Lumbar vertebral hemangioma causing cauda equina syndrome: a case report
Henry Ahn1, Subir Jhaveri, Albert Yee
1The Sunnybrook & Women's College Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Spine
|November 2, 2005
Summary
A rare lumbar hemangioma caused neurogenic claudication and cauda equina syndrome. Hemostatic vertebroplasty and decompression effectively treated the condition with minimal blood loss.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Spinal Surgery
- Interventional Radiology
Background:
- Lumbar hemangiomas are rare causes of spinal pathology.
- Neurologic symptoms from spinal hemangiomas typically involve thoracic spine compression.
- This case is the first to report lumbar hemangioma causing neurogenic claudication and cauda equina syndrome.
Observation:
- A 64-year-old woman presented with severe neurogenic claudication and early cauda equina syndrome.
- Diagnosis revealed a lumbar (L4) hemangioma.
- Preoperative angiography showed no embolizable vessels.
Findings:
- Surgical management included posterior decompression and bilateral transpedicular vertebroplasty.
- The procedure resulted in complete relief of neurogenic claudication and cauda equina symptoms.
- Blood loss was minimal, less than 100 mL.
Implications:
- Lumbar vertebral body hemangiomas, though uncommon, can manifest with significant neurologic deficits.
- Intraoperative hemostatic vertebroplasty is an effective adjunct for managing bleeding and providing stability in such cases.
- This approach offers a viable treatment option for lumbar hemangiomas causing spinal cord or nerve root compression.
