Multifocal Intradural Extramedullary Pilocytic Astrocytomas of the Spinal Cord: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Abstract

Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is among the most common of the central nervous system gliomas in the pediatric population; however, it is uncommon in adults. PAs of the spinal cord in adults are even rarer, with only a few cases found in the literature. We report here the first case in the literature of multifocal intradural extramedullary spinal cord PAs in an adult. Our patient is a 56-yr-old female who presented with loss of balance and an ataxic gait. Multiple extramedullary spinal cord tumors were identified intraoperatively, the lesions completely resected, and all diagnosed as PAs. This case illustrates a unique instance of multifocal intradural extramedullary spinal cord PAs in an adult with no previous history of PA during childhood, no known familial syndromes, and no brain involvement.