title: Epidermoid cyst of the thoracic spine: case history.
abstract: Epidermoid cysts of the spinal cord are very rare tumors. We report a 31 year-old female who presented with a 5 months history of progressive lower extremity weakness and spasticity. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine revealed a 2 cm intradural, extramedullary mass at the T4-5 level. A T4 and T5 osteoplastic laminotomy with complete removal of the intradural mass was performed. Intraoperative and final histological examination revealed an epidermoid cyst. Epidermoid cysts must be a consideration for intradural, extramedullary lesions of the spinal cord. Complete surgical resection offers the patient an opportunity for good neurologic outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Presbyterian Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop Street, Suite B-400, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. amscarrow@hotmail.com
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Scarrow
authors.forename: E I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Gerszten
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kulich
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Welch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D004814:Epidermal Cyst / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D007866:Leg; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000209:etiology*; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D016896:Treatment Outcome