Intramedullary cervical spinal cord teratoma

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Neuropathology
• Radiology

Background:

• Intramedullary cervical spinal cord teratomas (ICTs) are exceptionally rare and present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
• A systematic review was conducted to analyze existing literature on ICT diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the literature on the diagnosis and treatment of Intramedullary cervical spinal cord teratomas (ICTs).

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was performed for English-language studies and case reports published up to 2018.
• Data extracted included presentation, imaging, diagnosis, management, surgical findings, outcomes, and histopathology, adhering to PRISMA guidelines.

Main Results:

• Ten articles involving 10 patients were analyzed, with lesions located in the cervical spinal cord (upper/lower) and centrally or dorsally.
• Common presentations included quadriparesis, paraplegia, monoplegia, and neck pain. MRI revealed heterogeneous signals with contrast enhancement.
• All patients underwent posterior surgical intervention, with neurological improvement. Recurrence was noted in two cases of immature teratomas.

Conclusions:

• Intramedullary cervical spinal cord teratomas (ICTs) are rare, often presenting as quadriplegia and neck pain, with central or dorsal spinal cord locations.
• MRI is crucial for diagnosis, and posterior surgical approach is the primary treatment. Prognosis depends on tumor pathology, not resection method.
• The efficacy of adjuvant therapy for ICTs remains undetermined.