Neurospine.  2018 Jun;15(2):117-122. 10.14245/ns.1836014.007.

Spinal Epidermoid Tumors: Case Report and Review of the Literature

• Beechar VB
• Zinn PO
• Heck KA
• Fuller GN
• Han I
• Patel AJ
• Ropper AE

• KMID: 2426317
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14245/ns.1836014.007

Abstract

Spinal epidermoid tumors are rare, benign tumors that are either acquired from trauma, surgery, or lumbar puncture or arise as congenital lesions, particularly spinal dysraphisms. We report a case of a massive spinal epidermoid tumor and review the literature with a focus on the surgical outcomes. A 71-year-old female patient presented after a fall with subsequent symptoms of severe back and hip pain, as well as loss of motor strength in the left leg. Her magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a T2/short tau inversion recovery hyperintense mass extending from the level of the T10-11 disc caudally through S2. A biopsy was recommended to determine whether the tumor was radio- or chemo-sensitive. The patient underwent a L4 laminectomy and a pearly-white tumor was encountered, with a subsequent biopsy confirming it to be an epidermoid tumor. The following conclusions can be drawn from a review of the literature. Spinal epidermoid tumors are more common in women and tend to present in younger patients (median age of 23). The majority of patients had acquired lesions (46%). In terms of surgical outcomes for adherent tumors, gross total resection was found to provide optimal outcomes, with 90% of patients improving clinically after surgery.

Keyword

Epidermoid cyst; Epidermoid tumor; Spine tumor; Intradural spine tumor

MeSH Terms

Aged
Biopsy
Epidermal Cyst
Female
Hip
Humans
Laminectomy
Leg
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Spinal Dysraphism
Spinal Puncture