A Rare Case of Infected Cervicodorsal Intramedullary Epidermoid Cyst

Introduction  Intramedullary spinal epidermoid cysts have a reported incidence of less than 1% of intramedullary spinal cord tumors; and out of these, intramedullary epidermoid lesions within the cervical spinal cord are even rarer. Here, we present the case of an adult patient with an infected intr...

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Main Authors: Pawan Chawla, Milind Sankhe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd. 2021-03-01
Series:Indian Journal of Neurosurgery
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Online Access:http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0040-1708079
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author Pawan Chawla
Milind Sankhe
author_facet Pawan Chawla
Milind Sankhe
author_sort Pawan Chawla
collection DOAJ
description Introduction  Intramedullary spinal epidermoid cysts have a reported incidence of less than 1% of intramedullary spinal cord tumors; and out of these, intramedullary epidermoid lesions within the cervical spinal cord are even rarer. Here, we present the case of an adult patient with an infected intramedullary epidermoid cyst, identified on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the C7–D1 level that was successfully excised without any worsening of neurological status. Case Presentation A 23-year-old female patient presented with history of moderate degree intermittent fever followed by gradually progressive right-sided weakness. She had paresthesia below C5 dermatome on the right side. On close inspection of 
the back, a tiny sinus opening was noted at the D2 level near the midline. MRI of the spine showed an intramedullary lesion at the C6–D1 level with the tract connecting to the subcutaneous lesion. Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) monitoring was done during the surgery with near total excision of the lesion. Conclusion Even though the location is rare, a differential diagnosis of the epidermoid should always be considered. A tiny dermal sinus opening helped us in proper diagnosis, along with surgical excision, by providing us a direct path to the intramedullary lesion. An early diagnosis and treatment with neurophysiological monitoring helped us in the maximum safe resection of the lesion without developing any new deficit.
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spelling doaj-art-ff6b50ee67f34e3d9bdcad4541104a462025-08-20T02:04:49ZengThieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd.Indian Journal of Neurosurgery2277-954X2277-91672021-03-01100108008410.1055/s-0040-1708079A Rare Case of Infected Cervicodorsal Intramedullary Epidermoid CystPawan Chawla0Milind Sankhe1Department of Neurosurgery, P. D. Hinduja National Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, IndiaDepartment of Neurosurgery, P. D. Hinduja National Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, IndiaIntroduction  Intramedullary spinal epidermoid cysts have a reported incidence of less than 1% of intramedullary spinal cord tumors; and out of these, intramedullary epidermoid lesions within the cervical spinal cord are even rarer. Here, we present the case of an adult patient with an infected intramedullary epidermoid cyst, identified on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the C7–D1 level that was successfully excised without any worsening of neurological status. Case Presentation A 23-year-old female patient presented with history of moderate degree intermittent fever followed by gradually progressive right-sided weakness. She had paresthesia below C5 dermatome on the right side. On close inspection of 
the back, a tiny sinus opening was noted at the D2 level near the midline. MRI of the spine showed an intramedullary lesion at the C6–D1 level with the tract connecting to the subcutaneous lesion. Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) monitoring was done during the surgery with near total excision of the lesion. Conclusion Even though the location is rare, a differential diagnosis of the epidermoid should always be considered. A tiny dermal sinus opening helped us in proper diagnosis, along with surgical excision, by providing us a direct path to the intramedullary lesion. An early diagnosis and treatment with neurophysiological monitoring helped us in the maximum safe resection of the lesion without developing any new deficit.http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0040-1708079epidermoidintramedullarydermoid sinus
spellingShingle Pawan Chawla
Milind Sankhe
A Rare Case of Infected Cervicodorsal Intramedullary Epidermoid Cyst
Indian Journal of Neurosurgery
epidermoid
intramedullary
dermoid sinus
title A Rare Case of Infected Cervicodorsal Intramedullary Epidermoid Cyst
title_full A Rare Case of Infected Cervicodorsal Intramedullary Epidermoid Cyst
title_fullStr A Rare Case of Infected Cervicodorsal Intramedullary Epidermoid Cyst
title_full_unstemmed A Rare Case of Infected Cervicodorsal Intramedullary Epidermoid Cyst
title_short A Rare Case of Infected Cervicodorsal Intramedullary Epidermoid Cyst
title_sort rare case of infected cervicodorsal intramedullary epidermoid cyst
topic epidermoid
intramedullary
dermoid sinus
url http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0040-1708079
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AT milindsankhe ararecaseofinfectedcervicodorsalintramedullaryepidermoidcyst
AT pawanchawla rarecaseofinfectedcervicodorsalintramedullaryepidermoidcyst
AT milindsankhe rarecaseofinfectedcervicodorsalintramedullaryepidermoidcyst