Intramedullary metastasis in medulloblastoma: a case report and literature review

Childs Nerv Syst. 2021 Jun;37(6):2091-2095. doi: 10.1007/s00381-021-05086-y. Epub 2021 Feb 27.

Abstract

Background: Cerebellar medulloblastomas are the most common malignant tumors of the posterior fossa in childhood that frequently metastasize. Leptomeningeal dissemination and distant metastasis have been associated with medulloblastomas; however, intramedullary metastases are rare with very few case reports in the literature available.

Methods: We present a case of a 3-year-old girl with a medulloblastoma who underwent surgical resection of spinal intramedullary metastases. Histopathology revealed the tumor to be an anaplastic medulloblastoma similar to the intracranial lesions. The patient subsequently underwent postoperative chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy.

Results: Following the surgery and subsequent follow-up, the patient showed a good recovery without any new neurological dysfunction.

Conclusions: Intramedullary metastasis of medulloblastoma remains a rare disease. Surgical resection could play a possible role in the management in addition to radiation and chemotherapy.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Medulloblastoma; Metastasis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cerebellar Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Medulloblastoma* / diagnostic imaging
  • Medulloblastoma* / therapy