Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats
04:12

Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats

Published on: March 28, 2025

Multilevel primary intraspinal PNETs in an infant associated with hydrocephalus

Doga Gurkanlar1, Emre Korkmaz, Inanc Elif Gurler

  • 1Başkent University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Ankara, Turkey. dgurkanlar@hotmail.com

Turkish Neurosurgery
|January 13, 2010
PubMed

Insights

This study reports a rare case of a 40-day-old infant with a multilevel primary spinal primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). The infant also developed hydrocephalus post-operation, a rare complication in such pediatric spinal cord tumors.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric neuro-oncology
  • Spinal cord oncology
  • Rare pediatric tumors

Background:

  • Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) of the spinal cord are aggressive, with high rates of recurrence and leptomeningeal spread.
  • Primary spinal PNETs are exceptionally rare, with most spinal cord PNETs being drop metastases from intracranial tumors.

Observation:

  • A 40-day-old infant presented with multilevel primary spinal PNET at the Th12-L1 and L5-S1 levels.
  • The infant developed hydrocephalus approximately 15 days after surgical intervention.

Findings:

  • This case represents a unique instance of multilevel primary intraspinal PNET in an infant.
  • The co-occurrence of spinal PNETs and postoperative hydrocephalus in this infant is highly unusual.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the potential for rare presentations of spinal cord tumors in infants.
  • Understanding the association between spinal PNETs and postoperative hydrocephalus is crucial for pediatric neurosurgical management.

More Related Videos

Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus14:59

Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus

Published on: October 14, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) refers to a potentially life-threatening rise in pressure inside the skull. This usually happens when there is a major change in the volume of brain tissue, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the three components inside the skull. According to the Monro-Kellie doctrine, if the volume of one component increases, the volumes of the other components must decrease to maintain normal pressure. If this does not happen, ICP rises.The process often begins with...
Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction01:14

Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction

Intracranial hypertension is a sustained elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) above 22 mm Hg. In supine adults, normal ICP is ~7–15 mm Hg.The rigid, nonexpandable cranium contains three components—brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—that total ~1,700 mL in a typical adult: 1,400 mL brain (~80%), 150 mL blood (~10%), and 150 mL CSF (~10%). According to the Monro–Kellie doctrine, total intracranial volume is effectively fixed. When one component expands, CSF and venous blood...
Neurulation01:30

Neurulation

Neurulation is the embryological process which forms the precursors of the central nervous system and occurs after gastrulation has established the three primary cell layers of the embryo: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. In humans, the majority of this system is formed via primary neurulation, in which the central portion of the ectoderm—originally appearing as a flat sheet of cells—folds upwards and inwards, sealing off to form a hollow neural tube. As development proceeds, the anterior...
Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology01:25

Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology

Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...
Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology01:14

Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology

Spinal cord injury progresses through two interconnected phases: primary injury and secondary injury.Primary InjuryPrimary injury happens at the moment of trauma and involves immediate mechanical damage to the spinal cord.Compression happens when broken vertebrae, herniated discs, or accumulating blood (such as a hematoma) press directly against the spinal cord, distorting its normal shape and function. In cases of contusion, the cord is bruised by a blunt force (like penetrating injuries or...