Multicentric Spinal Pilocytic Astrocytoma Presenting with Syringomyelia

Cureus. 2021 Feb 15;13(2):e13353. doi: 10.7759/cureus.13353.

Abstract

Pilocytic spinal cord astrocytomas make up 21% of intramedullary tumors. Only 20% of those tumors are associated with syringomyelia. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an adult presenting with multiple spinal pilocytic astrocytomas associated with syringomyelia. We report a case of a 27-year-old woman who had neck and arm pain for months. She underwent cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that demonstrated a syrinx from C2 and extending to C6. A coronal view of the MRI showed multiple mural nodules. Total excision of multicentric nodules within a cyst was performed with an uneventful intraoperative and postoperative period and the patient was discharged home with moderate right-hand numbness.

Keywords: neuro oncology; neuro spine; neuro-surgery; pilocytic astrocytoma; spinal cord tumors; syringomyelia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports