[Vertebral hemangioblastoma: an atypical localization]

Abstract

The case of a 53 year old patient with spastic paraparesis, sphincter function impairment and a deficit of sensation at the T 10 level of 2 months of evolution is presented complementary explorations (simple x-ray of the vertebrae, CT, MR and arteriography) demonstrated the presence of a vascular lesion affecting the 7th thoracic vertebra and which invaded the rachidian channel, compressing the spinal cord. Biopsy study of the intraspinal lesion was diagnosed as hemangioblastoma. A spinal hemangioblastoma with involvement of the vertebra at the same level is reported. The authors present three diagnostic hypothesis: the lesion is a vertebral hemangioblastoma with invasion of the rachidian channel with a evolution similar to vertebral angioma; the lesion is a vertebral angioma which invaded the channel differentiated into hemangioblastoma in its intraspinal position; or it is a spinal hemangioblastoma which has infiltrated the vertebra.