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Ependymoma of conus medullaris presenting as subarachnoid haemorrhage

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Summary

Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) due to spinal ependymoma is very rare. We report a 37 year old man who presented with typical clinical signs of SAH. Lumbar puncture confirmed SAH but cerebral angiography was negative, and further diagnostic work-up revealed an ependymoma of the conus medullaris as the source of the haemorrhage. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted. Only 17 patients with spontaneous SAH due to a spinal ependymoma have been reported since 1958. However, in cases of SAH and negative diagnostic findings for cerebral aneurysms or malformations, this aetiology should be considered and work-up of the spinal axis completed.

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Abbreviations

CT:

Computer tomography

SAH:

Subarachnoid haemorrhage

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurosurgical Clinic, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany

    C. T. Ulrich, J. Beck, V. Seifert & G. Marquardt

Authors
  1. C. T. Ulrich
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  2. J. Beck
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  3. V. Seifert
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  4. G. Marquardt
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Correspondence to C. T. Ulrich.

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Correspondence: Christian T. Ulrich, Neurosurgical Clinic, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.

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Ulrich, C., Beck, J., Seifert, V. et al. Ependymoma of conus medullaris presenting as subarachnoid haemorrhage. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 150, 185–188 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-007-1407-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-007-1407-7

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