Primary spinal cord oligodendroglioma: case report and review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives were to present a case of pediatric spinal oligodendroglioma and review the existing literature written in English on the subject of human spinal oligodendrogliomas. A comparison of the clinical, radiologic, and pathologic characteristics, as they relate to those already described in similar cases, was also attempted.


METHODS
Thorough evaluation of the patient's clinical course was undertaken. Presenting symptoms and signs are reported. The perioperative radiologic features of the case are presented and the intraoperative details as well as the pathologoanatomic findings and follow-up history are provided. We subsequently performed a thorough search in the literature focusing on the number, characteristics, treatment modalities, and prognosis of patients with spinal cord oligodendrogliomas.


CONCLUSIONS
Spinal oligodendrogliomas are a distinctly rare type of nervous system tumor, especially in the pediatric population. An international registry addressing all of their clinical and pathobiological characteristics would be of great benefit to patients harboring these rare tumors.
Fountas
Kostas N
KN
Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center of Central Georgia, Mercer University School of Medicine, 840 Pine Street, Suite 880, Macon, GA 31201, USA. knfountasmd@excite.com
Karampelas
Ioannis
I
Nikolakakos
Leonidas G
LG
Troup
E Christopher
EC
Robinson
Joe Sam
JS
D000293:Adolescent; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009837:Oligodendroglioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy