Cavernous angioma of the cauda equina: A case report

Abstract

Cavernous angiomas are benign vascular malformations that are occasionally found in the central nervous system. They comprise about 3% of all subdural spinal cord tumors, with only 24 cases of cavernomas of the cauda equina described in the literature.This paper reports the case of a 55-year-old man who presented with back pain radiating to both legs. The patient followed several sessions of physiotherapy with only short pain relief. A lumbar magnetic resonance imaging showed a lesion with diameter of 12 mm located at the L1/L2 level under the conus medullaris. The patient underwent L2 and partially L1 laminectomy with complete resection of the lesion. The pathohistological examination was consistent with a cavernous angioma of the cauda equina. Full recovery of the patient was obtained without any neurological deficit.