Intramedullary cervical abscess mimicking a spinal cord tumor in a 10-year-old girl: a case-based review

Intramedullary spinal cord abscesses (ISCA) are a rare pathological entity with very few cases reported in the world and may be confused with an intramedullary tumor. Cervical location is the least frequently affected, except for cryptogenic spread, mostly seen in adult patients. Meticulous study of contrast-enhanced MRI pictures has a key role in the diagnosis.

We present a case of a spontaneous cervical ISCA, mimicking a spinal cord tumor, in a pediatric patient with good outcome. A review of the literature shows that this is a life-threatening condition with high chances of rupture and subsequent meningitis.

We point out that if a solitary cervical spinal cord lesion is surrounded by significant medullar edema associated with fast onset of symptoms, fever, and elevation of WBC, the possibility of a spinal cord abscess should be considered prior to surgery.