before surgery, it is characterized by an indolent clinical course and eccentric location. Surgical treatment should prioritize functional preservation because the prognosis is good even after subtotal resection.