Long-level intramedullary spinal cord astrocytoma complicated with spine scoliosis: Report of two cases

Introduction and importanceLong-level intramedullary astrocytomas complicated with spine scoliosis are rare. Surgical treatment of such tumors becomes more complicated and challenging when spinal scoliosis is present. However, studies describing the treatment of long segmental intramedullary spinal cord astrocytomas complicated with severe spine scoliosis have been rarely reported.Case presentationTwo cases of long-level intramedullary astrocytomas complicated with severe spine scoliosis were surgically treated with one-stage operation of tumor resection and scoliosis correction in this report. Case 1: A 16-year-old boy presented to our hospital with a five-month progressive paresthesia, weakness of the left lower limb, and a long-time abnormal body appearance. MRI showed a T4-T12 intramedullary tumor combined with spinal scoliosis. Case 2: A 14-year-old boy presented at our service with a 6-year history of visible spine scoliosis and a 1-year progressive motor disability of bilateral lower limbs. Spine MRI indicated a long-level abnormal syringomyelia signal from C4 to L1 and there was irregular enhancement after intravenous contrast medium administration at C7-T2 and T9-T12 level.DiscussionWe performed a laminectomy over the whole length of the tumor and corrected the scoliosis with trans-pedicle screws. The patients exhibited a long-time tumor free with largely neurological function preservation. One-stage operation did not generate severe short- or long-term complications. The correction of the scoliosis prevented the progression of the spinal deformity and facilitated the recovery of normal life.ConclusionThis case report demonstrates that the one-stage resection of long-level intramedullary astrocytoma and correction of the complicated scoliosis might be a feasible option.