Intraspinal epidermoid cysts

In this study, five patients with the rare epidermoid cyst of the intraspinal lumbosacral region were evaluated clinically and radiologically. All patients were presented by progressive neurological impairment of varying severity that m and ated surgical management for the removal of the cystic mass. Postoperative excellent improvement was obtained for four patients showing a restoration of normal muscle power with a return to normal daily activities. One patient got a residual neurologic deficit that did not improve during the follow up period, while another patient developed an asymptomatic leptomeningeal cyst that required no further management. Minor transient forms of meningismus occurred in two patients, in spite of the adequate hydrocortisone medication perioperatively. The pathology, etiology, epidemiology, clinical features, imaging characteristics and surgical treatment of such rare tumors were discussed. Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] reduced the delay in the diagnosis of intraspinal tumors but it should be guided by the clinical judgment