Cavernous malformation in the lumbar nerve rootlet
Phi Nguyen1, Phu An Huynh1, Tra My Ton Nu2
1Department of Neurosurgery, Vinmec Central Park International Hospital, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
Background:
Intradural extramedullary (IDEM) cavernomas are rare vascular lesions that sometimes needs surgery. However, there has been little information about the surgical strategy for these lesions.
Case Description:
A 39-year-old male presented with 1 month of left lumbosciatalgia. The magnetic resonance imaging was consistent with either an L4 IDEM neurofibroma or a meningioma. At surgery, we encountered a red-oval encapsulated lesion firmly adhered to the L4 nerve root, which was totally excised along with the root itself. Notably, postoperatively, the patient exhibited no new neurological deficit.
Conclusion:
IDEM cavernoma is rare but should always be a differential diagnosis for other common IDEM lesions. A total excision of an IDEM cavernoma and sacrification of the involved nerve root seem to be a reasonable option.
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