Long segment cervicothoracic intramedullary dermoid with concomitant conal lesion – A case report

Background: Spinal dermoid cysts are benign tumors that result from congenital or acquired ectodermal inclusions. Long segment intramedullary involvement of the spinal cord is exceedingly rare, and there are only a handful of case reports found in the literature. Case Description: A 30-year-old female presented with a 3-month history of myelopathy characterized by progressive quadriparesis and urinary incontinence. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multifocal heterogeneous intramedullary masses extending from C2 to T4 and at T12–L1 with similar intensity lesions seen within the central cord from T5 to T11 level. Following tumor decompression, she showed significant improvement in neurological function 1 month later. The histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a multifocal intramedullary dermoid cyst. Conclusion: Partial surgical extirpation is a reasonable treatment for long segment intramedullary dermoid cysts, particularly when the tumor capsule is adherent to critical adjacent neural tissues.

Rapid-onset paraparesis and quadriparesis in patients with intramedullary spinal dermoid cysts: report of 10 cases

OBJECT Intramedullary dermoid cysts are rare tumors of the spinal cord. Presentation with rapid onset of paraparesis or quadriparesis (onset within 2 weeks) is rarer still. The authors present their experience in the management and outcome of patients with such a presentation. METHODS Patient records between 2000 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed to identify those with intraspinal dermoid cysts who presented with rapid-onset paraparesis or quadriparesis. Their clinical, radiological, operative, and follow-up data were analyzed. RESULTS Of a total of 50 patients with intraspinal dermoid cysts managed during the study period, 10 (20%) presented with rapid-onset paraparesis or quadriparesis; 9 patients ranged in age from 8 months to 2 years, and 1 patient was 25 years old. A dermal sinus was seen in the lumbar region of 4 patients, the sacral region of 3, and the thoracic region of 1, and in 1 patient no sinus was found. All except 1 patient presented with rapid-onset paraparesis secondary to infection of the intramedullary dermoid cyst. One patient presented with rupture of a dermoid cyst with extension into the central canal up to the medulla. Early surgery was done soon after presentation in all except 2 patients. Among the 9 patients who underwent surgery (1 patient did not undergo surgery), total excision of the intramedullary dermoid cyst was done in 3 patients, near-total excision in 4 patients, and partial excision in 2 patients. Of the 9 patients who underwent surgery, 8 showed significant improvement in their neurological status, and 1 patient remained stable. The 1 patient who did not undergo surgery died as a result of an uncontrolled infection after being discharged to a local facility for management of wound infection. CONCLUSIONS Early recognition of a dermal sinus and the associated intraspinal dermoid cyst and timely surgical intervention can eliminate the chances of acute deterioration of neurological function. Even after an acute onset of paraparesis or quadriparesis, appropriate antibiotic therapy and prompt surgery can provide reasonably good outcomes in these patients.