title: Extradural ecchordosis physaliphora of the thoracic spine: case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We report an unusual case of ecchordosis physaliphora of the thoracic spine.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical presentation was one of disabling thoracic radicular pain without objective neurological deficit. The imaging characteristics of the lesion were those of a cyst containing aqueous fluid. There was no bone destruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gross total removal of the lesion was accomplished.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We present the only well-documented case of thoracic extradural ecchordosis physaliphora and discuss the relationship between the notochord, ecchordosis physaliphora, and chordoma. We provide a comprehensive list of lesions exhibiting physaliphorous cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, USA.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Rengachary
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Grotte
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Swanson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003560:Cysts; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006222:Hamartoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011859:Radiography; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae