title: [Spinal epidural malignant lymphoma--report of two cases and review of the literature].
abstract: Spinal epidural lymphoma is rarely found in Japan, comparing with Europe and America. We experienced two cases, who were suffered from intractable pain and gait disturbance. In both cases, a wide laminectomy and partial removal of the epidural tumor were performed because of the deteriorated paraparesis. After that, they were able to walk without support. These epidural tumors were supposed to be primary spinal epidural lymphomas, judging from the clinical course and some other examinations, that is, Gallium scintigram and CT scan, etc. There were few reports that mentioned CT findings of spinal lymphomas. In our two cases, we got the characteristic CT findings of spinal lymphomas. In case 1, plain CT demonstrated a high density mass at epidural space extending into the intra- and extra-foraminal region. CT scan following intravenous injection showed the tumor enhancement remarkably and homogeneously. Bone erosion was not found even on plain CT, in both cases. These findings were thought to be different from those of metastatic tumors. It may be possible to diagnose and decide the therapeutic planning preoperatively, when we get these characteristic CT findings of spinal lymphomas.
mesh_terms: D004824:Epidural Space; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed