Refractory Orthostatic Hypotension Caused by a Recurrent Hemangioblastoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Refractory orthostatic hypotension (OH) has been described following surgery for posterior fossa tumors. We present the case of a patient with refractory OH following attempted surgical resection. We also reviewed the available literature to describe pathophysiologic mechanisms for this rare entity. A 58-year-old female was found to have a hemangioblastoma at the cervicomedullary junction following workup for dysphagia and coordination difficulties. She underwent successful suboccipital craniotomy and gross total resection. However, the patient’s symptoms returned several years later and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed tumor recurrence. A surgical resection was attempted but could not be performed due to significant scarring. Following discharge, she returned to our care with severe syncopal episodes, refractory OH, and an inability to ambulate. Aggressive medical therapy resulted in a gradual improvement in her ability to ambulate and a reduction in her orthostatic episodes. Unfortunately she died due to sepsis from aspiration pneumonia several months later. A survey of the literature yielded a total of 10 reports (14 patients) with refractory OH as a result of tumors in the cervicomedullary region. Five of fourteen patients died from complications related to OH and brainstem compression while the remainder had some improvement and were discharged. Refractory OH can rarely be a presenting sign of a tumor in the cervicomedullary junction or can manifest following surgical resection of tumors in this region. Recognition of OH and the institution of medical therapy (sodium and fluid replacement) and pharmacotherapy may curb the significant morbidity associated with this condition.