Multiple primary cranio-spinal tumours in a 13-year-old female with neurofibromatosis type 2 management strategy

Childs Nerv Syst. 2011 Jan;27(1):175-8. doi: 10.1007/s00381-010-1238-3. Epub 2010 Jul 27.

Abstract

Introduction: Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an inherited, rare autosomal dominant syndrome characterised by the development of multiple benign cranial and spinal tumours, peripheral neuropathy, ophthalmological and cutaneous lesions. Herein, we report one case of NF2 treated with multivariate chemotherapy.

Material and methods: A 13-year-old female presented with multiple cranio-spinal tumours in MRI. First symptoms were progressive changes in vision, left-sided paresis, unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and left hypoglossal nerve paresis. The patient underwent palliative, partial surgical resection of the tumour which was located in a posterior fossa. Histopathological examination showed a psammomatous meningioma located near the great foramen and schwannomas of VIII nerve in the cerebello-pontine angle. Clinical and radiological examination revealed a rapid progression of the disease. As such, multivariate chemotherapy was used. The patient died 4 years after diagnosis.

Conclusion: NF2 patients with multiple tumours at diagnosis may not be treatable with surgery alone and, as a result, presentation with such a disease in childhood results in poor prognosis. The unification of management strategies in NF2 patients is highly desirable.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Brain Neoplasms / etiology
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neurofibromatosis 2 / complications
  • Neurofibromatosis 2 / pathology*
  • Neurofibromatosis 2 / therapy
  • Neurosurgical Procedures
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / etiology
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / therapy