[Intraspinal tumor in the higher cervical region].

Twenty-four cases of higher cervical intraspinal tumor were treated from July 1966 to Dec. 1990. Of them 22 cases had various paralysis according to Frankel's grading: A, 5 cases; B, 1; C, 9; D, 7 and E, 2. Having neurological symptoms for average of 5.4 months, all cases were operated. Total tumor resection were performed in 16 cases, partial resection in 5, spinal posterior decompression in 2 and one case was only bilpsed owing to abruptly respiratory arrest. Two cases died after operation. The results of operation were obviously improved in 16 cases. The authors introduce the diagnosis and operative skill of this kind of tumor as well as the treatment of disorders of respiratory function in this paper.