Primary spinal leptomeningeal astrocytoma.

This autopsy case report describes a clinically aggressive, histologically well-differentiated, diffuse, primary leptomeningeal astrocytoma. This rare tumour produced a meningitic clinical picture associated with hydrocephalus, focal spinal cord necrosis, and signs of spinal and cranial nerve root irritation. Despite the microscopic features, death occurred approximately 7 weeks after the first meningeal symptoms.