Intradural Mature Teratoma in the Lumbar Spine found in Adult

ABSTRACT

Intradural spinal teratoma is a very rare entity, more prevalent in childhood, and may be associated with dysraphic defects. Moreover, mature teratoma in adult is extremely rare. The authors report on a 56-year-old man with right leg motor weakness and numbness and sensation of incomplete voiding. The lumbar radiograph showed spina bifida in L4, L5, and S1. Magnetic resonance image(MRI) showed a 6.4-cm intradural cystic mass on the L2 and L3 levels of the spinal canal and tethering of the spinal cord. We performed a total laminectomy at L2, L3, and partial laminectomy at L4 and removed the mass completely. Histopathologic diagnosis was mature teratoma. The patient's complaints were improved after the surgery.