Hemangioblastoma
What is it?
Hemangioblastomas are benign slowly growing tumors that arise from the linings of blood vessels. They are the third most common intramedullary spinal neoplasm, representing 3-8% of all intramedullary tumors. Males and females are affected equally.
Symptoms
Spinal hemangioblastomas are usually located on the surface of the spinal cord. Symptoms are similar to that of other intramedullary spinal tumors, and larger hemangioblastomas can cause a variety of symptoms as they compress the spinal cord – pain, weakness and sensory changes.
Diagnosis
Hemangioblastomas are diagnosed by angiography, CT scan and MRI scan.
Treatment
Hemangioblastomas are usually treated by surgical resection, sometimes with preceding endovascular embolization to reduce intraoperative blood loss.