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Multiple filum terminale hemangioblastomas symptomatic during pregnancy. Case report
Marta Ortega-Martínez1, Jose M Cabezudo, Ignacio Fernández-Portales
1Neurosurgical Service, Hospital Regional Universitario Infanta Cristina, Badajoz, Spain. marta.ort@terra.es
Journal of Neurosurgery. Spine
|August 11, 2007
Summary
Multiple spinal hemangioblastomas in the filum terminale, though rare, can become symptomatic during pregnancy. This unique case highlights that interrupting gestation led to symptom remission in a VHL syndrome-negative patient.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Hemangioblastomas are low-grade, vascular tumors often linked to von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome, typically found in the cerebellum.
- Spinal nerve root hemangioblastomas are rare, with filum terminale origin being exceptional, especially multiple lesions.
Observation:
- Pregnancy-induced hormonal and physiological changes can exacerbate vascular tumors like hemangioblastomas.
- The clinical evolution of spinal hemangioblastomas during pregnancy is poorly understood due to their rarity.
Findings:
- A unique case of a VHL syndrome-negative woman with multiple filum terminale hemangioblastomas presenting symptoms during pregnancy.
- Symptom resolution was observed following the interruption of gestation, suggesting a link between pregnancy and tumor exacerbation.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for pregnancy to precipitate symptoms in spinal hemangioblastomas, even without VHL syndrome.
- Management strategies for spinal hemangioblastomas in pregnant patients may need to consider the impact of gestation on tumor behavior.
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