Combined Microsurgery and Radiotherapy for Multiple Spinal Cord Hemangioblastomas with Holocord Syrinx in von Hippel-Lindau Disease: A Case Report

Abstract

Spinal and cerebellar hemangioblastomas are common in von Hippel-Lindau disease (vHLD) and usually treated surgically. Multifocal presence and surgically not amenable locations are issues that require a combined microsurgical and radiosurgical approach to control complex cases.

We would like to present the case of a 37-year-old male patient who was diagnosed vHLD with multiple spinal and one infratentorial hemangioblastomas and holocord syrinx formation of the whole spinal cord. Combined microsurgical approaches to two spinal lesions and the cerebellar lesion followed by external beam radiotherapy of the posterior fossa and the whole spinal axis stabilized tumor growth of the asymptomatic lesions, while no recurrent tumors were detected at the site of surgery. A clinical deterioration connected to early postoperative deficits stabilized to a moderate gait ataxia. The follow-up after radiotherapy covered 60 months.

A combination of microsurgery and radiosurgery for the surgically not amenable lesions is an adequate treatment regimen to stabilize tumor growth and clinical symptoms of multifocal spinal hemangioblastomas in vHLD, though the therapy should be limited to symptomatic or growing lesions.

Keywords

hemangioblastoma - von Hippel-Lindau - microsurgery - radiotherapy - syringomyelia - holocord syrinx

Introduction

von Hippel-Lindau disease (vHLD) constitutes an autosomal dominantly inherited multisystem neoplasia syndrome due to a mutation on the short arm of chromosome 3 (3p25). Typical manifestations are angiomas of the retina (central serous retinitis) and hemangioblastomas (HABs) of the infratentorial and spinal central nervous system (CNS) region (predominantly posterior fossa). Further neoplasias are renal cell carcinomas, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, pheochromocytomas, and endolymphatic sac tumors.[1] [2] [3]

Though rarely encountered sporadically, spinal HABs are common in vHLD as multifocal lesions that often require multiple surgical interventions. We present a case of vHLD with complicated multiple spinal HABs and holocord syrinx formation undergoing both microsurgery and radiotherapy in a short follow-up period. In current literature, radiotherapy for spinal HABs is reviewed and outcomes are discussed with regard to the presented case.

Clinical Presentation

Our 37-year-old male patient had ophthalmologic examination due to progressive visual disturbance. Fundoscopy revealed central serous retinitis. Due to positive family history for renal cell carcinoma in the patient's mother, more extensive diagnostics were performed. Cranial and whole spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed holocord syrinx formation with multiple contrast enhancing nodular lesions, predominantly in the right cerebellar tonsil and at spinal cord levels T1, T2, and at T11/12 junction that were consistent with HABs ([Figs. 1] and [2]). On neurological examination, he presented with increased lower limb reflex levels, mild gait ataxia, and a tendency to fall to the right. All of these signs were not previously noticed by the patient. vHLD was genetically proven in the patient and his mother.

Fig. 1 Magnetic resonance imaging scans of the cervical spine on first clinical onset of symptoms, T2-weighted (A), and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (B) images showing an extended syrinx formation due to a large contrast enhancing formation at the cervicothoracic junction.

Fig. 2 Magnetic resonance imaging scans of the thoracic spine on first clinical onset of symptoms. T2-weighted (A) and contrast enhanced T1-weighted (B) images further demonstrate the extent of the syrinx down to the conus medullaris among multiple contrast enhancing lesions.

He first underwent laminectomies C7 and T1 to approach the upper lesions and decompress the syrinx. Intraoperatively, only one lesion at T1 could safely be removed and the syrinx was fenestrated.

Histology showed a tumor of moderate cell density. The tumor was composed of large stromal cells with either vacuolated or homogeneously eosinophilic cytoplasm. These were embedded in a dense capillary network. Stroma cells stained positive for S100; the capillary network was highlighted by Tibor Pap silver impregnation and factor VIII immunohistochemistry. Proliferation index was below 2%. Histomorphology and immunohistochemical staining pattern were consistent with the diagnosis of HAB WHO I°. vHLD-associated HABs are histomorphologically indistinguishable from sporadic HABs.

The lesion at T2 was left untouched due to total adherence to the corresponding nerve root. Histological diagnosis was HAB. The postoperative course was uneventful except of temporary left hemi hypoesthesia sub-Th5. Postoperative MRI showed a collapse of the cervical portion of the syrinx and total resection of the lesion at T1. Early MRI controls revealed progression of the cervical portion of the syrinx. Hence, another surgical procedure via laminectomy T12 was performed to resect the lesion at T11/12 junction, but the resection was not possible for a too anterior position of the vascular lesion. Additionally, a syringo-subdural shunt was implanted. Postoperatively the patient presented with isolated ataxia of the right leg.

After scooping out the options for surgical treatment, radiotherapy of the spinal cord was planned, but before initiating the latter, control MRI showed progression of the accompanying cyst of the right cerebellar tonsil lesion. The clinical presentation did not change, while the right leg ataxia was still present. So, the patient first underwent suboccipital craniotomy. The lesion could be totally removed.

Hence, irradiation of the posterior fossa and the spinal axis was performed using conventional computed tomography-planned isocentric multifield external beam radiotherapy with 5 × 1.8 Gy weekly until 36 Gy. Sequentially, a boost of 9 Gy to the tumor bed in the posterior fossa and to the multiple spinal hemangiomas from C7 to Th12 was performed up to a total dose of 45 Gy.

The patient afterward developed lower limb weakness and progressive gait ataxia requiring the use of corticosteroids. The control MRI 2 months after radiotherapy showed a progression of one remaining lesion at T2 accompanied by an extension of the cervicothoracic portion of the syrinx. Thus, a second approach to the lesion was undergone via laminectomy T2 and the lesion could be totally resected.

Throughout the further clinical course after the last surgery, a mild improvement in the gait ataxia was noticeable. Follow-up MRIs demonstrated a remarkable collapse of the cervical portion of the syrinx and a stable size of the remaining multiple nodular intramedullary lesions ([Figs. 3] and [4]). The whole follow-up period after radiotherapy covered 60 months.

Fig. 3 Magnetic resonance imaging scans of the cervical spine 60 months after radiotherapy. T2-weighted (A) and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (B) images demonstrate a considerable collapse of the cervical portion of the syrinx after resection of the cervicothoracic hemangioblastoma.

Fig. 4 Magnetic resonance imaging scans of the thoracic spine 60 months after radiotherapy. T2-weighted (A) and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (B) images show partial collapse of the thoracic portion of the syrinx and stable-sized contrast enhancing lesions after radiotherapy.

During this period, the patient underwent multiple ophthalmologic surgeries and intravitreal local radiotherapy for a HAB of the left retina. He also underwent partial left sided nephrectomy due to renal cell carcinoma.

Overall, the patient's neurologic status was fluctuating deterioration linked to the surgical procedures but stabilized to a moderate gait ataxia and hyperreflexia of the lower limbs.

Discussion

Spinal cord HABs account for a relatively small amount of primary spinal cord tumors.[4] Although they are often accompanied by local syringomyelia, only a few cases with an extensive, holocord syrinx have been published to date.[5] [6] [7] Since the signs and symptoms in patients with HABs mostly arise from peritumoral cysts and syrinx formation, treatment strategies should focus not only on curative but also on good functional outcome. Hence, the resolution of local and more extensive mass effects, such as syringomyelia, is a definitive target of treatment.[2] [3] The judicious treatment of symptom producing lesions while avoiding unnecessary treatment of asymptomatic tumors, which might not grow, could, according to Lonser et al, provide clinical stability.[8]

Although surgical resection constitutes the therapy of choice for spinal HABs, radiotherapy has become increasingly important for the treatment of surgically not amenable lesions in both cranial and spinal locations.[8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22]

As published by various authors before, high-dose focal radiotherapy for HABs can achieve stabilization of tumor growth ([Table 1]) in the per se not particularly radiosensitive tumors.

Table 1 Previous studies on radiotherapy for spinal hemangioblastomas

Author	Method	Patients with spinal HAB	Spinal HABs	Mean follow-up (months)	Outcome
Chang et al., 1998[16]	SRS	2	2	13.5	Tumor decreased
Koh et al., 2007[24]	EBRT	18	8	61	5-year disease free survival, 57%
Ryu et al., 2003[17]	SRS	7	7	12	Local control rate, 100%
Moss et al., 2009[25]	SRS	31	16	33.5	Local control rate, 92%
Chang et al., 2011[15]	SRS	5	8	50	Local control rate, 87.5%
Simone et al., 2011[20]	ICSRT	7	84 (spinal and infratentorial)	73.8	Local control rate, 24%
Selch et al., 2012[21]	LINAC	9	20	51	Local control rate, 95%
Pan et al., 2017[22]	SRS	28	46	54	Local control rate, 94%

Abbreviations: EBRT, external beam radiotherapy; ICSRT, infratentorial craniospinal radiation therapy; LINAC, linear accelerator; SRS, stereotactic radiosurgery.

However, results of studies with radiotherapy for HAB have to be interpreted with caution as the known multiphasic growth pattern of these tumors makes interpretation of tumor size during follow-up difficult; therapeutic effects and intrinsic changes of tumor size can possibly not be distinguished; and long-term follow-up is needed to better evaluate efficacy of treatment. As shown by Asthagiri et al for intracranial HABs, excellent local control rates (> 80%) 2 years after SRS are diminishing during long-term analysis (68%, control rate after 8.5 years).[23]

For interpretation of clinical data, it is relevant that HABs in patients with vHLD might have better overall survival and longer disease-free intervals compared with sporadic tumors.[24]

Radiotherapy of multifocal spinal HAB of our case report remains a particular therapeutic challenge: (1) identification of “first to treat” symptomatic lesions might be difficult, (2) the decision for or against treatment of asymptomatic lesions is controversial due to unpredictable growth, (3) dose constraints of the spinal cord restrict use of conventional radiotherapy, (4) nearly half of the vHLD-associated HABs is not visible on the first imaging series.[3]

To improve prognosis in this complicated setting, infratentorial craniospinal irradiation has been used as a treatment approach. Simone et al first described a case series of this technique using conventional multifield infratentorial craniospinal irradiation (24 × 1.8 Gy, 43.2 Gy) to the entire craniospinal region without the hemispheres in seven patients with diffuse and multilocal CNS HABs with vHLD. Although local control was limited (23.9%) and the development of new lesions could not be limited, clinical stabilization or even improvement in five of seven patients during a mean follow-up period of ∼74 months could point toward some efficacy of this approach.[20]

Conclusion

In conclusion, treatment of multiple HABs requires a multidisciplinary approach, optimization of treatment is made difficult by growth pattern of tumors and long-term follow-up on radiological control, and functional outcome is needed to evaluate and improve quality of treatment.

Conflict of Interest

None.

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