Intradural extramedullary capillary hemangioma with intramedullary component: A case series

Capillary hemangioma in the spinal cord is an exceedingly rare entity that is liable to be misdiagnosed. To summarize the clinical presentation, radiological characteristics, and pathological features of capillary hemangioma in the spinal cord and to share our experience for the diagnosis and treatment of intradural extramedullary capillary hemangioma.

Three patients underwent surgical treatment at our hospital between January 2020 and August 2020. All patients were male[median age at presentation: 57 years (range: 56-60)]. Two patients were experiencing pain and numbness in the lower back, and 1 patient was experiencing numbness and weakness in the left lower limb. The duration of symptoms ranged from 1 to 5 months.

All patients were diagnosed with spinal cord capillary hemangioma after treatment. All lesions were in an intradural extramedullary location and involved spinal cord components. Two patients had lesions in thoracic segments (T8, Th9-10), and 1 patient had a lesion in lumbar segment (L1).

All patients underwent microscopic laminectomy and complete resection of the extramedullary and intramedullary components of the spinal cord capillary hemangiomas.

Postoperatively, all patients experienced transient numbness and pain in the lower limbs, which gradually decreased over time. None of the patients experienced bleeding, severe numbness or pain, or recurrence of symptoms at 3-month follow-up.

Intradural extramedullary capillary hemangioma has unique morphological characteristics. Gross-total resection of the extramedullary and intramedullary components of spinal cord capillary hemangioma is recommended for patients with symptoms of spinal cord compression. Careful preoperative imaging and intraoperative decision-making may help avoid residual lesions or reoperation.