Thank you Lordna, for taking the trouble to follow up your thread with an update. I’m sorry to learn that you have spinal intradural tumour(s).


Understandably this diagnosis would come as an unpleasant surprise, but of course you did the right thing, as your symptoms were not improving.


A tumour ( which literally means an abnormal growth of tissue in the body ) may be benign ( localised ) or malignant ( cancer, capable of spreading locally or to other parts of the body ). ANY type of tumour is an uncommon cause of sciatica – which, as I said in my previous post, is usually due to changes in the spine or slipped disc.


Ependymomas are rare, often slow-growing, arising in cells lining the central part of the spinal cord, as in your case ( or in the brain ).


As you say, the correct investigation included MRI scans. These give a very clear outline of normal and any abnormal anatomy. The surgeon will attempt to remove the ependymoma(s) and despite the likely diagnosis, it will be sent to the specialist neuropathologist for confirmation by microscopy. Of course the neurosurgeon will explain fully the planned operation, at which hopefully removal will be complete.


All the best with your forthcoming surgery .