Hemangioblastoma of the filum terminale. Case report and review of the literature

J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2007 Jun;26(2):281-5.

Abstract

Hemangioblastomas of the filum terminale are particularly rare tumors. The authors present the case of a 62-year-old woman with a 6 month history of low-back-pain, who underwent surgery for the removal of an hemangioblastoma affecting the cauda at L2-L3 level. This highly vascularized tumour is tightly adherent to the filum terminale and hence is a very challenging pathology to remove. Histologically it consisted in vascular structures interposed to a network of capillary-like vessels, surrounded by stromal cells. MRI, angiography with pre-surgical embolization, and radical surgery represent the focal points in the diagnosis and treatment of these tumours. The most relevant literature has been carefully reviewed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cauda Equina* / pathology
  • Cauda Equina* / surgery
  • Embolization, Therapeutic
  • Female
  • Hemangioblastoma / diagnosis*
  • Hemangioblastoma / pathology
  • Hemangioblastoma / surgery
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / pathology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome