[Cystic hemangioblastoma of the spinal bulb].

INTRODUCTION

Hemangioblastomas are histologically benign tumors that comprise 8%-12% of all posterior fossa lesions in the adult. Brain stem hemangioblastomas may be solid or cystic tumors, and surgical removal of these tumors is usually possible and is the optimal treatment. We describe a case of hemangioblastoma in the medulla oblongata diagnosed with MRI. Using microsurgery technic a total excision of this intramedullary tumor was performed.

CLINICAL CASE: A 37-year-old woman with a 3-months history of progressive dysphagia and occipital headache. Neurological examination at the time of admission revealed bilateral horizontal nystagmus, paresis of cranial nerves IX, X and XII, motor weakness of the four extremities. A MRI revealed a cystic intramedullary tumor. Using a suboccipital craniectomy the tumor was totally removed.

CONCLUSIONS

Cystic hemangioblastomas of the medulla oblongata represent a small segment in the spectrum of brain stem tumors. Surgical removal of these tumors can be accomplished successfully with a low risk of neurological injury.