Lumbar Intradural Intramedullary Epidermoid Cyst: A Case Report

Abstract

Epidermoid cysts have a benign etiology and can be either congenital, usually associated with malformations, or acquired, related to external events, and even iatrogenic. As for their location, they are classified as extradural, intradural, extramedullary, and intramedullary. Intradural intramedullary epidermoid cysts are quite uncommon, with few cases reported in literature so far. Because of its slow growth, there may be a delay in diagnosis. Its symptoms depend on lesion’s topography, and total cyst removal is recommended to improve the condition. In this paper, we report the case of an adult patient with progressive spastic crural paraparesis, without associated malformations. Imaging exams showed an intradural intramedullary epidermoid cyst, which was completely removed, with subsequent improvement of patient’s clinical status.