Intraneural cavernous malformation of the cauda equina
Paolo Cipriano Cecchi1, Paolo Rizzo, Franco Faccioli
1Operative Unit of Neurosurgery, Regional General Hospital, 39100, Bolzano, Italy. cecchi.pc@libero.it
Summary
Spinal cavernous angiomas, rare vascular malformations, can occur within the spinal canal. This case highlights an unusual intradural cauda equina cavernous angioma with intraneural growth in a lumbar radiculopathy patient.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Vascular Malformations
Background:
- Spinal cavernous angiomas are uncommon vascular malformations, typically found in the vertebral body.
- Less than 5% of these lesions are exclusively within the spinal canal, presenting in extradural, intradural-extramedullary, or intramedullary locations.
Observation:
- A 75-year-old woman presented with symptoms of multiple lumbar radiculopathy.
- Lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an intradural cauda equina lesion with heterogeneous contrast enhancement.
Findings:
- The lesion was surgically removed via L3-L4 laminectomy.
- Microscopic examination confirmed a cavernous angioma with intraneural growth, a rare presentation.
- This represents one of only 12 reported cases of such lesions.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of spinal cavernous angioma locations and presentations.
- Highlights the importance of considering rare vascular lesions in the differential diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy.
- Contributes to the limited literature on intradural cauda equina cavernous angiomas with intraneural involvement.
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