MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION: Paraffin sections show fragments of organising blood clot. Some of these contain small aggregates of cells with angulated hyperchromatic nuclei and delicate processes. These cells show strong immunoreactivity for GFAP. Scattered cells show perinuclear staining for epithelial membrane antigen. No mitotic figures are identified and there is no vascular endothelial cell hyperplasia and no necrosis. The topoisomerase labelling index is <1%
FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Spinal cord tumour: Features favouring diffuse astrocytoma (WHO Grade II)