Giant intradural intramedullary epidermoid cyst Report of two cases with varied presentations

Abstract

We report two cases with giant intramedullary epidermoid cysts in the thoracolumbosacral and lumbosacral regions with varied presentations. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the thoraco lumbar spine in case 1revealed an intramedullary elongated mass extending from T10 to S2 level causing significant widening of the spinal canal while MR imaging of lumbosacral spine in case 2 showed straightening of the lumbar spine and spina bifida at L5 level with conus at L3 and a lobulated long segment intramedullary solid cystic lesion extending from L2 to S2 veterbrae. The lesion was surgically resected and the pathology revealed an epidermoid cyst. Epidermoid cysts of the spinal cord are rare tumours in the adult population which may be congenital or acquired. Symptoms arising from epidermoid cysts vary with the level of involvement. The treatment of epidermoid cysts is surgical and if possible, complete removal is the goal.