title: Acquired dorsal intraspinal epidermoid cyst in an adult female.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epidermoid and dermoid cyst comprise <1% of spinal tumors and may be congenital (hamartoma) or acquired (iatrogenic) in origin. Epidermoid cysts within the neuraxis are rare benign neoplasms that are most commonly located in the intracranial region.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here, we report the a case of an acquired intradural extramedullary epidermoid cyst involving the thoracic region in an adult female who had no associated history of an accompanying congenital spinal deformity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early diagnosis and immediate surgical intervention reduce patient morbidity. Near complete or subtotal excision of the cyst wall is warranted to prevent inadvertent injury to the spinal cord thus minimizing neurological morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Sir Sunderlal Hospital, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Kulwant
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Sir Sunderlal Hospital, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Sharad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Sir Sunderlal Hospital, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Praveen Kumar
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Sir Sunderlal Hospital, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Vivek
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Sir Sunderlal Hospital, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Deepa
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Santhosh
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Sir Sunderlal Hospital, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Amrita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghosh
keywords: Acquired; congenital; epidermoid cysts; spinal tumors