Abstract: Objective To evaluate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) featuresof intramedullary spinal cord ependymomas (INSE) and astrocytomas. Methods Retrospective analyses of the MRI images were conducted in 15 cases of INSE and 10 cases of astrocytoma. Results MRI appearances were similar in the 2 types of neoplasms, both showing enlargement of the involved spinal cord segments, low signal and blurred boundary on T₁-weighted imaging, and high signal on T₂-weighted imaging. Peritumoral cyst formation were found in 16 patients. Contrast enhancement was homogeneous in 6 cases of ependymomas and 1 of astrocytoma, heterogeneous in 1 astrocytoma case, and no enhancement in 2 astrocytoma cases. Conclusion MRI is helpful in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of INSE and astrocytomas.