"The peak incidence of spinal astrocytomas occurs in the third decade, with the mean age at presentation being ~30 years. Males are affected somewhat more commonly than females (M: F = 3:2) 5."
"Radiotherapy improves survival in high-grade infiltrating tumours (3 & 4), whereas it is generally withheld in low-grade tumours until they demonstrate recurrence/progression 13,15."
"grade 3 & 4: 17% 2-year survival"
Expected headings
"Plain radiograph/CT"
"Fluoroscopy"
"The radiographic appearance of the spine can be normal; however, osseous remodelling at the level of the tumour may be seen as posterior vertebral body scalloping or thinning of the pedicle or laminae. Patients may present with scoliosis, especially in children presenting with holocord involvement 5. However, these features are less common compared to spinal ependymomas."
"in adult astrocytomas, DTI often shows spinal cord infiltration instead of fibre displacement (as in ependymomas); less reliable in paediatric astrocytomas 11"