title: Iatrogenic spinal epidermoid tumour associated with tuberous sclerosis. A diagnostic pitfall.
abstract: We present a case of spinal epidermoid tumour that was probably caused by lumbar punctures. The tumour was detected on MRI in a child with tuberous sclerosis complaining of atypical low back pain. Preoperatively the tumour was considered to be a cystic astrocytoma of ependymoma of the conus terminalis. The association of tuberous sclerosis with a spinal tumour is rare but has been recorded in the literature. The diagnosis was an epidermoid tumour (E.T.). The MRI appearances were unusual for a spinal ET: the signal intensity changes were different from those reported in the literature and the presence of calcification and cavitation has not yet been reported. This case represents a diagnostic pitfall, since both entities were unrelated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospitals K.U. Leuven.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Demaerel
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Casaer
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: van Calenbergh
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Knapen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wilms
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Plets
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baert
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004814:Epidermal Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014402:Tuberous Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis*