Glioneuronal tumor with neuropil-like islands in the spinal cord: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE: Glioneuronal tumor with neuropil-like islands (GTNI) is a distinctive neoplasm located in the cerebrum. Moreover, spinal GTNI is extremely rare. Herein, we present a case of spinal GTNI and review the related literature. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 38-year-old Chinese woman presented to our hospital with a 6-month history of neck pain and a 1-month history of dizziness. DIAGNOSES: Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large intramedullary mass spanning the length of the spinal cord from C1 to C4. Microscopic and immunohistochemical examinations of the tumor tissue revealed findings typical of GTNI. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent C1 to C4 intraspinal gross tumor resection. OUTCOMES: Follow-up results showed that the patient had no recurrence 6 months after tumor resection. LESSONS: GTNI in the spinal cord is a highly rare neoplasm with poor prognosis. Therefore, clinicians and pathologists should differentiate GTNI from other benign glioneuronal tumors, and long-term follow-up of patients with spinal GTNI is necessary.