Turkish Neurosurgery
2010 , Vol 20 , Num 2
Terminal Syringomyelia Mimicking an Intramedullary Tumor: Case Report
Istanbul University, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Neurosurgery Department, Istanbul, Turkey
DOI :
10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.1736-09.1
In this report, the authors present a 14-year-old male patient admitted with
progressive paraparesis and urinary incontinence that developed in a 3-month
period. Thoracolumbar MRI revealed an intramedullary lesion starting from the
level of the T10 vertebra and extending to fill the sacral spinal canal. Based on the
radiological findings an intramedullary tumor was suspected. Exploratory
operation with right L5 hemilaminectomy was done and the intraoperative
finding was syringomyelia which was punctured with releasing of the tethered
cord. The patient was followed for 3 years with clinical and radiological
regression of the pathology and no symptoms and sings have remained.
Syringomyelia can mimic intramedullary tumors clinically and radiologically.
That is why it is useful to consider exploratory hemilaminectomy to confirm
diagnosis.
Keywords :
Hemilaminectomy, Intramedullary tumor, Terminal syringomyelia, Tethered cord syndrome