Ann Rehabil Med.  2013 Apr;37(2):274-279. 10.5535/arm.2013.37.2.274.

Paraplegia due to Spinal Epidermoid Cyst Rupture at Asthma Attack

• Kim KY
• Kang JH
• Choi DW
• Lee MH
• Jang JH

• KMID: 2165782
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2013.37.2.274

Abstract

Spinal epidermoid cyst is less than 1% of the entire spinal cord tumor and a rare tumor. It is a slowly proliferating benign tumor and can be a result of either congenital or acquired factors. In particular, reports of acute paraplegia due to spinal epidermoid cyst rupture are very rare. Since authors experienced paraplegia resulting from congenital spinal epidermoid cyst rupture during an asthma attack, it is reported with a review of literature.

Keyword

Epidermoid cyst; Asthma; Paraplegia

MeSH Terms

Asthma
Epidermal Cyst
Paraplegia
Rupture
Spinal Cord Neoplasms

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine. Sagittal T2-weighted image shows an intraspinal cystic mass with adhesion extending from L2 to S1 (arrow). The signal of the mass is inhomogeneous (A). Axial T2-weighted image shows an intraspinal heterogeneous mass causing severe spinal stenosis at the L2 (B) and L3 levels (C).

• 

  Fig. 2 Photomicrograph of the tumor mass near the cyst wall (H&E staining, ×100). The cyst containing keratin is lined by benign keratinizing squamous epithelium (arrow). The stroma abundant skin appendages.

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