title: Spinal cord astrocytoma mimicking multifocal myelitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Differential diagnosis of acute/subacute intrinsic spinal cord lesions can be challenging. In addition, intramedullary neoplasms typically show gadolinium enhancement, mass effect, and cord expansion.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a patient with spinal cord and brain stem lesions resembling multifocal myelitis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed no spinal cord enlargement or gadolinium enhancing. Treatment of myelitis was undertaken without stopping the progression of the disease. Biopsy was made and led to a histological diagnosis of astrocytoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Astrocytoma must remain as a possible diagnosis of spinal cord lesions, even without typical characteristics of neoplasms. Furthermore, biopsy should always be considered when diagnosis is uncertain.
authors.forename: Dulce
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Neutel
authors.forename: Tiago
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Teodoro
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coelho
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pimentel
authors.forename: Luísa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Albuquerque
mesh_terms: D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D005682:Gadolinium
keywords: Demyelinating diseases; Non-enhancing spinal astrocytoma