Management of delayed intracranial and intraspinal metastases of intradural spinal paragangliomas

Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2006 Jan;148(1):63-6; discussion 66. doi: 10.1007/s00701-005-0658-4. Epub 2005 Nov 9.

Abstract

The preferential site of extra-adrenal paragangliomas is the head and neck region. However intradural spinal paragangliomas are commonly described and are considered as benign entities. We report the case of a paraganglioma of the cauda equina followed after complete surgical removal by intracranial and intraspinal cerebrospinal fluid metastases. Seven years after the first operation, a cystic cerebellar lesion was successfully treated by surgery. During a long follow-up, four locations in the posterior fossa, a lumbar recurrence and metastatic nodules at T6 and S1-S2 level were also discovered. Radiotherapy stopped the lesions' growth and allowed improvement of the neurological status. Through a review and analysis of the literature, we discuss the management of this unusual evolution.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy
  • Humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae*
  • Male
  • Paraganglioma / diagnosis
  • Paraganglioma / secondary*
  • Paraganglioma / therapy
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / surgery
  • Spinal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Spinal Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Spinal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Thoracic Vertebrae*
  • Time Factors