Oligodendrogliomas of the spinal cord

Abstract

The clinical, surgical, and pathological data from 35 published cases of oligodendroglioma and of one personal case are analysed and compared with those from other tumours of the cord and from cerebral oligodendrogliomas. Oligodendroglioma of the cord has a slightly lower average age than other gliomas and is closer to that of glioblastoma. In oligodendroglioma of the cord, as of the brain, acute onset or aggravation of the symptoms and an oscillating course are frequent. Two correlated data are particularly worth noting: a) the mean CSF protein content in oligodendroglioma of the cord is higher than in any other glioma; b) intracranial hypertension, in the form of papilloedema or hydrocephalus, or both, was present in 31% of cases. This signifies cerebral oligodendrogliomatosis, which was found in 6 out of 10 necropsied cases. At operation most oligodendrogliomas of the cord appear as infiltrating "gelatinous" tumours, though a minority have a firm consistency and apparently clearcut contours, which seem to be associated with a better prognosis. Postoperative radiotherapy seems to be useful.