Background:
Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas (PXAs) are uncommon intradural and typically intramedullary astrocytic central nervous system tumors. Although they commonly occur supratentorially, they are rarely seen in the spine.
Case description:
A 43-year-old male presented with cervical neck pain and right-sided radicular symptoms. He was found to have an intradural extramedullary mass at the C5-C6 level. The lesion was fully excised and proved to be a PXA. Of interest, the lesion did not recur on postoperative MR imaging studies obtained 7 months later.
Conclusion:
While rare, primary intradural extramedullary spinal PXA has been reported. Here, we review such a lesion occurring in a 43-year-old male who did well following gross total excision of the tumor.