title: Spinal cord hamartoma: case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Spinal cord hamartomas are infrequently mentioned in the literature. The authors present a unique report detailing the clinical presentation of a spinal cord hamartoma, with supporting radiographic and pathological data.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 26-year-old man presented with progressive right upper extremity weakness. Imaging studies revealed an exophytic cervical spinal cord mass.
  
  
  METHODS
  Open biopsy was undertaken and revealed tethering of the lesion to the dura. A pathological examination revealed a spinal cord hamartoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The patient's symptoms improved postoperatively, suggesting that tethering of the spinal cord was responsible for the symptoms. Although unusual, hamartoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of an exophytic spinal cord lesion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35294, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Oser
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Paramore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006222:Hamartoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt