Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2011 Mar;54(3):147-150. 10.5468/KJOG.2011.54.3.147.

A case report on successful pregnancy and delivery in a medulloblastoma patient

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Catholic University of Korea School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. jcshin@catholic.ac.kr

Abstract

Medulloblastomas are rare neoplasms in adults. Medulloblastomas are treated by surgical removal of the tumor followed by radiotherapy. Because craniospinal irradiation can damage the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, uterus, and ovaries, and consequently result in infertility, the probability of pregnancy is quite low. We managed a patient who had undergone resection of a posterior fossa medulloblastoma and received craniospinal irradiation, who conceived spontaneously during follow-up. She was diagnosed with a recurrent medulloblastoma with metastasis to the spine accompanied by headaches and back pain at 26 weeks gestation. Conservative treatment measures were utilized in an effort to prolong the pregnancy. She was delivered by cesarean section due to recurrent seizure activity at 29 weeks plus 3 days gestation. The neonate made favorable progress and was discharged in good condition.

Keyword

Medulloblastoma; Recurrence; Metastasis; Pregnancy

MeSH Terms

Adult
Axis, Cervical Vertebra
Back Pain
Cesarean Section
Craniospinal Irradiation
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Headache
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infertility
Medulloblastoma
Neoplasm Metastasis
Ovary
Pregnancy
Recurrence
Seizures
Spine
Uterus

Figure

  • Fig. 1 T2 weighted coronal MR image of brain shows high signal at the bilateral cerebellum and vermis. These findings are old leukoencephalomalatic changes with atrophic changes. Dark signal dot (white arrow) at the left cerebellum is suggested hemangioma.

  • Fig. 2 (A) Fat suppressed T2 weighted sagittal MR image of spin shows a small nodular mass (white arrow) with high signal on dorsal portion of spinal cord at C7 level. (B) Multiple lesions (white arrow heads) are also seen along intradural and extramedullary layer on the thoracolumbar spine level. These masses surround and compress spinal cord, and extend along the cauda equina.


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