Total excision of intramedullary epidermoid cyst in one case

Abstract

Clinical experience of total excision in a 14-year-old female with intramedullary epidermoid cyst was reported. The patient with L3-4 intramedullary epidermoid cyst underwent total excision through posterior median approach under microscopy. The patient was admitted for progressive strephexopodia and urinary and fecal incontinence. Preoperative imaging examination showed scoliosis, incontionous L4-S1 and abnormal signal of L3-4. Total excision and spinal remodeling were performed under intraoperative neurophysiological monitoning. Epidermoid cyst and its membrane were totally removed without aseptic meningitis after surgery, and the neurologic symptoms of the patient were gradually improved. Completely removing the membrane of epidermoid cyst is the key point to prevent recurrence and aseptic meningitis postoperatively. Dissection should be strictly in accordance with the boundaries of the membrane and the spinal cord, in order to avoid spinal cord injury. doi：10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2013.12.007Video: http://www.cjcnn.org/index.php/cjcnn/pages/view/v13n12a7

Keywords

• Epidermal cyst
• Spinal cord neoplasms
• Spina bifida occulta
• Scoliosis
• Microsurgery