Ganglioglioma of the medulla oblongata

A patient with signs and symptoms suggestive of symptomatic Arnold-Chiari malformation was encountered. Neuroradiologic investigation revealed the presence of a medullary tumor, which later proved to be a ganglioglioma. A review of the literature suggests that this presentation is typical of medullary gangliogliomas. It is proposed that the pathophysiology of this lesion renders it amenable to decompressive therapy via suboccipital craniotomy.