title: Obstructive hydrocephalus as a result of giant cell tumor of the thoracic spine: A case report.
abstract: Giant cell tumors (GCTs) are rare bone tumors that account for ~5% of all primary bone tumors. When GCTs occur in the spine, patients usually present with localized pain and neurological symptoms, such as radiating pain or hyperesthesia. In the current report, an unusual case of a GCT of the thoracic spine associated with hydrocephalus is described. A 48-year-old male presented with urinary retention, loss of sensation in the lower limbs and inability to walk. The patient eventually developed hydrocephalus combined with altered consciousness, indicated by an inability to follow simple commands. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrated the presence of a soft tissue mass at the T2 level, and biopsy examination of the tissue confirmed that it was a GCT. The patient experienced a sudden loss of consciousness due to an acute episode of obstructive hydrocephalus. A ventriculoperitoneal shunting procedure was performed to treat the hydrocephalus, and the patient regained normal consciousness, although the paraplegia persisted. An MR examination performed 30 months following surgery demonstrated that the tumor size was stable, consistent with the slow growth that is characteristic of GCTs. Diagnosis of GCTs may be challenging, and relies on radiographic and histopathologic findings. Although rare, acute hydrocephalus as a result of GCTs should not be excluded from a differential diagnosis.
authors: Department of Exercise and Health Promotion, College of Education, Chinese Culture University, Taipei 11114, Taiwan, R.O.C.; Department of Neurology, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua 50008, R.O.C.
authors: Cheng-Yu
authors: CY
authors: Wei
authors: Department of Applied Mathematics, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan, R.O.C.; Department of Sustainability Research Center, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, R.O.C.
authors: Shuo-Tsung
authors: ST
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Exercise and Health Promotion, College of Education, Chinese Culture University, Taipei 11114, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors: Hsu-Chih
authors: HC
authors: Tai
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Lo-Hsu Foundation, Lotung Poh-Ai Hospital, Luodong, Yilan 26546, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors: Wen-Bing
authors: WB
authors: Wang
authors: Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Feng Yuan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taichung 42055, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors: Chi-Chu
authors: CC
authors: Chang
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, Min-Sheng General Hospital, Taoyuan 33044, Taiwan, R.O.C.; Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11042, R.O.C.
authors: Yao-Chin
authors: YC
authors: Wang
authors: PhD Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan, R.O.C.; Department of Neurosurgery, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11696, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors: L I
authors: LI
authors: Wei
authors: Department of Exercise and Health Promotion, College of Education, Chinese Culture University, Taipei 11114, Taiwan, R.O.C.; Department of Neurosurgery, Lo-Hsu Foundation, Lotung Poh-Ai Hospital, Luodong, Yilan 26546, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors: Woon-Man
authors: WM
authors: Kung
keywords: cerebrospinal fluid; giant cell tumor; hydrocephalus; spinal tumor; ventriculoperitoneal shunt