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Mohamed Khoulali1, Mohammed Yasssine Haouas2, Jihad Mortada3
1Université Mohammed Premier, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, CHU Mohamed VI, Oujda, Maroc,.
The Pan African Medical Journal
|August 14, 2018
Summary
Chronic hydrocephalus linked to spinal tumors is rare. Surgical removal of tumors in the conus medullaris and cauda equina resolved hydrocephalus symptoms in two patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Oncology
Background:
- Chronic hydrocephalus is rarely associated with tumors of the conus medullaris and/or cauda equina.
- Spinal tumors presenting with hydrocephalus are uncommon, with limited reported cases.
Observation:
- Two patients presented with a triad of dementia, gait disturbance, and urinary incontinence.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed communicating hydrocephalus and intradural spinal tumors at the conus medullaris/cauda equina level.
Findings:
- Surgical resection of a benign schwannoma and an ependymoma was performed.
- Successful tumor removal resolved hydrocephalus symptoms without the need for a ventricular shunt.
Implications:
- This suggests spinal tumors can cause hydrocephalus, potentially treatable with resection.
- Further research into the pathophysiology of hydrocephalus associated with spinal tumors is warranted.