Tests and procedures used to diagnose ependymoma include:

• Neurological exam. During a neurological exam, a healthcare professional checks vision, hearing, balance, coordination, strength and reflexes. Problems in one or more of these areas may provide clues about the part of the brain or spinal cord that could be affected by a tumor.
• Imaging tests. Imaging tests make pictures of the body. They can show the location and size of an ependymoma. MRI is often used to diagnose brain tumors. It may be used along with specialized MRI imaging, such as magnetic resonance angiography. Because ependymoma can happen in the brain and the spinal cord, imaging tests may be used to create pictures of both areas.
• Cerebrospinal fluid testing. Called a lumbar puncture or spinal tap, this procedure involves inserting a needle between two bones in the lower spine. The needle draws out fluid from around the spinal cord. The fluid is tested to look for tumor cells.

Based on the test results, your healthcare professional may suspect ependymoma and recommend surgery to remove the tumor. Once removed, the tumor cells are tested in a lab to confirm the diagnosis. Special tests can tell the healthcare team about the types of cells involved in the tumor. Your healthcare team may use this information to guide treatment decisions.