Holocord presentation refers to a process which involves the spinal cord, from cervicomedullary junction to the tip of the conus. It does not relate to a specific condition nor does it distinguish between involvement by cystic expansion or solid tumor, or by a combination of both. It merely denotes that the whole cord is involved.
It is seen in a variety of conditions, most commonly comprising a significant syrinx component, although occasionally holocord involvement by tumor is encountered 5. Generally this is seen in young patients (children and young adults) 5.
- syringohydromyelia (syrinx) without tumor e.g. chiari 1 malformation
-
intramedullary spinal cord tumors
- astrocytoma (diffuse or pilocytic)
- ependymoma (with or without peritumoral syrinx) 3,4
- oligodendroglioma (rare) 2
- teratoma
- ganglioglioma (with or without peritumoral syrinx)
- hemangioblastoma (usually holocord syrinx) 6
- lymphoma
History and etymology
The word comes from Greek "holo-" meaning "whole" or "entire" and not from hollow, as is sometimes erroneously thought to be the case 1.
Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.