Mobile neurinoma of the cauda equina: A case report

Abstract

The authors report a case of mobile tumor of the cauda equina. A 36-year-old man complaining of lumbago and sensory disturbance of the right lower limb, was diagnosed with an L4/5 herniated lumbar disc at another hospital. After epidural analgesia, his clinical symptoms changed for the worse and he was referred to our hospital. MRI in our hospital revealed the cranial migration of a lumbar intradural extramedullary tumor, demonstrating a mobile tumor. There are 38 case reports of mobile tumors in the previous literature. As to a mechanisms of tumor mobility, in the instance where there is an abnormal dilatation of the subarachnoid space due to a deformed spinal root, changes in cerebrospinal fluid pressure after lumbar puncture or myelography might play an important role. Such mobility is rare, but should be kept in mind when the clinical symptoms change for the worse after posture change, straining and lumbar puncture or myelography.