FIGURES LEGENDS
Figure 1: Preoperative MRI of the spine. Sagittal T2 (a), T1 (b) and gadolinium enhanced T1 weighted images (c) demonstrate a relatively well-defined intramedullary T2 hyperintense, T1 hypointense expansile cord lesion spanning C5 down to T5 vertebral levels with Significant perilesional cord edema extending to the cervicomedullary junction superiorly and down to T10 vertebral level. The tumors showing irregular, mainly peripheral enhancement and central areas of necrosis.
Figure 2: Microphotographs showing the histological features of the lesion. A: A mostly dense textured area with Rosenthal fibres and bipolar fibrillary cells. B: An area with loose texture. C: Focal microvascular proliferation. D: Ki67 immunohistochemistry showing a very low mitotic proportion of neoplastic cells. Scale bars: 200 μm.
Figure 3: Post-operative MRI the spine. Sagittal T2 (a) and gadolinium enhanced T1 weighted images (b) show near complete resection of the spinal tumor with small nodular residual tumor at the cranial extent a well as significant cord decompression with reduced cord edema cranial and caudal to the operative site.