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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
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Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery
Published on: August 17, 2022
Extraosseous epidural multiple myeloma presenting with thoracic spine compression
Naama Okacha1, Elasri Chrif, Elmostarchid Brahim
1Department of Neurosurgery, Mohammed V Military Hospital, 282 hay el menzeh, CYM, Rabat, Morocco. oukacha_naama@caramail.com
Joint Bone Spine
|October 2, 2007
Summary
A rare case of multiple myeloma presenting as an epidural spinal tumor caused progressive paralysis. Surgical decompression and chemotherapy were crucial for managing this extraosseous spinal cord compression.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Multiple myeloma is a hematologic malignancy primarily affecting the bone marrow.
- Spinal involvement is common, but extraosseous epidural tumors without vertebral destruction are rare.
Observation:
- A 47-year-old male presented with paraplegia and sensory deficits due to an epidural mass at T4-T6.
- Spinal MRI revealed cord compression by an epidural mass with intact vertebral bodies.
Findings:
- Surgical decompression was performed, and histopathology confirmed multiple myeloma (kappa subtype).
- Immunoelectrophoresis identified immunoglobulin G kappa, consistent with the diagnosis.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering extraosseous spinal myeloma in the differential diagnosis of spinal cord compression.
- Early diagnosis and multimodal treatment, including surgery and chemotherapy, are vital for managing such rare presentations.
