Spinal Intradural Extramedullary Mature Cystic Teratoma at Cervical Location in an Elderly Person: A Rare Case Report with Review of Literature

Abstract

Spinal intradural extramedullary teratoma is a rare condition in adults and, at cervical spinal location, it is extremely rare. We reviewed many literatures and PubMed advanced search showed 11 results of intradural extramedullary teratoma in adults (above 18 years) which included nine independent case reports and three cases in a case series. We also found only one intradural extramedullary teratoma at cervical spinal position. Here, we reported a rare case of an adult onset intradural extramedullary teratoma in the cervical spinal cord with no evidence of spinal dysraphism and without any history of prior spinal surgery. The patient was a 70-year-old female whose chief complaints were neck stiffness and numbness at her left upper extremity. Magnetic resonance imaging of spine revealed a cystic intradural extramedullary mass opposite the 2nd cervical vertebra. The patient was operated and the mass was totally excised. The resected tumour was diagnosed histopathologically as a mature cystic teratoma. The patient’s symptoms were improved following the surgery.