Items tagged “spine”

Intradural extramedullary metastases are rare and account for approximately 5% of spinal metastases. Please review leptomeningeal metastases (brain) for a general discussion focused on the brain's subarachnoid space involvement. Epidemiology The age at presentation depends on tumor type. Meta...

Cauda equina neuroendocrine tumors are rare sporadic WHO grade 1 tumors, almost invariably found below the conus arising either from the filum terminal or less commonly from the cauda equina 5.  Terminology These tumors were previously known as spinal paragangliomas however they are molecularl...

Intramedullary spinal tumors are rare, representing 4-10% of all CNS tumors and <10% of all pediatric CNS neoplasms 5. They account for 20% of all intraspinal tumors in adults and 35% of all intraspinal tumors in children 8. A long duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis is typical. Pathology ...

Spinal ependymomas are the most common spinal cord tumor overall, seen both in adult and pediatric populations.  This article specifically relates to spinal cord ependymomas. For a discussion of posterior fossa ependymomas and for a general discussion of the pathology refer to the main article:...

Spinal hemangioblastomas are the third most common intramedullary spinal neoplasm, representing 2-6% of all intramedullary tumors 1,4,7. This article specifically relates to spinal hemangioblastomas. For a discussion on intracranial hemangioblastomas and a general discussion of the pathology re...

Spinal gangliogliomas are rare, comprising 1.1% of all spinal cord neoplasms 2. They are more frequent in children, representing 15% of intramedullary neoplasms in the pediatric age group 4. This article specifically relates to spinal gangliogliomas. For a discussion on intracranial ganglioglio...

Intramedullary spinal metastases are rare, occurring in ~1% of autopsied cancer patients, and are less common than leptomeningeal metastases. Intramedullary lesions may result from: growth along the Virchow-Robin spaces hematogenous dissemination direct extension from the leptomeninges Epid...

Intradural lipomas are a subset of spinal lipomas. They are typically intradural, subpial, juxtamedullary lesions 1 although they have occasionally been reported as entirely intramedullary lesions 2. Mature fatty tissue within the spinal dura can be seen in a number of entities: lipomyelo...

Spinal neurofibromas are benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors, usually of the localized subtype. This article specifically relates to spinal neurofibromas. For a general discussion of neurofibromas, including their epidemiology and pathology, refer to neurofibroma. For a discussion of the gene...

Solitary fibrous tumors of the spinal cord are uncommon spindle cell neoplasms of probable mesenchymal origin, most commonly arising from the spinal cord without dural attachment.  They are histologically identical to solitary fibrous tumors located elsewhere, most commonly arising from the ple...

Intradural spinal mass lesions are relatively uncommon, compared to intracranial or extradural masses, and can be challenging to diagnose. Additionally, the need for a pre-operative/non-operative diagnosis is in many ways greater as biopsy of lesions within the cord has the potential of devastat...

Spinal dermoid cysts are uni or multilocular cystic tumors lined by squamous epithelium containing skin appendages (hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands) 6. They are congenital in origin. Forty percent are intramedullary, and 60% are extramedullary 6. This article specifically relate...

Spinal epidermoid cysts are cystic tumors lined by squamous epithelium. Unlike dermoid cysts, they do not contain skin appendages (hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands). They are usually extramedullary but rarely can be intramedullary. They may be congenital or acquired. This article ...

Anterior sacral meningocele is a congenital defect seen in the anterior aspect of the spine. It is defined as a meningeal cyst that occurs in the presacral space secondary to agenesis of a portion of the anterior sacrum. Pathology Associations In approximately 50% of cases, associated malform...

The differential diagnosis for masses of the cauda equina region is often considered separately to the remainder of the spinal cord. It is often difficult to determine whether masses in this region are intramedullary or intradural-extramedullary. Most common tumors myxopapillary ependymoma by...

Holocord presentation refers to a process that involves the entire spinal cord from the cervicomedullary junction to the tip of the conus. It does not relate to a specific condition, nor does it distinguish between involvement by cystic expansion, solid tumor, or by a combination of both. It mer...

The dumbbell appearance of spinal tumors refers to a tumor which has both a component within the canal and a component in the paravertebral space contiguous with each other via a thinner tumor component traversing the neural exit foramen. The appearance can be seen in: spinal nerve sheath tumo...

Occult intrasacral meningocele, or more simply sacral meningocele, is a rare congenital lesion characterized by an extradural arachnoid cyst within the sacral canal, classified as a Nabor type Ib meningeal cyst. Terminology Other terms for this entity in the literature include intrasacral meni...

Clinically significant intradural spinal involvement in leukemia, in contrast to intracranial, especially meningeal, involvement is rather uncommon 11. As with intracranial CNS involvement, involvement of the spinal cord or its coverings as the first manifestation of systemic leukemia is rare. M...

The hemosiderin cap sign refers to an MR imaging feature in some spinal tumors where a cap of T2 hypointense hemosiderin is above and/or below the tumor due to previous hemorrhage.  It is most often associated with spinal cord ependymomas (20-33% of cases) 1. It may also be seen in hemangioblas...