title: Spinal dysraphism in an elderly patient.
abstract: Spinal dysraphisms are diagnosed more frequently at birth or in infancy. We report a spinal malformation compatible with lipomyeloschisis in an elderly patient presenting with symptoms and signs of myelopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intraspinal mass continuous with a subcutaneous lipoma. Three-dimensional computed tomography reconstructions better showed the spinal dysraphism; dermal sinus was also evident. Neuroimaging can define the precise diagnosis also in elderly patients presenting with myelopathy and can provide valuable structural details.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Casa di Cura Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manfredi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Donati
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Magni
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salih
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Orlandini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beltramello
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008067:Lipoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology