Asian Spine J.  2011 Mar;5(1):59-63. 10.4184/asj.2011.5.1.59.

Cervical Intramedullary Epidermoid Cyst with Liquid Contents

• Agarwal A
• Bhake A
• Kakani A

• KMID: 1717236
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/asj.2011.5.1.59

Abstract

Intramedullary spinal epidermoid cysts are benign ectopic embryological growths with reported incidence of less than 1% of intramedullary tumors. In this case we report an unusual cervical intramedullary epidermid with liquid contents. A 40-year-old patient presented with progressive weakness of all four limbs of four months duration, bowel and bladder disturbances of two days duration, pain and paresthesias in all four limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a well defined intramedullary lesion extending from C2-C3 level with widening of the cord. The lesion was hypointense on T1W images, hyperintense on T2W and fluid attenuation and inversion recovery images with thin rim of enhancement after contrast administration. Histopathological examination of the excised specimen revealed epidermal lining and keratinous material features of an epidermoid cyst. As in present case, rarely epidermoid cyst can have clear contents, and an MRI finding can closely mimic the features of arachnoid cyst, findings not classical and is different than described in literature.

Keyword

Intramedullary epidermoid; Magnetic resonance imaging; Epidermal cyst; Spinal cord neoplasms

MeSH Terms

Adult
Arachnoid
Epidermal Cyst
Extremities
Humans
Hydrazines
Incidence
Keratins
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Paresthesia
Spinal Cord Neoplasms
Urinary Bladder
Hydrazines
Keratins