Turkish Neurosurgery
2005 , Vol 15 , Num 4
Coexistence of Spinal Ependymoma with Chronic Spinal Subdural Hematoma
Department of Neurosurgery, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey
Although primary intradural-extramedullary ependymomas arising from the
cauda equina or filum terminale are not rare, spinal ependymoma as a possible
cause of chronic spinal subdural hematoma (CSSDH) following lumbar
puncture has not been reported in the literature previously. A patient with
progressive neurological deficit following lumbar puncture due to a CSSDH is
presented. Possible mechanisms of spinal subdural hematoma are discussed.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of the lumbar region revealed the
coexistence of chronic spinal subdural hematoma with the spinal tumor
(ependymoma). The CSSDH was evacuated and the tumor was resected totally.
Surgical evacuation of hematoma and total resection of the tumor resulted in
almost complete recovery. A patient with progressive neurological deficit
following a lumbar puncture should make us consider the coexistence of
CSSDH with a spinal ependymoma.
Keywords :
Ependymoma, Lumbar puncture, Subdural hematoma, Spinal tumor