Cervical Spinal Cord Astrocytoma Mimicking Degenerative Cervical Disease: A Diagnostic Pitfall Revealed on Preoperative MRI

Authors

Mahmoud Hsairi, Achraf Saidi, Ibtissam El Bqaq, Zakaria Toufga, Rachida Saouab

Journal Information

Journal: Medpeer Publisher

ISSN: 3066-2737

Volume: 3

Issue: 6

Date of Publication: 2026/06/27

DOI: 10.70780/medpeer.000QGTW

Abstract

Cervical spinal cord astrocytomas are rare intramedullary tumors that can present with insidious symptoms, mimicking degenerative cervical disease. We report a 64-year-old female with medically refractory neuralgia, admitted for presumed degenerative root compression. Preoperative MRI revealed an intramedullary lesion centered at C5–C6, surrounded by extensive perilesional edema from C4 to C7. Subsequent surgical exploration and intraoperative frozen section analysis confirmed a spinal cord astrocytoma. Careful preoperative imaging review, specifically identifying disproportionate cord expansion and intramedullary enhancement, is critical to differentiate neoplasms from common degenerative lesions.

Keywords

Intramedullary spinal cord tumor ;Cervical spinal cord astrocytoma ;Magnetic resonance imaging ;Cervical neuralgia ;Diagnostic pitfall ;Spinal cord neoplasm ;Degenerative cervical disease mimic