ABSTRACT
Five cases of spinal intramedullary tuberculomas (IMT) and one case of spinal intramedullary tuberculous abscess (ITA) are presented. Gd enhanced MRI revealed ring enhancing lesion with central hypodensity, suggesting granulomatous pathology. Surgical excision of the intramedullary lesions was carried out in four cases, while two patients received presumptive anti-tuberculous chemotherapy only. Repeat MRI after completion of anti-tuberculous therapy showed total resolution of the lesion. In other cases following surgical excision, the patients improved significantly. The management of these rare lesions is discussed and the literature reviewed.
Subject(s)
Adult , Antitubercular Agents/therapeutic use , Child , Female , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Medical Records , Paraplegia/etiology , Retrospective Studies , Spinal Cord Diseases/complications , Tuberculoma/complicationsABSTRACT
Intradural extramedullary epidermoid cysts are rare tumors especially those not associated with spinal dysraphism. We report 3 cases of spinal intradural extramedullary epidermoid cysts. In all the cases, the lesion was situated at dorsal level. The clinical features, MRI characteristics and surgical treatment of such rare intradural extramedullary benign tumors are discussed and relevant literature is reviewed.