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Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis. A case report
A Isla1, J M Paz, F Sansivirini
1Service of Neurosurgery, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
Journal of Neurosurgical Sciences
|December 6, 2000
Summary
This case report details a rare instance of breast adenocarcinoma metastasizing to the medullary conus, causing paraparesis. Surgical removal of the conus mass led to significant neurologic improvement in the patient.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Neurosurgery
- Spinal Cord Medicine
Background:
- Breast carcinoma can metastasize to various sites, but spinal cord involvement, particularly at the medullary conus, is uncommon.
- Metastasis to the medullary conus represents less than 1% of all spinal metastases, highlighting its rarity.
Observation:
- A 54-year-old patient with a year-long history of breast carcinoma developed progressive paraparesis and sphincter dysfunction over a week.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revealed a tumor within the medullary conus.
Findings:
- Histological examination confirmed the conus mass as metastatic adenocarcinoma, originating from the breast carcinoma.
- Surgical excision of the medullary conus tumor resulted in the patient's neurologic improvement.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering rare metastatic sites in patients with advanced cancer presenting with new neurologic deficits.
- Surgical intervention for medullary conus metastasis can be effective in relieving neurologic deficits and improving patient outcomes when the general condition is good.