A rare intradural tumor simulating spondylolisthetic radiculopathy

Intradural tumors can produce nerve root symptoms similar to those caused by extradural compressive processes. In a 48-year-old man, the preoperative evaluation was spondylolisthetic radiculopathy; however, a lumbar myelogram prior to surgery revealed an unsuspected intradural tumor. The patient's symptoms resolved after removal of the tumor without treatment of the spondylolisthesis. When planning surgical treatment for any extradural process, intradural abnormalities must be ruled out by appropriate preoperative studies. Myelography and magnetic resonance imaging are now standard methods of evaluating the dural contents.