Thoracic vertebral cavernous hemangioma in a schizophrenic patient--case report

A 55-year-old man presented with gait disturbance, incontinence, and back pain. He had a medical history of schizophrenia for the past 35 years. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging suggested thoracic vertebral hemangioma. Dynamic CT incidentally detected a hepatic hemangioma. Laminectomy of T3 and T4, resection of the epidural hemangioma, and rigid instrumentation between T1 and T6 using rod and hook systems were performed. Postoperatively, his symptoms completely disappeared and the histological diagnosis was capillary hemangioma. Schizophrenic patients have diminished sensitivity to pain or other symptoms, so neurological symptoms may become severe. However, early and appropriate treatment can result in satisfactory neurological outcome. The patient had a rare association of vertebral hemangioma and hepatic hemangioma, which may be a chance occurrence.