title: Intradural extramedullary capillary hemangioma of the cauda equina: Case report and literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Capillary hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors that rarely occur in the neuraxis. When encountered in the spine, prompt diagnosis and complete resection is crucial. On rare instances, these lesions can acutely hemorrhage, leading to sudden neurological decline. To date, there are only 16 reported cases of intradural capillary hemangiomas in the cauda equina.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of an intradural extramedullary cauda equina capillary hemangioma that resulted in back pain and lower extremity motor deficit. Initial magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrated a bilobular intradural L3-4 cauda equina lesion. The lesion was isointense on T1-weighted imaging, mildly hyperintense on T2-weighted images and avidly enhancing after gadolinium administration. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of capillary hemangioma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early diagnosis and treatment of this patient resulted in complete resection of the tumor and return of lower extremity motor function. Capillary hemangiomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cauda equina lesions. En bloc resection of these lesions is the mainstay of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California-Davis, 4860 Y. Street, Suite 3740, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California-Davis, 4860 Y. Street, Suite 3740, USA.
authors.forename: Darrin J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of California-Davis, 2805 50 Street, Sacramento, CA. 95817, USA.
authors.forename: Lee-Way
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California-Davis, 4860 Y. Street, Suite 3740, USA.
authors.forename: Kee D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Capillary hemangioma; cauda equine; intradural; lumbar