Primary spinal cord astrocytoma presenting as intracranial hypertension: a case report

Increased intracranial pressure (IICP) is rarely seen in association with primary spinal tumors. We describe a 58-year-old man who was diagnosed with a primary spinal cord astrocytoma, who first presented with hypesthesia, followed by intracranial hypertension, papilledema and blurred vision. On first admission, he presented with hypesthesia but without paraparesis, headache or blurred vision. Spinal MRI showed a relatively well-enhanced solid mass with a cystic portion at the cervico-thoracic level, shown histologically to be a grade I pilocytic astrocytoma. After gross total resection of the tumor, the patient had no significant neurological changes. Nine months later, the patient was admitted with headache, blurred vision and paraparesis. An ophthalmologic examination showed papilledema and lumbar tapping revealed IICP. A spinal MRI showed recurrence of the tumor which was found to be a glioblastoma after reexplorative debulking surgery. After resection, his headaches and blurred vision improved, but his paraparesis did not. These findings show that a primary spinal cord astrocytoma may cause IICP.