An Unusual Case of Cauda Equina Secondary to Spinal Metastasis of Thyroid Cancer

Cauda equina secondary to metastatic follicular thyroid cancer of the lumbosacral area is a rare entity.

We report an unusual case of a 52-year-old male who presented with backache, lower limb weakness, and perianal numbness. A CT-scan of the lumbosacral area showed an enhancing mass at the L4, L5 and S1 vertebrae. Histopathology after excision revealed a metastatic thyroid cancer. Hence, a CT scan of the neck and chest was performed which showed a nodule in the left lobe of the thyroid and a mass in the left chest wall. A total thyroidectomy and excision of the chest wall lesion was undergone, which was diagnosed as a follicular carcinoma of the thyroid.

Metastatic workup of spinal metastasis should include evaluation of the thyroid gland.