J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2010 Jan;47(1):68-70. 10.3340/jkns.2010.47.1.68.

Intracranial Dissemination from Spinal Cord Anaplastic Astrocytoma

• Jeong SM
• Chung YG
• Lee JB
• Shin IY

• KMID: 1495094
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2010.47.1.68

Abstract

We report a case of intracranial dissemination developing approximately 4 months after partial removal of a spinal cord anplastic astrocytoma in a 22-year-old male. He presented with paraplegia on initial admission at a local hospital. Spinal magnetic resonance (MR) images disclosed multiple intramedullary lesions at the T3-11. The tumor was partially removed. The final histologic diagnosis was anaplastic astrocytoma. Four months after the operation, he was admitted with the symptoms of headache and deterioration of consciousness. MR images showed enhanced lesions in the anterior horn of the left lateral ventricle, and septum pellucidum. He underwent computed tomography-guided stereotactic biopsy and histological appearance was consistent with anaplastic astrocytoma. The clinical course indicates that the tumor originated in the spinal cord and extended into the subarachnoid space, first the spinal canal and later intracranial.

Keyword

Anaplastic astrocytoma; Spinal cord; Intracranial dissemination

MeSH Terms

Animals
Astrocytoma
Biopsy
Consciousness
Headache
Horns
Humans
Lateral Ventricles
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Male
Paraplegia
Septum Pellucidum
Spinal Canal
Spinal Cord
Subarachnoid Space
Young Adult