Intractable hiccups caused by syringobulbia and syringomyelia associated with intramedullary spinal hemangioblastoma

Abstract

Introduction Hiccups caused by a neoplasm in the spinal cord are rare. Materials and methods We report a case of intractable hiccups caused by syringobulbia and syringomyelia associated with cervical intramedullary spinal hemangioblastoma, which was successfully treated by surgical excision. A 60-year-old man was referred from the neurology department after presenting with hiccups for 1 year. The hiccups were aggravated 3 months ago and were sustained during eating or sleeping. Several doctors administered a muscle relaxant and an anticonvulsant, but they were ineffective. Spinal MRI revealed a huge syringomyelia from C2 to T2, associated with a highly enhancing intramedullary mass lesion at the C5 level. The hiccups were ceased after removal of the tumor through a right hemilaminectomy. The pathology of the specimen was hemangioblastoma. The size of the syringobulbia and syringomyelia decreased markedly on MRI checked 5 months after surgery. Conclusions Intractable hiccups can be caused by syringobulbia associated with an intramedullary cord tumor in the cervical area and possible mechanisms of hiccups were reviewed.