Multiple tumours of the central nervous system (CNS): Two cases

Abstract

Multiple tumours of the CNS are relatively rare and almost half are accompanied by von Recklinghausen's disease. In this report two cases of multiple tumours of the CNS without von Recklinghausen's disease are presented. Case 1 had five CNS tumours (two intracranial meningiomas at different sites, two spinal meningiomas, one spinal ependymoma). Case 2 had two spinal tumours with different histological differentiation [thoracic spinal meningioma (Th3-Th4), and a ganglioneuroma arising from the first sacral root (S1)]. These tumours were diagnosed by myelography and computed tomography (CT), and all were removed by microsurgery. The etiology and pathogenesis of multiple tumours of the CNS are discussed in the light of pertinent literature.