Pure spinal epidural cavernous hemangioma with intralesional hemorrhage: a rare cause of thoracic myelopathy

Lumbar Epidural Cavernous Hemangioma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Pure epidural cavernous hemangioma (ECH) of the spine are rare and account for only 4% of all epidural spinal lesions. We report a case of epidural cavernoma at L3/4 presenting with L4 radiculopathy. Radiological, intraoperative findings and histopathology are presented. We present the case of a 56-year-old man who was admitted with a right L4 radiculopathy including an M4 paresis of the right leg, hypoesthesia L4, and radicular pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed an extradural lesion L3/4 partially expanding into the right intervertebral foramen. The lesion had a heterogeneous signal, isointense on T1-weighted and hyperintense on proton density (PD) and T2-weighted images. At surgery, an epidural, ovoid, gray-red, soft mass, lightly adherent to the dura and extending to the right L4 foramen was observed. Findings in the histological examination indicated a cavernous hemangioma without signs of hemorrhage. Symptoms and paresis improved rapidly after surgery. The follow-up MRI showed complete resection of the lesion with no signs of radicular compression. Spinal ECH should be considered as a cause of chronic lumbar radiculopathy with atypical radiological findings. Early diagnosis and total removal of the spinal ECH might prevent hemorrhage and neurological deficits. Fewer than 50 cases of lumbar epidural spinal hemangioma have been reported until today, and our case report is adding valuable knowledge to the existing literature.

Saf torasik spinal epidural kavernöz hemanjiom (SEKH)

Kavernöz hemanjiyomlar (KH) tüm kafa içi yapılarda, özellikle beyin parankiminde bulunabilir. Spinal hemanjiyomların çoğu vertebral kökenlidir. Omurları tutmayan spinal kavernöz hemanjiyomlara "saf" tipler denir. Saf spinal epidural kavernöz hemanjiyomlar (SEKH'lar) çok nadirdir ve tüm epidural lezyonların yaklaşık %4'ünü oluşturur. Burada son 2 aydır T8 duyu dermatomunun altında ilerleyici paraparezi ve duyu kaybı olan 42 yaşındaki kadın hastada saptanan saf torasik SEKH olgusu sunulmaktadır. Spinal epidural tümörlerin ayırıcı tanısında seçenekler arasında kavernöz hemanjiom unutulmamalıdır.

Intradural-Extramedullary Capillary Hemangioma with Acute Bleeding: Case Report and Literature Review

OBJECTIVES

Capillary hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors. They are commonly founded in the vertebral bodies but very seldom in the spinal cord. The most common symptom at onset is long-lasting axial pain without neurologic deficit. In rare cases, the onset may be acute with neurological deficit due to an intratumoral hemorrhage.

PATIENT AND METHODS

We report a case of a 58-year-old male with a history of 15 days upper back pain triggered by a mild traumatism that evolves acutely to paraplegia and urinary and fecal retention. An urgent MR showed an intradural lesion with signs of intratumoral haemorrhage.

RESULTS

Urgent surgical intervention was performed and the anatomopathological results were capillary hemangioma. The symptoms of the patient improved after the surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Intradural capillary hemangioma with acute intratumoral hemorrhage is a rare pathology, but it must be kept in mind because early diagnosis and treatment are key to achieve a good outcome. As far as we know, this is the first case reported of an intradural-extramedular capillary hemangioma that presents sudden neurologic deficit due to intratumoral bleeding.

Intradural Extramedullary Capillary Hemangioma In the Upper Thoracic Spine with Simultaneous Extensive Arachnoiditis

Capillary hemangiomas are common benign vascular tumors on skin and soft tissues, but developing as an intradural and extramedullary (IDEM) tumor in spine is extremely rare. In this report, we present IDEM tumor compressing thoracic cord in T2–3 level with extensive arachnoiditis below the tumor level in a 60-year-old man. The lesion was removed and histological diagnosis was capillary hemangioma. Prompt diagnosis and resection are important to avoid neurological deterioration from acute hemorrhagic condition. Simultaneous arachnoiditis may be originated from old subarachnoid hemorrhage associated tumor before diagnosis, and we suggest it as a helpful diagnostic feature to suspect vascular tumors such as capillary hemangioma.

Pure spinal epidural cavernous hemangioma: A case series of seven cases

INTRODUCTION

Pure spinal epidural cavernous hemangiomas (PSECHs) are rare vascular lesions with about 100 cases reported. Herein, we present a case series of 7 PSECHs discussing their clinical presentation, radiological characteristics, surgical technique and intraoperative findings, pathological features, and functional outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrieved from the retrolective databases of the senior authors, patients with pathologically confirmed PSECH operated between January 2002 and November 2015. From their medical records, the patients' sociodemographic, clinical, radiological, surgical, and histopathological data were retrieved and analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean age of the seven cases was 50.3 years. Four were females. All the five cases (71.4%) in the thoracic spine had myelopathy and the 2 (28.6%) lumbar cases had sciatica. Local pain was present in all the cases. All the lesions were isointense on T1-weighted images, hyperintense on T2-weighted images, and in five cases there was strong homogeneous enhancement. In six cases (85.7%), classical laminectomy was done; lesions resected in one piece in five cases. Total excision was achieved in all the cases. Lesions were thin-walled dilated blood vessels, lined with endothelium, and engorged with blood and with scanty loose fibrous stroma. The median follow-up was 12 months (range: 1-144 months). All patients gradually improved neurologically and achieved a good outcome with no recurrence at the last follow-up.

CONCLUSION

PSECH although rare is increasing reported and ought to be included in the differential diagnosis of spinal epidural lesions. Early surgical treatment with total resection is recommended as would result in a good prognosis.

Solitary spinal epidural cavernous haemangiomas as a rare cause of myelopathy

Cavernous haemangiomas rarely occur in the spinal epidural space. We report the case of a 27-year-old man who presented with myelopathy secondary to spinal cord compression from a purely epidural lesion. The imaging characteristics of cavernous haemangiomas are unique, reflecting a highly vascular lesion. Key differentiating features from intracranial or intramedullary lesions include the lack of a surrounding hemosiderin ring and popcorn appearance. An urgent referral to a neurosurgeon is recommended given the possibility of acute neurological deterioration from intralesional haemorrhage, and good recovery from early surgical resection. Preoperative planning with thorough patient counselling and availability of matched blood is important, and an en bloc resection approach should be taken to minimise blood loss. In this case, the patient experienced complete recovery after surgical resection. No recurrence after complete resection has been reported in the literature. This suggests a good long-term outcome for the patient and that no early adjuvant therapy is necessary.