Intramedullary ectopic choroid plexus: report of a rare case

Intracranial cysts containing an ectopic choroid plexus or choroid plexus-like tissue have seldom been described in the literature. However, there has been no report of a spinal intramedullary cyst containing an ectopic choroid plexus. This is the first case report in the available literature of an ectopic choroid plexus tissue in the spinal cord.

A 30-year-old man presented with complaints of progressive descending weakness of both upper limbs and increasing stiffness of the lower limbs along with numbness of all four limbs without a history of any bowel or bladder disturbances. Examination was suggestive of a C5-T2 intramedullary lesion. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a C6-T2 intramedullary cystic lesion along with a small anterosuperiorly placed lesion enhancing with contrast.

A C6-T2 laminotomy and exploration of the intramedullary cyst and gross total microsurgical excision of the reddish vascular frond-like structure resembling the choroid plexus were performed along with a syringostomy. A laminoplasty with miniplates and screws was performed. Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies revealed a normal choroid plexus. The patient has been followed for 1 year and has demonstrated symptomatic improvement.

Although there have been rare case reports of drop metastasis of choroid plexus papillomas in the spine, this is the first case report in the available literature of normal but ectopic choroid plexus tissue in the spinal cord.