Magnetic resonance imaging of primary spinal anaplastic oligoastrocytoma (World Health Organization Grade III) in an adult: A case report

Primary anaplastic oligoastrocytoma (AOA) of spinal cord is very rare, and little is known about its MRI features. We reported a 40-year-old man complaining of numbness in his upper and distal limbs with slight hypesthesia. MRI revealed an intramedullary occupation extending from C4 to C7. Histological examination revealed an oligoastrocytoma (OA) with anaplastic findings. Genetic analysis revealed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of 1p and 19q. This is the first case of spinal AOA that has occurred in an adult. We present this case here to help radiologists realize the MRI characteristics of primary spinal AOA and even recognize this entity when making a diagnosis.