title: Calcifying pseudoneoplasm of the spine.
abstract: Calcifying pseudoneoplasms have been rarely reported to involve the spine. Diagnostically, MRI characteristics have not been well-described. We present the case of a 59-year-old woman with a C8 radiculopathy and history significant for metastatic breast cancer. MRI showed a C7-T1 extradural mass with an isointense signal to the spinal cord on T1- and T2-weighted sequences. Mild peripheral enhancement was also noted. The patient underwent a laminectomy to accomplish resection of the underlying lesion. The mass was firm, tan-colored, and adherent to the adjacent dura. A gross total resection was achieved and, postoperatively, the patient had resolution of her radiculopathy. Pathologic analysis confirmed a calcifying pseudoneoplasm. Calcifying pseudoneoplasms can cause exclusively axial pain or may induce radicular or myelopathic symptoms. The pathogenesis is unclear, although the lesions are usually benign. MRI findings can vary, but typically the lesions are extradural, well-demarcated, and mildly enhance peripherally. Surgical resection, either subtotal or total, is highly successful.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0338, USA. ppark@umich.edu
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Lindsay A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Gaurang V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Nghi K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Dheeraj
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gandhi
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: La Marca
mesh_terms: D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015174:Epidural Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000209:etiology; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery