Isolated hemangioblastoma of the cervical spinal cord: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Hemangioblastomas are benign, slow growing but highly vascularized tumors of the central nervous system, with the most common location of occurrence in the posterior fossa. Hemangioblastomas usually have an associated with patients that have Von-Hippel Lindau disease, resulting a germline mutation in the VHL tumor suppressor gene. Isolated or sporadic occurrences of hemangioblastomas are much more infrequent and typically respond well after surgery.

Presentation of case: We present case of a 22year old female with worsening shoulder pain, decreased sensation in the hands and feet, and decreasing strength and was found to have a hemangioblastoma of the cervical spine.

Discussion: The patient was treated with surgery and responded well to treatment. We also present a review of the literature on isolated occurrences of hemangioblastomas of the spinal cord.

Conclusion: Isolated hemangioblastoma are a rare tumor of the central nervous system and can be managed with surgery.

Keywords: Case report; Hemangioblastoma; Laminectomy; Myelotomy; Vascular tumor; Von-Hippel Lindau.

Fig. 1

Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical cord of the hemangioblastoma upon admission. A 1.3 cm lesion is visualized in the posterior C5–C6 disc space, containing solid and cystic components with possible products of hemorrhage. An enlarged spinal cord with syrinx is visualized that tracks inferiorly to the thoracic cord. (A) Axial post-contrast T1 sequence at the level of C5; (B) Axial T2 sequence at the level of C5; (C) Sagittal post-contrast T1 sequence at the mid-sagittal line; (D) Sagittal T2 sequence at the mid-sagittal line.

Fig. 2

Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical cord of the hemangioblastoma, three months after surgery. Following imaging shows stable post-operative changes and resection of the C5–C6 mass, with a small 2 mm focus of enhancement in the posterior cord, unlikely to be a tumor recurrence and likely a post-operative artifact. (A) Axial post-contrast T1 sequence at the level of C5; (B) Axial T2 sequence at the level of C5; (C) Sagittal post-contrast T1 sequence at the mid-sagittal line; (D) Sagittal T2 sequence at the mid-sagittal line.