Intracranial hypertension due to spinal cord tumor misdiagnosed as pseudotumor cerebri syndrome: case report

Abstract

Abstract Background Isolated onset of intracranial hypertension due to spinal cord tumor is rare, thus, easily leading to misdiagnosis and delay in effective treatment. Case presentation Herein, we describe a 45-year-old female patient who manifested isolated symptoms and signs of intracranial hypertension and whose condition was initially diagnosed as idiopathic intracranial hypertension and transverse sinus stenosis. The patient received a stent implantation; however, no improvements were observed. One year later her symptoms exacerbated, and during rehospitalization a spinal imaging examination revealed a lumbar tumor. Pathologic evaluation confirmed schwannoma, and tumor resection significantly improved her symptoms, except for poor vision. Conclusions Space-occupying lesions of the spine should be considered in the differential diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, even in the absence of spine-localized signs or symptoms.

Keywords

• Intracranial hypertension
• Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome
• Spinal tumor
• Schwannoma
• Venous sinus stenosis