A rare case of spinal extradural teratoma with mediastinal extension

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Spinal extradural teratomas extending to posterior mediastinum are very rare and seldom reported. Case Report: A 4-year-old boy presented with progressive spastic paraparesis with sphincteric dysfunction was misdiagnosed as cerebral palsy. His magnetic resonance imaging showed D2-D5 extradural tumor, extending to the posterior mediastinum, causing severe thecal sac compression. Intraspinal part of the tumor was excised, and the child made a good recovery after the surgery. On histopathological examination, it was confirmed as a mature cystic teratoma. Conclusion: Spinal tumors with myelopathy may mimic cerebral palsy in children. To the authors’ knowledge, there are very few reported cases of spinal teratomas extending to the mediastinum.