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Updated: Apr 24, 2026
Isolation, Enrichment, and Maintenance of Medulloblastoma Stem Cells
Published on: September 1, 2010
Cushing's reflex in a rare case of adult medulloblastoma
Daniel Aronovich1, Alexander Scumpia1, David Edwards1
1Mount Sinai Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA.
Background:
Medulloblastoma is a primitive neuro-ectodermal tumor. It is common in childhood, but rarely seen at adult age, comprising only 1% of primary brain tumors.
Methods:
We treated a 31-year-old man presented to the emergency department (ED) with a chief complaint of nausea and vomiting for one week duration. Immediate frozen section revealed a grade IV medulloblastoma. During the hospital course, the patient was given craniospinal irradiation with chemotherapy.
Results:
The patient was eventually discharged from the hospital to an assisted living facility after an uneventful 15-day course with the aid of social work.
Conclusions:
Despite intracranial tumors generally being slow growing masses, this patient demonstrates how quickly one can decompensate, and how important it is to recognize these clinical signs and symptoms of an intracranial lesion. Although these symptoms (i.e. Cushing response) are extremely rare, the ED physician should be aware and appreciate their clinical significance.
Insights
A rare adult medulloblastoma case highlights rapid patient decline. Early recognition of intracranial lesion symptoms is crucial for emergency department physicians to ensure timely intervention.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Adult neurosurgery
Background:
- Medulloblastoma is a rare primary brain tumor in adults, typically diagnosed in childhood.
- This case involves a 31-year-old male diagnosed with a high-grade medulloblastoma.
Observation:
- The patient presented with nausea and vomiting, indicative of increased intracranial pressure.
- Immediate diagnosis via frozen section confirmed a grade IV medulloblastoma.
Findings:
- The patient received craniospinal irradiation and chemotherapy.
- A 15-day hospital course concluded with discharge to an assisted living facility.
Implications:
- Adult medulloblastoma requires prompt recognition and management, despite its rarity.
- Emergency physicians must be vigilant for subtle signs of intracranial lesions, even in atypical presentations.
- Rapid clinical decompensation underscores the urgency of diagnosing and treating brain tumors.
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