Dorsal Spinal Epidural Cavernous Angioma; A Case Report

Asian J Neurosurg. 2021 Mar 20;16(1):144-149. doi: 10.4103/ajns.AJNS_150_20. eCollection 2021 Jan-Mar.

Abstract

Spinal cavernous angiomas are lesions formed by vessels lined by closely clustered endothelial cells. They are common in the vertebral body and less common in an intradural location. However, these are very rare in the extra-osseous and epidural region. Less than 100 cases have been reported. Here, we report a case of dorsal spinal extradural cavernous angioma in a 52-year-old man who presented with back pain and difficulty in walking. Magnetic resonance imaging brain showed D7-D8 (thoracic) extradural spinal lesion, enhancing homogeneously on contrast administration. He underwent D7-D8 hemilaminectomy and tumor decompression. The tumor was extradural, tightly adherent to the dura, and highly vascular. He recovered completely after surgical removal with no recurrence 2 years after removal. He was not administered adjuvant radiotherapy. In this article, we review the literature regarding clinical features, imaging findings, and outcome of spinal epidural cavernous angioma.

Keywords: Cavernous angioma of the spine; epidural spine tumor; magnetic resonance imaging spine; spinal tumor; spine tumor surgery; vascular spine lesion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports