[Spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage due to spinal ependymoma presenting findings mimicking subacute meningitis]

A case of spinal ependymoma showing spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage with findings mimicking subacute meningitis is reported. A 33-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of headache, low back pain and low grade fever on June 8, 1982. Ten years ago he had experienced an episode of abrupt onset lumbago and headache. Subarachnoid hemorrhage was suspected because of bloody cerebrospinal fluid, but cerebral angiography failed to demonstrate any abnormalities. On admission physical examination revealed nuchal rigidity, Kernig's sign and percussion tenderness on 5th lumbar spine. Lumbar puncture showed bloody cerebrospinal fluid. Cell counts were 217 per cubic millimeter (neutrophil: lymphocyte = 27.73), protein was 396 mg/dl and sugar level was 18 mg/dl. Myelography showed an intradural extramedullary tumor at the spinal level of L1-L2. Spinal MRI and CT scan also demonstrated a spinal tumor at the same level. Laminectomy and total resection of the spinal tumor were performed and a diagnosis of myxopapillary ependymoma was made histologically. He was discharged about a month later without any neurological deficits. The development of subarachnoid hemorrhage due to spinal tumor is rare. There are about 50 cases of spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage due to spinal tumor in the literature, including three cases in Japan. Two cases presenting CSF findings mimicking bacterial meningitis have been reported in the literature, but there is no report of subarachnoid hemorrhage due to spinal tumor that presents findings mimicking subacute meningitis similar to our case. From these results, it is suggested that subarachnoid hemorrhage due to spinal ependymoma may reveal various CSF findings. In cases suggesting bacterial or subacute meningitis with bloody CSF and acute onset, the possibility of spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage due to rupture of a spinal tumor, especially ependymoma, should be considered.