Presentation
Progressive weakness.
Patient Data
Within the cervical cord between C2 and C4 is an intramedullary lesions with prominent peripheral hemosiderin induced signal loss and internal heterogeneous signal. No appreciable internal contrast enhancement, although there is some apical high T1 signal. Features are characteristic of a cavernous malformation of the cord.
Case Discussion
The patient went on to have surgery.
Histology
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION:
The section shows thin walled vascular channels which are dispersed within dense hyalinised fibrous tissue. These are lined by unremarkable endothelium. The vascular channels have
a back-to-back arrangement in some areas but elsewhere are separated by the fibrous tissue. There is focal calcification within the stroma. The features are of a cavernous hemangioma. No
evidence of tumor is seen.
DIAGNOSIS: spinal cavernous malformation