Idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis as a rare cause of spinal cord compression

Abstract

Idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis (IHP) is a rare inflammatory disease characterized by inflammation and hypertrophy of the dura mater. Spinal form of IHP is extremely rare. We report an idiopathic hypertrophic spinal pachymeningitis case, a 67-year-old female who presented with neck and upper back pain with progressive paraparesis and sensory level. Her magnetic resonance imaging cervico-dorsal spine showed abnormal epidural hypointensity on T2-weighted images from C5 to T4 with significant cord compression and intramedullary cord signal changes at T2 and T3 levels. The lesional biopsy was done suggestive of chronic inflammatory changes. She was treated with steroids and was able to walk unaided.

Keywords

• compressive myelopathy
• idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis
• idiopathic hypertrophic spinal pachymeningitis