Intramedullary capillary hemangioma of the thoracic spine: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Capillary hemangiomas are benign vascular neoplasms. When associated with the spine, these growths frequently involve the vertebral body, but rarely have they been reported to occur as intradural lesions, while even more rarely occurring in a true intramedullary location. We report a rare case of an intramedullary capillary hemangioma of the thoracic spinal cord and a review of the literature.

Keywords: dysembryogenesis.; intramedullary capillary hemangioma.

Figure 1

(A) Sagittal T1-weighted MR image with Gadolinium revealing a homogeneously hyperintense mass involving the upper thoracic spine. (B) Axial T1-weighted MR image with Gadolinium demonstrating a centrally located lesion.

Figure 2

(A) Photomicrograph of H&E stain shows a hypervascular tumor composed of thin and irregular capillary vessels and minimal cytoplasm. Magnification × 200. (B) Immunohisto-chemical staining revealed the tumor cells to be strongly and diffusely immunoreactive for CD31, CD34, and CD99. Scattered S-100 protein and BCL-2 positive cells were present. Epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and inhibin stains were negative and MIB-1 labeling was brisk, but with rare mitoses. Magnification × 200.