Cauda equina hemangioblastoma: case report

Primary Intradural Extramedullary Sporadic Spinal Hemangioblastomas: Case Report and Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Hemangioblastomas are benign vascular neoplasms of the central nervous system that may occur sporadically or in association with Von Hippel-Lindau disease. A minority of these lesions can occur in the spine, mostly as intramedullary masses. The authors present a rare case of primary sporadic spinal hemangioblastoma occurring as an intradural extramedullary (IDEM) lesion. Diagnostic workup and surgical management of the patient are described.

METHODS

A systematic MEDLINE search was conducted using the keywords "hemangioblastoma" and "intradural extramedullary," "extramedullary," or "cauda equina." Clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of the present case were reviewed and compared with those in the literature.

RESULTS

A 72-year-old man was found to have an IDEM lesion in his cervical spine after presenting with neck and shoulder pain. Gross total resection was successfully performed with sacrifice of an involved dorsal nerve rootlet. Screening for Von Hippel-Lindau was negative. Thirty-three additional patients with sporadic IDEM hemangioblastomas are reported in the literature. There was a slight male preponderance (54%) with a median age of 52 years. Patients presented with pain (54%), radiculopathy (33%), or myelopathy (32%). The majority of lesions were located in the lumbosacral spine (56%). All patients underwent maximal safe resection with stable or improved clinical status.

CONCLUSION

Primary IDEM hemangioblastomas are a rare entity. Differential diagnosis includes other IDEM lesions, such as schwannomas, meningiomas, or some vascular malformations. Resection of these sporadic tumors can be safely performed and result in improvement of neurologic deficits associated with mass effect from the tumor with low likelihood of recurrence.

[Hemangioblastomas of the filum terminale and cauda equina]

Hemangioblastoma of the filum terminale and cauda equina is a rare tumor of nervous system. There are only few case reports in the literature. In this manuscript, the authors analyze the diagnosis and treatment of patients with this disease. MRI data and intraoperative images of stage-by-stage resection allow one to get an idea about radiological characteristics of hemangioblastoma of the filum terminale and surgical intervention. The authors discuss the world experience of surgical treatment and consider intraoperative complications.

Functional Outcome After Resection of Von Hippel-Lindau Disease-Associated Cauda Equina Hemangioblastomas: An Observational Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Cauda equina hemangioblastomas in von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease can cause significant neurological signs and symptoms. Despite their associated morbidity, the management of these tumors remains incompletely defined.

OBJECTIVE

To determine optimal management, we analyzed the functional outcomes after resection of these tumors.

METHODS

VHL patients who underwent surgical resection of cauda equina hemangioblastomas at the National Institutes of Health and the University of Virginia were included. Clinical and radiological follow-up was performed at 6- to 12-month intervals after surgery.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients underwent 18 operations for 21 cauda equina hemangioblastomas (median follow-up 5.9 years). Patients often presented with multiple symptoms, including pain (67%), numbness (50%), urinary complaints (33%), and weakness (11%). Median preoperative tumor volume was 1.2 cm 3 . Four tumors at 3 operations were not resected due to a motor nerve root origin. Gross total resection was achieved in 14 surgeries (93% of operations when resection was attempted). New mild (non-function limiting) neurological symptoms were noted after 11 operations (61%), which most often (64%) resolved within 2 weeks of surgery. At 6-month follow-up, 15 patients (83%) were stable, 2 (11%) were improved, and 1 (6%) was worse. Histological analysis revealed that all tumors originated from within the involved nerve fascicle.

CONCLUSIONS

VHL-associated cauda equina hemangioblastomas have an intrafascicular origin and require interruption of the rootlet of origin for complete resection. Motor nerve root involvement may preclude complete resection but strategies including bony decompression and/or interruption of vascular supply may provide a therapeutic option. Nevertheless, most VHL patients with symptom-producing lesions improve with resection.

Extraneuraxial Hemangioblastoma: Clinicopathologic Features and Review of the Literature

Extraneuraxial hemangioblastoma occurs in nervous paraneuraxial structures, somatic tissues, and visceral organs, as part of von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHLD) or in sporadic cases. The VHL gene plausibly plays a key role in the initiation and tumorigenesis of both central nervous system and extraneuraxial hemangioblastoma, therefore, the underlying molecular and genetic mechanisms of the tumor growth are initially reviewed. The clinical criteria for the diagnosis of VHLD are summarized, with emphasis on the distinction of sporadic hemangioblastoma from the form fruste of VHLD (eg, hemangioblastoma-only VHLD). The world literature on the topic of extraneuraxial hemangioblastomas has been comprehensively reviewed with ∼200 cases reported to date: up to 140 paraneuraxial, mostly of proximal spinal nerve roots, and 65 peripheral, 15 of soft tissue, 6 peripheral nerve, 5 bone, and 39 of internal viscera, including 26 renal and 13 nonrenal. A handful of possible yet uncertain cases from older literature are not included in this review. The clinicopathologic features of extraneuraxial hemangioblastoma are selectively presented by anatomic site of origin, and the differential diagnosis is emphasized in these subsets. Reference is made also to 10 of the authors' personal cases of extraneuraxial hemangioblastomas, which include 4 paraneuraxial and 6 peripheral (2 soft tissue hemangioblastoma and 4 renal).

Sporadic hemangioblastoma of the film terminale with peritumoral cyst

Background:

Spinal hemangioblastoma originating from the film terminale are rare tumors. Here, we present a film terminale hemangioblastoma and review the appropriate literature.

Case Description:

A 37-year-old female presented with bilateral lower extremity pain without a focal neurological deficit. The magnetic resonance (MR) image demonstrated an intradural spinal tumor at the L1 level, which was accompanied by peritumoral cysts. In addition, there were multiple surpentine flow voids (e.g., consistent with torturous and convoluted vessels), which is typical for hemangioblastoma. At surgery, a spinal hemangioblastoma originating from the film terminale with peritumoral cysts at the L1 level was fully excised without producing a focal postoperative neurological deficit. Histological examination revealed stromal cells with vacuolated cytoplasm and small nuclei in a rich capillary network accompanied by several enlarged vessels. These finding were compatible with a hemangioblastoma.

Conclusions:

We reported a rare case of a hemangioblastoma originating from the conus presenting at the L1 level. Complete surgical resection was accomplished without any motor deficit.

Surgical treatment of cerebellar hemangioblastomas

BACKGROUND

Hemangioblastomas (HBL) are uncommon tumors of the central nervous system (CNS), corresponding to 1-2.5% of all intracranial tumors. They can present sporadically or in patients with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease and are most often located in the cerebellum, brainstem, and spinal cord. VHL disease is a multiple neoplasia syndrome inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion and caused by a VHL suppressor gene deletion. We present our experience in the management of patients with cerebellar HBL.

METHODS

Thirty consecutive patients with cerebellar HBL were included in this study. Hospital charts, radiological images, and operative records were reviewed. Modified Rankin scores were used to evaluate the clinical course.

RESULTS

Thirty patients diagnosed with cerebellar HBL were operated. Complete total resection was achieved in 93% of the cases. Postoperatively, 83% of the patients showed good functional recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

HBL of the cerebellum should be resected when symptomatic or when the tumor (or a tumor-associated cyst) shows signs of enlargement. Surgical intent should seek en bloc resection to minimize intraoperative bleeding. Patients with HBLs must be tested for VHL gene mutations, and in confirmed cases, relatives should be offered genetic counseling.

Imaging diagnosis and the role of endovascular embolization treatment for vascular intraspinal tumors

Intraspinal tumors comprise a large spectrum of neoplasms, including hemangioblastomas, paragangliomas, and meningiomas. These tumors have several common characteristic imaging features, such as highly vascular mass appearance in angiography, hypointense rim and serpentine flow voids in MRI, and intense enhancement after intravenous contrast administration. Due to their rich vascularity, these tumors represent a special challenge for surgical treatment. More recently, the surgical treatment of intraspinal vascular tumors has benefited from the combination of endovascular techniques used to better delineate these lesions and to promote preoperative reduction of volume and tissue blood flow. Endovascular embolization has been proven to be a safe procedure that facilitates the resection of these tumors; hence, it has been proposed as part of the standard of care in their management.

Early microsurgical treatment for spinal hemangioblastomas improves outcome in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease

Background:

Spinal hemangioblastomas (HB) are rare, histologically benign, highly vascularized tumors often associated with von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) disease. The aim of the current study is to demonstrate the benefit of early surgical resection of large spinal HBs in selected asymptomatic patients with VHL.

Methods:

Seventeen patients underwent microsurgical resection of 20 spinal HBs at the Department of Neurosurgery at Helsinki University Central Hospital (HUCH). Thirteen tumors were in the cervical spine, five in thoracic and one patient had two lumbar lesions. MRI tumor showed an associated syrinx in 16 patients (94%). Tumor volume ranged from 27 to 2730 mm³. Out of 17 patients, 11 (65%) tested positive for VHL in mutation analysis. Five of these patients with tumors ranging from 55 to 720 mm³ were treated prophylactically.

Results:

Complete tumor resection was performed in 16 patients (94%) who were followed up for a median of 57 months (range 2–165 months). No patient had neurological decline on long-term follow-up. Among the patients with VHL, five patients with preoperative sensorimotor deficits showed improvement of their symptoms but never regained full function. One patient who presented with tetraplegia remained the same. Otherwise, all five patients with prophylactic surgery remained neurologically intact.

Conclusion:

Although documented growth on serial MRIs and the need for pathological diagnosis have been suggested as indications for surgery in otherwise asymptomatic patients, our series showed that a potentially larger group of asymptomatic patients with spinal HB associated with VHL would benefit from microsurgical resection. Long-term results of the surgical management of spinal HB are generally favorable. Our results suggest staging and early treatment for spinal HB larger than 55 mm³, especially in patients with VHL. Small spinal HBs may be followed up.

Intra-root cavernous angioma of the cauda equina : a case report and review of the literature

Authors experienced intra-root cavernous angioma which is very rare case among cavernous angiomas of cauda equina. Our intra-root cavernous angioma was confirmed by findings from operating field and microscopic examination. We report this case with review of the literature.

Hemangioblastoma of the filum terminale

A 52-year-old man presented with low backache, paraesthesiae and spasticity of both lower limbs. He had urinary retention and constipation. Investigations revealed a vascular intradural cauda equina-conus tumor. MRI scan demonstrated an enhancing mass at the second and third lumbar vertebral levels. There were multiple dilated and tortuous veins draining from both poles of the tumor. Digital subtraction spinal angiogram showed the tumor to be supplied mainly by the radiculo-medullary artery from first lumbar artery and dural branches of the second and third lumbar arteries. At surgery, after pre-operative embolization, a well-defined tumor with an orange hue and fleshy consistency was encountered arising from the filum terminale. The tumor was excised en bloc. A sporadic hemangioblastoma arising from the filum terminale should be considered as a rare cause of back pain and sciatica. Total excision of the tumor offers cure.

Cavernous angioma of the cauda equina: case report

We present a rare case of cavernous angioma of the cauda equina and review the eleven cases available in the literature. A 44-year-old woman presented with low back pain and sciatica associated with bowel and bladder dysfunction and motor weakness of the lower extremity. The MRI revealed an enhancing, heterogeneous and hyperintense intradural lesion compressing the cauda equina roots at the L4 level. Laminectomy at L3-L4 and total removal of the tumor were performed without additional neurological deficit. Pathology revealed a cavernous angioma. The literature, clinical presentation, technical examinations, and treatment are reviewed.