Dumbbell-Shaped Extramedullary Hemangioblastoma of the Thoracic Spine as a Diagnostic Dilemma of Solitary Fibrous Tumor

INTRODUCTION: Extramedullary hemangioblastoma is a very rare entity that has been rarely reported in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 17-year-old female presented with limping that rapidly progressed to paraparesis and urine incontinence over a one-month duration. Clinically, she had a small swelling on her spine. There was a diagnostic challenge when an enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suggested dumbbell – shaped intradural extramedullary mass in the lower thoracic spine, hypointense on T1 and hyperintense on T2 sequences and heterointense on post contrast sequence. The radiologic differentials were pictures of nerve sheath tumors. However, histopathological examination of en bloc excisional biopsy showed hemangioblastoma with a differential of solitary fibrous tumor. Complete excision of the mass was done intraoperatively and the patient improved clinically. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced MRI and histopathologic correlation are important for evaluating these rare tumors.