title: Recurrent lumbar ependymoma presenting as headache and communicating hydrocephalus.
abstract: We describe a patient with a recurrent spinal cord ependymoma who initially presented with symptoms of increased intracranial pressure rather than symptoms directly relating to involvement of the conus medullaris. Brain magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium showed communicating hydrocephalus. Magnetic resonance imaging of the entire spinal cord with gadolinium revealed recurrent tumor. Postoperatively, a permanent ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed. Recognition of the association between spinal cord ependymoma and hydrocephalus is important in the evaluation of patients with headache.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, National Stroke Research Institute, Heidelberg West, Australia.
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Phan
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Krauss
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Fealey
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000209:etiology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*