Ependymoma of conus medullaris presenting as subarachnoid haemorrhage.
Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) due to spinal ependymoma is very rare. We report a 37 year old man who presented with typical clinical signs of SAH. Lumbar puncture confirmed SAH but cerebral angiography was negative, and further diagnostic work-up revealed an ependymoma of the conus medullaris as the source of the haemorrhage. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted. Only 17 patients with spontaneous SAH due to a spinal ependymoma have been reported since 1958. However, in cases of SAH and negative diagnostic findings for cerebral aneurysms or malformations, this aetiology should be considered and work-up of the spinal axis completed.
Neurosurgical Clinic, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany. ulrich@med.uni-frankfurt.de
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Ulrich
J
J
Beck
V
V
Seifert
G
G
Marquardt
D000328:Adult; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*