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Minim Invasive Neurosurg 2006; 49(6): 347-352
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-955066
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG · Stuttgart · New York

Spinal Cord Gliomas and Hydrocephalus: Utility of Neuroendoscopy

M. Galarza 1 , P. Peretta 1 , R. Gazzeri 4 , G. Cinalli 1 , M. Forni 2 , I. Morra 2 , P. Ragazzi 1 , S. Sandri 3
  • 1Division of Neurosurgery, Children Hospital of Turin, Turin, Italy
  • 2Department of Pathology, Children Hospital of Turin, Turin, Italy
  • 3Department of Oncology, Children Hospital of Turin, Turin, Italy
  • 4Department of Neurosurgery, San Giovanni-Addolorata Hospital, Rome, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 February 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to report on the role of neuroendoscopy during the management of hydrocephalus that led to the diagnosis of intracranial tumoral dissemination and the subsequent finding of a spinal cord glioma. Methods and Results: We present two children each with an intramedullary astrocytoma that presented initially with hydrocephalus without spinal cord symptoms. In both cases leptomeningeal gliomatous dissemination was asserted during routine endoscopy for the management of hydrocephalus. The diagnosis of a cervical and a lower thoracic intramedullary tumor was made soon after on magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusions: Spinal cord MRI with contrast should be considered initially in selected cases of hydrocephalus without evident diagnosis. The intraoperative diagnosis of gliomatous dissemination and secondary hydrocephalus due to unrecognized spinal cord gliomas was possible, in our experience, with the routine use of the neuroendoscope.

Key words

Spinal cord glioma - tumoral dissemination - neuroendoscopy - hydrocephalus - cerebrospinal fluid

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Correspondence

Marcelo GalarzaM.D. 

Division of Neurosurgery·Villa Maria Cecilia Hospital

48010 Cotignola RA

Italy

Phone: +39/0545/21 71 11

Fax: +39/0545/21 72 01

Email: galarza.marcelo@gmail.com