A rare case of cavernous lymphangioma in the epidural space of the cervicothoracic spine

Abstract

Study design: A case report.

Objectives: To report and discuss a case of lymphangioma in the epidural space of the cervicothoracic spine.

Summary of background data: Lymphangioma of the soft tissue is not uncommon, but lymphangiomas presenting as a spinal soft tissue tumor in the epidural space are extremely rare.

Methods: A 61-year-old woman with pain and numbness in the left arm. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a half ring-shaped soft tissue mass in the left epidural space from the C6 to T1 level. The patient underwent osteoplastic laminectomy from C6 to T1. Histopathologic diagnosis of the resected tumor was cavernous lymphangioma.

Results: One year after the operation, the patient reported mild pain in left upper limb, but there was no evidence of local recurrence on magnetic resonance imaging.

Conclusion: To the authors' knowledge, this is an extremely rare reported case of lymphangioma presenting as a spinal soft tissue tumor in the cervicothoracic epidural space. Further observation is recommended because of the possibility of local recurrence.