2008 Volume 22 Issue 1 Pages 33-37
Hemangiopericytoma of the spinal cord is rare, and its neuroradiological characteristics of and surgical findings are still unknown. A 62-year-old male presented with gradual paraparesis, bilateral leg paresthesia and urinary dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine demonstrated an intramedullary tumor at the L1 spinal level. The tumor markedly progressed during a 4-month follow-up, and demonstrated an intramedullary and extramedullary compartment with a dural attachment. The tumor was fed by the lumbar artery and demonstrated fair and persistent enhancement without apparent venous drainage on spinal angiography. The patient underwent surgery for total excision of the spinal tumor. The tumor had a septal wall between the intramedullary and extramedullary portion, which facilitated easy detachment of the extramedullary portion from the intramedullary portion. The margin between the intramedullary tumor and the normal spinal cord was obvious, and the tumor was completely resected without major bleeding. Pathological findings were compatible with hemangiopericytoma. Hemangiopericytoma should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis of a highly vascular tumor showing rapid growth. Careful radiological follow-up after initial treatment might be required due to the aggressive nature of this rare tumor.
