Congenital spinal cord astrocytomas

Congenital spinal cord astrocytomas have only rarely been reported. We report two additional cases and a review of the literature on these infrequent tumors. The congenital cord astrocytomas can have obscure initial presentations, including fever and irritability, leading to delays in diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging is the diagnostic procedure of choice, allowing noninvasive delineation of the lesion. The congenital tumors are similar in location and pathology to astrocytomas of the cord in older children. As in older patients, initial treatment should include attempted surgical extirpation, delaying or avoiding radiation therapy with its attendant risks. Reported follow-ups of the congenital astrocytomas suggest they will behave in a fashion similar to spinal cord astrocytomas in older children.