Conus medullaris haemangioblastoma in a 23-year-old man with a 2-year history of back pain: Surgical management at a tertiary hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Haemangioblastomas represent fewer than 3% of all spinal cord tumours, with conus medullaris localization being exceptionally rare. A 23-year-old man presented with low back pain persisting for 2 years. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a haemangioblastoma at the conus medullaris. He subsequently developed a sensation of incomplete urination, escalating urinary urgency, and intensifying back pain. He underwent an uneventful surgical resection, resulting in the normalization of symptoms. In resource-limited settings where neuromonitoring or embolization is unavailable, haemangioblastomas of the conus medullaris can be safely resected using meticulous microsurgical techniques.