Cerebellar hemangioblastoma in pregnancy - A case report

BACKGROUND: The incidence of symptomatic hemangioblastoma of the posterior fossa during pregnancy is extremely low. Previous reports have noted that pregnancy seems to aggravate the clinical course of intracranial tumors, but little is known about the possible reasons. Various theories have been proposed to explain the rapid neurologic deterioration of hemangioblastoma patients during pregnancy; however, the pathophysiologic behavior and histogenesis of this vascular tumor are still not well understood. CASE: A case of cerebellar hemangioblastoma was diagnosed during pregnancy. Urgent surgery was required due to rapid development of obstructive hydrocephalus and brainstem compression. CONCLUSION: Obstetricians and neurosurgeons should be aware of the rare clinic entity of hemangioblastoma during pregnancy. Surgery might be indicated as soon as the tumor becomes symptomatic.