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Updated: Aug 20, 2026
Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery
Published on: August 17, 2022
Intramedullary spinal cord ganglioglioma presenting with abnormal abdominal wall movement. Case report
Saeid Aslanabadi1, Ramin Azhough, Parviz Samad Motlagh
1Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery, and Pathology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. ramin_azhough780@yahoo.com
Insights
A rare intramedullary ganglioglioma caused a child's "belly dance" symptom. Surgical resection led to good recovery, though scoliosis progressed post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuro-oncology
- Spinal Cord Tumors
Background:
- Gangliogliomas are rare tumors, often found in the central nervous system.
- Intramedullary spinal cord tumors are uncommon and can present with varied neurological deficits.
- Early diagnosis and management are crucial for pediatric patients with spinal cord lesions.
Observation:
- A 6-year-old girl presented with a unique, continuous abdominal wall movement termed "belly dance" since infancy.
- This "belly dance" symptom persisted even during sleep, suggesting a neurological origin.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identified an intramedullary tumor with indistinct margins.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with an intramedullary ganglioglioma.
- Surgical debulking of the tumor was performed.
- Postoperative recovery was favorable, with resolution of the "belly dance" symptom.
Implications:
- This case highlights the diverse and unusual presentations of intramedullary spinal cord tumors in children.
- The "belly dance" symptom may serve as an early indicator for spinal cord pathology.
- Long-term monitoring is essential due to the potential for delayed complications like scoliosis progression.
Abstract:
The authors present a case of intramedullary ganglioglioma in a 6-year-old girl. Since the age of 4 months the patient had experienced a spontaneous wavy undulating movement of her anterior abdominal wall resembling a severe peristalsis. The movement was continuous even during sleep, and this symptom was named "belly dance." Magnetic resonance images revealed an intramedullary tumor with ill-defined borders, and the lesion was partially resected. The patient made a good recovery, although 4 years postsurgery her scoliosis had progressed.