Neurocytoma of the spinal cord: report of three cases and review of the literature

Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2009 Jun;151(6):569-74; discussion 574. doi: 10.1007/s00701-009-0305-6. Epub 2009 Apr 23.

Abstract

The spinal cord is a very rare location for extra-ventricular neurocytomas. Composed of small round cells with neuronal differentiation, neurocytoma has a particularly favourable prognosis. Long disease-free intervals have been observed in patients who received sub-total removal and radiotherapy. A careful intra-operative frozen section examination is helpful in avoiding excessive surgical tissue disturbance and to identify the best treatment option. To date, eight cases of neurocytoma of the spinal cord have been described. We report three more patients; one with very long survival, and review the published literature for this condition.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Age of Onset
  • Child
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / prevention & control
  • Neurocytoma / pathology*
  • Neurocytoma / physiopathology
  • Neurocytoma / therapy
  • Neurosurgical Procedures
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Radiotherapy
  • Sex Distribution
  • Spinal Cord / pathology*
  • Spinal Cord / physiopathology
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / therapy
  • Syringomyelia / etiology
  • Syringomyelia / pathology
  • Syringomyelia / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome