Symptomatic syringomyelia occurring as a late complication of posterior fossa medulloblastoma removal in infancy in a boy also suffering from scaphocephaly

Childs Nerv Syst. 2009 Dec;25(12):1633-7. doi: 10.1007/s00381-009-0968-6. Epub 2009 Aug 7.

Abstract

Introduction: The association of a medulloblastoma and a syringomyelia has been already described in rare instances albeit without symptoms related to the syrinx.

Case report: The case of a 23-year-old man operated in infancy for a medulloblastoma and then treated solely with adjuvant chemotherapy is reported. He was also operated in infancy for a scaphocephaly. With a very long time delay, he has developed a Chiari I and a symptomatic cervico-dorsal syringomyelia. The symptoms attributed to the syrinx consisted of a unilateral prurigo over the left arm which was so severe to lead to self-mutilation.

Discussion: Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging follow-up after cervico-dorsal decompression shows a significant improvement of the symptoms together with a reduction of the size of the syrinx. This case is discussed in the light of the presumed pathophysiology of the syrinx and its exceptional clinical presentation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arnold-Chiari Malformation / diagnosis
  • Arnold-Chiari Malformation / etiology
  • Arnold-Chiari Malformation / surgery
  • Cranial Fossa, Posterior / pathology
  • Cranial Fossa, Posterior / surgery*
  • Craniosynostoses / complications*
  • Craniosynostoses / surgery
  • Craniotomy / adverse effects*
  • Decompression, Surgical
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Medulloblastoma / complications
  • Medulloblastoma / pathology
  • Medulloblastoma / surgery*
  • Skull Base Neoplasms / complications
  • Skull Base Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skull Base Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Syringomyelia / diagnosis*
  • Syringomyelia / etiology
  • Syringomyelia / surgery
  • Young Adult