Unmasking a Hemangioblastoma: A Case of Obstructive Hydrocephalus in a 43-Year-Old Male Patient

This case report discusses a 43-year-old male patient with a history of chronic kidney disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who presented with nonspecific symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and mild headaches. Initially attributed to gastrointestinal issues, further investigation revealed a 1 cm enhancing mass in the fourth ventricle via imaging, causing obstructive hydrocephalus. A successful suboccipital craniotomy was performed to resect the hemangioblastoma, a highly vascular tumor. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was scheduled for follow-up to monitor for potential recurrence and associated conditions, such as those related to von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. This case highlights the critical importance of considering brain tumors in patients with vague presenting symptoms and reinforces the role of timely imaging and surgical intervention in improving patient outcomes.

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Publication Details

Journal
Cureus
Published
2025-04-21
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.82746
Primary Topic
Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Unmasking a Hemangioblastoma: A Case of Obstructive Hydrocephalus in a 43-Year-Old Male Patient

Ali Rida, Eric T. Nguyen, Caleb M Glover, Scott Plaehn
Cureus
Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism
article

Unmasking a Hemangioblastoma: A Case of Obstructive Hydrocephalus in a 43-Year-Old Male Patient

Ali Rida, Eric T. Nguyen, Caleb M Glover, Scott Plaehn
article en

Abstract

This case report discusses a 43-year-old male patient with a history of chronic kidney disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who presented with nonspecific symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and mild headaches. Initially attributed to gastrointestinal issues, further investigation revealed a 1 cm enhancing mass in the fourth ventricle via imaging, causing obstructive hydrocephalus. A successful suboccipital craniotomy was performed to resect the hemangioblastoma, a highly vascular tumor. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was scheduled for follow-up to monitor for potential recurrence and associated conditions, such as those related to von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. This case highlights the critical importance of considering brain tumors in patients with vague presenting symptoms and reinforces the role of timely imaging and surgical intervention in improving patient outcomes.

CureusVol. 17(4)
Michigan State University (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 89%
Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism
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